Semenyo

[TomShor10]

The bloke is pathetic. Putting half arsed performances so he is ready for the World Cup. Here’s hoping he doesn’t get selected 

[JoeAman08]

Can’t really defend him but Idk how I’d react to his situation though if I were him. A lot on the line for him in the next 6 months. That said, playing like he is now, he won’t get the big move perhaps he is hoping for. World Cup just an extra platform for him to get his name out. 

[Shuffle]

If I was a Ghana scout watching him in last month there’s no way he’s going.  Surely had the nod he is though.  Two 1:1s missed and touch like a trampoline 

[Rob k]

He’s been shite since coming back 

[Red-Robbo]

A confidence player. And his is shot at the moment  - like many of the squad. 

[Ivorguy]

Greatly over rated.  His career probably peaked last season

We should have tried to sell last window. Get rid in January 

Edited November 8, 2022 by Ivorguy

[Davefevs]

I think he’s carrying an injury, he hasn’t got a run in him.

Can’t remember which game it was 4 or 5 games back, but he took a whack.

Might sound like and excuse for him, but I reckon he’s struggling with something.

[stephenkibby.]

5 minutes ago, TomShor10 said:

The bloke is pathetic. Putting half arsed performances so he is ready for the World Cup. Here’s hoping he doesn’t get selected 

Bottled it tonight for sure, hope he's nowhere near the squad Saturday.

[REDOXO]

Pathetic. He rolled the ball wide with more than half the goal begging. He didn’t compete and had the ball stolen off him time and again. 

Edited November 8, 2022 by REDOXO

[Topper 123]

Not good enough ,struggle in league 1 

[Topper 123]

Thinks he’s better than he is can’t put in back to back performances can’t beat a man he has no sell on value and his Career is going nowhere 

[mozo]

7 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

I think he’s carrying an injury, he hasn’t got a run in him.

Can’t remember which game it was 4 or 5 games back, but he took a whack.

Might sound like and excuse for him, but I reckon he’s struggling with something.

At least it doesn't inhibit his ability to smash the ball over the bar! 

[Red-Robbo]

1 minute ago, mozo said:

At least it doesn't inhibit his ability to smash the ball over the bar! 

 

He looks like the guy we saw in his first appearances here, who couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo. 

Thing is: We know he can do better. Shoot better; pass better; be stronger; think better.

Why he isn't is conjecture. Fevs thinks it's physical, I think it's mental attitude,  others think it's World Cup fever.

Up to Nigel to pull him out of it though, or he's bench material at best. 

[Carey 6]

Said in another thread the other day he seems to have lost any sort of composure he had last season. It reminds me of the Semenyo we had in 20/21 season where everything has to be hit as hard as possible. 

Needs a goal soon because I think more will follow when he gets one.

[maxjak]

7 minutes ago, Carey 6 said:

Said in another thread the other day he seems to have lost any sort of composure he had last season. It reminds me of the Semenyo we had in 20/21 season where everything has to be hit as hard as possible. 

Needs a goal soon because I think more will follow when he gets one.

I agree, but on his current form when is he likely to score?   Surely with a coach like Euell in the background, Antoine can get over his major dip in form, he has everything going for him, he just needs to get his confidence back?    

[BUTOR]

12 minutes ago, Carey 6 said:

Said in another thread the other day he seems to have lost any sort of composure he had last season. It reminds me of the Semenyo we had in 20/21 season where everything has to be hit as hard as possible. 

Needs a goal soon because I think more will follow when he gets one.

I think the issue is he is not getting time on the ball to terrify defenders or take them on before shooting. If you look at his goals they are not typical strikers finishes, Conway style. He needs time to pick up the ball and gather momentum. That’s what he’s not getting at the moment because teams have worked out how to stifle him. I believe he works better with a physical defender drawing strike partner who can do the dirty work off the ball. 

[Bar BS3]

39 minutes ago, Ivorguy said:

Greatly over rated.  His career probably peaked last season

We should have tried to sell last window. Get rid in January 

A 22 year old peaked last season....? 

OK then....! 

