[Albion] Izquierdo has to start every game now..

[Arkwright]

In the last couple of games he has tried something different by getting to the touchline and not just cutting in onto his right foot. Set up the forth goal by doing something different, he can only get better and is clearly working hard on his game.

 

[dazzer6666]

Played well yesterday.

Our second goal cannot be rated highly enough. It was ******* world class. Everything about it was perfect, it was all one touch football. One the best goals I’ve seen this season. Lovely bit acceleration from Jose too.

Still not as good as the one at Stoke. Goal of the season for me so far.

Jose’s decision making is getting visibly better each game, and less selfish. He’s going outside and cutting inside as well now. Great pace, very good defensively too. Going to be a star.

 

[fleet]

He has changed our season - he is really making an impact in every game now

 

[perseus]

He was terrific yesterday. He gets you off your seat when he running with or onto the ball. He makes things happen.

It should be interesting vs Bellerin

 

[KingKev]

That fourth goal. I loved the way he unselfishly stood behind the line to make sure he wouldn't be offside. Great presence of mind.

Yes I spotted that. The other plus with him is that defensively you can rely on him to be in position, allowing Bong to go narrow and not worry about the opposition full-back. Much better in our half than either knocky or March.

 

[Two Professors]

Bet the Army wish they could borrow our recruitment team,instead of that shambolic mob they've got!

 

[smillie's garden]

On a side note: watching the Swans match on NBC that Palace plonker Iain Dowie completely aspinalled Jose's name: kept saying Iz-quid-ero.

 

[seagull_special]

On a side note: watching the Swans match on NBC that Palace plonker Iain Dowie completely aspinalled Jose's name: kept saying Iz-quid-ero.

I wondered who was co-commentator, actually quite liked him.

 

[Beach Hut]

His defending is sublime, where does he get the energy to attack as well

 

[larus]

His defending is sublime, where does he get the energy to attack as well

We’re either very lucky with our wingers or, more likely, have coached them into that ‘team work’ ethic.

One thing I noticed again yesterday was the way that they all celebrate together. Not one player milking it (OK, I’ll let AK off after he scored ), but Jose was being congratulated as much for Murrays 2nd as was Murray.

Jose also seems happy. I’m sure the recruitment team filter out trouble makers and go for team-players.

 

[Stat Brother]

Played well yesterday.

Our second goal cannot be rated highly enough. It was ******* world class. Everything about it was perfect, it was all one touch football. One the best goals I’ve seen this season. Lovely bit acceleration from Jose too.

How does Gross play his initial pass.
I've only seen it a couple of times on MotD, and not best placed to see it live, but it looks like he plays a standard side footed pass but with the outside of his foot.
Only to then deftly lay the ball off a second time for Jose's all too 'easy' cross.

As you say, world class from all concerned.

 

[Triggaaar]

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this now.

Conversely, I have no interest in hearing his thoughts.

 

[Triggaaar]

He made the 2nd for Murray. That give and go is just unplayable. Also brilliant for the 4th, the way he goes past the defender and gets the cross in.

He seems to be learning and making much better decisions game by game. He's not just cutting in on his right any more.

I think it's the goals he's scored when cutting in that's meant defenders are trying to stop him doing it, which gives him more space to get to the byline and cut it back for a tap in.

He's no doubt learning more about his teammates, and them him. The give and goes wouldn't have worked so well when he first arrived. I don't think it's about him learning to be a better player, he probably already had that.

 

[Triggaaar]

He's really beginning to find his feet now. He always looked like he should be an excellent player it's just taken a bit of time to get the hang of what's expected of him/how we play. Now he's found his groove and rhythm in the team he looks a real threat.

It's interesting how our wing play has changed this season. It used to be the winger and fullback linking up as beautifully exemplified by Knockaert and Bruno ripping opposition left flanks to shreds time and again. Now a lot of our best wing play comes from the wingers linking up with Gross and Murray. It's an equally if not more beautiful sight.

I agree there's been a bit of a change, but it's not like Bong and Schelotto aren't getting forward. It is of course a bit different to the Bruno Knocky double act.

 

[Triggaaar]

and who could possibly have thought it might take time for a player to settle? Really what were the odds

Not only that, he wasn't being played every game. Propper and Gross needed time to settle, but due to injuries (Sidwell, Kayal, Baldock) they were playing every game, so they were able to settle after a few games. Jose played well in his first 10 minutes against Watford, and wasn't bad in the other games he was in either, but he wasn't being given much time.

 

[Triggaaar]

On a side note: watching the Swans match on NBC that Palace plonker Iain Dowie completely aspinalled Jose's name: kept saying Iz-quid-ero.

Dowie also said the penalty was soft. It was stone wall.

 

[Rogero]

Dowie also said the penalty was soft. It was stone wall.

Stonewall it was.

 

[Easy 10]

Fantastic contribution all round, Izqueirdo absolutely RINSED that fullback for the 4th. Unplayable.

But its also worth noting the exquisite subtlety of Gross in the build-ups. His pass for Knocky for the 3rd was sublime, the weight of it was perfection. But the wall-ball passes with Izqueirdo were immense as well. His awareness, touch and sheer deftness on the edge of the area is on another level at times. To have someone as explosive as Izqueirdo combining with the intuition and deftness of touch as Gross when they are within a few yards of each other is a defenders nightmare, and between them they ripped Swansea a new one yesterday.

Lovely.

 

[perseus]

He is indeed looking really great now, and I had my doubts. He did appear a one trick pony at first but these give and goes are a thing of beauty!! Still a paradox: his close control dribbling and one-twos can be amazing. His first touch and first touch shooting is sometimes truly awful.

Awful is grossly unfair. Compared to the rest of the Albion team his instant control and keeping hold of the ball is not so good. But compared to the rest of the Premier League it is very good. I don't expect it will get any better as he will be marked more closely and closed down quicker. Stats say he loses the ball half as much as Salah and his passing is nearly as good. Goals per game is only as third as good, as expected. Assists are not quite as good as Salah either.

 

[AmexRuislip]

Izquierdo: I idolised goalkeepers

http://www.skysports.com/watch/vide...ion/11272067/izquierdo-i-idolised-goalkeepers