Match Player Ratings

[wassy04]

Yes 8 is fair for Watson some of his diagonal balls were excellent  . He has been player of the season for me

The midfield three were all good today.

not sure I entirely agree with that, we were far too exposed first half.

Yeah I also disagree, was not expecting such positivity about Watson, I thought he wasnt great first half. Wasnt able to press at the same pace as silva/Sow and kept getting us caught out because of it. Also kept stepping off the attackers and allowing them to come onto him.

Was better in second half when Luton got a bit knackered sure but not sure he warrants the praise provided.

[zicorice]

Very close to scoring yet never has in the league. Like a rabbit in headlights

Never played a killer pass either, unless from a set piece.

I've watched the game twice now. Once live and once on TV.

I like Silva, but I don't get the love in. He's quite good.

Pros. 
He is good in tight spaces (so long as not in box)
Short passing is now very consistent 
Draws alot of stupid fouls
Works hard off the ball
Takes a decent set piece a couple of times a game

Cons
Rarely see's a killer pass (as a #10)
When we break he lacks both pace and quick decision making.
Rarely scores 
Tackles like Paul Scholes.

Today he demonstrated all of his pros and most of his cons (didn't actually make a tackle, so couldn't tackle like Scholes).

So for me he is quite good, not bad, ok, not great.

No complaints that we signed him, especially the "price" and with injuries earlier in season he has kept us ticking over. Good lad, alot of time for him.

Today, a 6 as usual. Consistent. He rarely gets less than 6 and rarely more than 7.

[BadDog]

Silva was absolute class today, the only midfielder we had with the balls to hold onto it and calm the game down, if Lolley hadn't scored two Silva would of been my MOM.

[Jacksbadhobbits]

Silva was absolute class today, the only midfielder we had with the balls to hold onto it and calm the game down, if Lolley hadn't scored two Silva would of been my MOM.

Totally agree. He is a class act.

[zicorice]

Silva was absolute class today, the only midfielder we had with the balls to hold onto it and calm the game down, if Lolley hadn't scored two Silva would of been my MOM.

That's opinions. I thought there were quite a few times today where a pass was on and he held on to it too long and the chance was gone or the player received the ball under pressure which was avoidable. It was more clear live obviously with the play laid out in front of you than on TV. I want my #10 linking up play (which he is very good at) and opening up the opposition when the chance presents itself (which he doesn't do).

As I said I think he is a decent lad and a quite good player. For me if a #10s performance is to to be described as "absolute class" he has to have at least played one or two defence splitting passes (like Watsons) or scored a goal out of nothing. Lolley was absolute class today, even aside from his goals. Watson was too in his position. Silva was I thought (after 2 viewings) quite good in his position. A 6 or 7.

[BadDog]

He calmed the game down when the whole of our side was treating it as a hot potato. I have a season ticket I was at the game and I've watched it back since coming home. He didn't give the ball away once.

[zicorice]

He calmed the game down when the whole of our side was treating it as a hot potato. I have a season ticket I was at the game and I've watched it back since coming home. He didn't give the ball away once.

Or create anything once.

As I said I like him for the reasons above, but he isn't a creative #10. Maybe he is just doing what he's been told to do? Keep it simple, keep it red-especially when we were gash in first 20 minutes. But at home we have struggled to create clear cut chances for a variety of reasons. The new fast winger may help, Lolleys improved performances over the last month is definitely huge, but we need more guile and imagination - plus the odd goal -  from our #10.

[wassy04]

He calmed the game down when the whole of our side was treating it as a hot potato. I have a season ticket I was at the game and I've watched it back since coming home. He didn't give the ball away once.

Or create anything once.

As I said I like him for the reasons above, but he isn't a creative #10. Maybe he is just doing what he's been told to do? Keep it simple, keep it red-especially when we were gash in first 20 minutes. But at home we have struggled to create clear cut chances for a variety of reasons. The new fast winger may help, Lolleys improved performances over the last month is definitely huge, but we need more guile and imagination - plus the odd goal -  from our #10.