[Spike]

47 minutes ago, TomShor10 said:

The bloke is pathetic. Putting half arsed performances so he is ready for the World Cup. Here’s hoping he doesn’t get selected 

I've said it before and I'll say it again, we don't have the players in midfield or out wide that will play the passes that Semenyo suits best, he is at his best running onto a pass, not receiving the ball at his feet and that's exactly how we play. Every time Semenyo makes a run and has a pass put just in front of him he wins the battle to the ball or uses his strength and pace to break through players, but we don't play that football very often and more often than not he receives the ball to feet where he is focuses too much on the ball that he doesn't watch his marking player and he loses the ball. 
I think he's going to be one of those players who goes elsewhere and they'll supply him the kinds of passes that suits his strengths and then fans will question why he never did it for us. As much as I hate to say it I think we need to cash in on him, invest that money in the midfield. We have Conway who has come on leaps and bounds and is far more adaptive to our style of play, we have Wells and Bell when he comes through too. I don't think we're lacking strikers who will put the ball in the net, we're still lacking that midfielder who can be a threat in the middle so we're not always forced to go wide and cross or always look for counter attacks. I still maintain Scott could be that player but hasn't really been given the chance in that attacking role because we need him in the middle of the park playing box to box duties, if he was given the role just behind the strikers and could actually stick to it and not feel he has to cover for lesser players behind him I think he'd really shine, he'd at the very least run at some players in the middle and cause chaos for the opposition defence.

Semenyo is getting a lot of hate but I think it's just a case of square peg, round hole, put him in a square hole team set up and he'll fit like a charm, we just can't build that for him here without signing better quality in the midfield first, something that is far more important than keeping an asset that doesn't suit us.

[winsaw]

Watching him pull out of two one on one's tonight one of witch with the keeper that could of easily seen is get a goal back is just shameful, 

If as it looks he's not fully committed to city atb the moment as it looks then I would rather her wasn't playing for us at the moment, 

 

[Cardy]

He pulled out of atleast two challenges in front of the South Stand tonight. One with the keeper when he looked odds on to nip in & score and then again with a defender right on the byline after 88 mins. Truly embarrassing for a pro to be doing that & shouldn’t be anywhere near the team on Saturday.

[Champfan45]

1 hour ago, TomShor10 said:

The bloke is pathetic. Putting half arsed performances so he is ready for the World Cup. Here’s hoping he doesn’t get selected 

He's already confirmed to be in the Ghana squad, and we can only hope for the clubs sake he performs well. That rumored £10M offer from the summer is looking better and better....

Edited November 9, 2022 by Champfan45

[Jeez]

8 hours ago, TomShor10 said:

The bloke is pathetic. Putting half arsed performances so he is ready for the World Cup. Here’s hoping he doesn’t get selected 

I know your just angry but talk about cut your nose off despite your face. 

Semenyo has a good WC his value goes up & comes back full of confidence ready help us get to safety & then leaves in the summer at a decent fee.

if he has a slight knock or niggle he will no doubt be trying not to aggravate as you would too if you were playing at the same level. 

a lot of PL teams are having similar issues with availability due to an awkwardly timed World Cup in Qatar.

Down to the manager to recognise that and select the best team for the game.

 

[Sir Geoff]

Two great chances from 10 yards and 6 yards out. Failed to hit the target with either. Says it all imo. He is going nowhere in January.

[Super]

7 hours ago, Cardy said:

He pulled out of atleast two challenges in front of the South Stand tonight. One with the keeper when he looked odds on to nip in & score and then again with a defender right on the byline after 88 mins. Truly embarrassing for a pro to be doing that & shouldn’t be anywhere near the team on Saturday.

I'm not defending him but I'm sure he won't be the only one especially this weekend who might shirk a 50/50 challenge.

[kit]

7 hours ago, Cardy said:

He pulled out of atleast two challenges in front of the South Stand tonight. One with the keeper when he looked odds on to nip in & score and then again with a defender right on the byline after 88 mins. Truly embarrassing for a pro to be doing that & shouldn’t be anywhere near the team on Saturday.

My thoughts exactly, he was a passenger last night clearly bottled any challenges and those two stuck out massively.

He looked like a player that you'd want to offload and get someone better in to replace last night, and also from all his appearances this season I've seen really. 

[Shockwave]

No excuse for bottling out of challenges.

Agree gone back to erratic shooting trying to break the net

 

Bench Saturday 

[ciderwithtommy]

He’s one game (likely benched) away from playing in a World Cup! The decision to award the tournament to Qatar is appalling on so so many levels, it’s left me seriously considering turning my back on it. One of the less major damning reasons a World Cup should not be in Nov is exactly the position so many players are in right now. Bale not playing until the last 10 mins of the final game of the season to stay fit - imagine his salary etc for him to do that. 
 

It is poor from Semenyo- and it might well mark the end of his time here negatively, but if he goes to the WC, plays a role in Ghana achieving something, he will be worth a lot to us in Jan, when we surely will sell him. 

[spudski]

Semenyo imo is an attacking midfielder/attacker.

He's not a 'natural' striker/goalscorer.

It's the weakest part of his game. He has to constantly work at it. 

Tinman has commented a few times that it's his weakness and needs working on.

