Fernando

[Hazy2]

Never gets match sharp, changed the Derby for the better IMO.

[Sideshow Bob]

about as average as average gets. miles below the std required for a CL "contender".

[Nigels Tackle]

there are better players in division 1

[Nige]

We do need a tall CDM to help with air raids like at Mune.

Sadly this guy plays like he's wearing roller skates most of the time.

[Beefymcfc]

there are better players in division 1

You watch Div 1?

[Pretty Boy Lee]

I'm not a big fan of professional footballers that can't pass a ball forward at the best of times, but if you're only function is to be that midfield "destroyer" then we sure as hell better look better defensively when you play. Can we honestly say that about him?

I was harsh occasionally on ndj being negative, but I'll be damned if we didn't keep a bunch of clean sheets with him. Gaz Baz managed to be better going forward but a bit slower and we looked solid with him. Garcia and Fernando have never made us look stronger by playing. One got sent packing and the other will within 12 months I guarantee.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

I'm not a big fan of professional footballers that can't pass a ball forward at the best of times, but if you're only function is to be that midfield "destroyer" then we sure as hell better look better defensively when you play. Can we honestly say that about him?

I was harsh occasionally on ndj being negative, but I'll be damned if we didn't keep a bunch of clean sheets with him. Gaz Baz managed to be better going forward but a bit slower and we looked solid with him. Garcia and Fernando have never made us look stronger by playing. One got sent packing and the other will within 12 months I guarantee.

Nige would look just as bad trying to play that role to be fair.

He's a good option to bring on to close a game out but that's about it.

[I Just Blue Myself]

I think some of the critics are harsh.

Imho, Fernando is one excelent player to have when we need to defend or try to close down our opponent, but I agree, you cannot depend on him when you need to win, he is limited, but some excelent player to have in the squad. Look how good he came in when we played the rags last month. We keep forgeting that while Yaya is awol, Delph is a big flop. He will never be fit, in a few years he will sign for MOTD and host along side Jermain Jenas.

Yeah, he sure closed down Alli, Son et al. Please stop perpetuating this myth of the 'Fern block' or any other variant of Fernando making us more solid defensively. Any half-decent outfit has cut through him like a knife through butter every single time.

He is, at best, an average holding midfielder and that is quite frankly just not good enough. At worst, he is a liability that invites pressure constantly. Nobody is expecting him to burst forward or split a defence with a pass, but he even fails at the simple things required in his position - showing for the ball and moving it on (sideways even) before he is closed down. He is Kolarov in midfield, without the left foot.

[nottsblue]

If we bought him now, would we be happy?

I dare say not. Thus, he is not good enough and us taking a place for someone who might be. Gone in January

[johnny crossan]

I think some of the critics are harsh.

Imho, Fernando is one excelent player to have when we need to defend or try to close down our opponent, but I agree, you cannot depend on him when you need to win, he is limited, but some excelent player to have in the squad. Look how good he came in when we played the rags last month. We keep forgeting that while Yaya is awol, Delph is a big flop. He will never be fit, in a few years he will sign for MOTD and host along side Jermain Jenas.

Yeah, he sure closed down Alli, Son et al. Please stop perpetuating this myth of the 'Fern block' or any other variant of Fernando making us more solid defensively. Any half-decent outfit has cut through him like a knife through butter every single time.

He is, at best, an average holding midfielder and that is quite frankly just not good enough. At worst, he is a liability that invites pressure constantly. Nobody is expecting him to burst forward or split a defence with a pass, but he even fails at the simple things required in his position - showing for the ball and moving it on (sideways even) before he is closed down. He is Kolarov in midfield, without the left foot.

It's not a good time for Octopus protection week. As PP pointed out, he ran all of 50 yards at full pelt in the derby (to get to the place he should have been already) to cut out a dangerous cross, and for this we are truly grateful. Notwithstanding that unusual bit of ability young Garcia has just got to be a better pick while Gundogan is getting back up to speed given Nando's obvious deficiencies, at least until we get Kroos or whoever. Hopefully Garcia will also step up next year along with a few others.

[Spurge]

He's magic.........

good, because he definitely needs a new career - perhaps you could offer to buy him a wand

....you know

[johnny crossan]

He's magic.........

good, because he definitely needs a new career - perhaps you could offer to buy him a wand

....you know

I do now.

[PeterParker]

I think some of the critics are harsh.

Imho, Fernando is one excelent player to have when we need to defend or try to close down our opponent, but I agree, you cannot depend on him when you need to win, he is limited, but some excelent player to have in the squad. Look how good he came in when we played the rags last month. We keep forgeting that while Yaya is awol, Delph is a big flop. He will never be fit, in a few years he will sign for MOTD and host along side Jermain Jenas.

Yeah, he sure closed down Alli, Son et al. Please stop perpetuating this myth of the 'Fern block' or any other variant of Fernando making us more solid defensively. Any half-decent outfit has cut through him like a knife through butter every single time.

He is, at best, an average holding midfielder and that is quite frankly just not good enough. At worst, he is a liability that invites pressure constantly. Nobody is expecting him to burst forward or split a defence with a pass, but he even fails at the simple things required in his position - showing for the ball and moving it on (sideways even) before he is closed down. He is Kolarov in midfield, without the left foot.

You are taking words out of context. I said he is a good player when we need to defend. With Pep that was not the case so far. I said if we use him when we need/want to win (FROM THE START), then things will be bad for us, as it happened with Spurs. Fernando is a player you send in when you are one up and want to keep it that way.