He's not playing 10 though? He's playing as part of a midfield 3 so a lot of his role is about defending and pressing. He is vital to our pressing, has the legs and is good at it. Be nice if he could make some more runs from deep though to get the ball closer to the goal

[zicorice]

He calmed the game down when the whole of our side was treating it as a hot potato. I have a season ticket I was at the game and I've watched it back since coming home. He didn't give the ball away once.

Or create anything once.

As I said I like him for the reasons above, but he isn't a creative #10. Maybe he is just doing what he's been told to do? Keep it simple, keep it red-especially when we were gash in first 20 minutes. But at home we have struggled to create clear cut chances for a variety of reasons. The new fast winger may help, Lolleys improved performances over the last month is definitely huge, but we need more guile and imagination - plus the odd goal -  from our #10.

He's not playing 10 though? He's playing as part of a midfield 3 so a lot of his role is about defending and pressing. He is vital to our pressing, has the legs and is good at it. Be nice if he could make some more runs from deep though to get the ball closer to the goal

Really? Granted he doesn't wear  #10, but pretty sure he is our advanced midfield man/ closest man to Grabban, so I would say it's pretty much the #10 role in the way Sabri sets us up, especially at home.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

I share quite a few of your reservations about him Zico however you are being unfair IMO because he plays as a #8 not a #10. We dont really play a 10 hence no role for Carvalho under Lamouchi, whether he would had we a more consistent player in that role I dont know.
I get the impression Silva is doing as per his brief, he has improved 100% in many aspects and is certainly a decent tidy player to have to link up play. However is he the dominating midfield presence a promotion chasing side needs?

[Username]

He calmed the game down when the whole of our side was treating it as a hot potato. I have a season ticket I was at the game and I've watched it back since coming home. He didn't give the ball away once.

Or create anything once.

As I said I like him for the reasons above, but he isn't a creative #10. Maybe he is just doing what he's been told to do? Keep it simple, keep it red-especially when we were gash in first 20 minutes. But at home we have struggled to create clear cut chances for a variety of reasons. The new fast winger may help, Lolleys improved performances over the last month is definitely huge, but we need more guile and imagination - plus the odd goal -  from our #10.

He's not playing 10 though? He's playing as part of a midfield 3 so a lot of his role is about defending and pressing. He is vital to our pressing, has the legs and is good at it. Be nice if he could make some more runs from deep though to get the ball closer to the goal

Really? Granted he doesn't wear  #10, but pretty sure he is our advanced midfield man/ closest man to Grabban, so I would say it's pretty much the #10 role in the way Sabri sets us up, especially at home.

I don’t think he’s playing in a number ten, definitely not today, not sure if that’s intentional or lack of instruction but he’s a lot deeper than that most of the time.

[zicorice]

I share quite a few of your reservations about him Zico however you are being unfair IMO because he plays as a #8 not a #10. We dont really play a 10 hence no role for Carvalho under Lamouchi, whether he would had we a more consistent  player in that role I dont know.
I get the impression Silva is doing as per his brief, he has improved 100% in many aspects and is certainly a decent tidy player to have to link up play. However is he the dominating midfield presence a promotion chasing side needs?

If I am wrong (wouldn't be the first time) then what you are saying is that we are set up at home with a back 4, 2 defensive minded midfielders-albeit very good ones- and a box to box midfielder, who doesn't go box to box. Plus 2 wide men and a CF? Against bottom of the league? Not sure I buy that. 

I thought the reason Carvalho wasnt starting was because he hasn't been able to get going this season with his sporadic appearances, no one's fault other than the thug at Alfreton. As a result, Silva has made himself 1st pick for the most advanced midfield role most of the time.

To reiterate, I like Silva, he has done an ok job (as a#10 if that's what he is) a slightly average job as an 8 ( if that's what he is) and a reasonable job when asked as a holding player. Out wide too, he has done OK.

No complaints, I would pick him at present, but ask him to put ball at risk more in  final third or on break. Ironically, our equaliser came when Silva lost the ball in midfield and Watson piled in to recover it (arguably committing a foul on Lua Lua in the scrap) and we broke through Ribeiro. (What a pass by the way).

Funny old game. He rarely gave the ball away, creating nothing, but when he lost it we broke and scored, that's football.