Conway on the other hand has that ' natural' eye for goal.

You can train as much as you like, but at his age you won't develop that natural goal scoring instinct, especially at this level.

His composure when shooting, his timing, striking of ball, often scuffed on goal, choice/ instinctive direction, is regularly rushed.

He has many other strong attributes, and when he has composed himself and it's all come together, it is fantastic. However...imo, I don't think he has the ability to do it on a regular basis...as a ' goal scorer'. 

[Dredd]

Nige has tried to lever him into the team lately in all sorts of positions, and based on past performances you can understand why. But on current form he needs to be benched. He isn’t inform and shouldn’t be in the team at the expense of a promising Conway/Wells partnership

[Bris Red]

I am still of the opinion we should have taken the dough when Watford came calling..Can’t remember how much it was alleged they offered, was it around the £10 mill mark?

[Champfan45]

On 09/11/2022 at 05:27, Bris Red said:

I am still of the opinion we should have taken the dough when Watford came calling..Can’t remember how much it was alleged they offered, was it around the £10 mill mark?

It was Bournemouth I believe but yes 10 million was the rumored amount 

[Davefevs]

17 minutes ago, Champfan45 said:

It was Bournemouth I believe but yes 10 million was the rumored amount 

I’ve noticed the last couple of games he’s wearing a black strapping on his shin / leg during the warm-up.  He took a whack versus West Brom (a) and then was subbed off a few mins later.  I think he’s not fully fit.

[Rocking Red Cyril]

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

I’ve noticed the last couple of games he’s wearing a black strapping on his shin / leg during the warm-up.  He took a whack versus West Brom (a) and then was subbed off a few mins later.  I think he’s not fully fit.

So if he going to world cup not fully fit. Then injury gets worse during world cup he back to us on injury list. That no good for anyone 

[Bodiesaffer]

5 hours ago, Davefevs said:

I’ve noticed the last couple of games he’s wearing a black strapping on his shin / leg during the warm-up.  He took a whack versus West Brom (a) and then was subbed off a few mins later.  I think he’s not fully fit.

Hope your right Dave.  As he’s not looked the same since injury.  Holding back for the World Cup, Jan move comes to mind, however don’t think he’s that type of pro. 

[Bodiesaffer]

On 08/11/2022 at 23:53, Spike said:

I've said it before and I'll say it again, we don't have the players in midfield or out wide that will play the passes that Semenyo suits best, he is at his best running onto a pass, not receiving the ball at his feet and that's exactly how we play. Every time Semenyo makes a run and has a pass put just in front of him he wins the battle to the ball or uses his strength and pace to break through players, but we don't play that football very often and more often than not he receives the ball to feet where he is focuses too much on the ball that he doesn't watch his marking player and he loses the ball. 
I think he's going to be one of those players who goes elsewhere and they'll supply him the kinds of passes that suits his strengths and then fans will question why he never did it for us. As much as I hate to say it I think we need to cash in on him, invest that money in the midfield. We have Conway who has come on leaps and bounds and is far more adaptive to our style of play, we have Wells and Bell when he comes through too. I don't think we're lacking strikers who will put the ball in the net, we're still lacking that midfielder who can be a threat in the middle so we're not always forced to go wide and cross or always look for counter attacks. I still maintain Scott could be that player but hasn't really been given the chance in that attacking role because we need him in the middle of the park playing box to box duties, if he was given the role just behind the strikers and could actually stick to it and not feel he has to cover for lesser players behind him I think he'd really shine, he'd at the very least run at some players in the middle and cause chaos for the opposition defence.

Semenyo is getting a lot of hate but I think it's just a case of square peg, round hole, put him in a square hole team set up and he'll fit like a charm, we just can't build that for him here without signing better quality in the midfield first, something that is far more important than keeping an asset that doesn't suit us.

Conway is far better IMO, team is on a bad run, and Tommy still scoring.  Semenyo had chances last season which he would of bulged the net with, it’s just not going for him.  He’s not the same player post injury.  Less mobile, as Dave suggested somewhere on here he’s carrying a injury. 

[hertsexile]

I think the main reason for his current lack of form is due to pending World Cup. He wants to stay injury free so he can say he has played in the tournament. 
Injury meant he lost out on Africa cup of nations. 
However if selected for Saturday he needs to turn up !! 

[One Team]

On 08/11/2022 at 23:02, Ivorguy said:

Greatly over rated.  His career probably peaked last season

We should have tried to sell last window. Get rid in January 

I’ve been discussing this elsewhere this week. I do wonder if we will severely regret not selling him August. Right now you can’t see him getting anywhere near those valuations at the time. 

