Matt Miazga playing for Alaves

Discussion in 'Yanks Abroad' started by Gorky, Jan 25, 2015.

  1. Suyuntuy

    Suyuntuy Member+

    Jul 16, 2007
    Vancouver, Canada
    Yep, so he was not taken at the half over an injury. He was taken at the half due to a "strategic decision" to switch back to a 4-4-2.

    Which still doesn't answer why the best CB was taken out that day. And doesn't answer why he's the one benched for the games after his return, when he's always been clearly better than Morrison and a bit better than Moore.

    Even the Reading fans were wondering about this on their forums.
     
    LouisianaViking07/09 repped this.
  2. ebbro

    ebbro Member+

    Jun 10, 2005
    What's to wonder with four games in a row without giving up a goal?

    He was injured for Stoke and Derby. He was a late fitness test for QPR, but was on the bench (maybe still not 100%? not match fit?). In his third game back on the bench he got some sub minutes.

    I don't see what's so complicated here - defender gets injured and team goes on 13 of 15 point run, moving 4 spots up the table, while giving up 1 goal in 5 games = coach reluctant to change too quickly.
     
  3. Suyuntuy

    Suyuntuy Member+

    Jul 16, 2007
    Vancouver, Canada
    The run of form has coincided with Bowen changing back to a 4-4-2 --minus Miazga.

    As I noted in this thread when he went to Reading, the problem was that the likely three best players in that team were the 3 main CBs, and Bowen was known to play only 2 CBs, so that was going to put him in a conundrum.

    Now it seems the team does better with only two CBs, and the third, the one that is left out the most, is Matt, even though he had looked as the best when playing three at the back.

    The coach is giving preference to the guys who will be there next season. It may be the smart thing to do, but I don't think it's fair.
     
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  4. ArsenalMetro

    ArsenalMetro Member+

    United States
    Aug 5, 2008
    Chicago, IL
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Same story as when he got kicked from the XI at Nantes. People thought it was some conspiracy against him, when it was just a simple truth that results improved with Miazga out of the team.
     
  5. Suyuntuy

    Suyuntuy Member+

    Jul 16, 2007
    Vancouver, Canada
    I was one of the people saying that Nantes improved clearly when they stopped playing him.

    Here, they have improved not because he's not playing but because the coach knows the 4-4-2 much better than the 3-5-2 he was trying to play with Matt.

    Thing is, in Nantes he was a weak spot. With Reading, he was arguably the best CB. But he's a loanee, so...
     
  6. BostonRed

    BostonRed Member+

    Oct 9, 2011
    Somerville, MA
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  7. glutton4Bolts

    glutton4Bolts Member+

    United States
    Mar 18, 2019
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Thought he played pretty well. Had two errant passes in the 2nd half... but provided some key blocks in the box and stopped a couple of possible break-aways. Too bad the services on the corners today were terrible as it was his best chance to make an impact on O.
     
  8. freisland

    freisland Member+

    Jan 31, 2001
    BTW ended 2-2, Blackpool banged a PK into the wood.

    MM had the armband too, fwiw.
     
  9. glutton4Bolts

    glutton4Bolts Member+

    United States
    Mar 18, 2019
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It was a Panenka and it looked like it was headed in... and then chaos ensues in the aftermath. Overall... it was a very entertaining game to watch.
     
  10. LouisianaViking07/09

    Aug 15, 2009
    way to go to the captain
     
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  11. Sam Hamwich

    Sam Hamwich Member+

    Jul 11, 2006
    Announcers praised him throughout. Mentioned also that he was introduced in their most recent win against Fulham and that he was vital to that win.
     
  12. Suyuntuy

    Suyuntuy Member+

    Jul 16, 2007
    Vancouver, Canada
    Now let's see if this showing earns him a start in the Ch'ship. Getting the armband for the FA Cup game is a weak compensation.
     
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  13. glutton4Bolts

    glutton4Bolts Member+

    United States
    Mar 18, 2019
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yeah... if he isn't starting on the regular in the ECL then it is not a good sign. I think he helped himself by playing well in this match... but he needs to lock down a starting slot.
     
