Power n Glory wrote:Zenith wrote:Power n Glory wrote:Zenith wrote:Power n Glory wrote:Zenith wrote:Power n Glory wrote:Zenith wrote:Power n Glory wrote:He hasn't been good today.
Agreed.
Ødegaard always needed a run of competitive games to get to his best level. His drops in form always happened after the international breaks. Something he has to work on and improve upon.
I thought he was too passive for large chunks last season and not just after breaks. Also needs to find some scoring form.
Predominantly after international breaks, imo. He had many good games last season, but it's not being mentioned very often on here, which is disappointing.
Anyway...
What frustrated me the most today is Ødegaard's decision-making in the final third, which is normally one of his strong points. He tried to set up Martinelli (or was it Jesus?) when the goal was gaping for the shot. He only had the keeper to beat from a great position inside the box, which even allowed him to pick a corner. It's not as if he's a bad finisher, which made his decision all the more strange. Perhaps his low assist tally last season is in the back of his mind and had an influence on his decision? Just speculating, of course.
I disagree on the international games part. It's not just the odd game after the international break. A lot of players underperformed towards the end of last season but Odegaard was really disappointing to watch. He couldn't effect the game and seemed passive.
I did say predominantly, not exclusively. Also, I didn't say he needs one game, but several games after each international break to reach his best level. That doesn't mean he doesn't have any lesser games when there hasn't been a break, but there's a recurring pattern. Again, not an excuse, and it's something he'll have to improve upon. The same goes for Partey, albeit not to the same extent. His drops in performance are more fitness-related.
How many international breaks are there through the season? It's 3 or 4 international breaks scattered through the season. To be bad fo several games after each one is what I mean. It's quite a hefty chunk of games.
Partey was also poor today. The Palace fans were on him today so not sure where he is mentally.
That's what I said though, so I'm not sure why you disagreed with that initially.
Because to have a run of 4 or 5 games throughout the season where you're passive and just a few good games here and there.. ..even if they come after the international break, I wouldn't necessarily connect that poor run to international football. I wasn't thrilled with his season and hoping he can step it up this season or step aside.
It's impossible to prove, but most would agree the difference in intensity of your average NL/Euros/WC qualifier is signficantly lower than is the case in your average Premier League match. (Hence Xhaka usually looks way better for Switzerland than he does for us.) Just feel that difference in intensity and shift in focus can affect certain players' level of performance. But, again, even if the pattern is there with certain players, it's impossible to prove conclusively.
