Matt Grimes

[Dr. Winston]

So we need to get shot of Williams, because he clearly can't control his squad, and also get shot of Grimes, because no player should overrule his manager.

Sorted.

 

[Magic_Michu]

It is a very odd thing to say publicly in my opinion.

I still think Grimes is dropping about 5-10 yards deeper than he should be, he should be helping the centre halves and full backs to be making triangles to give passing options for whoever has the ball rather than dropping in as a third centre half.

When we played under Rodgers every defender on the ball had at least four options open to them:
Full back: play to CDM, inside to CH, forward to winger or back to keeper
CH: play to other CH, outside to FB, forward to CDM or back to keeper

And that wasn't accounting for Williams's laser guided cross field balls to the winger.

It appears that Key is being given that role… grimes drops in and key moves into the cdm position to create the triangles

 

[T8AD365]

It appears that Key is being given that role… grimes drops in and key moves into the cdm position to create the triangles

Against QPR, Grimes just swapped positions with Key when we had the ball.

The full backs pushing into midfield is meant to create an overload in the middle of the pitch but we negated that by having Key go into midfield and Grimes drop back to play RB.

The first half on Thursday was like watching a training exercise of attack versus defence. QPR had no interest in even trying to play football or attack, it was bizarre to watch a team losing 2:0 and still just trying to sit deep and keep their defensive shape

 

[Dillwyn the Dog]

Revealing to see which of our current crop of posters are twp enough to fly their ‘ I clearly know nothing about elite level CM play’ and bash Matty.

First pick for yonks, for all the right reasons.

The last remaining shred of glue to bond us to our playing identity.

Bonkers how so many of our online fans are so clueless, so lacking in basic football intelligence, insight and analysis. It’s as if they’re watching an entirely different sport to us football intelligentsia, Risc.

You’re the guy that doesn’t support thee club just Grimes. I’m guessing you’re either a brother or sister of his or even Grimes himself.

No other team has expressed any interest in him - not even whilst running his contract down you nerk.

 

[Dillwyn the Dog]

Against QPR, Grimes just swapped positions with Key when we had the ball.

The full backs pushing into midfield is meant to create an overload in the middle of the pitch but we negated that by having Key go into midfield and Grimes drop back to play RB.

The first half on Thursday was like watching a training exercise of attack versus defence. QPR had no interest in even trying to play football or attack, it was bizarre to watch a team losing 2:0 and still just trying to sit deep and keep their defensive shape

Probably because Key has the ability to carry the ball forward like Bodde, Downes and a few others before him. Grimes can’t do it.

 

[Dillwyn the Dog]

Not a massive fan of Grimes then?...

Mmmmnnn nah never have been a fan of his. Safety first short passing king not great for getting the team going forward

 

[brother ben]

Mmmmnnn nah never have been a fan of his. Safety first short passing king not great for getting the team going forward

As I think has been mentioned he is top of the charts for passes into the final third in the league. So this is clearly untrue.

 

[Smurph]

As I think has been mentioned he is top of the charts for passes into the final third in the league. So this is clearly untrue.

Just out of interest how many of those passes have resulted in goals, goal scoring chances or in fact gone forward?

There was one point in the QPR game he was doing 121's in our centre circle. Does that class as a pass in to the final third.

 

[LaJollaJack]

Matty is top of the charts for pretty much all stats.

And most importantly he is top of the charts for the good ‘ol Eyeball test:
The Eyeball test for those that get the game: the pundits, the oppo players/managers, our players, our managers and our owners.
Not the Eyeball test for some of our squinty-eyed uninformed online fans that will never ‘see’ no matter how long they ‘look’, eyes wide shut.

 

[Smurph]

Matty is top of the charts for pretty much all stats.

And most importantly he is top of the charts for the good ‘ol Eyeball test:
The Eyeball test for those that get the game: the pundits, the oppo players/managers, our players, our managers and our owners.
Not the Eyeball test for some of our squinty-eyed uninformed online fans that will never ‘see’ no matter how long they ‘look’, eyes wide shut.

Apart from goals and assists. Add those points to your eyeball test whist you're there.

Let's not forget the whole point of football is outscoring the opposition not who can who can hold on to the ball or pass it more.

 

[LaJollaJack]

So which of these apply to Grimes on playing so deep? -

A trusted player to start the moves from the back

Wants to control the tempo and possession

Wants to keep out of the physicality of central midfield

Covers for Key where he wanders off

Covers for Tymon as he can't get back

Covers for Cabango and Darlings lack of pace

Unable to play box to box

Not 3 and 7, obvs.

He is a manager’s dream - the manager’s master tactician, executing strategy with calm, assured aplomb.

Most importantly to us fans he is the last remaining corporate glue that binds us to our playing heritage, our ‘edge’. And does his darndest to keep our wayward managers as true to our identity as possible - as witnessed most dramatically most recently.

There’s no wonder Martin refers to him as the ‘bravest’ he’s ever had the pleasure of working with. Heck, Matty saved his vegan bacon, lifted him off the ropes when he was at his very lowest Ebb - off and on the pitch.

Funny as heck reading some of the schoolboy level critique, and oh so telling.

 

[Andrew - North Hill]

Grimes fanboys are a little bit unhinged aren't they.

It's like being outrageously enthusiastic about cream crackers. Or cement.

 

[Smurph]

Grimes fanboys are a little bit unhinged aren't they.

It's like being outrageously enthusiastic about cream crackers. Or cement.

One certainly is

 

[Dr. Winston]

You do have to wonder why there has never been a serious effort made from any team higher up the pyramid to pry him away even when he was basically available for free, whilst Downes was here for one season and no doubt offers will be made for Franco.

 

[Smurph]

You do have to wonder why there has never been a serious effort made from any team higher up the pyramid to pry him away even when he was basically available for free, whilst Downes was here for one season and no doubt offers will be made for Franco.

Or how the likes of Potter and Martin didn't attempt to take him with them.

If Williams does leave it will be interesting to see if he makes a move for Captain Fantastic.