[Albion] Mitoma vs Ali Mac

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

The oohs and aahs and general noise of appreciation when he did that was superb.

He did similar at West Ham away in December too.

And he did it in front of the massed ranks of the Japanese tourists who congregate at the North end of WSL in order to be close to the genius.

 

[Flounce]

Did you see Baleba yesterday?

I couldn’t help thinking as he marauded up the field yesterday “f***, he looks good, good enough to make Liverpool want him badly”

He was bloody magnificent and looked unstoppable once he got moving. I really hope we can hold on to him for at least one more season. No toys out of the pram, emptying of lockers, villages to feed and a ridiculous quote by TB to any aspiring cherry pickers please.

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

Listen to Slot's post match interview,

He wants Mitoma.

 

[Zeberdi]

Yes, agree with others, overall he is the best player in the squad but isn’t it comparing apples and oranges?

The skill set of a winger lends itself to gasping adoration (by virtue of being the fastest player usually on the pitch and often best long ball receivers) that awe is entirely different to the more understated, visceral response to a top MF or defender. MacAllister wasn’t a prolific goal scorer in open play but he was a world class rainmaker and drove forward the engine of our central MF. Baleba’s footwork was also sublime yesterday with some beautiful one touch volleys and low headers but less performative because it happened in more crowded areas.

I saw top skill moments on the ball from every individual on the pitch yesterday with feints, nutmegs, cut backs, one touch turns and defensive blocks/tackles (some of Wieffer’s interceptions were beautifully timed and exceptionally clean) so I don’t want to miss understated excellence by over-focussing on more performative skills.

Mitoma's take downs of long balls such as the Bart pass that led to that goal and his control on the touchline yesterday are absolutely world class as is his dribbling speed when he slices through defenders but this sort of football is the sort of flagship stuff that gets attention from the media and thrill seeking fans. Mitoma is easily our most impactful player off the bench but over 90 mins he can have very average periods as with all our players.

We have several world class players in our squad but until they can show that intensity and skill routinely over 90 mins, there’s still plenty of room for improvement.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

I’d actually agree with this. Caicedo is a generational talent. Already Chelsea’s player of the season. That ability to just get a foot in constantly, he was the heart of everything we did.
The only reason we don’t recognise this more as fans is because of the way he left

I hadn't realised that he won their Player of the Year award. That's quite an achievement for a defensive midfielder. He really is world class.

 

[Curious Orange]

The way he bent his leg to get over the ball. Watching the slow mo it looks like an impossible bend.

Yes, it was an absolutely astonishing finish the more you look at it.

 

[Doug-ees-evil]

Yes, agree with others, overall he is the best player in the squad but isn’t it comparing apples and oranges?

The skill set of a winger lends itself to gasping adoration (by virtue of being the fastest player usually on the pitch and often best long ball receivers) that awe is entirely different to the more understated, visceral response to a top MF or defender. MacAllister wasn’t a prolific goal scorer in open play but he was a world class rainmaker and drove forward the engine of our central MF. Baleba’s footwork was also sublime yesterday with some beautiful one touch volleys and low headers but less performative because it happened in more crowded areas.

I saw top skill moments on the ball from every individual on the pitch yesterday with feints, nutmegs, cut backs, one touch turns and defensive blocks/tackles (some of Wieffer’s interceptions were beautifully timed and exceptionally clean) so I don’t want to miss understated excellence by over-focussing on more performative skills.

Mitoma's take downs of long balls such as the Bart pass that led to that goal and his control on the touchline yesterday are absolutely world class as is his dribbling speed when he slices through defenders but this sort of football is the sort of flagship stuff that gets attention from the media and thrill seeking fans. Mitoma is easily our most impactful player off the bench but over 90 mins he can have very average periods as with all our players.

We have several world class players in our squad but until they can show that intensity and skill routinely over 90 mins, there’s still plenty of room for improvement.

Great post and observations. Agree 100%.
Still, it would be deeply upsetting to lose Mitoma. I said to my lad last night at the game, at about 85 mins, that we are so lucky and privileged to be able to call Mitoma our player. We will remember and talk about him in 30 years time. These moments he gives us are priceless.

