Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Week Preview Feb 17 and Weekend Recap Feb 12

UEFA Conference League starts again so adding Kim Min Jae back on for the playoffs as a reminder for those wanting to watch.


DayTimePlayerClubOpponentTV
Thursday12:45 PMKim Min JaeFenerbahceMaccabi Tel AvivParamount+
Friday2:30 PMLee Jae SungMainzLeverkusenESPN+
Saturday9:30 AMJeong Woo YeongFreiburg@AugsburgESPN+
Saturday12:30 PMSon Heung MinTottenham@Man CityNBC
Sunday9:00 AMSuk Hyun JunTroyes@RennesBeIN
Sunday11:05 AMHwang Ui JoBordeauxMonacoBeIN
Sunday11:30 AMHwang Hee ChanWolverhamptonLeicesterUSA
Sunday12:30 PMLee Kang InMallorca@Real BetisESPN+
Sunday1:30 PMLee Dong JunHertha BerlinLeipzigESPN+



Kim Min Jae-- Should start.


Lee Jae Sung-- Started off decently in the first half playing as an attacking winger but showed some of his limitations in final third with some questionable decision making and execution. But he ran hard and was a decent part of the Mainz press. Lee really faded in the second half before being subbed off a bit past an hour. I'm unclear if this shift was a one-off or how it plays into LJS' playing time but still leaning to starting as Mainz looked worse when he was subbed off.


Jeong Woo Yeong-- Jeong was a bit better when he had the ball providing some pace to Freiburg's attack but those touches were pretty infrequent as Freiburg struggled for possession. Had a decent shot that was saved but overall pretty low impact despite a few attempts to move him around the pitch to get him involved. Jeong was given a quite long run out at 85' and much of the problems were behind so his starting will depend on what shape Streich may use but a higher chance of bench this week.


Son Heung Min-- Son's struggles are becoming a bit more concrete now as some of the extenuating circumstances of rust are less applicable. It is very frustrating as Son was physically explosive again with good moves and finding space but would waste many opportunities with heavy or sloppy touches. Frustrating day and even a more frustrating result for Tottenham where top four looks increasingly remote. Should start this weekend.


Suk Hyun Jun-- Will drop next time until I see some positive signs.


Hwang Ui Jo-- Scored a goal and apparently played decently but Bordeaux stuck in the bottom of the table with new manager set to start this week. Should keep starting given one of few Bordeaux players performing.


Hwang Hee Chan-- Came on as a sub but didn't have to do much as Wolves had a comfortable lead but were mostly defending for the final stretch. Hopefully a bigger role this weekend though likely still from the bench.


Lee Kang In-- Came on as a sub for final ten minutes and was a large part of Mallorca salvaging a win when they looked like they had squandered a two goal cushion. It was disappointingly late and reflects the concerns that Garcia has on having both Lee KI and Kubo on at the same time. I do think that LKI could improve his work rate to alleviate these concerns; even in this brief showing, LKI had some questionable defending. But on the ball he had some great dribbles and even had a few chances to put Mallorca back in front and those qualities put Mallorca back in front momentum-wise even if he didn't score the winning goal. For now, I think LKI remains a bench player but hopefully a bigger role soon.


Lee Dong Jun-- A bit disappointing to see him only come on for final ten minutes despite Hertha being only a single goal down. Similar issues as last week with good pace but struggling on beating defenders 1-on-1. Had a shot on target but looked to be trying too hard to shoot from a tight angle when he had some teammates rushing the goal. Likely from the bench again.