Nikola Vlašić is finally on the board in London!
The Croatia attacking midfielder scored his first goal Tuesday night after coming on in the 85′. With the game already in hand in West Ham’s favor, Vlašić banged home an easy ‘junk goal’ from the middle of the box in injury time to cap off a 4-1 victory for West Ham over Watford.
Vlašić has had an incredibly slow start in the Premiership over past four months since coming from CSKA Moscow in the summer. Hopefully this goal can instill some confidence going into 2022.
Any time Croatia has had a good striker – the guy could kick equally left foot and right foot- Suker, Mario for example- I’m sure you can say that is the standard stereotype for any striker but very few of them are perfectly equal on either side- I just don’t see Krama or this guy with that kind of equal kick – definitely not Krama- when he gets the ball on the left foot – he is a panic case. He refused to take a shot with his left foot- sorry guys, we have to keep looking – could have been Rebic but he’ll have to really suck up to the coach and i don’t see that happening
Sucking up to the coach is not required, and viewing a much required apology for calling the team shit as sucking up is wrong in my mind.
If interpreting an apology for doing something wrong as being a person “sucking up” is what Rebić also does, and if he’s afraid that people will view him as less of a man as the result, and ultimately it is the reason why he wont do it, that is very sad.
Ironically, recognizing when you’ve made a mistake and having the guts to admit it, and apologize takes a bigger man.
Furthermore, Rebić may also be afraid that if he does apologize that Dalić still won’t take him back, and therefore, figures that there’s no point?
I very highly doubt that Dalić would not take him back after an apology- for one reason, he would be going back on his word, and heavily criticized professionally, and secondly, as a Catholic, Dalić would also be heavily criticized personally for not forgiving him.
In the end, I think Rebić will have a large majority of fans viewing him as being at fault for not retuning to the national team- due to his comments and unwillingness to make ammends for them.
I don’t remember Suker using his right leg for anything other than standing on
https://croatiansports.com/sretan-bozic-merry-christmas-croatiansports-com-nation-2/#comments/480879
here…
I give you a replay _o)!
https://sempremilan.com/mn-milan-rely-rebic-importance
‘22 will be his year.
Sit down and work that out with Dalić.
All under the flag for Qatar.
No way you go to a WC without your full crew.
Rebić is unparalleled for his physical presence in our squad.
I like Pjaca getting a look for UNL as well.
Perišić needs to be rested as much as possible and these two can at least provide some minutes on the left wing.
Vlašić is another physical force through the middle.
We need as many athletes as possible to support our technicians.
line up all the “striker ” – feed them balls left foot/ right foot and see how many times the beat the keeper- outside 20 yards- I bet we’d be surprised how few of them can score equal foot even at the pro level- the key goal in 2018 was Mario scoring with left foot and that is a tough shot to make- if he wasn’t strong both feet – maybe we’re not in the final-
Cool resource here. (nothing to do with Vlasic hah)
my favorite kit is 2006 Away
https://www.footballkitarchive.com/croatia-kits/
Thanks for that site!
I was scrolling through the kits, and saying to myself:
“got it, got it, need it, got it…”
My favorite home is the current kit, love the big red and white checkers. My favorite away is the 2018 black and dark blue.
I like Vlasić’s goal.
Yeah, it was not the game winner, and they did not even need another insurance goal that late in the game; however, Vlasić did well to make himself available, and seemingly effortlessly finish the play.
Furthermore, the goal would bother me as a defender -in particular if he was my man to mark, and for goalies, all goals against suck.
The goal also matters to Vlasić because it’s hard to be confident when you don’t get much playing time. Lastly, if your team mates start gaining more confidence in you, and they learn how to work with you better, it could be the start of much better things to come?
Therefore, wishing him many more- even if they are not highly important goals, they add up.
Vlasic always scores the unpretty goals.
That’s what I like about him.
His focus is always on accuracy, and ensuring his shots are on target.
Whenever he’s attempted a shot for us, he’s always managed to put the ball on goal. Many times in the lower bottom corner of goal (while falling down, lol).
He’s a good player who is having a bad season due to his injuries and falling out of form due to his club negotiations. England is also the worst place in the world to give you chances to work yourself back into form.
Hopefully he can get more chances post January, and he can put the latter half of 2021 behind him.
Maminjo, you make many insightful statements on this site, and we all appreciate that. However, it is not true that Vlasić has been an accurate shooter for the repka. He has skied most of the shots he’s taken for us this year! If he had been putting the ball on target at a higher rate against Russia and Slovakia rather than one-timing balls into the stands, we would have qualified for the world cup in much less dramatic fashion. He scores tough goals that other players wouldn’t score though, that’s for sure.
. . . And kudos to Vlasic for giving immediate kudos to the teammate who passed him the ball. Class. Too many pricks these days would run away with a solo celebration.
Furthermore, it’s not a question of Vlasic’s goal whether it was easy shit tap in, in injury time, while hammers were up and on the counter…moyes set up seems Nikola’s not in his plans as a regular starter, for whatever reason as I mentioned.
Modric situation is hilarious to me as Marca who now knows he is a legend at Real as well as various press outlets who labeled him bust/flop before he even got a chance.
When mourinho subbed him on in that champions league game against those chirpers man utd he made his mark and since then the rest is history. One of there best midfielders ever he will go down as.
He never once deserved that “bust” “flop” label as he never had a real chance. Sure it took him some time to adapt but it’s not like he played bad early on.
Those spicks at that time were just too cocky thinking they’re the best at all -international and club football and a Croat couldn’t succeed at a spick, pork chop, brazilian dominated club.
