Krystian A Winner And 89 Revisited
May 26th, 2019 by 'holic
This afternoon provided a blessed relief to the tedium that is waiting for the Europa League Final to be over. Normally I wouldn’t take any interest in a match between Charlton Athletic and Sunderland, but the appearance of on-loan Krystian Bielik in the League One play-off final at Wembley made it required viewing.
Like Calum Chambers at Fulham the Polish U21 international has performed two roles at The Valley this season and indeed fulfilled them both this afternoon. In the first-half he was on the right side of a back three and an early slip from which he recovered in the opening minutes aside his performance was assured. Strong in the air, he did a job in both boxes.
In the second-half Charlton reverted to their preferred system of a flat back four and a diamond in midfield which Krystian was at the base of. If one were being ultra-critical it might be said that he lacks a change of pace, but it is the tail-end of a long, tough season. Such was his control of the areas in front of that defence that at the final whistle he was voted the Sky Sports man of the match, and rightly so.
Charlton’s dramatic winner with six seconds remaining will have catapulted him into the thoughts of Unai Emery, surely? It should be enough to ensure he gets a pre-season with the club so the head coach can evaluate the player and decide if his future is with us, or does he get another loan? The only threat to him getting a full pre-season in could be his inclusion in the European U21 Championship which ends on June 30th after which he will need a break to recharge his batteries. Good luck Krystian.
It was thirty years ago today
That Sergeant Pepper taught the band to play? No, of course not, it was the greatest ever finish to any top-flight season when we went to Anfield to topple the reigning champions and recent FA Cup winners with virtually the last kick of a remarkable season.
I doubt I will be alone in watching Fever Pitch, and 89, this evening. The memories, in as much as they have ever gone away, will come flooding back. Smudger’s header, Mickey’s miss, then his conversion of a similar opportunity at the death. A winner away to your biggest rivals, not at home to a relegated club, Sky Sports.
Enjoy them again too, ‘holics. I know I will.
36 Responses to “Krystian A Winner And 89 Revisited”
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Cheers H!
I’m delighted to see Charlton go up. I have a few friends who support them and it’s been grim. This morning an 84 year-old friend was excitedly telling me about going in a family outing today. He was the oldest, his 4 year-old great grandson the youngest. That will be a day he won’t forget in a hurry.
I saw the Secret Life of Pets with Mrs TTG and two grandsons so missed Bielik’s performance. He is well worth a long look from Emery.
I shall enjoy some highlights of Anfield 89 tonight.
Ned
A question for the monks to ponder.
Would Bielik be considered as a home-grown player considering the age he joined at and the time he has been with us?
I don’t think we will keep Chambers and Bielik but Chambers is home-grown and balances the squad even though he would fetch in a bigger fee than Bielik. Personally I would keep both and sell Elneny and Xhaka. Chambers can cover all across the back four and in midfield .
In this flurry of activity I note Kante is expected to miss the final after getting injured in training yesterday. He will be a loss to them . If only we can nobble Hazard now!
Bielik is homegrown.
The way it should be
Homegrown
It’s a good thing
Plant that bell and
Let it ring
Interesting quote from Emery on the Europa League.
“When we started playing in the first matches, some players preferred to play Premier League. Okay. I explained then to every player that we needed the focus on every competition.
“I am going to decide when you are going to rest or not. I don’t want you to think you might not play in the early rounds and yet when we arrive at the semi-final or the final you say to me: I am here to play. No. I want you here, I want you ready to play, and you will be ready to play throughout.
Thanks Guvnor as always.
Didn’t see the game but well
done Bielik who must have
played well on the day.
But I think Calum is ahead in
the pecking order as apparently
Bielik means Sea Eagle.
I think Chambers fits better
into my new musically themed
defence with Medley and Ballad
than Sea Eagle.
Unless of course Sea Eagles are
noted for their musical prowess?
Bielik is out of contract in
2020 so based on our new
policy I suppose the next
decision will be to sell or
extend.
Interesting news on Bielik, Holic. Thanks for that. I had forgotten both about him and the play-off so missed that completely. I agree with TTG that it sounds as if a choice will be made between Chambers and Bielik but the priority should be to sell Xhaka and Mustafi.
TTG@previous drinks & 3: Under the Premier League’s somewhat convoluted rules, Bielik will count as an under-21 player for the 2019-20 season (even though he is now already 21) and doesn’t become ‘home grown’ until the 2020-21 season. The Premier League’s home grown quotas only apply to over-21s.
