Roberto 'Boby' Firmino

Firmino definitely doesn't look ready for Stoke. His first-touches were heavy, passes were misplaced and caught off-side too many times. Source: YouTube

He seems to be a very hard worker .

Waiting to see the combo (or shall I call it Tango) of Firmino, Coutinho and Lallana .

Can't say he's looked too good so far. Did he play second striker for Hoffenheim? He's not looking too comfortable when he's out wide.

well Firmino mainly played behind the striker. But he had almost a free role. I would say he was somewhere between a striker and AM. He had players like Volland and Szalai who created space for him to work. Since he played for Hoffenheim, other teams used to attack them and which resulted in space behind the midfield line, which he exploited beautifully. But he did not have 2-3 players surrounded and still 2-3 more players ready in surroundng zones.



you can clearly see in the above image, how organised WestHam are there. Firmino will need time to get adjusted to the league, constantly people picking up his heels and body pushing. He also needs to learn how to use the afforded space more effectively since that is how teams are going to set up against us this season.

I just hope we haven't bought a round peg for a triangle hole.

Still too early to judge him, specially the way the teams have been set-up so far. But it seems he will need more time to adopt to the physicality of EPL. But he is talented for sure.

Nothing wrong with his physicality, he just doesn't look like a very good wide player, yet he's being played out wide even when both Coutinho and Lallana are missing... Looking so far about as good a fit to our team as Balotelli.

Art Morte wrote:Nothing wrong with his physicality, he just doesn't look like a very good wide player, yet he's being played out wide even when both Coutinho and Lallana are missing... Looking so far about as good a fit to our team as Balotelli.

that was harsh but it is on ROdgers as well as that he is still new in this league.

I don't know, "new league", "different manager", these are excuses that truly good players don't need. Look at Andre Ayew, absolutely beasting it in a new league under an inexperienced manager.

It's only five games, so I could very well be wrong with this, but right now I don't think Firmino is ever going to be a good wide player. To me, it's getting to a point where he should be played behind the striker or not played at all.

too early to compare Ayew to Firmino imo but you are right, all those players performing at the level of ayew are better than Firmino.

Art Morte wrote:Nothing wrong with his physicality, he just doesn't look like a very good wide player, yet he's being played out wide even when both Coutinho and Lallana are missing... Looking so far about as good a fit to our team as Balotelli.

I agree with your other points. But have you seen how exhausted he looked when he was subbed-off?

Also, I can't understand if you want some width; why not play Ibe and Markovic instead???

iftikhar wrote:

Art Morte wrote:Nothing wrong with his physicality, he just doesn't look like a very good wide player, yet he's being played out wide even when both Coutinho and Lallana are missing... Looking so far about as good a fit to our team as Balotelli.

I agree with your other points. But have you seen how exhausted he looked when he was subbed-off?

Also, I can't understand if you want some width; why not play Ibe and Markovic instead???

I didn't pay attention did he look exhausted or not, but stamina aside, he isn't producing any moments that you'd expect a £29m signing to produce. There haven't been even glimpses that "wow, this guy is good". I'm worried.

He's playing in a role he's not accustomed too in a team that's disjointed and has no interest at all, not too mention under a manager that has the same tactical nous as Roy F******* Hodsgon so yeah I can't really fault him at all.

Art Morte wrote:I don't know, "new league", "different manager", these are excuses that truly good players don't need. Look at Andre Ayew, absolutely beasting it in a new league under an inexperienced manager.

Well said.

Firmino will benefit a lot if we appoint Klopp.

Don't call me James wrote:Firmino will benefit a lot if we appoint Klopp.

No need to buy Reus then

iftikhar wrote:

Don't call me James wrote:Firmino will benefit a lot if we appoint Klopp.

No need to buy Reus then

Red Alert wrote:

iftikhar wrote:

Don't call me James wrote:Firmino will benefit a lot if we appoint Klopp.

No need to buy Reus then

iftikhar wrote:

Don't call me James wrote:Firmino will benefit a lot if we appoint Klopp.

No need to buy Reus then

Could fit both into the same side.

That said, I'd rather find the new Reus... Perhaps, we already have him...

I had honestly not expected that he would raise to such levels so early in the season. Such cases make me think all the heck I know as a fan about a player. Is he the Suarez's most likely replacement, excluding the biting



he has started putting brilliant performances. Firmino is involved in 3 goals so far in Prmier League alone in this season. Firmino is raising levels of the player around him also. Since he is there, the creativity work is shared between him, Lallana and Coutinho. So Coutinho is under less pressure to play right passes all the time. Of course, he needs to improve his finishing if he wants to play the Front Man role/False Nine Role; but I am quite happy with his progress till now. He also works so hard for a player with such flair and skills. You can see in that video he recovered the ball many number of times. Well his performance in such a big game has also raised questions whether when Sturridge is not fit, should we play him there rotate with Big Benteke or even ahead of Benteke.

http://www.goallegacy.net/t37923p72-another-round-of-brazilliance?highlight=another+round

We got a thread for him

Don't call me James wrote:Firmino will benefit a lot if we appoint Klopp.

He's definitely been better than at the start. First he didn't seem to know what to do on the pitch, but now he's starting to click with the rest of the team.

Art Morte wrote:He's definitely been better than at the start. First he didn't seem to know what to do on the pitch, but now he's starting to click with the rest of the team.

its all about confidence mate. at the start he couldent hold the ball. on Saturday he was flicking the ball over the city players head. the lad has talent. now we are starting to see it.

why is it always difficult for me to find a thread using search of GL

anyways, I am so much enjoying watching Firmino right now. About holding the ball, he cant hold the ball like a striker does but he just picks it up for a second, protect it and give it to a free teammate. He did that so many times and brilliantly. I am sure that was how it was planned, amazing stuff

Helmer wrote:why is it always difficult for me to find a thread using search of GL

anyways, I am so much enjoying watching Firmino right now. About holding the ball, he cant hold the ball like a striker does but he just picks it up for a second, protect it and give it to a free teammate. He did that so many times and brilliantly. I am sure that was how it was planned, amazing stuff

yeah mate I get what your saying. but at the start he was to slow when he got the ball. he was always under pressure when he got the ball. but that's to be expected he was new to the lge. but I like the way he didn't drop his head. that's why I think markovic will never make it. he lets things get him down.

It'll be interesting to see what our line-up is going to be in attack in the next few games. I think Benteke would have been fit to start against City, but Klopp just opted for Firmino, which is a surprise in itself. Now there's Sturridge coming back, too.