Declan Rice produced a 14 minute cameo appearance against West Brom which saw him become a first team “must” in the eyes of man fans.
The teenager was in sparkling form as he again took the words of his mentor Terry Westley on board to not waste a second of any opportunity.
The Academy chief has preached the same message since pre-season at his young hopefuls: “Make every second count because otherwise you can be forgotten as the senior players close in on you.”
Rice has been a prime example of how to apply yourself however brief the appearance and one solo run which set up a real goal chance allowed the lad to show his giftings to perfection.
He was thrilled with the win saying: ““The place just erupted and I’m just so happy for the fans and so happy for us. Let’s keep moving up the table now.
“At half time we knew we had to come out in the second half and give the fans something to cheer. It was a massive sigh of relief getting the second goal, but we’ve got Tottenham on Thursday now so we have to stay focused.
“Spurs are in a good bit of form as well, but when we went there last time we were 2-0 down and came back to win 3-2. We’ll look back at that game again, get all the confidence we can and go there for three points. It’s hard obviously with just one day of rest, but we’re Premier League footballers so we have to deal with that.”
Must start with Rice and Noble.Obiang and Kouyate are so out of sorts this season and our biggest problem now the team looks to be on a roll.
Agree 64 tho Obiang does well w Noble & if Cresswell is injured need Rice at back..
Rice as been a must start for me for a while now would started him at DM while Noble was out. Has shown he can play midfield RWB in back 4 and any side of back 3. On form should start over Reid. Was great coming of the left like Fonte did mad great run & brilliant tackle.
He made a mistake at Newcastle even tho was a poor pass from Oggy (who looks like who we for from Juve under Moyes) to him bc had to players covering him. He was pulled after that & that would effect a lot of youngsters confidence but not him. Comes right back in when called ready & isn’t scared to be on the ball & make fwd passes like other players. And he hasn’t made nearly as many mistakes as the experienced players. Slotted in for Noble at Stoke great for Zab & played & held is own against Man city some say he should of done better w second goal but I’d don’t see Reid or anyone at that time doing any better. As played in some big games & when was Bilic here best on the pitch. Always ready to play & in any position.
Played everywhere from mid back is a versatile class footballer. Who is mature & composed beyond his years
He is young English mobile defender & more who is good on & off the ba with pace but doesn’t cost £40m!
I hope Moyes finally see he should be starting & likes an hold head & sticks w Kouyate who has been poor. But has pulled others bc form so on form Rice should start
Ontl other thing do to w Rice is get him on new contract ASAP.
Remarkably for his age, Rice was by far the most composed defender on view v WBA.
Rice will be in the back 3 in for cresswell ! Yippeeee ! Fingers crossed then !
Kouyate , obiang , noble v spuds ? Two bang off form the other can’t run = problem v spuds!
Let’s hope we turn up and not the performance we saw last night ! Gut tells me ayew will start
With Carroll on the bench ? Its a lottery game ? Who,s the ref , as if it matters !!😀
Every time he plays he looks high quality, he makes a few mistakes but there is no way McClean would have been allowed a free run through on goal if he had been there, he would have read the pass and been in a better position than Reid who for the umpteenth time I have no idea what he id doing on the right side of the field, he has only one solid position and that is left sided CB and Ogbonna at the moment has that spot tied down.
Rice is obvious class. He needs to be given a run to build confidence and mistakes associated with youth & inexperience should be patiently coached by Mr Moyes’ team. He’s likely to be run ragged in a back three if he plays tomorrow against top flight, in form attacking players. Good learning to be had, good test of Rice’s readiness. Mind you, necessity is the mother of invention: Fonte and Collins both injured (past it in any event) so Rice is literally a ‘must’ in a back three alongside out of form Reid and Ogbonna.
Transfer window: We need several solid purchases to avoid slipping back into the.bottom three: possibly Moore or Mawson as CD’s; Allen (lively enough and scores occasionally) and Ndong or Capoue in midfield. Marouane Fellaini would be ideal though costly; Opare at full back a must, and a striker who can lead the line.
Mr Moyes claims to have a lot of CF’s. He does. But they are a motley bunch. Inconsistent, low scoring, and no leadership of the line among them. Chicharito knows how to create spaces for others to move into and exploit. Carroll can provide second ball opportunities to be picked up. That said, when Carroll’s up for it he can score awesome headed goals, second to none. So we need someone to deliver from both flanks to capitalise on his unique, if limited, quality especially against fragile defences. Sakho and Ayew to be sold.
Said he has Fwd players & we do but not CFs he will use & if sell Sahko & Ayew will need & out & out CF.schurlle can play CF but mostley left.
I’d go for Mark Urh 6months left a Hoffenheim 9 goals this season well rounded over 6′ w pace & good on counter attack at 26yo could get a good deal.
And Opare yes 27yo 6mo left good defender & very fast RB & can cover LB.
Mawson to much at £40m & they don’t want to sell Liam Moore to me is no better then Burke who is wanted by 6 + Championship clubs deserves a chance here & low wages also RB cover
Mid Is priorrty tho I’d def love Joe Allen it akn happen Hughes already said so. Just like us clubs 12th a down don’t want to sell their players to rivals especially there best which Allen is fan Fav and best player in mid versatile too.
Also looking at free agent Shaulker who was reakeaed from QPR in summer doesn’t make sense to me Burke again
Barkley is going for £15m w 6mo left for PL player who is English is a good deal going to Chelsea.
So Wilshere as said no progress on new contract at Arsenal so we should bid £15m on him right now