There was a quote once spoken by the great Xavi Hernandez of Barcelona. It read:
Today, Faurlin channelled his inner Xavi, putting on the central midfield performance we have waited to see. Warnock has come back and awoken a sleeping genius. When people call him the best midfielder they have ever played with, they do not exaggerate. Just keeping your eye on this player over 90 minutes is quite a unique experience. His position, his passing, his willingness to take the ball, his passion. All of it made me realise that he is a must play this season if we want to play beautiful football. From fifth to first, here are the players with the most touches on the ball this game:
Pickford (GK) - 61; Fer (CAM) - 61; Onuoha (CB) - 64; Gallagher (CM) - 70; Faurlin (CDM) - 95
Alongside this, here are the top 5 attempted passes of the ball today:
Hall (CB) - 46; Onuoha (CB) - 48; Gallagher (CM) - 48; Fer (CAM) - 51; Faurlin (CDM) - 81
Not only does he have the most passes on the pitch, but directionally, given his position, many would expect him to have a high proportion of backwards or sideways passes. Not the case with Ale, who had 62 out of 81 passes go forward (76.5%). That is purely stunning. If you saw some of the passes, they were sublime, even the short ones were pure genius at times, dinking it just slightly over the outstretched leg of a defender. This was a performance made possible because of his incredible positioning. His movement around the pitch, his hard work, all a testament to the quality he brings to our team. Not only was he a great ball player, but he made 4 interceptions, 2 clearances, no fouls, 2 dribbles, 1 tackle. Alongside this, he led the team, being vocal, motioning what he wanted everyone doing and generally dictating the team. If he can remain fit, I see no one but him being the captain of my club.
Simply put, all of this together made this one of the most incredible central midfield performances I have seen in my time at Loftus Road. Some will say its an exaggeration, but it is the absolute truth in my opinion.
I must have at least 100 touches of the ball every match. If I had to go back to the dressing room with only 50 I'd be ready to kill someone
Pickford (GK) - 61; Fer (CAM) - 61; Onuoha (CB) - 64; Gallagher (CM) - 70; Faurlin (CDM) - 95
Alongside this, here are the top 5 attempted passes of the ball today:
Hall (CB) - 46; Onuoha (CB) - 48; Gallagher (CM) - 48; Fer (CAM) - 51; Faurlin (CDM) - 81
Not only does he have the most passes on the pitch, but directionally, given his position, many would expect him to have a high proportion of backwards or sideways passes. Not the case with Ale, who had 62 out of 81 passes go forward (76.5%). That is purely stunning. If you saw some of the passes, they were sublime, even the short ones were pure genius at times, dinking it just slightly over the outstretched leg of a defender. This was a performance made possible because of his incredible positioning. His movement around the pitch, his hard work, all a testament to the quality he brings to our team. Not only was he a great ball player, but he made 4 interceptions, 2 clearances, no fouls, 2 dribbles, 1 tackle. Alongside this, he led the team, being vocal, motioning what he wanted everyone doing and generally dictating the team. If he can remain fit, I see no one but him being the captain of my club.
Simply put, all of this together made this one of the most incredible central midfield performances I have seen in my time at Loftus Road. Some will say its an exaggeration, but it is the absolute truth in my opinion.
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