AbouCuellar has a point of our midfield/team nog being set up correctly and positioning without the ball/when we’re dispossessed should be better. That’s also a reason why Monreal is ‘exposed’ so often. But that’s the case when we play either one of those players.
He has surprised me looks better now but still prefer Xhaka’s passing
I happen to think he is one of the better DM’s in the league.
AC does have interesting points however.
Love the Coq
Arguably the best tackler we’ve had in 10 years.
Considering how hard he goes in, his tackles are more often clean and fair than not even though he does get the occasional card.
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Used to always think being a tackler is more of throwing as many darts at the target and hope you get enough to be considered a specialist. Coq’s accuracy ratio is pretty awesome.
It’s not deliberately-last-ditch-Cattermole either. Le Coq has always been very combative in nature, I remember a stand out game when he played RB? for us against Fulham years ago, he was a storm everywhere and constantly sliding on his opponents. It’s clearly apart of his game and he’s very good at it. Plenty of occasions where he actually intercepts whilst on both feet.
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Said for a few years he is one of, if not the best DM in the league. Guy is a machine.
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The art of tackling is a very underrated one in football. Most applaudits naturally go to strikers and creators for their flair, but the uglier side of the game deserves the same amount of respect.
Tackling is all to do with timing and attitude for me. Half the battle is wanting to win the ball which Coq has in abundance. Combining his aggressiveness with his timing of tackles and interceptions makes him a bloody quality ball winner for us. He has had insane stats for over a year now so it isnt some fluke either.
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I honestly think he’d fetch a very good price on the market but looking at the dearth of good, well-tackling DMs out there we’d be nuts to do so. There are several top teams who could make use of him but he suits us so well.
Wonderful post MM. I appreciate coq so much because I love the way he plays and try to emulate that when I’m on the pitch. That kind of football, the ugly side, is what I enjoy doing best. Coq is a master at it. When I was first getting into playing my Idols were William Gallas and John Terry (yes I know he’s a massive cunt but he was a top defender back then) for those very reasons.
During my teenage playing days nothing gave me greater joy than tackling a forward, taking the ball first and then leaving some in on the player knowing you couldn’t be punished for it.
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I never enjoyed the dirty side but Coquelin basically does it to enhance the attack rather than what other DMs do as a nuisance.
Le coq is our Kante, if he could improve his long range passing he will be world class.
Mate. Coq was this good a while before anyone knew who Kante was.
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I know.
Kante is definitely better than Coquelin though.
He definitely isnt. At Leicester he worked their system perfectly, at Chelsea he has been a real mixed bag.
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There is nothing to suggest one is definitely better than other.
Except a premier league winners medal and a place in the NT too