Lukas Engel

Buzzing for him tonight as I was fearing the worst when the crowd started to ironically cheer whenever the ball was passed to him.

I wonder if Carrick had words with some of the players, specifically McNair, at half time for ignoring him so much.

I criticised him after Sheff Wed which was rightfully deserved. Still think he has a lot to improve on defensively but I’m glad he got through tonight with plenty of positives.
 
I felt sorry for him during the 1st half, as it was obvious players were intentionally not giving him the ball.

At the same time though, when he did receive the pass he often went with the safe option and played the ball back to a defender, or even the keeper.

Thought he did well in the 2nd half and came out of his shell. I was impressed with the way he controlled the ball at times.
 
McNair deserves some of Engels plaudits tonight too. I mentioned after the Sheff Wed game that Engel was isolated every time he got the ball... McNair was always there for him for the easy pass throughout the first half tonight when he was struggling.

It's been a while since I've willed a player to succeed as much as I did Engel tonight, and I hope he starts on Saturday against Sunderland.
 
I'm really pleased for him hope he keeps improving. Serms to offer alot going forward with defence splitting passes. However I do fear wingers running at him eg Jack Clarke on Saturday. Tonight he was never tested defensively
 
He got turned inside out when their lad hit the bar - had that gone in he'd have been getting peters again. Looked good offensively in the second half but he's clearly got a lot to do defensively to be first choice regular left back. Think he'll be targeted quite a bit as a weak link in our back four if he plays regularly
 
Keanu_Reeves said:
He got turned inside out when their lad hit the bar - had that gone in he'd have been getting peters again. Looked good offensively in the second half but he's clearly got a lot to do defensively to be first choice regular left back. Think he'll be targeted quite a bit as a weak link in our back four if he plays regularly
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Actually he deflected the shot onto the post. Some of Engels first time passing tonight was superb and the cross for the goal was brilliant.
 
Quicksilvera said:
Some of the venom aimed at him and others within the club was totally out of order on here, he’s silenced them tonight with a great performance.
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Every time we lose a few matches it’s always the same. People need to get a grip. Engel was rightly pulled out of the starting lineup and after his initial performances. They were way off the standard deemed acceptable in this league. But to write him off and abuse they guy is just mad. I’m over the moon for him. UTB!
 
He did well overall last night and made a great assist and a couple of decent balls in to the box.
First half he didn’t take any risks or seem to want the ball.
He also got caught out twice in the first half and left a big gap behind him,
For me He needs to tighten up on his positioning, stop over committing forward to quickly and leaving a big space, also close down players quicker.
These are things that can good coaching will address.
Left back is the area where the opposition cause us the most problems in games.

But overall his best game for us and something to build on for him.
 
Fantastic turnaround for Engel last night.

I didnt give him the lickings of a dog (if thats the right phrase!) after Sheff W and I couldnt see a way back. Proved me wrong tonight, most of all impressed with his quite obvious mental strength!

My only caveat would be he wasnt really tested defensively tonight, or at least not to the same pressure as Valentin imposed on him against Wednesday. That will be different on Saturday (if he plays).

But over all I am pleased to be having humble pie for breakfast today!
 
His positioning was really good last night, knew when to push on and when to try and draw their full back out. Was really impressed with some of his one-touch passes as well.

He's incredibly left footed though isn't he 😁 squared himself up a few times when playing the ball back into CB. Probably looks more awkward than it is but decent wingers will start forcing him onto his right when deep imo.

Assist for the goal was quality too, showed real composure when receiving the ball for the second time.
 
I remember a post on here saying he and another player would struggle to get a game for Doggy Workies. Which whilst untrue I have to confess I found funny by its turn of phrase.

Whilst Scott and Co in the main understandably had the fingers pointed at them after the majority of our new signings underwhelmed in our early games, one thing we perhaps should have thought of is that despite a few mistakes made like any manager and more significantly his hand being forced by several injuries, Carrick is shrewd enough not to pick a side without seeing what the players can do in training day in day out.

Last night we saw what he saw in Engel and after a tricky period for him of settling and nerves was managed by taking him out of the firing line effectively, Lukas was able to show what he had in his locker.

Well done lad. Many fans were wrong in their assumption of your capabilities, myself included, and also in their opinion of Carrick's judgement with his faith in you. Thankfully the latter never wavered and we can see why.
 
I'm not convinced on him defensively yet. Having said that i was never convinced on Giles defensively either. A good night for the lad after Wednesday, i really hopes he builds on it. I hope he's getting some one to one coaching with Woodgate, Leadbitter and Danks.
 
I don't think anyone would suggest you should be convinced after 1 good game.

I think what LE proved last night is that he is a better player than we had all previously feared, and that there is something on which we can build.

It used to be players coming in to England were expected to take a year to adjust. There's no need to form an opinion after 6 matches.
 
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