Ao Tanaka

[Onemanstanding]

I agree, he was my MOTM too along with Rothwell, they both bossed the midfield.
Too tough of a choice to call between them, hopefully they can keep it up.

[Leeds1000]

He was top draw last night. The little turn into space towards the end of the match was sublime. He's different to we have. I can see why Celtic were apparently in for the kid. He's had a great start to his Leeds career.

[The Subhuman]

Very good on Friday, dropping into the back three when needed. Still rate Gruev highly in the position too and I thought SU showed sod all going forward. Had they taken that approach in other games they'd have been beaten more than just once.

I'll be happy if teams continue to give us way to much respect this season.

[PhoenixUnited]

With Tanaka and Rothwell in the side we looked a lot more progressive as a side and much less pedestrian. Visibly less of fapping around along the back line and the goalkeeper which was great. However, the Blunts hardly pushed us in this game barely getting out of their own half and seemingly content to play out a draw hoping to sucker punch us on the break or a set play.

Tanaka looks a class act and plays like he's been there forever - good engine, gritty, determined, clever, resourceful and has a pass in him. When the others come back there will be healthy competition leaving me to wonder if we could play Tanaka and Gruev together and push Ampadu further forward always with options for the players to interchange.

Got to mention that there were some that questioned the purpose of Rothwell when up to yet he hasn't really had the opportunity to show what he can do. Looks an upgrade to Kamara to me and if he plays like he did against the Blunts I won't be complaining

The three Summer signings - Tanaka, Rothwell and Ramazani look like a very good bit of business.

[1964white]

How good was Ao last night?

What a footballer.

[Tyzy]

He's turning out to be a good buy considering he only cost £3 and a bag of marbles

[mentalcase]

Excellent addition to the squad, we desperately need to inbed more before promotion though

[weasel]

How good was Ao last night?

What a footballer.

Man of the match for me. Got stuck in and worked hard when we were under the pump but seemed to always remain calm when one or two others seemed to be hitting panicked clearances.

[1964white]

Tanaka is ready-made for the Premier League when we go up.

[1964white]

Man of the match for me. Got stuck in and worked hard when we were under the pump but seemed to always remain calm when one or two others seemed to be hitting panicked clearances.

A talented footballer.

[The Subhuman]

Tanaka is ready-made for the Premier League when we go up.

I'd imagine he'll move to the 8 when Ampadu is fit. Looking forward to that partnership. Tanaka was my second favourite signing after Ramazani at the time

Ramazani
Tanaka
Schmidt
Bogle
Solomon - Because of the injury proneness
Rothwell
Cairns

[Mick Jones shoulder]

Think we've looked a better balanced side with Tanaka and Rothwell in the side

[1964white]

I'd imagine he'll move to the 8 when Ampadu is fit. Looking forward to that partnership. Tanaka was my second favourite signing after Ramazani at the time

Ramazani
Tanaka
Schmidt
Bogle
Solomon - Because of the injury proneness
Rothwell
Cairns

My favourites too!

Rothwell & Bogle have settled in nicely.

[1964white]

Think we've looked a better balanced side with Tanaka and Rothwell in the side

We have MJ a nice surprise!

[1964white]

My Tanaka stats vs Watford.

27 excellent/very good pieces of play

8 passes
7 tackles
4 interceptions
2 delightful turns
2 runs
1 sublime ball control
1 defensive header
1 headed-pass
1 block

Foot perfect, not one negative.

This lad is ready-made for the Premier League.

[billysboots]

It will be interesting to see how our injured players can get themselves back into the team.

[The Subhuman]

It will be interesting to see how our injured players can get themselves back into the team.

Gruev likely out for the season, Ampadu will come straight back in for Rothwell, pushing Tanaka to the 8. Wober will need Struijk to get injured

[malcolmw]

Gruev likely out for the season, Ampadu will come straight back in for Rothwell, pushing Tanaka to the 8. Wober will need Struijk to get injured

I think your assessment is right. But to be honest, as much as I'm a huge Ampadu fan, the Rothwell/Tanaka combination has been far better going forward in the past couple of games than almost any midfield combination in quite a while.
We also need to be giving Rodon the occasional break this year or he's going to get injured. We do have more defensive options now for that.

[DDB220]

I think your assessment is right. But to be honest, as much as I'm a huge Ampadu fan, the Rothwell/Tanaka combination has been far better going forward in the past couple of games than almost any midfield combination in quite a while.
We also need to be giving Rodon the occasional break this year or he's going to get injured. We do have more defensive options now for that.

We are 11 games in and have had two international breaks. Rather early to consider resting players. We do not have the luxury until we hopefully build up a lead at the top. Always start the best available 11 players is a method I subscribe to for every game. Bar tin pot cup games.

Reports on Gruev are varied, according to some reports he will back in training before Christmas. Incidentally, Amps is a must in midfield. The other 3 are not, albeit Tanaka is making the biggest claim to partner him.

[malcolmw]

To me the main reason we didn't get promoted last year was the 4 to 6 game spell after the last international break. The international players came back burnt out and pretty broken. Rodon being a prime example. We simply could not regain the momentum we had going into that break.

So putting the best 11 on the field in every game is, to me, a false strategy. You have to have a "best 14 or 15" who can be pretty much equally effective on the day.
Our manager last year - in my view through no fault of his own - did not have that luxury.
If we'd had that, I think Rodon would have been on the bench a few times.
It is not at all too early to be making these decisions. This is the toughest league (not the best, the toughest) in the world. If you want to get out of it, you can't rely on 11 or 12 players for 46 games.
This squad is closer now to being able to manage in that vein than last year imo.

As DF has said, the international breaks are a fact of life and we have to manage accordingly. That means taking key players out at times and building combinations of (near) equal strength.