Bielik was one very promising potential and looks like he is fulfilling the potential into substance baring his injuries. The question remains does he have a future with us? my answer, unlikely. He or Chambers if not both are likely to be sold, so I am not sure of him with us. Potential yes but will he be a part next season? Mavrapanos, Holding and Sokratis are at the moment 2 definites for next season, Kos and Mustafi likely to move out, we are definitely looking at a CB, so where does it leave Bielik and Chambers?
2 days before the finals, news of Kante not playing should not make any difference, like for like, we have the better set of players and if they play well, we should win this in the odd goal in 3, there is, of course, the hazard factor who is probably the most skilled player among all 22 out there but then we definitely have the better goal scorers up front.
if we do win, this will be considered a successful season, after all we will be back in the champions league which was probably the only expectation we had with Emery. We were poor in the league is fairly clear but then not many were good either except city and pool.
Chambers and Beilik can both play in midfield. I’d hope Chambers at least is retained given his performances last season. Plus he only signed a contract extension last summer.
If Kos goes and Mustafi is sold (not a given) that would leave our first choice CB pairing in a flat four as Sokratis and Holding, with Mavrapanos and AN Other as the back ups. AN Other would have to be one of Bielik or Chambers, or the promotion of Ballard or Medley, still both teenagers, from the U23s. That is a hugely inexperienced set of players apart from Sokratis, which might suggest that only one of Kos and Mustafi will be allowed to leave. Unless, of course, we buy in some experience. Chambers and Bielik offer the same CB/RB/DM options so are probably competing for one squad spot. Ballard’s ‘other’ position is DM; Medley’s left back, which might give him an edge as the back-up in a three.
Keep Koscielny for the last year of his contract, please. After that he can hook up with Arsene and Thierry for a crack management troika for a lucky League Un club.
Good points and analysis Ned… it would be great if any of the names you mention step up and fill the void in the squad. Keeping Kos and Monreal would help the younger players, meaning Mustafi can leave…
Not sure why, but we’ve really struggled to adequately fill the DM role for years…. Chambers should get a go in that position, at least in pre-season anyway…
Or Vieira, who is on AW’s management radar.
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/11729452/vieira-flattered-by-arsenal-link
The UAE sheik rumored to be on the verge of taking over at Newcastle is said to be the cousin of Sheik Mansour of Manchester City. No word on which is the poor cousin. Will it become Stan and the 19 sheiks?
Two
Baker’s
Dozens.
Thank you, and now back to the plentiful Arsenal news.
Hopefully Torreira will be our
DM for the next few seasons.
Nice summary of the CB
conundrum from NBN.
But my thoughts are turning to
the starting XI for Baku now.
Wide right is tricky so I think
we’ll go with a back 3.
Hmmm… I’d stick with 4,2,3,1
Leno (ld play Bernd rather than Cech)
AMN Kos Sok Kola
Torreira Xhaka
Iwobi Ozil Auba
Laca
Looking at that team does not feel me with confidence! It also suggests there are a few spots up for grabs next season!
My own first thought exactly
Dexter – except Nacho for Kola.
But I didn’t like the right hand
side so on second thoughts….
Leno
Sok, Kos, Nacho
AMN, Xhaka, Torreira, Kola
Ozil
Laca, Auba
I think we will start with 3 at the back and OM’s @ 30 is bang on the money for the outfield players. However I believe Unai has promised Cech that he will play throughout this tournament and expect him to honour that in the final.
Despite the rumour that he is about to join the Chavski backroom team, I am confident Cech will be 100% professional and while I think Leno is now a better keeper it is still marginal. I am less confident that Cech would win us a penalty shoot out though, not from any lack of commitment to Arsenal’s cause but simply because he hasn’t shown the potential to do so hitherto.
I am agreed that Leno seems to be the better choice in the event of a penalty shootout. Leno a 117th minute substitute for Cech, and to give us the game winning save?
nerves beginning to fray a day early. i’d hoped i could make it until then. and i can’t even pour the rye for another eight hours.
A ride on the roller coaster could loosen you right up I would think, scruz.
Not recommending it, to be sure. 🙂
The longest brief preview ever. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
It would be a silly thing to honour if you are essentially agreeing to play what you consider to be your weaker keeper. Watford did the same in the cup final and their keeper had a poor game by all accounts. Play your strongest team in the Final UE.