It wasn't very long and he saw the ball pretty late. I wouldn't blame him.

Well,ok,i'll trust you then,it was a pretty shitty stream xD

This game also spits in the face of those who continually to blindly follow $#!legri's every decision and proclaim El Shaarwry "not ready" to play in regular games. Granted this Novara isn't top tier competition but certainly his abilities could be put to better use than watching Urby come on when we're down a goal (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif)

It was better to try him out against a weak side first,but credits to the kid he's shining with confidence.

I really hope that after this performance Allegri gives him the chance again in the weekend, he did great today against them, he'll do great again in the Serie A.

Maybe an Ibra, Robs, El Shaa trident would be a good way to go, very versitile, especially is Pato is out....

I hope you mean "started" because he played for us already. He impressed each time. He scored too.
Sometimes I wonder (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

This post has been edited by drucurl: Jan 19 2012, 11:52 AM

Yes,that's what I ment,new/unexperienced players against strong oppostion have problems,though,i guess it would bit easier than Merkel's case,since less pressure is on the player(no defending)

I didn't follow the match with much attention, but I thought Merkel looked great as RCM. Until Aquilani gets back, he should start there.

Merkel is a very hot prospect,yes he looks good as RCM,but he will be even better as an AM.But,for him to start now,he has to play in that position,where he has no one currently to take his spot(RCM)Hopefully,Allegri knows how to play each player at the correct postion.
Merkel:am or wide mid
Emmanuelson:wide midfielder
El sharrawy:second striker with exchange of positions with robinho
Nocerino-Mvb-Merkel/emmanuelson
Robinho
El sharaawy-Ibra

Really???

Everyone I've talked to seems to think he was just weak there, just no character at all. Simple passes only which usually went behind the player they are intended to. I think that blog which was posted in the El Shaa thread summed up Merkel's night great.

And he looked weak against Novara, can't imagine what he'll do against Lazio, Udine, etc.

I think his best position is AM but I can't see him being given that spot with Robinho available as well as El Shaa.

Like I said, I didn't follow the match with much attention. I was in a pub and we were all drinking and stuff. But still, what better options do we have? Seedorf?

Pretty much, or Urby. As long as he's not being forces to play the AM position Urby is still a very reliable backup player.

Still Merkel could become a huge liability in that position, any decent team would muscle him off the pitch.

I honestly don't think Merkel was anything above average. I don't think he's our solution. Damn, are we broke... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Yeah, I never saw anything in him last season. I think he'd do well at a mid level club like Genoa, but I can't see him really excelling with us. Especially in a position like the one he's been put in, where he has to deel with defensive responsabilites as well. I think everyone keeps mentioning him because we are that desperate to have a youth product actually succeed, so we'll take just about anything

Watching him and El Shaa, you'd think it was El Shaa who has just come off a few months of playing regular Serie A football, and not Merkel, just the confidence to take people on, link up with Pato/Robs, take shots etc. The last ime I saw someone that young playing for us and actually going for it and playing with confidence was Pato.

Again, we have to remember the positions both players play in. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) El Shaarawy plays more upfront than Merkel, and hence more chances for him to become part of the attack, score goals. That's not to say Merkel is a better player than the Pharaoh, he is not from what I've seen.

But to get a true idea, the full picture, one has to remember the duties players are assigned to in the match.