14 Sep 2021 20:13:28
Rodi to be taken out of the mid for barcodes game? Klich in and Rodi sub for paddy
Rodi in midfield ain't working bubs needs to accept this fact.
14 Sep 2021 21:14:05
logical.
14 Sep 2021 21:36:49
That’s what I’d like to happen too, but suspect Rodders will be kept at 10. The frustrating thing is that, as pointed out in an article in the Square Ball this week, on a small number of occasions last season, like at Villa, the experiment seemed to work well, but the rest the time it’s been at best ineffective and at worst a disaster.
Bielsa has subbed him of at halftime in 2 of his 3 starts this season, so he clearly has significant concerns. It’s what he does to address those concerns that is the question.
14 Sep 2021 22:54:59
I guess it might be felt that if the experiment has any chance of working, it really needs to be doing so away to a Newcastle side yet to get out of first gear, given Rodrigo was playing in midfield when we won there last season, grabbing the assist for Raphinha’s opener. He was also in midfield at home to them and scored one of our five goals. That said, the game at St James’ Park could have gone either way, with them having far more shots on goal - so certainly the game shouldn’t be taken lightly, particularly with their fans baying them on - and defeat would put us in the bottom 3, and lift Newcastle’s flagging spirits. The first goal could be absolutely crucial.
15 Sep 2021 07:49:46
Indeed clu with willock + st maxim, barcodes will have chances so we do really need to impose ourselves very quickly .
To be fair, it's not just Rod that needs to find some good form so far this season, and as we all know this next run of games are a lot more win-able than our 1st 4 . So here's hoping the win can be snatched Fri night.
15 Sep 2021 09:11:11
This will be a very tough game at St. James like last season but I do feel that Bielsa will persist with Rodrigo at his number 10 roll and rightly so, if he can stay injury free and get the minutes on the pitch, it will click eventually as he has done on a few occasions before. He needs a decent run of game time without a heap of time out with injury and sickness.
As for our defense, if Struijk’s ban is not overturned as it is not expected being Leeds!
then it could be very likely Shacks will take the right back and Ayling in the centre, Dallas too important to take out of his midfield position. It’s not a promising or healthy back line so I expect the rest of the players are going to have to work extra hard in back tracking as their flanks will be a big threat.
I’ll take a draw on this game but would love a scrappy lucky 1 nil win, considering our depleted defense.
15 Sep 2021 10:30:08
Going back to the original point about Rodrigo being subbed at half time in 2 out of his 3 games.
Cast your mind back to Bielsa's first season. Phillips was dragged off at half time in a couple of those early matches. By all accounts because he wasn't playing to the directions of Bielsa. Looking forward, those early baths seemed to have helped Phillips and aren't an indication of the player being side-lined.
Granted Phillips needed only half a season to pick up Bielsaball, but I am sure Rodrigo has the talent to work within many different structures and this one will click at some point.