Following yesterday’s 1-0 defeat to Brighton, several NUFC fans have taken to social media to slate Spanish number 10 Ayoze Perez, with calls for him to be dropped against Liverpool on Sunday after another disappointing performance.
Here’s some of the comments posted on Twitter by our fans, who clearly weren’t impressed by the 24-year old’s display yesterday:
Don't get how Perez is still in the #NUFC team. He's weak and slow and offers nothing
— darby (@robdarbyy) September 24, 2017
I dont know how Perez gets a game at #NUFC. He just offers bad decisioning.
— Ian (@MMAOpinIAN) September 24, 2017
Perez surely had his time now… shelvey, Hayden and merino against Liverpool? #nufc
— AllthingsNUFC (@nufcthings) September 24, 2017
I still fail to see what Perez offers..someone please enlighten me…genuinely interested? ? #nufc
— Clinton (@FordeHaveMercy) September 24, 2017
Perez looked a promising talent a few years ago, but there’s little doubt that his development has stagnated severely, with his form appearing to be going backwards over the past few seasons. He has his moments, but he flatters to deceive and loses the ball cheaply all too often.
There is no doubt Perez works hard, however he’s a little too flimsy and is far too lightweight, meaning some of his pressuring is well intended but not imposing enough.
Against Brighton he tried to close them down and had the odd nice touch, but ultimately didn’t have nearly enough impact on the game, miscuing some promising openings just when we needed him to show quality. We aren’t blessed with quality, but this is a key area of the field where final ball and a consistent influence on the game is essential.
Given the importance of the number 10 role, he doesn’t offer enough, but we aren’t exactly blessed with options in that area. Diame is not a natural number 10 and struggled there last season, De Jong has been sold, leaving Shelvey as a possible option.
Maybe Benitez could try Shelvey, Hayden and Merino in a three against Liverpool, play Joselu AND Gayle up top or bring Ritchie in-field into the 10 role, giving a chance to Aarons or Murphy out wide? Or, would you persevere with Perez?
I have said to family and friends he will never be a premier league player he struggled when we were in the championship more interested on his looks than in football
Chris(Quote)
Interesting article. I would like to Matt Ritchie deployed in the number 10 role as a bit of an experiment with either Murphy or aarons to play on the right.
JGib(Quote)