They're also posted on Firmino's worst run and City's/United's best run. Chances created, he was almost the best in the entire league last season from open play; considering he doesn't take free-kicks that's about as fair a comparison as you can get. That's the role Klopp wants him to play, lead the press, create the chances and knock a fair amount in yourself. If our attack bangs in 45 goals (15 or so each) then we'll be fine and I'd wager with anyone that they will, with ease this season.
As for those pretending he isn't quick, go and watch our 5 v 2 break-away, Firmino is the quickest player in the picture, but he's doing defensive work and therefore is behind our front-line. You know the way Danzel clearly explained in his fantastic post, but tactics will be ignored and you'll hear "he should" be the one furthest forward when in truth he defends better than both Mane and Salah, he also releases players quicker and has a wider range of passing than those two. He's also more likely to win an aerial duel than those two and running with the ball those two are quicker. So they were in the correct places tactically, but no, the ones that want to be on his back and pretend he's slow will say he was in the 'wrong' place, wrong according to only them of course.
There are stats currently doing the rounds that show we concede the least amount of shots, yet our opponents convert the most amount of chances. Conversely we create the most amount of chances yet convert the least amount of them. Anyone with a brain knows that ratio will not continue, the hardest part is clearly the first part of each of those statements and I guarantee both departments will improve but now is seemingly the ideal time to stick the knife in, you know when someone is at their weakest. Quality that.
In truth it's been brewing for a while and it's good to see them finally get it off their chest because it was getting tiresome listening to them pretend with all the "I rate Firmino, but" posts. Same as the "I rate Kenny, but" posts and the "Rafa is a good manager, but", there's a pattern that isn't hard to recognise. Now that people can see the knife firmly stabbed and the joy with which it's being done, the next time that they pretend they rate these players/managers treat their words with the disdain they deserve.
This is a convoluted post.
1) If there was a better midfield base, one that could create against teams that park the bus but also one that could press and counter too or sit deep and park the bus, one that offered more protection to the mistake ridden defense and goalkeepers, then all you would need from your striker would be goals.
United have spent a lot of money last season and this season trying to get their midfield sorted, and it looks to have worked. Paul Pogba is playing better this season, and playing a more attacking style has seen United score for fun. I do not think that they will continue at the current rate because they will begin to face better teams, but on the face of it, investing in midfield and freeing up those ahead has worked wonders for them to the point where they do not have to bother with things like does your striker press/defend?
2) There is nothing wrong with a false 9, but there is something wrong in people thinking that just because someone drops deep it is an excuse to not score goals. The best false 9's in the last decade are Lionel Messi and Robin Van Persie; they could spend most of their time in midfield and still score for fun. The closest to that was Alexis Sanchez last season when he was starting as a forward.
3) We need to get rid of these chances created stats. Remember the game away to City when the only good chance created was for Salah in the first half, and City scored off their first good chance from De Bruyne to Aguero? Remember the game against Sevilla when up 2-1, the team did not create anything worth mention in the second half other than speculative shots and ended up drawing the game.......now compare these to the game against Spartak. The quality of the chance created matters and this is most of the times lost somewhere.
4) City, Arsenal, Tottenham all look to press and all look to play a high line. Now, apart from Firmino, the other striker that really works his socks off is Harry Kane, and he spends a good amount of time coming deep with Alli running beyond. These teams are conceding fewer goals. You also do not hear of how their striker pressing is prerequisite to a starting place in the first team.
To this point, I always say, people remember Ronaldo, Pires, Robben, Gerrard off the wing and from this age they will remember Hazard, Sanchez as world class players. No one in their right mind puts Kuyt in this class, and all his hard work off the wing.
In the same vein, people remember Henry, Van Nistelrooy, Drogba, Van Persie, Torres and I suspect that if Lukaku's production is in and around the 30 goal mark for most of his career, he will be up there. Honestly think that if Sturridge was not so injury prone, he would be up there too.
By the way, I do not think that Firmino is the reason the team will not win anything if that is to happen, that will be because the team lacks balance, and it concedes way too many goals. That said, it would be great if he started finishing chances (and I am not talking penalties here) and begins to be consistent. One game he is bright, the touch is surreal and he is involved, the next it is gash and he is missing.
