Kyogo Furuhashi

What’s the excuse for him giving away the ball needlessly the couple of times he got it though? Stumbling over the ball etc. I agree that the service was poor tonight too but he needs to drop in and get more involved or pull wide n try get on it. Idah made more of an impact for n when he came on. Game suited him more though

 

Every game he makes multiple runs that don't get spotted or do but the player in question chooses to pass it backwards or sideways instead. It's really, really frustrating so I can't imagine how he feels.

We know what his limitations are but we also know what his strengths are. Play to his strengths and we'll be creating much more. If not, we might as well play Idah.

 

He's not having a good season. I don't care what anybody says, I expect a lot more from him and he is not showing it.

 

I don't think he got any service whatsoever.

 

But we know he will do that when he drops deep, he has never been great at that, also the peeling wide if he does that Bernardo and Hatate need to get in the box but they spend most of the game out wide.

I don’t disagree that Idah offered more when he came on and maybe he should have started but until Engels went beyond the striker in the 88th minute no one looked like breaking their defensive line with one of those runs.

Kuhn had a couple of bursts and despite a good block by the keeper and their centre back, probably should have done better with the second one in particular. Maeda was pretty woeful tonight, Hatate was rubbish, Bernardo offered plenty of industry and was good early on but never really looked like creating anything.

McGregor and Taylor exchanged safe passes with the centre backs all night and left them to bring the ball forward, which is insane to constantly do that.

Johnston and Ralston both had excellent crossing opportunities and put them out the park.

Essentially to get Kyogo more involved in the game we need to get the ball to him no one even seems to try that around the edge of the box anymore it’s just safe square pass, back out wide, failed cross.

 

How many forward passes or crosses went to or got anywhere near Kyogo tonight?
What should we expect from him if we play so slowly, with zero ambition and service? (except Kuhn)
His game is all about pace, movement and dynamism - and we simply didn't and often don't play to his strengths.

Last grumble, I simply don't get why the manager doesn't try Kyogo and Idah together instead of always subbing him off - instead actually take off the worst forward player like Maeda.
Kyogo is one of best, sharpest short passers in team, perfect for 1-2's around the box.

 

Don't know why Kyogo gets special treatment compared to other players on here.. he was absolute * tonight like he has been many times for us.

He's a special player but when he's * he's really *, people afraid to say it? Ha

Most of his second touches tonight were tackles

 

I agree with most of what you said tbf but for me kyogo isn’t blameless either. If a striker isn’t getting service in a game they have to adapt and get themselves involved. He’s well capable we all know this but he can’t just keep going through so many European games so passively and anonymously for me without taking accountability.
In Europe’s you can’t always be guaranteed the service so you need to drop in and get on the ball, link up and try bounce in behind or even drop deeper and try get a half yard for a shot from distance.

 

I also do agree with that but I do feel when he comes half way line deep he often gets himself in bother. I feel he does try show in and around the box at times or make sharp movements in behind but too many of our players are too content playing it square and around that old horseshoe, either because they don’t have the ability to play the pass or are scared too.

I actually thought tonight we should have brought Valle on in the game as a different outlet but we ran out of subs. Everything was too much infront of that team and it was very easy for them. They looked like we could get in behind early on as we did a few times and had crosses blocked going for corners.

I do agree though if that is what we are going to play like, then we would be better trying Idah. What I would give for a 16/17 Moussa Dembele.

 

I don’t know what more people want from him.

He’s constantly on the move and the players are too shitscared to play him in in case they lose the ball.

 

completely anonymous, may aswell not being on the park.

 

Was barely involved but there was a moment I thought Kuhn should have tee'd the ball off for him instead of trying to curl one in.

 

We didn’t work him in as much as any of us would like but he pinned the defence back with his movement, his constant pressure on the defence and keeper kept them off kilter not being able to build play.


Off the ball was excellent, he made his usual runs and the quality in the final 3rd wasn’t there to find him.

 

Made clever runs by dropping deep first half, but then he was untidy with the ball. Second half he was anonymous. Wasn’t showing for it either. The front 3 were awful tonight. Absolutely no movement at all from them for the most part.

 

We miss O'Riley for that. Hatate tries the killer pass but never often executes it.

Just as an aside, I would also like us to try play Kyogo in off the shoulder more often (like the run he made when he clashed with Doohan last week). He has the pace and makes the runs but nobody ever attempts the ball over the top.

 

I agree and the reason no one even tries it more often than not is because they are too busy turning back and looking to play it safe.

Now I know it’s not possible or clever to try hit Kyogo every time with a forward pass but I got the impression tonight that our players were almost relieved to receive the ball under little pressure and be able to take a few touches before thinking of what to do with it. If that is how we are going to play we would be better not playing Kyogo as it totally nullifies him.

 

First time I’ve seen him noticeably frustrated. 95% of his movement doesn’t even get acknowledged.

That said, that’s no excuse for trying to take matters in to his own hands. An example in the first half where there’s a clear ball to Kuhn on the right side and he decides to unsuccessfully Cruyff turn for no apparent reason.

 

He's generally always the same away from home I'm Europe. Seems pointless continually starting him in these games

 

This!!!!

He's getting fed * all now due to how we set up. Those quick defence splitting passes dont come anymore. His goals were mostly instinctive taps into the net, rather than giving him the ball + time to create. Our side is actually better set up for Idah now.

I wouldnt be surprised if the wee man left at the end of the season since we're not playing to his strengths.