Il Pirata

Keep it respectful, chicken. It is my opinion, and I haven't made any rubbish up. My opinion of Cantwell is in the context of game changers such as Buendia, Vrancic, and even Steipermann. He doesn't effect the game anywhere near enough.

His reputation seems defined by those goals against Chelsea and Man City at the start of last season. I never saw Todd positively effect large parts of any game last season, and given his defensive liabilities, he simply has to do more in an attacking sense to justify his selection. Yes most players were poor last season, but there were times players showed real class. Buendia against Wolves, Vrancic against Spurs, a couple of dominating, effective, performances. A decent squad player, and one I expect to get a fair amount of game time. But I stand by my opinion (for now), Cantwell is hugely overrated. If he's as good as a lot of people make out, he should rip this division to shreds. 10 goals, 10 assists, minimum. Happy to bet he doesn't get close to either.

He played 90 minutes against Birmingham and Wycombe, yet without the introduction of Vrancic we'd probably not won either game. MOM? I watched a player afforded lots of time and space to receive the ball, but dreadfully wasteful with it. How many chances did he miss against Brum? Yes stats may support your point. But you could also say since he went out of the side (HT at Brentford) we've won 4 incredibly tough points.. Good form if you ask me. Look at the impacts of Steipermann and Vrancic in the last few games. Big goals, big assists in big moments. Cantwell doesn't do anywhere near enough of that. Throw stats at me, but he just doesn't. He's no game changer. I'm sure there's stats to prove that.. Watch the game. If Cantwell is pressed, he's very average and creates little. Which typically happens against better sides, as Brentford proved. But he was injured you say....

Great keeper.. But still does the odd thing... was it just me that thought he should have held the shot that led to the first goal? His presence is huge. Obviously gets in the oppositions head too.

Our recent form clearly pleasing Farke.

And that's a huge point. As a team dynamic, Steipermann and Vrancic bring more than Cantwell does. Cantwell is technically gifted, but does not positively affect the game often enough. This can be masked by his 'pleasing on the eye' style. If you were picking a 5 aside team, Cantwell would be one of the first names on the team sheet.

It was all complete speculation.

Hopefully. But not shown a lot for a long time now, and no coincidence our form is improving without him. I like the lad, but he's so overrated. Vrancic and Steipermann are far more effective - they actually create and score. Buendia is a different level, and Placheta and Hernandez offer blistering pace we need.

Great result today - very similar to a typical performance from our champ winning season. Steipermann is so important to Pukki. I still wouldn't rule out Vrancic coming back in for certain games too, Brentford was a very tough gig. Steipermann or Vrancic, flanked by Hernandez / Buendia / Placheta, and we'll create and score. I think Cantwell has a lot to do to force his way back in. Just not effective enough.

Dropping Cantwell has been a cracking move, as I've said all along.

👏

Well looking at the stats we more than deserve it. I didn't watch it, granted, but to have more possession and more shots against Brentford is an achievement. Brentford rarely concede those stats.

Happy Vrancic got 90 minutes. I hope he gets a decent run. All these people saying he can't play 90 minutes are talking stupid. Give him a run of games to find some form. Remember the quality of the opposition today.

Great result that. Unbeaten run goes to 4.

WTAF? Why is Buendia taking free kicks!

Why is Vrancic not on free kicks!!

Well, he came under a lot of stick early part of last season. What is spot on is their player recruitment. Second to none.

This is very frustrating, but Brentford are one of the best sides in this division. I expect them to go up this season. Hopefully we can nick a point..

With no Hernandez, we really lack a direct outlet. Todd playing poor...

Two big wins. It's slowly turning, Rupp for Mclean seems to be making a positive difference.

😘

Need Vrancic to pick the lock..

He really hasn't. Showed some real quality in advanced positions yesterday. A couple of delightful through balls, and some great link up play. To say it's bizarre that he's ahead of Martin is, well, quite frankly, bizarre! Your talking about a an experienced pro, proven at this level with numerous goals and assists and a key component of our promotion to the EPL. Martin has no experience and hasn't proven a thing! Vrancic, ok. There is an argument there.

Do we? I think Leitner has proven is more than good enough to be starting. Good post though. I had, and still have, high hopes for McCallum. Very surprised we let him go on loan. Quintilla seems to be another Pinto for me, decent going forward but weak defensively. I think from what I've seen so far, I'd have preferred McCallum to be playing instead.

I'm not sure how anyone can reflect and say it was anything but a bad window, for the here and now at least. We've lost Dowell, Hernandez and Byram to long term injuries. Placheta has potential, but totally unproven and has also had an injury. Gibson is a an improvement, but as played next to no football for the last 18 months. Hanley and Zimm are proven to be injury prone. Cantwell and Buendia could find form, but given the events of the last few weeks, could also flop. And let's be honest they've both had no form for months. Hugill was a decent signing and offers something different. Ultimately, the squad feels unbalanced and injury prone. No where near good enough currently to threaten the top six. And that's not really good enough.