Reo Hatate

Massive loss not having him in the team, no doubt about it.

We still have enough quality to beat them but still a massive loss.

 

Big * blow.

We do have a big squad full of quality and depth. I strangely think Taylor would be a bigger miss if he was out.

Confident in Iwata though. Think we will have enough to win the game.

 

Think without hatate tomorrow the zombies have a glimmer of hope tomorrow as we have seen in the last couple of games we haven't been at our best and we really need to be at it in midfield from the start of the game .
Would rather McGregor starts in the holding role as we looked a bit better after he went back there in the county game last week .
So mooy and either Turnbull or O'Reilly for midfield.

 

Any indication what the actual issue is?

 

Nah mate hamstring originally but Charlie nic did say his injury was a lot worse than originally feared but then ange saying he tried hard makes me think it might just be a strain, give him another 3 weeks rest then that 6 weeks since it occurred in time for cup semi final

 

Most important thing is to have him ready for the Semi final

 

Think that’s total faulse causation there mate. I don’t believe the relatively poor performance was anything to do with that - thought Iwata’s use of the ball in that area was very good. McGregor’s played the majority of his career as CM, and now that we’ve another good ballplayer at DM, for me there’s no real need to start McGregor there. Let him maraud forward and make Jack cack it - again.

 

It's not just those matches though, as when McGregor was out (although O'Riley did well and we didn't drop any points) our performances suffered IMO, and we scored fewer goals and won by just a single goal more often.

For me, we're just a much more fluid side with McGregor in that position. Iwata looks promising, but at this stage he's nowhere near as good as Cal as recieving it on the half turn and moving it forward quickly.

 

Missed him but he will be back soon enough for the run in and the other games against them.

 

It’s absolutely essential he’s fit for the semi final, the midfield is just nowhere near as good without him in it.

 

If he’s not in the team it’s * essential we play Iwata with Calmac further forward. He’s the only one who has anything near the dynamism and energy that Reo brings.

 

Dont agree, Cal has been awesome in the past 18months in that DM role. Bossed the game today, despite carrying Mooy as a passenger for an hour. Just dont see Iwata, right now, influencing games like Cal does.
Definatly worth a try after semi final.

 

Nah keep Cal there and just have Iwata next to him, Hatate in front. McGregor and Iwata just rotate between then which one pushes and which one sits like today when he came on.

 

I meant if Hatate’s out, if he’s no our normals all good.

 

Even if it’s not Hatate, either Mooy or O’Reilly ahead of them with a bit more of a freedom to roam.

 

I remember Broonie and Wanyama playing a double defensive midfielder role in Europe for us against some brilliant teams and stifling everything, while allowing us distribution and movement upfront. I'm hoping that Cal and Iwata can bring us that next year... Pleeeeaaase!

 

We really need someone similar to him as an 8..

Our midfield is so much slower and less energetic when he's out..

Does nothing for a pressing, high intensity Ange side when we've got a pairing of O'Riley, Mooy or Turnbull going box to box..

 

Needs to be Iwata in with McGregor further forward with the options we have just now or a double pivot,

 

Just shows the last couple of games without him in midfield our game is slower and less effective and need him back for the semi final and would keep him for the league game before the semi to get him match sharpness.