I haven't seen a replay but was his block at the Orient free kick ok .... commentator said he'd like to look at it again
It looked like it struck his right upper arm, which wasn't down by his side. It was inside the box and had it gone to VAR, I don't see how a pen couldn't have been given. Fortunately only one Orient player seemed to make a half hearted appeal and the game moved on quickly.
VAR would have looked at it anyway if they felt there was something in it, regardless of appeals from the opposition.
Been a successful loan signing. Seems to have a good attitude and some game but I don’t think we’ll see him next season even if there was a deal to be done.
As I was reminded by a poster, Gilbert not only did the assists from two corners against Orient to grab a victory instead of a loss but the corner down the Covered end late on when Macca scored gaining 2 extra points.
IF Gilbert can get fitter and stronger his career can still be decent as he can pass the ball as demonstrated in the 1st half against Wycombe at the valley.
Because of the lack of possession in the Championship for CAFC, Alex isn't the player we need but he should definitely get opportunities in the 20 man squad for Middlesbrough off the bench.
Alex Gilbert left CAFC in credit and we thank him and wish him well.
I haven't seen a replay but was his block at the Orient free kick ok .... commentator said he'd like to look at it again
It looked like it struck his right upper arm, which wasn't down by his side. It was inside the box and had it gone to VAR, I don't see how a pen couldn't have been given. Fortunately only one Orient player seemed to make a half hearted appeal and the game moved on quickly.
I haven't seen a replay but was his block at the Orient free kick ok .... commentator said he'd like to look at it again
It looked like it struck his right upper arm, which wasn't down by his side. It was inside the box and had it gone to VAR, I don't see how a pen couldn't have been given. Fortunately only one Orient player seemed to make a half hearted appeal and the game moved on quickly.
VAR would have looked at it anyway if they felt there was something in it, regardless of appeals from the opposition.
Top of right arm was against his side where the ball hit and forearm across his mid-rift. Not a pen.
He's done a decent job for cafc and I thank him for that .He seems to have blended into the squad really well. However I am not sure he has all the attributes that Jones or the team needs. He can ping a ball and pick a pass but for a 10 you'd expect him to get further up the pitch aswell....but if NJ wants him that's fine with me. Seems a nice lad
I would suggest Alex’s abilities are not aligned with our mostly attritional style of play. There has been enough to recognise his technical ability and how he assisted progression from build up, creating quality options to go through, rather than over. Lots of improvement to be had too.
I am not saying I would want him starting in the championship but he had the same number of assists for us than TC and Small combined with probably 5% of their playing time. Wait I actually don’t think we should sign him but what this stat says is that we should be looking to upgrade our wing options
I'd have been interested in him coming back if we'd have lost on Sunday - think he's a decent player and has been unlucky to not play a bit more as well.
But I think we need to be looking at different options for The Championship.
Made fewer starts than we might have expected him to make when he came in on loan - just about says all we need to know. Would be 3rd choice CAM in the second tier behind NEW/Berry and therefore a luxury we don’t need imho. I liked his work rate and ability to pick a pass mind - not so much his shooting/goalscoring. I will most remember him for his reveal signing video “Oi, Gilbert…” 😂
There’s some raw materials there in terms of his technical attributes. To me he’s potentially the kind of player NJ could improve by building up his physical attributes and coaching his positional awareness. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him back here next season because we’ll probably need to cheaply sign players like him in the hope of unlocking their potential, rather than paying top dollar for finished articles.
He's done a decent job for cafc and I thank him for that .He seems to have blended into the squad really well. However I am not sure he has all the attributes that Jones or the team needs. He can ping a ball and pick a pass but for a 10 you'd expect him to get further up the pitch aswell....but if NJ wants him that's fine with me. Seems a nice lad
Suspect NJ won’t want him. He wasn’t playing as a “10”, his passing isn’t that flash and he didn’t seem to last physically beyond 55 minutes . I love skilful and creative players as much as anyone , but Claus Jensen incarnate , he was not .
I told him to sign with the club via drunken sign language whilst he was overlooking from the Boxpark balcony. So if he does, it’s because I tapped him up.
I think I see a different version of Gilbert to lots of posters. Whenever I've seen him play live he has:
- won lots of balls in the air; - never been afraid to put a foot in and attempt a tackle; - and won a lot of his tackles - cleanly.
Watching the highlights of the home leg vs Wycombe back, one of his rare starts, he won a lot of the ball when pressing, especially in the 1st half, and some of these led to chances. I was impressed with his physicality, previously thinking he was mostly useful for dead balls / finding a pass.
I think he's got the potential (and temperament) to be a top player.
Gilbert didnt have many games for Boro and didnt do our pre-season and conditioning that galvanised our season. I'd have him back in a heartbeat. Better than Berry.
Think he’s a player that will look great in a better team and not great in a struggling one. His mind on the ball seemed to be a step ahead of our other players sometimes.
But he didn’t seem the quickest or the best at chasing or harrying. He completely let an Orient player sprint past him a couple of times at Wembley.
It’s a ‘trust Nathan to make the right call’ one for me.
I think he's a decent league one player, but not what we need in The Championship, doubt that Jones would be satisfied with us being a mediocre club at the higher level.
Good player but if Boro want anything over a couple of hundred grand for him it would be a no. Think NJ will see the AM role as a chance to get a marquee signing.
Comments
If he was already in the squad I'd say he'd be a decent back-up. Not sure I'd sign him though.
IF Gilbert can get fitter and stronger his career can still be decent as he can pass the ball as demonstrated in the 1st half against Wycombe at the valley.
Because of the lack of possession in the Championship for CAFC, Alex isn't the player we need but he should definitely get opportunities in the 20 man squad for Middlesbrough off the bench.
Alex Gilbert left CAFC in credit and we thank him and wish him well.
Top of right arm was against his side where the ball hit and forearm across his mid-rift. Not a pen.
But I think we need to be looking at different options for The Championship.
His best game for us was the Wycombe 2nd leg, a worthwhile loan signing, but not one that screams "keep me".
we need to know. Would be 3rd choice CAM in the second tier behind NEW/Berry and therefore a luxury we don’t need imho. I liked his work rate and ability to pick a pass mind - not so much his shooting/goalscoring. I will most remember him for his reveal signing video “Oi, Gilbert…” 😂
Was belting out "We are going up" in the dressing room after n'all, not that that's anything to go by
For what its worth, Id like him back. Gets himself stuck in and wants to play the ball forward. Calm in possession also.
- won lots of balls in the air;
- never been afraid to put a foot in and attempt a tackle;
- and won a lot of his tackles - cleanly.
Watching the highlights of the home leg vs Wycombe back, one of his rare starts, he won a lot of the ball when pressing, especially in the 1st half, and some of these led to chances. I was impressed with his physicality, previously thinking he was mostly useful for dead balls / finding a pass.
I think he's got the potential (and temperament) to be a top player.
It’s a ‘trust Nathan to make the right call’ one for me.