Many big clubs and there media relations are a joke and got no clue when they pre maturely place labels on players without giving them actual chances.
What are you talking about? Suker was already a success at Real and won a CL there with them before Luka arrived. Real Madrid loves Cros and rightfully so. Am hoping Gvardiol goes there next. Hala Madrid y nada mas!
The problem is moyes has no faith/care to play vlasic or a combination of both and only started him what…Once ? In a meaningless game against his countries club team ( dinamo game) when moyes played most his second stringers and orsic nailed that loooping banger of a shot.
I don’t think that goal will change his view on him – perhaps the Scot doesn’t like him for whatever reason as he hasn’t had gave him hardly any starts for west ham.
Maybe moyes feels as that overrated faggot pep does towards us Croats when mandzo was scoring and contributing constantly but getting snubbed all the time at Bayern. We all know how that slimeball treats balkans as Ibra couldn’t stand him either for his similar actions. Can’t stand that douchebag. I hope no hrvati ever signs for any team he coaches.
Not comparing Mandzo to Vlasic in any way but Vlasic deserves at least twice as many starts or even playing time for that matter as he has received.
Come on it’s west ham – they having good season and perhaps moyes is just happy with his current set up as it’s been working for him, but really ? who do they think they are ? There a shit club still – always will be unless they get purchased by a billionaire.
The best they’ll ever do is around 5th/6th in the premiership- Europa league material. Vlasic should get outta there and get constant playing time elsewhere. Go to Italy, Germany, France
When Spam got Vlasic they were playing well. There was no need to tinker with the lineup. That along with his injury and his sit out in Russia has hurt him.
I said he was playing like a bust!!!
Has anybody seen Marko Pjaca in a full match this season? What I’ve been able to see in Torino highlights has been really great. He’s still super quick with the ball at his feet. I’m just wondering how the other elements of his game are now that he’s a starter again. From the highlights, he looks like a possibility at center forward, as he is good at using his size, and he maneuvers the ball very well in tight spaces
Ya, the often forgotten one. Could be transform into a harder working more talented petkovic type guy for us???
I think Pjaca is a superior athlete to Petković, much as I like watching Petković play. Petković is clever and is great at maneuvering with the ball at his feet. He looks great when he plays in Prva Liga because he’s better than the Prva Liga defenders. However, he doesn’t look so great when facing world-class defenders. Pjaca has the smarts and foot-skills too, and it seems to me that he thinks quicker than Bruno, moves better off the ball, and has a more powerful shot, but I’m wondering if that is just in moments or if it lasts the whole game. He must be doing something right to have usurped Brekalo at LW for Torino and made the coach change the formation around so that Pjaca play maximum minutes.
Rebic only comes back if he learns how to control those imocani temperamental behavioural traits
Best way to deal with that is to keep on cooly banging in goals for Milan and win the scudetto when he returns
Dalic would have no choice but to call him back just before the World Cup
According to Dalić (in the articles I read), Rebić only needs to apologize for calling the team shit.
Not very difficult- except for someone who’s ego stands in the way/ someone who does not want to play for the team.
Another Nick Kalinic situation it seems.
I don’t understand the hate on Vlasic
He is a young splicani having a real crack!
Then again I didn’t really understand why he went back to England
Do you guys think the other players would want rebic back? Like is it only a dalic/rebic thing? Or is it more whole locker room?
Broz had problems and seems to have settled…
Also he is 3.5 years younger then kova….
He is athletic enough for the premier league
Heck we don’t even know if broz or Perisic would be as good in the epl as they are in Italy
Again, I say let’s talk about bust if the year ends up rough
Till then like in much of life sometimes you got to hit some uglies to get your confidence back
Hey it’s a start
Im not saying he is going to be luka but remember arguably real Madrid’s best midfielder ever played “like a bust”
If there is not a decent amount of progress by the end of the year we can say he is a bust
But there must be a huge reason why everyone always mentions having proper training camps with the team
Kid is athletic, we know he can score. Yes the opposition is different but we know he can hit the back of the net
We were just talking about kova and how Croats are late to mature
Let’s give him our support
And so what he talked some shit about Dinamo
These are kids still and they not only grew up with the rivalry, he lived it
A goal is a goal. Watford didn’t roll over and hand it to him. No need to degrade it.
I can’t tell if you are serious, that was as meaningless as junk goals come? He needs to contribute when he starts, and not be pulled off in the 46th minute!
Just no need to tarnish it. He could still be a major player for us. Enough haters on here piling on him for God knows what. Writing “junk goal” only feeds that.
Yes, junk goal. Up 2 in injury time. The goal doesn’t mean anything.
Junk goal.
It definitely means something. Right place right time means so much in this game. If you were taller than Danny Devito you would understand.
Agree to disagree. Junk goal yes in the context of the score and time of the game but not for his confidence. I’m sure the team is happy for him.
Chelsea and Tottenham players celebrated when Timo Werner and Harry Kane scored after being cold.
A player will take anything when they haven’t scored in a while especially since West Ham probably expected more from him thus far.
Yeah that’s no junk goal.
Let’s see you time that run and lose your man that easily
Why do you say junk goal? Your mom is a junk goal.
Vlašić brings another athletic attacking threat to our final third.
He is another one who needs to be all over the UNL for us.
Didn’t you call him a bust….? 😜
He is going to have more game time now considering Benrahma is going to be in the African tournament next month, but hopefully Moyes will play Vlasic in the middle instead of the wing.
Other than that, it is critical that Vlasic takes his opportunity with a key player drawn out from the team.
Good stuff!