| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa 09:20 - Aug 14 with 4587 views | cbower |
Indispensable last season. Player of the year awards. Definitely seen as one who could make the step up. Obviously played the run in games carrying a problem and needed an operation.
Fast forward 3 months and he is barely getting a mention by anyone on here in terms of being a Premier League starter and has been relegated to a squad filler at best.
I hope he (and Jack Taylor) both get a fair crack of the whip this season, shame they're not currently fit to start. A little bit of out of sight, out of mind maybe. |  |
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| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 09:22 - Aug 14 with 4073 views | londonben |
I think it’s more everyone is focusing on the first few games which he definitely won’t be starting as he’s still recovering from surgery. Likely won’t be playing much in the first few weeks given he’s missed the whole preseason. |  | | |
| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 09:24 - Aug 14 with 4038 views | ArnoldMoorhen |
He is recovering and hasn't had a pre-season. It will take him a few weeks to catch up.
But, at some point in the season, injuries and suspensions will give him his opportunity.
Taylor is currently nailed on for a regular sub role, unless we make further signings in that area of the pitch. | | | |
| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 09:27 - Aug 14 with 3950 views | portmanking |
Is he definitely seen as one who can step up? A lot of people I know have serious reservations over his quality on the ball and his lack of pace. I think he'll be a more than adequate backup to Florentino, though. | | | |
| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 09:28 - Aug 14 with 3954 views | TIB |
Mat’s recovery is without doubt keeping his name off fans lips, but I also think it’ll probably be a blessing with new signings coming in and a new manager.
The guy gives 110%, looked class at Champ level but now has a new challenge with the Prem, which will likely start with him coming on as a sub in games once he’s fit. Maybe he’ll be a “squad filler”, but he’ll be one of the best.
As for Taylor, I’d happily see him stay but I feel like he’ll want regular football now and I’m not convinced he’d be anything more than backup in this squad with the way recruitment looks to be going. [Post edited 14 Aug 9:29]
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| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 09:33 - Aug 14 with 3804 views | Len_Brennan |
We need 4 Premier League quality central midfielders in our squad this season; he will be one of them. Matusiwa & Florentino Luis will be the defensive minded, holding player in a double pivot, with Sasa Lukic and AN Other/Palacios will be their more forward thinking partner.
Matusiwa will get his share of game time & we may even see him in there as part of a 3 man midfield in certain games, either from the start v the likes of Arsenal, or coming on to shore things up if we are trying to hold on to a result.
Any injury or suspension for Luis will certainly see him play.
His ongoing recovery from an operation & lack of pre-season involvement is the main reason for the lack of conversation around him; he is unlikely to be match fit until early/mid September. [Post edited 14 Aug 9:35]
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| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 09:36 - Aug 14 with 3692 views | Wallingford_Boy |
I am not sure he will be starting for us even when match fit again, a great back up option though. |  |
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| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 09:38 - Aug 14 with 3688 views | Kropotkin123 |
I like Jack Taylor, but no idea why you think deserves a crack at the EPL. Thankfully the club aren't being sentimental. |  |
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| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 09:38 - Aug 14 with 3679 views | BiGDonnie |
Not seen anyone refer to him as 'squad filler'. He'll play an important part this season. |  |
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| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 09:56 - Aug 14 with 3382 views | Libero |
Azor will get his chance, which he richly deserves - Jack Taylor won’t get anywhere near the team and all being well, won’t even feature in the majority of match day squads.
Azor, Luis, Lukic, Nunez, young lad from Strasbourg, all ahead of him in the pecking order, thankfully. |  | | |
| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 09:56 - Aug 14 with 3385 views | Churchman |
He is easily Premier League quality. He’s terrific at what he does and will be in the side when he has recovered and has had a pre season. Given that won’t be for a while, there’s really nothing to talk about with regard to him. |  | | |
| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 10:00 - Aug 14 with 3307 views | John_Warks_Willy |
I hope he’s realistic in that he needs to learn the Premier League, and he’ll get his chances. If he’s up to it, he’ll get more and more chances to get a starting spot.
The beauty of the midfield pair we’ve signed is we’re not wholly reliant on the unknown of whether a Championship player can or cannot step up. Something that failed us last time around, but we seem to have learned. Same goes for Jack if he makes the squad. |  |
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| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 10:03 - Aug 14 with 3232 views | chicoazul |
Think he will play plenty this year. We’re gonna need everyone. |  |
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| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 10:16 - Aug 14 with 3028 views | ThatMuhrenCross |
First of all, I don't really care what the thoughts are of Azor Matusiwa or Jack Taylor. I want the best players we can possibly have on the pitch for Ipswich Town, and if those two aren't as good as what we've now got, then there can be no room for sentimentality.
Secondly, I do think Matusiwa is considered by a lot of fans to be way better than he actually is. Granted, he's a fantastic ball winner. Probably the best I can remember seeing at the club in that regard, but that aside, he's got nothing else. His technical ability is so far off it. There are midfielders in league one that can do more with the ball at their feet. |  |
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| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 10:17 - Aug 14 with 3028 views | Bluemike31 |
I am sure he will be an integral part of the squad as the season progresses, definitely good enough to step up. | | | |
| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 10:19 - Aug 14 with 2968 views | SuperKieranMcKenna |
He’s an intelligent footballer, I wouldn’t write him off making it in the PL.