Like it or not, we need him at the moment when Delph is just a cunt that gets paid without doing anything, Yaya is Yaya and Diaz and Garcia are very young and play different positions. He will leave, I agree with that, but at the moment, he is giving everything he has, and I am ok with that. Is he is limited? yes, sure. But when Yaya, Delph or Kompany are getting paid without doing shite, then you come to accept Fernando there and leave him be.

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

I think some of the critics are harsh.

Imho, Fernando is one excelent player to have when we need to defend or try to close down our opponent, but I agree, you cannot depend on him when you need to win, he is limited, but some excelent player to have in the squad. Look how good he came in when we played the rags last month. We keep forgeting that while Yaya is awol, Delph is a big flop. He will never be fit, in a few years he will sign for MOTD and host along side Jermain Jenas.

Yeah, he sure closed down Alli, Son et al. Please stop perpetuating this myth of the 'Fern block' or any other variant of Fernando making us more solid defensively. Any half-decent outfit has cut through him like a knife through butter every single time.

He is, at best, an average holding midfielder and that is quite frankly just not good enough. At worst, he is a liability that invites pressure constantly. Nobody is expecting him to burst forward or split a defence with a pass, but he even fails at the simple things required in his position - showing for the ball and moving it on (sideways even) before he is closed down. He is Kolarov in midfield, without the left foot.

You are taking words out of context. I said he is a good player when we need to defend. With Pep that was not the case so far. I said if we use him when we need/want to win (FROM THE START), then things will be bad for us, as it happened with Spurs. Fernando is a player you send in when you are one up and want to keep it that way.

Like it or not, we need him at the moment when Delph is just a cunt that gets paid without doing anything, Yaya is Yaya and Diaz and Garcia are very young and play different positions. He will leave, I agree with that, but at the moment, he is giving everything he has, and I am ok with that. Is he is limited? yes, sure. But when Yaya, Delph or Kompany are getting paid without doing shite, then you come to accept Fernando there and leave him be.

He is not a good player when we need to defend at all. If anything we look shaker with him there.
Never a footballer in a million years. Adds precisely nothing and we always look worse when he plays.
It's the truth sadly.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

I fit into the "he's not too bad" category. He's not a player I would like to see in a starting line up against a good side but he can play the role against lesser sides to give Dinho a rest and he does do a job to help make us more solid if we need to protect a lead.

To say he can't defend at all is plain wrong as there have been countless occasions where his positioning and cover tackling has saved us. I reckon there are times when he does good stuff defensively and Dinho gets the credit? Would I prefer Garcia to get chances instead of him, yes definitely but he isn't as useless as some here make out and clearly Pep thinks the same or he wouldn't use him at all.

[mr_nool]

I fit into the "he's not too bad" category. He's not a player I would like to see in a starting line up against a good side but he can play the role against lesser sides to give Dinho a rest and he does do a job to help make us more solid if we need to protect a lead.

To say he can't defend at all is plain wrong as there have been countless occasions where his positioning and cover tackling has saved us. I reckon there are times when he does good stuff defensively and Dinho gets the credit? Would I prefer Garcia to get chances instead of him, yes definitely but he isn't as useless as some here make out and clearly Pep thinks the same or he wouldn't use him at all.

I sort of agree about his defensive qualities, but in the system we've been playing so far under Pep the deep-lying midfielder HAS to be comfortable with the ball at his feet, be able to find a good pass through the opposition midfield and have a good build-up game. And most importantly, he must have a good first touch and awareness of what's going on behind his back, when he receives the ball from Bravo.

I too would like to see Garcia used more frequently. I think he has what it takes.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

I fit into the "he's not too bad" category. He's not a player I would like to see in a starting line up against a good side but he can play the role against lesser sides to give Dinho a rest and he does do a job to help make us more solid if we need to protect a lead.

To say he can't defend at all is plain wrong as there have been countless occasions where his positioning and cover tackling has saved us. I reckon there are times when he does good stuff defensively and Dinho gets the credit? Would I prefer Garcia to get chances instead of him, yes definitely but he isn't as useless as some here make out and clearly Pep thinks the same or he wouldn't use him at all.

I sort of agree about his defensive qualities, but in the system we've been playing so far under Pep the deep-lying midfielder HAS to be comfortable with the ball at his feet, be able to find a good pass through the opposition midfield and have a good build-up game. And most importantly, he must have a good first touch and awareness of what's going on behind his back, when he receives the ball from Bravo.

I too would like to see Garcia used more frequently. I think he has what it takes.

That's clearly the part that makes him not fit a Pep team. He isn't comfy with the ball at his feet as you say. Certainly not the way we play it around and bravo should avoid giving it to him ay all costs::))

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

Can you hear the guns, Fernando?

[johnny crossan]

Can you hear the guns, Fernando?

that was Pep serenading our cephalopod in the shower

'There was something in the air that night
The stars were bright, Fernando
They were shining there for you and me
For liberty, Fernando
Though we never thought that we could lose
There's no regret
If I had to do the same again
I would, my friend, Fernando'

brings a tear to the eye - and not in a good way

[Mikhail Chigorin]

Can you hear the guns, Fernando?

that was Pep serenading our cephalopod in the shower

'There was something in the air that night
The stars were bright, Fernando
They were shining there for you and me
For liberty, Fernando
Though we never thought that we could lose
There's no regret
If I had to do the same again
I would, my friend, Fernando'

brings a tear to the eye - and not in a good way

If it wasn't for your last comment JC, I would have reckoned you'd be abashed (or should that be Abbashed ??) for making that post.

However, on the other hand, knowing me, knowing you, you might not have been.