19 Jul 2016 10:39:32
Morning all. After watching the friendlies and seeing the youngsters, can anyone shed any light on Ejaria as a player? I have watched the youtube clips mango mentioned about, but wondered if anyone (MK? ) had any info on him as a player and what the expectations are? He looked very assured and confident. Cheers.

1.) 19 Jul 2016
19 Jul 2016 10:48:32
He (rather ironically) is the closest thing we have at the club to Wijnaldum. He is a strong midfielder who chips in with a fair few goals arriving late into the box. He also relies more on power and clever movement though than actual skill or flair (Although he seems to have massively improved on the ball over the summer) . He never stood out for me at youth level.

2.) 19 Jul 2016
19 Jul 2016 11:08:40
He's the closest to wijnaldum? No no . He's a young lad and very tall and rangey . He doesn't drive forward like wijnaldum I'm explosive bursts . He's like a diaby or pogba / toure styled midfielder .

3.) 19 Jul 2016
19 Jul 2016 11:10:12
Cheers MK. I was going to say, he showed some good feet at various times in the game. Future is looking very bright if the young lads are anything to go by.

4.) 19 Jul 2016
19 Jul 2016 11:47:39
I seriously don't see where you think Wijnaldum is a strong midfielder, he is physically a very weak/ slight man at just about 5'8"/ 5'9" and is very easily out muscled in fifty fifty challenges, he is also weak at tackling and does NO defensive work. Like I say, discount the goals that he scored against Norwich and Spurs and you have a very below par footballer who is a waste of a transfer fee.

5.) 19 Jul 2016
19 Jul 2016 12:02:19
Since when does height or size have anything to do with strength? Sterling, Tevez, Aguero, Ayew etc.

Wijnaldum is very strong. Ejaria doesn't tackle much either. I'm not comparing them based on height, but based on their style of play.

Discount his goals? That is a ridiculous statement. Discount Coutinho's goals against Chelsea and City then look at his season tally.

6.) 19 Jul 2016
19 Jul 2016 12:16:12
I agreed5ive more than MK that Ejaria is closer to the powerful midfielder like Viera Pogba Toure type than Wijnaldum. Wijnaldum in a sense is closer to Bolaise type of powerful winger.

7.) 19 Jul 2016
19 Jul 2016 13:16:43
Viera and Pogba?!

Ejaria is not even similar to them except in terms of physical characteristics.

He has never played a deeper midfield role in any of the youth games I've seen. He also has nowhere as much defensive acumen as Viera, and nowhere near as much technical ability as Pogba. Ejaria is an out and out attacking midfielder.

How you can say he is like Viera or Pogba is beyond me as they are not even similar players either.

If you just see things differently to me I apologise, but the Viera and Pogba comparisons to me seem to be more based on height, running style and skin colour than anything to do with him as a player. From what I have seen of Ejaria, he is not even remotely similar to them.

I honestly cannot see Ejaria breaking into our first team anyway. Hopefully he makes me eat those words, but contrary to a good half against Tranmere he has never stood out from the crowd of attacking and midfield talent in our academy. Flanno didn't stand out either though so I won't completely write off Ejaria's chances.

8.) 19 Jul 2016
19 Jul 2016 13:52:31
Wijnaldum is anything but strong and powerful, you ask any Newcastle fan who had the misfortune of watching him constantly shirk challenges, lose fifty/ fifty balls and stand and watch play pass him by last year rather than get his boots dirty or make a challenge, they can't wait to get shot of him.

Wijnaldum is like Lallana minus the work ethic.

I think it is reasonable to discount goals against (a) a team that was relegated along with Newcastle (ie Norwich) and (b) against a team on the last day of the season when Newcastle were relegated and it didn't actually matter, since he hadn't bothered in the 10 games prior to that.

So 11 goals doesn't actually look that good in the context of two opponents and the matches.

If he had scored consistently and played well for 40 games it would be different, he was poor for 75% of Newcastle's games.

You stick him in centre midfield for us and watch us lose games, that is all there is to it as he is neither capable nor competent for the role.

9.) 19 Jul 2016
19 Jul 2016 13:52:31
Wijnaldum is anything but strong and powerful, you ask any Newcastle fan who had the misfortune of watching him constantly shirk challenges, lose fifty/ fifty balls and stand and watch play pass him by last year rather than get his boots dirty or make a challenge, they can't wait to get shot of him.

Wijnaldum is like Lallana minus the work ethic.

I think it is reasonable to discount goals against (a) a team that was relegated along with Newcastle (ie Norwich) and (b) against a team on the last day of the season when Newcastle were relegated and it didn't actually matter, since he hadn't bothered in the 10 games prior to that.

So 11 goals doesn't actually look that good in the context of two opponents and the matches.

If he had scored consistently and played well for 40 games it would be different, he was poor for 75% of Newcastle's games.

You stick him in centre midfield for us and watch us lose games, that is all there is to it as he is neither capable nor competent for the role.

10.) 19 Jul 2016
19 Jul 2016 14:17:57
What does power have to do with his shirking tackles.

Now you are confusing power and aggression.

I'll just agree to disagree. In my opinion Wijnaldum is a powerful attacking midfielder. So we'll agree to disagree. I don't rate him as a wide player at all, but I am aware he has played there in the past. He is still nothing like Lallana though. Lallana has exceptional technique. His problem is that he has no speed of thought. Wijnaldum is the opposite. He has great reactions and quick decision making, but lacks the ability and execution. Lallana is a ridiculously hard worker but has little impact on the score line whilst Wijnaldum is more likely to wait until he has the chance to make a difference, rather than actively try and make a difference.

I have repeatedly stated that I don't want Wijnaldum. I am just presenting the other side of the argument and defending the players ability; which for me isn't in question.

It is his desire and mentality which are questionable.

11.) 19 Jul 2016
19 Jul 2016 14:27:55
I was watching the True Geordie (tells it how it is) on Wijnaldum and he said though the lad has talent he went missing to often and his one of the main reasons they were relegated. He didn't turn up 2016 till Rafa got there and doesn't know whether Klopp can work his magic on him but one thing glad he won't be going to the championship with them, because he lacks bottle for a fight. His opinion not mine.

12.) 19 Jul 2016
19 Jul 2016 17:13:21
Sorry but Wijnaldum is a very very average player who did absolutely nothing last year to warrant a transfer fee in excess of £20m. Like I say, barely a one good game in four player, we have had enough of players like him at the club and if we have that sort of money to spend there are far better ways of spending it than on a player who is mentally weak and lacks any discernible quality.

13.) 19 Jul 2016
19 Jul 2016 18:22:44
MK, I suggest you listen to Mr dennis because the man speaks the truth. Wijnaldum is nothing of what you describe him to be. he is talented as shown at the last WC BUT that had more to do with the system he played in than him being a great player. He is not physically strong and yes, shirking tackles shows you are weak where it matters as in, in your head. The guy has no bottle for a scrap or a fight and is poor, lazy, doesn`t track back, can`t be bothered and is not good enuff. Scoring 11 goals in 7 games is nonsense as I can also ask where was he for the other 30 odd games. I know, maybe he was busy shirking tackles, not working hard, and was getting benched by Rafa for being lazy. He`s not better than ANY of our midfielders and I really hope he gets priced out of a deal.

14.) 19 Jul 2016
19 Jul 2016 21:33:42
He scored 11, how many did lallana score? If he comes and gets the motivation required and scores 11 and say Mane score another 11. The strikers do the rest we are good as long as we don't leak goals. But don't forget Couts and Firm in the equation.