Joao Carvalho

[zicorice]

To me I see him as a player who might be worth the hype in a few years in the right league (for us the Prem obv). The problem is we've got to get there first, and the game time he gets could possibly be better channeled elsewhere with that goal in mind.

If we sign a quality winger in Jan, I'd probably sooner see Ameobi in Carva's role if Silva is having to cover Sow/Yates. I'm also wondering if we're building for the future, is it worth giving Johnson some of this game time too?

In the role he was tasked with Carvalho was undoubtedly our worst player IMO. Who would you say was worse Zicorice? Ameobi tired and looked poor towards the end of his spell, but first half he was one of our biggest threats. I can't think of any other player in the side who was as bad as Carva yesterday.

Just based on yesterday, Figs (who has been good lately) had a stinker. Ameobi, who I like, wasted really good possession and couldn't shoot. I thought Silva ran around alot, doing nothing and in Yates/Sows position created nil. Lolley struggled and was no better. Just a difficult day against a difficult side.

It's then chicken and egg isn't it? Was the number 10 off song because many of the players around him were too? Lolley and Grabs made nothing of his 2 excellent slide rule passes. He took up good positions in pockets of space, but the ball never came. The goal started when a failed cross field pass was intercepted, yet Carvalho had taken up a great position in middle of the pitch and wanted the ball. 

Or were we struggling to break down Cardiff because the number 10 couldnt open them up often enough and faded as the game wore on?

He didn't give the ball away much and but for handball would have got an equaliser. On the other hand he skied one early on after great control and faded after half time, mis controlling one out of the air that we know he can control in his sleep normally. 

It's the conundrum? Personally, I would back him and even build a team around him. Equally, I would can see the view that we need more championship style performers.  Obviously, I like him, but I am fence sitting a bit with regards to where we go. However, I do hold with his performance yesterday was not as bad-in his position- as you stated, but neither was it good enough. As Warbs might say, fine margins. He slams that early chance in different game. But the fact is, he didn't. Handball is given, or the ball flies into back of net later on, different  game. But it wasn't and it didn't, so the questions are still their.