 

[Shuffle]

His form has been dreadful but we’ve all seen his ability which he will get back. As they say form is temporary but we need him to return to his bullying best soon.

[Davefevs]

7 hours ago, Rocking Red Cyril said:

So if he going to world cup not fully fit. Then injury gets worse during world cup he back to us on injury list. That no good for anyone 

No, it’s not, but that’s football.

[Sheltons Army]

8 hours ago, Davefevs said:

I’ve noticed the last couple of games he’s wearing a black strapping on his shin / leg during the warm-up.  He took a whack versus West Brom (a) and then was subbed off a few mins later.  I think he’s not fully fit.

You may be able to correct me dave

But wasn’t his injury , that came to a head , so to speak , certainly an initial problem ,  when he was away with Ghana a Shin / lower leg problem ?

My memory may be playing tricks but I remember thinking some early words about it and thinking at the time it could be a shin splint 

[Davefevs]

19 minutes ago, Sheltons Army said:

You may be able to correct me dave

But wasn’t his injury , that came to a head , so to speak , certainly an initial problem ,  when he was away with Ghana a Shin / lower leg problem ?

My memory may be playing tricks but I remember thinking some early words about it and thinking at the time it could be a shin splint 

Yes, it was a shin injury…pretty sure it was along the lines of shin splints or even a slight break / crack.

 

[Tin Soldier]

He looks like he’s been on the old wacky backy to me. Looks far too chilled out when he’s playing.

[marmite]

The guy just needs a goal from somewhere.  Remember his early goals came from just closing down the keeper and getting a ricochet.  Once he gets one he will start firing again. He's a confidence player that just needs a spark to get him going. Rather he was in our side than playing against us.

Problem is, will Nige be patient with him?

[Major Isewater]

Lots of managers are complaining about the timing of this dog’s breakfast of a World Cup. Too many international  players are saving themselves for it and negatively affecting the club games . 
These guys are only human and are evidently not only excited to be going but also having to deal with the consequences of  their absence at home, kids, wife etc. 
We can only hope that Semenyo is very distracted and returns in the sort of exciting form he showed up until quite recently. 
 

[Bazooka Joe]

On 08/11/2022 at 22:57, TomShor10 said:

The bloke is pathetic. Putting half arsed performances so he is ready for the World Cup. Here’s hoping he doesn’t get selected 

Yeh, and that antedeluvian Chris Martin did exactly the same.

Saving himself in the hope of a surprise call up to the Scotland squad.

England beware !

 

[BTRFTG]

7 hours ago, marmite said:

The guy just needs a goal from somewhere

He does, but from where does one source a goal 10m wide by 6 m high?

[Port Said Red]

Good effort from him today when he came on, he just isn't getting the breaks right now. Despite some of the ridiculous comments on this thread, from some who should know better, he hasn't become a bad player overnight.

[The Bard]

1 minute ago, Port Said Red said:

Good effort from him today when he came on, he just isn't getting the breaks right now. Despite some of the ridiculous comments on this thread, from some who should know better, he hasn't become a bad player overnight.

It would be like him to come off the bench for Ghana and look amazing 

[Port Said Red]

5 minutes ago, The Bard said:

It would be like him to come off the bench for Ghana and look amazing 

Good luck to him if he does. He will be fresh and a comparative unknown to the defenders, if he gets going he will take some stopping. Maybe it will give him some impetus when he gets back here.

[bcfc01]

15 minutes ago, The Bard said:

It would be like him to come off the bench for Ghana and look amazing 

Given his current form and possibly still struggling with injury, it wouldn't be a surprise if he doesn't make the squad.

I hope he does, it could give him a lift and a bit of confidence.

Bloke needs a goal to get him going again.

[Davefevs]

He was “at it” today.

[Tin Soldier]

4 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

He was “at it” today.

But that ain’t good enough.
He can not be allowed to choose when he plays and when he doesn’t. He is best as an impact substitute IMO.

[Davefevs]

2 minutes ago, Tin Soldier said:

But that ain’t good enough.
He can not be allowed to choose when he plays and when he doesn’t. He is best as an impact substitute IMO.

Agree re picking and choosing.  But a Semenyo on form is so much more than an impact sub.  His biggest issue when on firm is ousting the partnership of Conway and Wells who are very good together.

[mozo]

44 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

He was “at it” today.

I thought he was a bit slow off the mark and flat footed but maybe just coming on cold. 

[maxjak]

Anyone know when the final Ghana squad will be annouced?

[ExiledAjax]

Just now, maxjak said:

Anyone know when the final Ghana squad will be annouced?

Tomorrow 

[David Brent]

We, and he, miss the Chris Martin of last season. 

