Machiavelli
Well-known member
I can't quite understand people's reactions to Bruno. He's been utter class all calendar year now, and probably for longer than that.
I do appreciate that he makes the odd mistake (there were a few unforced errors and misplaced passes last night, for instance), but:
-- he made a number of brilliant interceptions where he got to the ball ahead of their forward; these weren't 50-50 balls, they were more like 40-60, and it wasn't just last night that he's made these
-- his understanding of the game, and how to win back the ball is outstanding. The amount of times he feigns to head the ball from a goal kick for instance, and then withdraws so the ball runs out of play, and we get the throw-in is significant. He is also brilliant at using his body to shield a moving ball.
-- his skill level for a right back would challenge most Premier League players playing in that position; his control of the ball is, once again, outstanding. Because he dares to use this skill, we have to accept that the gamble will sometimes fail, but more often than not, it succeeds, and opens up some time and space to launch an attack.
-- he gets forward, and uses the ball intelligently. Look at The Argus piece today where Ulloa indicated that Bruno had told him that he would cross low and hard in the eventuality of getting into a position on the basis that Hill and Dunne are excellent in the air.
I suspect that much of the hostility to Bruno on NSC is because he's cramping many from exercising their man-love for Calde on a more regular basis.
Plenty of people are becoming increasingly vociferous in calling for Ward to be signed up. I like Ward, but given the choice between us signing Ward and us renewing Bruno's contract, I know which one I'd go for.
I do appreciate that he makes the odd mistake (there were a few unforced errors and misplaced passes last night, for instance), but:
-- he made a number of brilliant interceptions where he got to the ball ahead of their forward; these weren't 50-50 balls, they were more like 40-60, and it wasn't just last night that he's made these
-- his understanding of the game, and how to win back the ball is outstanding. The amount of times he feigns to head the ball from a goal kick for instance, and then withdraws so the ball runs out of play, and we get the throw-in is significant. He is also brilliant at using his body to shield a moving ball.
-- his skill level for a right back would challenge most Premier League players playing in that position; his control of the ball is, once again, outstanding. Because he dares to use this skill, we have to accept that the gamble will sometimes fail, but more often than not, it succeeds, and opens up some time and space to launch an attack.
-- he gets forward, and uses the ball intelligently. Look at The Argus piece today where Ulloa indicated that Bruno had told him that he would cross low and hard in the eventuality of getting into a position on the basis that Hill and Dunne are excellent in the air.
I suspect that much of the hostility to Bruno on NSC is because he's cramping many from exercising their man-love for Calde on a more regular basis.
Plenty of people are becoming increasingly vociferous in calling for Ward to be signed up. I like Ward, but given the choice between us signing Ward and us renewing Bruno's contract, I know which one I'd go for.
