In our EL game in Serbia I saw Paulinho make a great run into space and if given the ball by Townsend would have been through on goal. Yet Townsend ended up passing square to Davies.
He was also free on the edge of the 18 yard box at a throw in, but Naughton threw it to a marked player.
There have been many of those examples.
I do agree he does waste a lot of good chances with poor finishing, but he is not a terrible player. He played loads of football before he joined us, practically a season's worth. I think what he needs most of all is a rest.
However, I also felt when MP got the job that Paulinho ( along with Moussa) would struggle to fit into MP's style.
I believe that Paulinho (along with Moussa) is not the type of DM or Box to Box midfielder that MP wants playing in front of the back 4.
That's not to say he will not play a part. He has the ability, has the capacity to adapt and there is no doubting he has the quality. He just needs to be consistent, work hard and earn his chance. His chance in the EPL will come sooner or later and I hope he takes it. It's good for the club to have the competition. I hope MP can improve him and make him improve his finishing and his all round game, making him a better player than we got.
Last year Bobby had a lot on his plate besides football. We don't know what's happening with Paulinho. Every player goes through a bad patch at some time in their career due to different circumstances.
Let's not write him off just yet. Encourage him when he does play, urge him to do well. Not hope he fails at the expense of the team just so you can prove you were right.
One thing I hate is those fickle mugs who when a pass goes astray don't shout 'unlucky, get your head up' or any other shouts of encouragement, but instead collectively moan. That really does not help and is not conducive to productivity from the player/s. I'd like to see any of those fat, unfit wankers who do that actually play. If they could they wouldn't be beered up fucking watching.
That's probably why we play better away from home as they are all shit scared of making the slightest error as if they do the negativity from the close proximity stands wafts over the pitch and infects the team.
What the fuck has happened. Did our support turn fickle overnight.
I don't think certain players should be in the team. I question whether we should keep others. That's the prerogative of a fan. In reality, what do I know? If I knew how to pick and coach a winning team I'd be a manager. I am not.
However, when the do play I want them to do well. They are part of the team.