 

[amexer]

Of course we have had many great defenders and midfielders over the years but it is the forwards that get you of your seat. In my supporting years there have been 2 stand out players with a constant wow factor that consistantly did things I would never have been able to achieve however much training and they are Ward and Mitoma

 

[pasty]

Enjoy

 

[Clive Walker]

Gonna mix it up a bit.

Whilst Mitoma has brilliant ball control, a footballing brain, a great turn, a cut inside etc etc…….almost everything, when attacking a defender down the wing he is so bloody predictable! You just know, as must the defender, that he is going to cut inside at some point, often with devastating effect. But why the hell can he not, just occasionally, get to the byline down the outside before popping it into the box? It would just add another option for the other team to worry about.

Bit like salah!

 

[Milano]

Mitoma is sublime, a simply wonderful player. I can’t even contemplate the day he leaves.

This. I just love the bloke. He's the best winger I've ever seen in the stripes in 40 years.
IMO if he wants to stay we'd be mad to sell him, I'd rather have this lad for another 2 years and see no transfer fee than the alternative. I'm just a fan though.

 

[jcdenton08]

This. I just love the bloke. He's the best winger I've ever seen in the stripes in 40 years.

Better than… Albert Jarrett?

 

[slartibartfast]

Better than… Albert Jarrett?

No....obviously apart from Albert Jarrett

 

[slartibartfast]

Mitoma ahead of Alexis Mac for me. In fact, Caicedo and potentially Baleba too..... Gross is up there . yes Mac Allister was world class, but he rarely got me out of my seat (Leicester game apart ), in the way that Mitoma can do.

 

[The Optimist]

I hope I'm wrong but I doubt we'll ever see another midfield like it in the stripes. Truly spoiled. That said, our depth is better now. A midfield from any of Baleba, Ayari, Hinshelwood, Weiffer, O'Riley isn't too shabby at all. If we keep all of them and they stay fit, then we have some very tasty options

Our overall depth across the squad is better, but at one point our midfield options included Gross, Bissouma, Caicedo, Mac Allister, Mwepu and Lallana.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Maybe I need new specs cos I rarely see him crossing with his left foot from the byline out wide?

He has run to the byline and played the ball/cut back into the danger area plenty of times.

 

[Uh_huh_him]

Yes, agree with others, overall he is the best player in the squad but isn’t it comparing apples and oranges?

The skill set of a winger lends itself to gasping adoration (by virtue of being the fastest player usually on the pitch and often best long ball receivers) that awe is entirely different to the more understated, visceral response to a top MF or defender. MacAllister wasn’t a prolific goal scorer in open play but he was a world class rainmaker and drove forward the engine of our central MF. Baleba’s footwork was also sublime yesterday with some beautiful one touch volleys and low headers but less performative because it happened in more crowded areas.

I saw top skill moments on the ball from every individual on the pitch yesterday with feints, nutmegs, cut backs, one touch turns and defensive blocks/tackles (some of Wieffer’s interceptions were beautifully timed and exceptionally clean) so I don’t want to miss understated excellence by over-focussing on more performative skills.

Mitoma's take downs of long balls such as the Bart pass that led to that goal and his control on the touchline yesterday are absolutely world class as is his dribbling speed when he slices through defenders but this sort of football is the sort of flagship stuff that gets attention from the media and thrill seeking fans. Mitoma is easily our most impactful player off the bench but over 90 mins he can have very average periods as with all our players.

We have several world class players in our squad but until they can show that intensity and skill routinely over 90 mins, there’s still plenty of room for improvement.

Agreed.

Groß had supreme skill, vision, nous and technique.
He was also far more impactful than any other player to have represented us in the Premier league.
And yet there were plenty of us ready to see him leave during the Potter era as he was too slow and past his best.

 

[Commander]

I know we’ve seen similar before but that take down on the West touch line last night? Absolutely world class.

It was insane. I haven't seen it since, is there a video of it anywhere?

 

[Uh_huh_him]

It was insane. I haven't seen it since, is there a video of it anywhere?

 

[Comrade Sam]

We used to get so excited when Stephen Penney got the ball on the wing, or Nathan Jones, Rod Thomas, Eliot Bennett etc. but really no one has come close to Mitoma.