Matt Ritchie

It doesn't make sense more due to the fact that Dummett & Gouffran are a reasonable threat at this level. Ritchie hasn't been crowded out, his form has just dipped.

 

Has it really dipped? He's basically been no better than average in every game and that's being kind.

 

I mean, I can't be arsed to think about every match in detail, but came away from a good few of the early games in the season thinking he'd had a quality match. Hasn't happened for a while.

 

I can't really remember any match where he stood out as a different level to everyone one the pitch in the way Shelvey has at times. I'm not necessarily having a go, but considering the money we paid, and his record at this level previously, I think he has arguably been the biggest disappointment of the season. Can't think of him doing many good things throughout the season tbh, and our overall form has carried him and made him avoid any major criticism.

It doesn't make sense more due to the fact that Dummett & Gouffran are a reasonable threat at this level. Ritchie hasn't been crowded out, his form has just dipped.

 

Has it really dipped? He's basically been no better than average in every game and that's being kind.

 

I mean, I can't be arsed to think about every match in detail, but came away from a good few of the early games in the season thinking he'd had a quality match. Hasn't happened for a while.

 

I can't really remember any match where he stood out as a different level to everyone one the pitch in the way Shelvey has at times. I'm not necessarily having a go, but considering the money we paid, and his record at this level previously, I think he has arguably been the biggest disappointment of the season. Can't think of him doing many good things throughout the season tbh, and our overall form has carried him and made him avoid any major criticism.

 

I sort of agree with you, have thought the same from pretty much the start of the season, but I don't really judge him how I would judge a winger normally. He doesn't have much pace or trickery to get past the full back, but then he has other qualities like intelligence, hard work and a very decent delivery. Almost a poor man's Beckham if you like. So while he never looks spectacular, he does do a lot of good things during 90 mins. So for me, if we want pace and flair we should maybe look to have it on the other wing to Ritchie, that would give us a nice mix.

About halfway through this Ritchie says he hasn't been performing well enough in the last few games and wants to recapture his form from earlier in the season

 

https://beta.nufc.co.uk/nufc-tv/latest-videos/ritchie-focused-on-forest/

Good comments from him in the Chronicle.

Not been all that impressed for a while. I mean, he's not shite or anything. But I guess I expected more.

Really strange that he's had such a dip in form as he looked a level above at the beginning of the season.

Average tonight.

Not impressed, hes nowhere near the kind of stats he had last time in the championship, hope he can pick up in the second half of the season, hes obviously a good player but its just not working for him at the minute, maybe struggling a bit in the system we play?

Doesn't seem nearly at all as effective or better yet, clinical when he has chances to score.

Have to remember Benitez sets us up to be solid first, he will have had much more freedom at Bournemouth.

He's not as quick as I hoped he would be

He's not as quick as I hoped he would be

His biggest limitation as a player is his lack of pace, you rarely ever see him beating his man, relies more on 1-2's and good positional sense, but even that hasn't been there for quite a while now.

 

Wingers will rarely shine in Rafa's compact, narrow system, mind. It matters not one bit if we keep winning.

He's not pacy, but very clever and great movement/positioning. That was always his game - but agree with joey, wish he was faster; but a lot of those complaints about pace wouldn't be as prominent if he was putting away the chances he gets that a player of his quality should.

Has to improve for me. Honestly when Atsu came on he immediately improve us, offering something down the right, Ritchie had failed to do all game and of course got a goal. Think we need to look at both flanks in the summer to improve, not convinced Ritchie will be the asset for us in the PL we originally thought he would be.

A championship lallana

Nice first touch, burst and cross for the opener yesterday.

It doesn't make sense more due to the fact that Dummett & Gouffran are a reasonable threat at this level. Ritchie hasn't been crowded out, his form has just dipped.

 

Has it really dipped? He's basically been no better than average in every game and that's being kind.

 

I mean, I can't be arsed to think about every match in detail, but came away from a good few of the early games in the season thinking he'd had a quality match. Hasn't happened for a while.

 

I can't really remember any match where he stood out as a different level to everyone one the pitch in the way Shelvey has at times. I'm not necessarily having a go, but considering the money we paid, and his record at this level previously, I think he has arguably been the biggest disappointment of the season. Can't think of him doing many good things throughout the season tbh, and our overall form has carried him and made him avoid any major criticism.

 

I think you're all pretty spot on. He's not performing to his best but he is contributing to the team and more importantly results.

 

The fact he has acknowledged he can do better leaves me confident he will do better.

 

If we can increase our threat down the left, he should be even more effective. Attacking LB would be nice.

 

 

 

 

He's doing the annoying Duff-turn and back pass all the time. Disappointed with what I've seen of him this season. Need to start Atsu instead and get in something better for next season.

We were having such a fun and happy time too.

He's doing the annoying Duff-turn and back pass all the time. Disappointed with what I've seen of him this season. Need to start Atsu instead and get in something better for next season.

 

He's doing the annoying Duff-turn and back pass all the time. Disappointed with what I've seen of him this season. Need to start Atsu instead and get in something better for next season.

Because there's rarely anyone ahead of him to pass to. He loves an early cross into the box which isn't really ideal for Gayle. Mitrovic with Gayle behind would get ther best out of him.....it's up for debate if that would be best for the team.

He's doing the annoying Duff-turn and back pass all the time. Disappointed with what I've seen of him this season. Need to start Atsu instead and get in something better for next season.

 

Errr, you wanted him dropped instead of Gouffran. The bloke in your avatar knew best though and he assisted the first goal. Sell him.

He's doing the annoying Duff-turn and back pass all the time. Disappointed with what I've seen of him this season. Need to start Atsu instead and get in something better for next season.

 

Errr, you wanted him dropped instead of Gouffran. The bloke in your avatar knew best though and he assisted the first goal. Sell him.

 

He worked his arse off on Saturday and provided a cracking assist. He's not looking outstanding but us integral to the success we're having.