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  14. Sam Hamwich

    Sam Hamwich Member+

    Jul 11, 2006
    Matt spent a lot of time screaming at his defense. On one of the goals the striker found space in between the CB's and Miazga was cheating away to defend the far corner. The other CB was literally just standing around with zero awareness. On the second goal, MM who was the focus of passing distribution throughout the match was caught completely upfield and out of position on a throw in.

    If I'm chelsea and watching this match, I honestly don't know what to think. Ready? Not Ready? Good enough? Better than Big Trouble in Little Penalty Box, Kurt Zumba?

    Given that Tamori, Tambraham, Mount Tiny among others joined from the championship and a guy like Soyuncu coming from Freiburg can do well in the Prems, I'd take a punt on him. Christiensen is a perfect defender who always finds ways to mess up.
     
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  15. Sam Hamwich

    Sam Hamwich Member+

    Jul 11, 2006
    I disagree. I think he was both injured and likely the loan is starting to play into this. He is not a reading player.
     
  16. glutton4Bolts

    glutton4Bolts Member+

    United States
    Mar 18, 2019
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    He needs to be playing from a development perspective... I don't see him playing for Chelsea at this point so he needs to lock down a starting role at Reading in the meantime. Reading is on a roll right now... it is still possible that they can get into a promotion playoff slot. It isn't likely... they are 8 points behind the 4th place team and there are a lot of teams in between... but it is still a possibility. If Matt can prove that they stand a better chance of achieving this with him in the lineup then the manager should start him even though he won't be there long term.
     
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  17. ebbro

    ebbro Member+

    Jun 10, 2005
    Places 3-6 contest the playoffs, so they're 6 points off a playoff spot. They also have a game in hand on everyone above them but Forest who are in fourth.
     
  18. Gorky

    Gorky Member+

    Jul 28, 2006
    NYC
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    FYI Mallorca looked at bringing him in on loan this year, according to Stu Holden on the Total Soccer Show.
     
  19. Suyuntuy

    Suyuntuy Member+

    Jul 16, 2007
    Vancouver, Canada
    It'd make commercial sense: RCD Mallorca is owned by Americans (Stu Holden among them) and they should try to milk it because this is likely their only season in the top flight.

    On the other hand, they already got a Chelsea guy who's not doing anything (Baba Rahman), so maybe Chelsea was wary about giving them another player.
     
  20. DirectK

    DirectK Member

    United States
    Jun 27, 2018
    Not a lot of development left to occur at 24. He needs to be playing to showcase his talents for a team that might want to give him a permanent job.

    What we see is probably what we're going to get with him. Transfermarkt says his Chelsea contract expires at the end of this season, and if he made a permanent home in the Championship... well, no one should be surprised. And frankly there are worse fates in global football; it's not an indictment of him at all to recognize that he's probably at his level right now.
     
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  21. ArsenalMetro

    ArsenalMetro Member+

    United States
    Aug 5, 2008
    Chicago, IL
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    You misread (because the site is poorly laid out) - Miazga's Chelsea contract ends in 2022. The loan is what ends on May 31, 2020.
     
  22. Sam Hamwich

    Sam Hamwich Member+

    Jul 11, 2006
    Some items that would give me a positive feeling if I am FrumpLard:

    1. Miazga is on loan and was named the captain! That shows both leadership and leadership.

    2. Miazga was the focal point of possession. Not the DM, not a CM. I think this was probably not a good thing from the perspective of the midfield, but he was on the ball all game and played some excellent Michael Bradley distribution to BOTH side pockets.

    3. The guy won basically everything thrown his way.

    He was taught to be really tall by his parents.
     
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  23. LouisianaViking07/09

    Aug 15, 2009
    Would have been interesting to see him there. I wonder if it's his passport that gives him more looks. We really don't seem to have US defenders outside of England.
     
  24. DirectK

    DirectK Member

    United States
    Jun 27, 2018
    Dammit, that sucks. Thanks for the correction.
     
  25. Dr.Phil

    Dr.Phil Member+

    Jan 18, 2004
    Club:
    FC Bayern München
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Brooks Chandler (Johnson)
     

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