Even if he doesn’t, having that quality as backup is a huge upgrade on our last PL stint. It’s why the press’ Coventry love-in makes no sense to me when their squad is padded out with plenty of cloggers who’ve spent their career in the mid or lower Championship. | | | |
| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 10:23 - Aug 14 with 2881 views | Blue_Heath |
No doubt he was great last season but I hate to say it I feel he's just a tad too slow for the prem and has the odd gaff which you can't afford in this league. Would love him to prove me wrong as at times he was a beast last season.
Taylor a steady eddie and can't knock his workrate something which GON may like but we need better to survive imho. | |
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| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 10:31 - Aug 14 with 2766 views | NthQldITFC |
Player of the season last year, along with DOS perhaps.
If there's any downside wrt pace it's probably compensated for by defensive ball winning ability. Might not always be our best option in a two man defensive midfield against a very mobile opposition, but as part of a three man midfield would be fantastic. An option we might easily use at times this season in a 4-3-3/4-5-1 stylee. |  |
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| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 10:35 - Aug 14 with 2735 views | Pettabelieveit |
Likely unpopular opinion, but I have concerns whether he can get to the level required for the Premier League.
He was great last season, but still had flaws in his game that could have been more costly which at Premier League level, almost certainly would have cost points. | | | |
| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 10:37 - Aug 14 with 2710 views | TractorWood |
| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 09:38 - Aug 14 by Kropotkin123 |
I like Jack Taylor, but no idea why you think deserves a crack at the EPL. Thankfully the club aren't being sentimental. |
I like Taylor and he's done well for us but he's miles off the Prem. |  |
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| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 10:49 - Aug 14 with 2563 views | greyhound |
Jack Taylor is not a premier league footballer of the standard we need. He's a good quality championship battler but that's the ceiling there. | | | |
| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 10:56 - Aug 14 with 2448 views | Churchman |
| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 10:16 - Aug 14 by ThatMuhrenCross |
First of all, I don't really care what the thoughts are of Azor Matusiwa or Jack Taylor. I want the best players we can possibly have on the pitch for Ipswich Town, and if those two aren't as good as what we've now got, then there can be no room for sentimentality.
Secondly, I do think Matusiwa is considered by a lot of fans to be way better than he actually is. Granted, he's a fantastic ball winner. Probably the best I can remember seeing at the club in that regard, but that aside, he's got nothing else. His technical ability is so far off it. There are midfielders in league one that can do more with the ball at their feet. |
I don’t agree. He was player of the season for me. The heartbeat of the team.
Matusiwa gets about the pitch. He reads the game well with good awareness of what’s around him, is combative and can tackle (with the odd yellow card thrown in). He makes himself available and his short passing is fine. Not the biggest so his heading ability is limited as is his goalscoring ability - obviously.
I’ll add that before he was carrying injury, he’d not fade in a game either. All in all I believe he can play PL level. Not every player needs to be an Mbappe. All decent teams have balance so you do need the odd hod carrier/ball winner and he’s perfect for it. | | | |
| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 11:09 - Aug 14 with 2312 views | portmanking |
| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 10:56 - Aug 14 by Churchman |
I don’t agree. He was player of the season for me. The heartbeat of the team.
Matusiwa gets about the pitch. He reads the game well with good awareness of what’s around him, is combative and can tackle (with the odd yellow card thrown in). He makes himself available and his short passing is fine. Not the biggest so his heading ability is limited as is his goalscoring ability - obviously.
I’ll add that before he was carrying injury, he’d not fade in a game either. All in all I believe he can play PL level. Not every player needs to be an Mbappe. All decent teams have balance so you do need the odd hod carrier/ball winner and he’s perfect for it. |
Yeah, that's all well and good. Except we've now bought a player that can do all of the above even better in Florentino. Azor is going to be a more than adequate backup/squad player to cover injuries/suspensions and for if we ever attempt a 3-man midfield screen. | | | |
| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 11:11 - Aug 14 with 2277 views | muccletonjoe |
I will be very surprised if Matisuwa doesnt feature in at least half of the league games. Taylor , is probably a different scenario, I think he is more likely to leave and doesn't look nailed on to make the squad , even if there are no more arrivals after today. |  | | |
| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 11:30 - Aug 14 with 2076 views | Churchman |
| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 11:09 - Aug 14 by portmanking |
Yeah, that's all well and good. Except we've now bought a player that can do all of the above even better in Florentino. Azor is going to be a more than adequate backup/squad player to cover injuries/suspensions and for if we ever attempt a 3-man midfield screen. |
I’ve not seen Florentino play yet so I’ll be very interested to see if he’s all you say he is. Hope so! | | | |
| Penny for the thoughts of Azor Matusiwa on 12:25 - Aug 14 with 1819 views | TractorJack |
I personally don't think he's good enough on the ball in terms of speed of thought and execution. That being said if he's fully fit I think he'll still be useful in a lot games where we'll mostly be defending. |  | | |
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