[cidered abroad]

13 minutes ago, David Brent said:

We, and he, miss the Chris Martin of last season. 

Good point.

I believe that too many forget that he played for Scotland. Whatever one thinks about that country's league quality, it is a step up from any league in the world and while Chris is no speed merchant, his reading of the game is excellent.

Assuming he leaves out of contract in the summer, a like replacement could be necessary to help our City Babes strikers to keep improving their game.

 

[Champfan45]

7 hours ago, David Brent said:

We, and he, miss the Chris Martin of last season. 

It looked like Semenyo was starting to become that kind of striker that can hold the ball up and link the play, but it seems like he coughs it up a bit too much. Kinda reminds me of Lukaku who is a big lad but his game revolves more around running in behind 

[exAtyeoMax]

 

 

[grifty]

15 hours ago, Champfan45 said:

It looked like Semenyo was starting to become that kind of striker that can hold the ball up and link the play, but it seems like he coughs it up a bit too much. Kinda reminds me of Lukaku who is a big lad but his game revolves more around running in behind 

Yes this is the problem. Chris Martin is best with balls into his chest and below, where he can bring it down, hold off a defender and bring players into play who are running in and around him. We do this vary rarely and aim for Martin to win flick ons, which he does every so often but he’s not exactly tall.

With Semenyo, he’s best with the ball into his feet, so he can hold the ball up, turn his man and use his power to shrug them off and progress the ball forward, however we aim for his chest and above and he’s not as good as Martin at this.

It’s worrying that we can all see this, but the professional players we have can’t.

I play football after work on a Monday and there is a guy who has only ever touched the ball with this left foot, and even we can learn to play it onto his left foot to make it easier for him. Jay Dasilva is the same, yet so many passes to him are behind him onto his right to slow him down.

[ExiledAjax]

Oh also well done Antoine, best of luck to you mate.

[Mr Popodopolous]

We all knew it was on the cards but congrats to Semenyo for sure. Hope he makes his mark- a competitive but not impossible group to do so.

Thought was decent Saturday, a sceptic may say he was looking to sharpen up a little before the Ghana squad finalised however I think he should come back better.

Worth noting too, that he has had not one but two medium term injuries in the last 12-18 months.

[ExiledAjax]

To remind everyone, we receive US$10,000 every day that he is out there with the squad.

Presumably he travels tomorrow as their first game is next Thursday! The earliest he can return (assuming no major injury) is 3 December after their final group game on 2 December.

That's 19 days, so US$190,000 in the bank for us.

Every stage Ghana advance will add US$40,000 - 50,000 to that amount, depending on the precise day of each game.

 

[David Brent]

Anyone else ever played at the World Cup whilst registered with us?

Wilkshire 2006 technically but he’d already played his last game for us.

Magnússon 2018 sold before he played his first game for Iceland 

[sh1t_ref_again]

22 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said:

To remind everyone, we receive US$10,000 every day that he is out there with the squad.

Presumably he travels tomorrow as their first game is next Thursday! The earliest he can return (assuming no major injury) is 3 December after their final group game on 2 December.

That's 19 days, so US$190,000 in the bank for us.

Every stage Ghana advance will add US$40,000 - 50,000 to that amount, depending on the precise day of each game.

 

Sounds similar to the Nigerian 419 scam, SL needs to be careful if they start by saying they are a prince with 12 billion dollars but just need a small deposit so they can get the funds released

[Lanterne Rouge]

2 hours ago, David Brent said:

Anyone else ever played at the World Cup whilst registered with us?

Wilkshire 2006 technically but he’d already played his last game for us.

Magnússon 2018 sold before he played his first game for Iceland 

I don`t think so - the closest was Bailey Wright but he missed out due to injury. I don`t think Fam went when he was with us did he?

[maxjak]

Good Luck Antoine........From Bath City to the World Cup in a few years is some achievement!  Hoping AS has a memorable tournament, I will probably care more about Ghana's progress, than watching England.  PS So sorry to hear that JoJo Woolacott has missed out due to a last minute injury, must be so upset to miss out..............Best Wishes and Good Luck Jo Jo

Edited November 14, 2022 by maxjak

[And Its Smith]

Slaven Bilic picked him out for praise after the game on Saturday and he wasn’t on the pitch that long. Says a lot. Good luck Antoine 

[Davefevs]

13 minutes ago, And Its Smith said:

Slaven Bilic picked him out for praise after the game on Saturday and he wasn’t on the pitch that long. Says a lot. Good luck Antoine 

Funny isn’t it how some fans have written him off, yet opposition managers see it different!

Edited November 14, 2022 by Davefevs