#12 from Leverkusen actually got his arm kicked into the ball by the Schalke attacker. Even then it was borderline contact w/ the arm. Astonishing penalty for the ref to award.
Weston again with nice footwork to spring a counter with a pass that just missed having 1v1 with goalkeeper
How much ground did Wes cover today? He was defending in the box. Attacking in the BL box. All over the midfield including sometimes going to or near each sideline as well as being all over the middle of the park. He’s a warrior.
1-1 FT Good shift for Wes. Picked up a bunch of loose balls and carried the ball forward with purpose multiple times. He picked up a yellow after he tried to cut in front of Amiri to intercept a pass but was not able to. He then tackled Amiri down. He also fell on his left shoulder late in the game and was holding it but came right back on and seemed fine.
God what another frustrating day for Schalke. They defend as a unit really well, even if they lack the overall talent defensively to really force the issue. But in attack..oh god. Everything seems to be hero ball, one on one. They consistently (WM included) miss quick easy passes and don't make supporting runs as their teammate tries to beat one then two then three defenders up the field. If they looked to pass just a little bit more they could've gotten a second. You're not going to win very many games if you can only score 0-1 goals. WM gave his everything and was usually at the heart of their best moments on D and in attack. Reports of his demise were greatly exaggerated. Not sure what the purpose of #11 was for Schalke, he'd a big guy who can't hold the ball up? Either way he had a golden chance to win it on the last kick of the game but couldn't. Schalke deserved a but of fortune and couldn't have felt a 2-1 win wasn't deserved. WM collapsed at the end after suffering possible shoulder/arm/head injury. Think he's okay just mentally and physically spent. If his teammates also gave their 100% who knows what this team could do. Oh and the Leverkusen goal was the result of WM/Miranda not tracking Paulinho into the box. Probably Weston's worst moment of the game and it ended with a tying goal. Ouch
Wes typically plays crazy, but he's been a madman since coming back from the break. Wonder if events in the US are contributing to his mentality. You hope it doesn't lead to an injury-riddled career, since he throws himself into every situation w/ gusto. Could never accuse him of not caring. But the same could be said about Stu. At least Wes has a durable frame and has shown recuperative powers.
Only caught the last 20 or so, but that's the perfect environment for Wes. He's best in a hurly-burly, balls out end-to-end game that doesn't slow for long periods of possession or require high-level technical execution. Thought Schalke had pulled it out there at the last minute...
Wes looked pretty good on offense today. He has picked it up since the break. It is obvious they can't spare him in the back so that is likely why he doesn't get to play an attacking midfield role. But you can't tell me his tenacity further up the midfield wouldn't result in more chances for Schalke. Just think he is too vital at his 6 role because he covers so much ground. It is hard to stomach when some of the better opportunities going forward have to come from your 6. If he would have scored on that last drive he made thru a crowd in the box it would have been sic. Gotta try and poke it or tap it off to a teammate in that situation. Likely one too many dribbles there. At any rate, very exciting player that seems to be the heart of the team. His age is likely the only reason he isn't the captain at this point. Is he elite? No. But he is very good and appears to be getting better.
He plays the same way just about every match. It's so funny to see the comments about his game vacillate so much, but I guess that's the nature of BS.
I think Wes had a great game. He still have little costly mistakes that I think will be tweaked and he will continue to elevate his game. I don't think it can be undersold how many starters and first bench options are out for the season. I believe Wagner gave debuts to 2 players today. I think I saw that the average age of the squad today was 23. Matondo (19), Serdar (23), Harit (22), Stambouli (29), Sane (29), Todibo (20), and Mascarell (27) are all out for the season and regulars. McKennie reminds me a lot of Arturo Vidal. All action DM when Juventus brought him in and Conte moved him to the 8 and became a dominant B2B player. Arturo's offensive skills developed nicely. I don't know if Wes has that type of ceiling, but I see a lot of similarities.
McKennie is standing at the top of the box looking at 5 red shirts playing against 3 blue in Schalke's box and he just stands there. When Miranda, who is 2or 3 yds further away sees that McKennie isnt going to move into the box, he dashes in but arrives too late to stop a goal. Miranda gets an own goal and McKennie gets a great WS no doubt. No good deed goes unpunished, as they say. Can't be 100% sure I got that right (TV picture doesnt always show the full picture) but I think so. You have to look at the replay, not the live picture.
In case he's too busy to drop by... Weston McKennie: raw numbers for Schalke in 1-1 draw vs B. Leverkusen90 mins48 touches76.9% passing (20/26)1 shot (1 on target)1 aerial won4 dribbles (tied for highest in game)1x fouled2 fouls0 clearances 3 interceptions2 tackles1 blocked shot2/3 accurate long balls— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) June 14, 2020 support the tweeters.
For me it's about when the game suits his style. When Schalke is punching up, or going toe-to-toe in an end-to-end free-for-all I think Wes usually excels. His lungs, ups, ability to tackle and chase down lose balls/press serve him and his team well. On the other hand, when Schalke need more precision/technical skills and vision to unlock a more disciplined D, I think Wes' weaknesses are most exposed. Like last 2 games.
He plays the same way, but it doesn't always result in the same quality of play. I thought he was much better today than recently.
Agree, but I think it's positive that they played with much more determination/ pressing/ grit than they have recently. I believe they also started some new, young faces. It's something they can build on. This was one of the better games for WM that I've seen this year.
How can someone watch that game and come up with that conclusion. Wes is an 8. He is not a 6 or 10. When played in those positions, he struggles. His best defense work is recovering the ball in transition. But if u have him as a 6 with the offense coming towards him, his agility issues cause him trouble. Stick him in a double pivot w/ adams. Offensively, his best skill is to get the ball and dribble at pace forward box to box. And arriving late in the box. His passing needs to get a tad more precise, but he's capable. that pass to kutucu in the second half was a great pass, a better striker controls that and scores. the best development i have seen from him this season is his outside shot has gotten much better. all in all, this has been a good season for him. 2000 minutes in the middle of the pitch in the bundesliga as a 21 CM
He also did his bit of enforcing when they were kicking the little guy on their left, who got scared and did nothing after and got replaced early. That's an aspect of McKennie's game I appreciate: he's there for his mates, and when the other team goes rough, he knows how to put a strong foot himself. And he doesn't even get too many yellows.