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James David Garner

Statto

Statto

Free Kick Specialist
Gyros Peter said:
While I take the point I'd be more than happy to let him battle it out with Mangala.
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Yes, this.

No way Garner is a better option than Danilo but I'm not sure if he's better than Mangala or not, probably about the same to be fair, and whilst he's not quite as tall as Yates he's as physical and even by the end of his time here compared with the start had bulked up a fair deal so would offer similar strength options.

I guess the thing we don't really have since losing Garner is his ball retention. His short and longer range passing is top level and that is why he is a PL player. He also makes it look so easy. We don't have anywhere near that ability, Danilo is probably the closest we have but his is more high-risk and doesn't go for the shorter tidier passes always which Garner could always find.

As a team we were toss then but some of the passing he did with Krovinovic was absolutely sexual at times
 
Malwood

Malwood

Geoff Thomas
Gyros Peter said:
While I take the point I'd be more than happy to let him battle it out with Mangala.
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Hmm, I see those two as slightly different players. Garner naturally plays ten yards further forward than Mangala. But I agree that ball retention is the key thing we are lacking.
 
Gyros Peter

Gyros Peter

Sauce salad?
He did, but I very much see him in that role as he progresses - he was a baby with us remember.

I'm on a similar page to statto - I'm not sure he's better than Mangala at this point, but I think he will be, and I like the idea of two really high quality players in the DM position, where we could play both if required against the top sides. Both capable of filling other roles in the middle too.

Not that I think it will happen now Everton have stayed up and Dyche has seen what he can offer.
Malwood said:
Hmm, I see those two as slightly different players. Garner naturally plays ten yards further forward than Mangala. But I agree that ball retention is the key thing we are lacking.
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Gyros Peter

Gyros Peter

Sauce salad?
Rzar said:
I actually think Mangala has a higher ceiling than most players in our squad. Even potential wise I would back Mangala. He just reminds me so much of Mousa Dembele. When you get a functioning system around him he will get better and better.
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Agree with the high ceiling - if he can cut the lapses and challenging when he shouldn't he'll go far... fairly easy things to coach for a lad of his age. Nice passing range, comfortable receiving the ball in tight areas and reads the game well when 'on'.
 
Strummer

Strummer

Socialismo O Muerte!
LTLF Minion
Rzar said:
I actually think Mangala has a higher ceiling than most players in our squad. Even potential wise I would back Mangala. He just reminds me so much of Mousa Dembele. When you get a functioning system around him he will get better and better.
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Having seen the Belgian play in a (fairly) functioning system, yes.
 
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