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Player Mohammed Kudus

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AberdeenYid said:
Just making the point that a similar performance by BJ would have been jumped all over on here. To be fair to Kudus, he does do more defensively than BJ, however, I know I seem to be in the minority here, but I don’t want to spend £55m on an attacking player that’s good defensively. I want him scoring and assisting. We’ve got defenders who can defend.
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I would take it if BJ could hold onto the ball and release some pressure even once in a match. Kudus does it 5+ times a game. I think you are underestimating how much that helps our defense and contributes to 4 clean sheets in 5 games.

Kudus and BJ are clearly different players with different skills. Even a subpar game for Kudus like tonight is better than BJs poor games because Kudus’ average level is just so much higher because he contributes in numerous areas.
 
bonaspur23 said:
I would take it if BJ could hold onto the ball and release some pressure even once in a match. Kudus does it 5+ times a game. I think you are underestimating how much that helps our defense and contributes to 4 clean sheets in 5 games.

Kudus and BJ are clearly different players with different skills. Even a subpar game for Kudus like tonight is better than BJs poor games because Kudus’ average level is just so much higher because he contributes in numerous areas.
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I’ll take that. His fannying about on the wing, to absolutely no attacking benefit, does give the defence a wee breather.

I really just can’t bring myself to care though. He is maybe exactly what Frank is looking for in an attacking player, but he’s not what I’m looking for - up till now.

I will assume that Frank knows a lot more about this than me though.
 
AberdeenYid said:
Just making the point that a similar performance by BJ would have been jumped all over on here. To be fair to Kudus, he does do more defensively than BJ, however, I know I seem to be in the minority here, but I don’t want to spend £55m on an attacking player that’s good defensively. I want him scoring and assisting. We’ve got defenders who can defend.
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This is not true.
It is not just about defensive contribution. He actually manages to keep the ball in tight areas while surrounded with opposition players (yesterday only player in frontline who could do it) and he also progresses the ball by carrying it to dangerous areas.

Two important things.

So one thing is comparing him to BJ and other to his first appearances for us.
In latter comparison I feel that he has taken step back - he keeps the ball too long and always does the same thing when he receives the ball. He either takes it on his right foot and goes to sideline for run. Or cuts back and passes back. But he could for a change take the ball to left side of the defender, cut in aggressively. This would achieve two things- makes defender unsure what happens next + gives Porro more room on the wing.

So basically - not catastrophe. But can improve :) .
 
bonaspur23 said:
I would take it if BJ could hold onto the ball and release some pressure even once in a match. Kudus does it 5+ times a game. I think you are underestimating how much that helps our defense and contributes to 4 clean sheets in 5 games.

Kudus and BJ are clearly different players with different skills. Even a subpar game for Kudus like tonight is better than BJs "so called best" games because Kudus’ average level is just so much higher because he contributes in numerous areas.
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Slight correction sorry mate, but overall correct sentiment.
 
TheSpurEst said:
This is not true.
It is not just about defensive contribution. He actually manages to keep the ball in tight areas while surrounded with opposition players (yesterday only player in frontline who could do it) and he also progresses the ball by carrying it to dangerous areas.

Two important things.

So one thing is comparing him to BJ and other to his first appearances for us.
In latter comparison I feel that he has taken step back - he keeps the ball too long and always does the same thing when he receives the ball. He either takes it on his right foot and goes to sideline for run. Or cuts back and passes back. But he could for a change take the ball to left side of the defender, cut in aggressively. This would achieve two things- makes defender unsure what happens next + gives Porro more room on the wing.

So basically - not catastrophe. But can improve :) .
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Not really sure what bit of my post you feel isn’t true?

Johnson can’t keep the ball to save his life, even if he’s got nobody near him. But he scores goals. Kudus can keep the ball when surrounded, but to what effect? The only benefit I see is the already pointed out opinion that he takes the pressure off by holding the ball a bit longer away from our goal. So, about as effective as a long punt to the opposition corner flag.

