Anthony David Junior Elanga

[MaxiRobriguez]

It's hard to overstate how important he is to this Forest side being decent, in my opinion, solely because his pace demands the other team's attention, which gives Hudson-Odoi the occasional extra yard of space on the other side to cause damage. He's relentless.

Not just CHO it provides space to.

You get an opposition full back who drops deep so as to not have to be in a foot race with him then it forces the rest of the defence deeper in order to retain the shape and offside line. That usually brings the midfield back a few yards as well which gives Forest the chance to dominate the ball in the middle. If the midfield don't drop back it gives MGW all the space in the world to do what he does best.

All starts from Elanga (or someone with pace to burn) being on the pitch and just asking the question of the full back with some off the ball runs.

 

[Gyros Peter]

My Elanga highlight yesterday was watching him and Robinson in a foot race. You don't see two players that quick going he'll for leather very often. Insane!

(And while I'm at it I'd love Robinson down our left - he's not got the best final ball but he makes up for that in drive and pace. He'd really balance us out.)

 

[Berkshire Red]

All starts from Elanga (or someone with pace to burn) being on the pitch and just asking the question of the full back with some off the ball runs.

Which begs the question of why Origi started ahead of him recently? Unless Elanga hasn't been 100% fit perhaps, we will probably never know.

He wasn't at his best last night, should have scored what would have been a marvellous team goal to make it 3-0, but as said, his mere presence worries the opposition.

 

[MaxiRobriguez]

Which begs the question of why Origi started ahead of him recently?

I think Origi's being shoehorned in as an means to play direct from defence (Murillo) to someone who can hold it up. Wood isn't a hold-up player, none of the attacking players have the strength/height to do it. He's been playing Origi wide right because he often comes up against a full back who's half a foot shorter than the centre back.

Simple as that. Unfrtounately the reality has been that Origi may win the aerial challenge and hold up the ball but the attacking phase breaks down shortly after, as Origi puts it back to our full back or gives it away.

Hasn't helped our central midfield has struggled to progress the ball as well, which forced the Origi out-ball more. Danilo yesterday was excellent at bringing the ball out of central midfield, so direct out-ball wasn't as necessary, and you could see it in how much play went through MGW in central areas.

 

[Redemption]

Origi may win the aerial challenge and hold up the ball but the attacking phase breaks down shortly after, as Origi puts it back to our full back or gives it away.

But it does release the pressure, momentarily. Which, given our record, is better respite than none.

 

[FLC]

My Elanga highlight yesterday was watching him and Robinson in a foot race. You don't see two players that quick going he'll for leather very often. Insane!

(And while I'm at it I'd love Robinson down our left - he's not got the best final ball but he makes up for that in drive and pace. He'd really balance us out.)

Looking forward to a potential foot race between him and Brennan on Sunday.

 

[Gyros Peter]

Looking forward to a potential foot race between him and Brennan on Sunday.

Believe Brennan limped off last night so might be a doubt.

 

[Timothy Pope]

Believe Brennan limped off last night so might be a doubt.

Elanga was also limping heavily last night

 

[Notcher]

I think Origi's being shoehorned in as an means to play direct from defence (Murillo) to someone who can hold it up. Wood isn't a hold-up player, none of the attacking players have the strength/height to do it. He's been playing Origi wide right because he often comes up against a full back who's half a foot shorter than the centre back.

Simple as that. Unfrtounately the reality has been that Origi may win the aerial challenge and hold up the ball but the attacking phase breaks down shortly after, as Origi puts it back to our full back or gives it away.

Hasn't helped our central midfield has struggled to progress the ball as well, which forced the Origi out-ball more. Danilo yesterday was excellent at bringing the ball out of central midfield, so direct out-ball wasn't as necessary, and you could see it in how much play went through MGW in central areas.

Spot on. It was noticeable that the tactic from goal kicks was for sels to play out to Murillo who then went long into Origi and we looked to picked up the second ball off him. That's fine for when we need to get out and hold onto the ball higher up whilst seeing out a game but it doesn't work as starting game plan.

 

[Gyros Peter]

Elanga was also limping heavily last night

I noticed that at the end - did he limp off? Hoping it was one of those 'walks' rather than an injury.

 

[Red Echo]

Not just CHO it provides space to.

You get an opposition full back who drops deep so as to not have to be in a foot race with him then it forces the rest of the defence deeper in order to retain the shape and offside line. That usually brings the midfield back a few yards as well which gives Forest the chance to dominate the ball in the middle. If the midfield don't drop back it gives MGW all the space in the world to do what he does best.

All starts from Elanga (or someone with pace to burn) being on the pitch and just asking the question of the full back with some off the ball runs.

Indeed - and what do defenders dislike more than anything? Having to turn around and run back towards their own goal. It all adds up in the psychological battle. His work rate is the secret sauce that makes it so effective.

His runs tend to give the Forest full-back on his side a safer outlet too, as when he's not playing there's more of a chance that the ball will be played into a higher-risk situation in the middle of the park.

Hopefully he stays healthy becuase if Elanga and Hudson-Odoi play in all of the remaining games, Forest are as good as safe.