Rudy Gestede

What did everyone think of his performance yesterday? He came on 55mins and, for me, was a lot more effective than Helgusson.

He was very effective and in my mind should be pushing for a starting place now.

I only saw the highlights, and yes he had a few opportunities. He is a handful but I'm not sure he makes the most of his physical attributes. I was happy that MM stuck with him and has given him opportunities, but he doesn't have the confidence to start with him, so what does that say?

I didn't hear the commentary as I was fecking sopping wet in town... However a quick chat with a mate gave me the impression that the lad was a continental weapons grade wazzock.. Second hand thoughts though

It wasnt the right game to rate him on. We were being battered for the vast majority of the ninety minutes, with the victory solely down to one moment of brilliance from Conway and Bellamy but then an awesome defensive display (who's of expected that a few months back?).

Why he seemed impressive, he'd need more chances than what our attack got yesterday to truly see whether he'd be a liability or not. I'm still unsure he's up to our standard however if I'm honest.

I think time has run our for Rudy. He just doesn't put his chances away and in January (I blinking well hope) we'll bring in another forward which will push him further back. He could still be a late game high ball weapon but he might not even make the bench.

I thought he looked good yesterday. He certainly caused more problems for Wes Morgan than Helguson did, but it is so difficult to impress as a bit player.

Palace have got one CH suspended after yesterday and probably Gabbidon coming in to replace him. I'd like to see Rudy get a start in that game, but, as discussed elsewhere, Bellamy & Mason could be a partnership made in heaven waiting to happen.

The Devil's Advocate wrote:I thought he looked good yesterday. He certainly caused more problems for Wes Morgan than Helguson did, but it is so difficult to impress as a bit player.

Palace have got one CH suspended after yesterday and probably Gabbidon coming in to replace him. I'd like to see Rudy get a start in that game, but, as discussed elsewhere, Bellamy & Mason could be a partnership made in heaven waiting to happen.

Think of the movement - the movement for heavens sake!

Got to remember it was his job to help defend set-pieces, slow play down, hold the ball up, bring others into the game, etc. He done that brilliantly.

Much praise was heaped on his defensive role yesterday. Given the context of the match, quite important really.

January we will definitely strengthen. Rudy looks like a Championship target man to me so not quite good enough and Heidar's performances are dropping as he is getting overplayed so I expect Malky Coleman will probably sign a good striker which will massively limit Rudy's gametime

Arkay v2.0 wrote:Much praise was heaped on his defensive role yesterday. Given the context of the match, quite important really.

We're rating our strikers on defensive capabilities now? Sure I'm not going to turn down a good striker who is also of use defending a free kick, but that is just icing on the cake. What decides whether a striker is good or bad HAS to be their activity in the opponents half. Maybe not nessecerily goals, assists are just as important and he'd also have a potent role as a holder up of play following a long ball. You don't go out looking for a centreback who is brilliant in attack but just cowers in the corner when a striker runs at them, do you?

Agree. He has to meet his primary role first. Anything else is a bonus. I said this before, he can be a handful, but so can my wife and she ain't got a phone call yet.

I don't think arkay is referring to a literal defensive performance, whereby he mucked in at the back, but rather the 'defensive forward' role ( or deep lying striker:support - in Football Manager terminology). It appears Malky instructed in him, for the most part, to slow the game down and hold things up in the final third, thus the team not having to play deep to see the game out.


I thought he did this superbly and the times he was attacking, or helping Bellamy attack rather, he looked to me to be dangerous and as originally stated, more effective than Helgusson.