Merlin Röhl

[bigmanbob]

He could fill in at RB but if he is used as our long standing answer to our ongoing RB issues I won't be responsible for my fume

[AjaxAndy]

I think under a different manager he'd potentially make a good RB. He could certainly invert as more possession based / top sides like their full backs to do, and can overlap with pace when needed.

I just don't think he's a traditional full back which is what Moyes likes to play. I'd rather he played where he's more comfortable and we just sign a proper RB for once.

[bigmanbob]

One thing I will say about him, where the fuck did that pace come from? I always thought he looked quite cumbersome and slow. I was wrong

[Shogun]

If Armstrong goes out on loan it needs to be to a Prem team (unlikely) or abroad. Pointless him going back to the championship when he's too good for that level already.

[sam of the south]

If Armstrong goes out on loan it needs to be to a Prem team (unlikely) or abroad. Pointless him going back to the championship when he's too good for that level already.

And if he stays I’d rather he didn’t play out wide

[sam of the south]

On the pace thing, though, I remember us all (well mainly me, probably) going all in on Besic when he matched Bale for pace, so I’m going to exercise a bit of restraint (for once)

[Bluedylan1]

He was used in a very specific role to counter the threat of Nico O'Reilly bombing forward and creating overloads, but also to exploit the space behind O'Reilly when he gets forward, which more celebrated managers than Moyes have really struggled with in recent weeks.

In Merlin's own words -

The Germany under-21 international has found his game time limited so far this season, but he believes he has always maintained the trust of his manager.

“I think he trusts me all the time,” he said. “That's the important thing. Even when I was not playing, I knew that he would trust me at some point. I just need to be patient.

“But I think it was just a game where you have the (Nico) O'Reilly situation. He's really a player who wants to go forward. There's some space in behind.

“Everyone knows about my pace. There was some space and I was really happy to get two or three situations where I can use it.

“There was one in the first half where we had the exact situation we planned before. That's what I'm happy about. That's why the manager trusts me in this game.”

Before he added: "I'm here living my dream, playing for a great club, playing in the best league in the world and inside me, there's no need to only play in one position.

"I'm happy to be on the pitch, to play in front of these great supporters, in a great stadium. There's never a position I wouldn't play.

"Today was the first time I've played on the right wing for a long time, but I can play anywhere – on the right wing, right-back, central midfield.

"I'm always happy to contribute. It always depends on which opponent we are playing, so sometimes I might be needed higher up the pitch, sometimes I can add pace on the counter-attack, or give something in the midfield."

[sam of the south]

His attitude is fucking glorious isn’t it

[Cods]

His attitude is fucking glorious isn’t it

Such a top genuine measured mature kid isn't he. Bit of a throwback.
Future captain material ?

[kramer]

We have a bunch of potential future captains.

Cliche as it is, it really is important to get the rights types of personalities in. Especially here, where fans will turn in an instant if you don’t put a shift in or don’t care about the wider success of the team.

[Bumble]

He seems to have the pace to get us up the pitch. We sadly lack anyone who can take the ball 30-40m up the pitch with the ball at their feet and release pressure.

[superpull]

We have a bunch of potential future captains.

Cliche as it is, it really is important to get the rights types of personalities in. Especially here, where fans will turn in an instant if you don’t put a shift in or don’t care about the wider success of the team.

It's something that Moyes prides himself on isn't it? Making sure the personality fits as much as the on-the-pitch stuff

[AjaxAndy]

Really rooting for this guy, as others have said he seems to have a really good and mature outlook on things. Also from the small sample size we've seen he looks like a pretty good player too.

Hopefully Moyes has been leaving him out so his body can fully recover from injuries and adapt to the demands of training and playing in this country, and we see a lot more of him next season.

I think he'll start next match on the right again due to playing so well against City, so I til the summer hopefully it's his place to lose.