✍ Nikola Vlasic

[bubbles1966]

I don't see this fella as being suitable in a wide position in a sort of 4-2-3-1 set up where he's required to put in a very physical, defensive shift.

[claretchris]

Today’s goal aside, I think he’s generally looking promising - he has some football IQ and just needs to get into our patterns of play.

[Believer]

Based on the team we picked today, we would probably have been better swapping Vlasic and Lanzini.

[funky chicken]

I’d love to know why Moyes keeps shoving him on the left when more often than not he plays centrally for his previous club and country.

[stu1]

It does seem strange that Moyes opted to play Fornals as CAM today and push Vlasic out wide, although I thought Fornals played well.

Vlasic’s career to date suggests he’s more effective centrally whereas Fornals has typically played LW for us and often the Spanish U23s.

[WestHamLyallStyle]

It does seem strange that Moyes opted to play Fornals as CAM today and push Vlasic out wide, although I thought Fornals played well.

Vlasic’s career to date suggests he’s more effective centrally whereas Fornals has typically played LW for us and often the Spanish U23s.

Agreed but Fornals has said his preferred position is central.

[stu1]

Agreed but Fornals has said his preferred position is central.

It might be but Fornals has proven to be effective in the premier league at LW and played a crucial role in winning the U23 Euro champs from that position.

Whereas Vlasic’s stats are significantly worse at LW, he clearly plays his best football at CAM so surely that’s where Moyes planned on playing him when he spent £25m on him.

Added to that everyone knows Rafinha is top quality and one of the biggest benefits of Fornals at LW is that he provides great protection to the LB which would have helped today.

[sendô]

He barely got into the game today.

I don't thing wide left is his best position. He's looked better in the middle, but is he going to get in there ahead of Fornals or Lanzini?

Tbh I'd have expected him central and Fornals left to protect Cresswell vs Raphina today, but there you go.

[Albie Beck]

I’d love to know why Moyes keeps shoving him on the left when more often than not he plays centrally for his previous club and country.

On that basis Arnie would have continued playing on the wing?

[S-H]

On that basis Arnie would have continued playing on the wing?

And Antonio..

[HammerAl]

I still think he’ll be a great signing for us.

[Doc H Ball]

I’d love to know why Moyes keeps shoving him on the left when more often than not he plays centrally for his previous club and country.

Because he’s got at least 3 players vying for the one shirt.

[Denzil]

He looked so upset with himself when he was subbed off, I really felt for him. Put his shirt over his face and seemed so disappointed with himself I guess having been given the chance to play with Benny off at AFCON, he feels he's missed his chance to try to cement a place in the side.

He has looked good recently, he is clearly working his socks off in training as the team were so happy to see him score. That must come from that. Moyes has alluded to the same and commented on how hard he has been working.

Gutted for him yesterday but he has a chance to make amends at OT this weekend.

[Aceface]

Had fewer touches than Masuaku yesterday, who came on with 29 minutes left.

Presumably why his number was coming up just before he lost the ball for the third.

[bubbles1966]

The positives with this bloke are that his ball retention is generally decent, he has a low centre of gravity which he often uses well and he tends to deliver a nice cross.

The negatives are that he doesn't appear to have a burst of pace and looks like he's probably in the wrong position.

We seem to be doing the Wenger thing of signing many similar players in the attacking type roles.

The balance in the team was definitely off yesterday.

[Turtlecharityracer]

The difference between him and Raphina, who cost less. Wow.
Why did we sign a player who previously flopped in the PL for £30 million, a massive amount for us. Really starnge transfer.

[Southminster Hammer]

The difference between him and Raphina, who cost less. Wow.
Why did we sign a player who previously flopped in the PL for £30 million, a massive amount for us. Really starnge transfer.

Because he is a top international player with Croatia, and Moyes see's him as a quality player given time would be my guess

[Bubbles Fortuna]

The difference between him and Raphina, who cost less. Wow.
Why did we sign a player who previously flopped in the PL for £30 million, a massive amount for us. Really starnge transfer.

He was here for one season as a 19/20 year old...

The likes of De Bruyne, Salah and Cuadrado also 'flopped' here early in their career.

Though of course those sorts of facts don't align with your negative agenda.

[Bubbles Fortuna]

The difference between him and Raphina, who cost less. Wow.
Why did we sign a player who previously flopped in the PL for £30 million, a massive amount for us. Really starnge transfer.

£25 million, will the lies ever stop? I may never trust again.

[Turtlecharityracer]

£25 million, will the lies ever stop? I may never trust again.

Sky state £25 million and £7.7 million add ons.