I know he’s new and even if he’s experienced in the league and not settling in to a new country, he’ll still need time to settle. I’m just saying I’d like to see more intent to get in the box and be a threat. The man he replaced was always doing that. You could pretty much guarantee that if the ball went in the box, Johnson was lurking. Doing nothing else, but being a threat.
 
Can't believe Kudus is getting criticism. He's probably been our best player so far. If you want him to score more goals, you have to put him in a role that's not so wide. He's not getting any good chances created by his team mates.
 
daveyboy88 said:
needs to be told not to hold onto the ball every time he gets it, it becomes so transparent and its also a killer for his energy. watching him dribble into the space where a team mate is standing free...

hes got ingredients to be very good, but he can be very frustrating at times.
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I think it's the way Frank wants to play. Every time we have a chance to counter, we slow down, pass around with the ultimate goal to get the ball to one of the wingers with wing backs overlapping. It's so damn predictable by now. Makes Kudus work twice as hard as the defence is almost always fully regrouped when he's given the ball.

Frank is not going to get the best out of our attack. He's used to working with inferior players, and try to use the same methods. With players like Kudus, you give them more freedom to attack and create.
 
AberdeenYid said:
Not really sure what bit of my post you feel isn’t true?

Johnson can’t keep the ball to save his life, even if he’s got nobody near him. But he scores goals. Kudus can keep the ball when surrounded, but to what effect? The only benefit I see is the already pointed out opinion that he takes the pressure off by holding the ball a bit longer away from our goal. So, about as effective as a long punt to the opposition corner flag.

I know he’s new and even if he’s experienced in the league and not settling in to a new country, he’ll still need time to settle. I’m just saying I’d like to see more intent to get in the box and be a threat. The man he replaced was always doing that. You could pretty much guarantee that if the ball went in the box, Johnson was lurking. Doing nothing else, but being a threat.
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The part when you say "a similar performance by BJ would have been jumped all over on here" - it is not true. Cause Brennan has never had such performance. Where he could actually progress the ball and keep it under pressure.

Those two things are absolutely crutial in order to control the tempo of the game.
Kudus - clear tempo setter, he affects the game and moves ball forward. With him taking the ball and passing it to Bergvall is where our goal came from.
Brennan - clear tempo taker, he needs others to carry the load, do all the ball retention, carrying and passing to put it on his feet.

If you have team full of Brennans you will never see ball reach dangerous areas. And see large number of players literally standing in the back post. All while they walk through our lines and defense. It is recipe for disaster.
If you have team full of Kuduses you will run and press the opposition to the ground with poor finishing ability. Though opposition rarely sees the ball and cannot create much either.
/EDIT : actually wanted to add as conclusion - in perfect world, we would need and we do need mix of those two. Mix of tempo makers and then also someone who puts away the chances. And it would be good if Kudus would add directness to his play too, no doubt. And we can use strenghts of both of them over the long season!/

So, no, it is not some favoritism. Even without assisting or setting up brilliant chances, Kudus did SO MUCH MORE than Brennan ever does. And that is why one is nailed on starter and other is nailed to the bench.
 
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AberdeenYid said:
Not really sure what bit of my post you feel isn’t true?

Johnson can’t keep the ball to save his life, even if he’s got nobody near him. But he scores goals. Kudus can keep the ball when surrounded, but to what effect? The only benefit I see is the already pointed out opinion that he takes the pressure off by holding the ball a bit longer away from our goal. So, about as effective as a long punt to the opposition corner flag.

I know he’s new and even if he’s experienced in the league and not settling in to a new country, he’ll still need time to settle. I’m just saying I’d like to see more intent to get in the box and be a threat. The man he replaced was always doing that. You could pretty much guarantee that if the ball went in the box, Johnson was lurking. Doing nothing else, but being a threat.
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Kudus has the ability to get the ball into dangerous positions for teammates. BJ doesn’t.
 
AberdeenYid said:
I’ll take that. His fannying about on the wing, to absolutely no attacking benefit, does give the defence a wee breather.

I really just can’t bring myself to care though. He is maybe exactly what Frank is looking for in an attacking player, but he’s not what I’m looking for - up till now.

I will assume that Frank knows a lot more about this than me though.
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Good thing you're not in charge then eh
 
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