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Coutinho

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rurikbird

rurikbird

Part of the Furniture
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Thoughts on his debut?

I thought he was all but invisible in the first 20-25 minutes, his new teammates were pretty much ignoring him. But he started gradually growing in confidence. In the 2nd half he even started tracking back and flying into tackles. I think he is quickly starting to understand how to win over the fans. I think he will love it here.
 
I thought he was great throughout. Maybe initially wasn't on the ball too much, but when he was on it he was very positive
 
I liked that he didn't always try to be over elaborate, he played it safe when he had to, pressured opponents too. The most pleasing thing was that he seemed to enjoy running beyond, every time a ball was put into the box he was in there, and when he picked the ball up in that central position in behind (which he apparently favours) he played a fabulous "eye of the needle" pass which almost came off. We've missed that for a long time.

Early days yet though, but you couldn't ask for a more promising debut.
 
Some great touches and good to see him taking on shots like he was. I love the way he dribbles, small controlled touches, very South American and Suarez is the only other player in the squad who does it. He shifts out of the game easily though, and I think for the first year at least, hes going to be a player who plays great when the team plays great, but not so well when the team isn't playing well. Chuffed for him getting his goal though, excited to see more of him.
 
Very surprised to see him picked for this game. I was not expecting him near the first team this season. This sounds like a positive start, and a good initiation for him. Hopefully rurik is right and he will thrive here.
 
Mersey86 said:
Very surprised to see him picked for this game. I was not expecting him near the first team this season. This sounds like a positive start, and a good initiation for him. Hopefully rurik is right and he will thrive here.
Click to expand...

I enjoy Rurik's posts about players but I must have missed this, what did he say?
 
Top post in the thread Mark - "I think he is quickly starting to understand how to win over the fans. I think he will love it here."
 
It was a debut performance from someone who was told "play like this and the fans will love you"
 
A 20 year old Brazilian in the fastest, toughest league ... You'd think he'd struggle ... He was fine. Took his goal really nicely, some class touches, tracked back and looked like he belonged. He's an exciting talent, and let's hope this is only the start.
 
Good thing for him was Swans essentially play continental football. I think the culture shock is still to come for young Philippe. When he is pushed hard to the ground 3 times in a row and the ref waves "play on" every time - THAT'S gonna be the moment. And his reaction to that will determine whether he can thrive in this league.
 
That goal, despite the finish, reminded me alot of Owen, they way he ran at the defense, jinked and dropped his shoulder before unleashing his shot, it was great to see him so positive and direct, despite having support there from Sturridge and Downing.
 
He looks extremely exciting.

Still can't believe we didn't get that penalty. Nothing is an 'advantage' from a penalty, unless you instantly score after the incident. Ridiculous.
 
Webb didnt signal the advantage either. He just didnt think it was a penalty, which is bizzare.
 
mark1975 said:
That goal, despite the finish, reminded me alot of Owen, they way he ran at the defense, jinked and dropped his shoulder before unleashing his shot, it was great to see him so positive and direct, despite having support there from Sturridge and Downing.
Click to expand...

If you include the clever touch from Suarez beforehand, the goal reminded me of McManaman's goal against celtic. Especially the way Coutinho kept clear of the defenders and ran into the space. That takes a higher intelligence to constantly have an eye on where the pockets of space are opening up.

Suarez isn't in the same class when it comes to dribbling as he just heads straight at the defender hoping to beat him.
 
He has a great touch , game intelligence, and seems quick, I am not sure he will get pushed around as some think.
Initial thoughts are very promising, and linking with other players with touch pace and brains like Suarez and Sturridge as Enrque's goal, is going to be a problem for opposition defences.
 
Mystic said:
Not be a misery, i dont think he was lucky with the goal, goalie should have saved it.
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My thought is he sensed that the goalie expected him to set up Sturridge or Downing and therefore decided to shoot to catch him out.
 
Agree with that Peter. I expected him to at least take another touch and it looks like Vorm didn't set himself for the shot as it was unexpected.
 
Mersey86 said:
Agree with that Peter. I expected him to at least take another touch and it looks like Vorm didn't set himself for the shot as it was unexpected.
Click to expand...

Not just to take another touch, but watching the video he only takes I think two fairly small steps after dragging it around the player with his right foot. I think most players would have hit it a bit further past their man and had to take a few more steps to catch up to the ball. Because he moved so little to reach the ball it looks at first glance as though the ball was caught up in his feet when he shapes to shoot. I think you're right that it caught Vorm off guard.

By the time Vorm sees it coming round the defender (who conveniently blocked his ability to try to read Coutinho's body language) he is just going down in the most likely direction(his left, a shot across goal) on an instinctual reaction.

Whether it was sublime skill or happenstance we will have to wait and see.
 
"Wait and see".

I'm sorry, but what ??

So the goal that he scored, whether it was a fluke or down to skill is conditional to what ? The next shimmy he does ? Whether he scores a similar goal ?

Seriously, stop over analyzing into every single little detail. Football has sometimes gone ala-moneyball mad. A goal is a goal. He could score a hattrick of goals from consecutive deflections off his arse, and I'd still laud his genius.

We need to relearn into enjoying the simple game again.
 
The goal was smart rather than lucky, he uses the defender to keep Vorm unsighted and hits the ball before he has had a chance to set himself thereby catching him slightly off balance and the split second he buys himself is what deceives the keeper

You have to watch him for about 5 minutes before you realize he has better close control and ability to retain the ball than everybody in our squad bar Suarez

Its always dangerous to judge a player on his first game but my gut instinct is he will be a success, and if Rodgers wants to play 'his' way then he needs more players with the skill Coutinho has
 
He had a few shots at goals, missed two good chances (a one on one with the keeper after Sturridge was fouled, and another dragged wide in the box after pass from Suarez) and got one goal by taking on a defender. That is very good for a debut.

Always available in or around the box. Good work rate. Exciting prospect indeed.

But then what do I know?
 
RedStar said:
You have to watch him for about 5 minutes before you realize he has better close control and ability to retain the ball than everybody in our squad bar Suarez
Click to expand...
Exactly this, I mentioned a few times in the match thread and the first post about his dribbling. He has brilliant close control and small controlled touches which allow him to dribble in that very South American style, and as you say, only Suarez is a better dribbler in the squad.
 
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