Influential Players

[DenTyler]

Watching the city game v Villa today and watching the continued decline since Rodri was injured made me think of how badly we were once affected by the loss of a single player.

I think of us unable win when Wilf was not available.

The decline of the fabulous ‘91’ team when Wright left

And most recently the incredibly bad start we had this season with the loss of Olise.

That said the decline of city is really quite spectacular… and hilarious 🤣

 

[EagleinSF]

I think for us missing Wharton is huge. I expect a big upturn in results when he's back and fit.

 

[doombear]

Watching the city game v Villa today and watching the continued decline since Rodri was injured made me think of how badly we were once affected by the loss of a single player.

I think of us unable win when Wilf was not available.

The decline of the fabulous ‘91’ team when Wright left

And most recently the incredibly bad start we had this season with the loss of Olise.

That said the decline of city is really quite spectacular… and hilarious 🤣

Whilst we certainly miss Olise, I don't see his departure as the reason we had such a poor start to the season. Twelve of our squad didn't have a pre-season including 7 first choice players away on International duty and 2 more who joined on transfer deadline day. Quite simply our first team weren't fit enough or sufficiently in tune with Glasner's system to perform at the right level in those first two and a half months.

 

[silvertop]

Wharton is our equivalent.

 

[rob1969]

I think for us missing Wharton is huge. I expect a big upturn in results when he's back and fit.

Well lets hope he does and is ! Feel a bit concerned he may still have unresolved medical issues.

 

[Living In Hope]

Whilst we certainly miss Olise, I don't see his departure as the reason we had such a poor start to the season. Twelve of our squad didn't have a pre-season including 7 first choice players away on International duty and 2 more who joined on transfer deadline day. Quite simply our first team weren't fit enough or sufficiently in tune with Glasner's system to perform at the right level in those first two and a half months.

I agree with the factors you highlight, but I also think the loss of Olise was massive. I would argue that he is the only genuinely world-class talent we have ever had, and I expect to see him as a star in the next World Cup. His impact was enormous, not just directly but through his impact on other players who didn't get quite as much attention when he played (eg Ebs).

 

[MrRobbo]

Wharton all day long for me.

Olise got all the credit, but Wharton made that team last year tick. Need that boy back asap.

 

[viveasheagle]

I am in the really missing Olise camp and concur he is a genuine world class player and a potential Ballon D’Or winner. Wharton is useful but although he read's the game quickly he is not that fast and i think this will stop him moving into the level Olise is at. Again with Olise in the team he draw's players to him so the likes of Eze and Mateta are easier to find for players like Wharton who supply the front three.
On the plus side i think Mateta (although not in the Olise/Zaha level's of influence) is really starting to improve and if he can keep the improvement going he might be the next player to become irreplaceable.
Munoz is also a very good and under rated player.