Scottish Mag 3 Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 would it be fair to say that when they were on their game 100% that this would be our best defensive back 4 for some time? You would think so. Though the press and some people would have you think different. Our biggest problem even when we had some inferior players was the fact our midfield and to some extent attack have been so poor at both keeping the ball and giving it away far to cheaply. That (and for me anyway) depending who is playing up front we have never shown the urgency we did when playing with Bellamy up top. With Shola etc we have always invited teams onto us but at least when the little gobshite was playing he chased every ball which actually created a greater urgency throughout the team and was a major part of our success in Robsons time as manager. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flair 0 Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 (edited) Beye Bassong Colo Enrique is a quality defence, no doubt about it. If we had a class midfield we could easily be top 5 material. However, as long as Ashley is here, our midfield will consist of the Butts of the world. Pardon the pun. Edited February 24, 2009 by Attain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14011 Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Bear in mine Shepherd bought Butt, Ashley bought Gutierrez, Guthrie, Barton and Nolan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattM4 0 Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Colo has been looking shaky of late. Especially on the ball. He did well defensively on Sunday but on the ball, his distribution was really poor. Bassong has an all round game that is really impressive. There was a moment in the second half where Everton played a long through ball over the top and Bassong authoritatively took care of it by bossing Harper. Completely diffused a possible tricky situation within seconds. To think Boumsong is still getting France call ups... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ayatollah Hermione 13760 Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Sebastian Bassong has no CTRL key on his keyboard because Sebastian Bassong is always in control Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingKev 0 Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Colo isn't a bad player, he's played for a successful Spanish team for a few years, when Depor were a stronger team. His lack of pace is scary though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papa Lazaru 0 Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 would it be fair to say that when they were on their game 100% that this would be our best defensive back 4 for some time? You would think so. Though the press and some people would have you think different. Our biggest problem even when we had some inferior players was the fact our midfield and to some extent attack have been so poor at both keeping the ball and giving it away far to cheaply. That (and for me anyway) depending who is playing up front we have never shown the urgency we did when playing with Bellamy up top. With Shola etc we have always invited teams onto us but at least when the little gobshite was playing he chased every ball which actually created a greater urgency throughout the team and was a major part of our success in Robsons time as manager. Good point, people really don't realise the defensive value Bellamy offered as he never gives defenders a second to relax and build moves and if you're under pressure yourself you can hit long diagonal balls upfield and he chases after them like a loon, turning them into attacks alot of the time! We miss a striker like him buzzing aroudn the opposition and some semblance of class in midfield to keep and use possesion better, then the defence would have alot less pressure heaped on them, and get a chance to show what they can do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deano 0 Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Beye - Coloccini - Bassong - Enrique That could well be the ebst back four we've had for a LONG time....Beye is solid and consistant and able in both getting forward and at the back. Coloccini HAS ability but at times looks a liability, agreed he is a much better player alongside bassong but i think we will see the best of colo next season. Bassong is a quality player and still very young. Enrique has improved tenfold recently and so long as it continues he has a place in the side. Agree about stick a good midfield infront of them who can retain the ball and protect the defence and we could have a half decent side again. How about... R.Taylor - Barton - Nolan - Gutierrez? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ayatollah Hermione 13760 Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 I think that midfield (Geordie Lad's) is still pretty limited in all truth. Almost certainly better than having Nicky Butt and Duff in there but Nolan/Barton still isn't a partnership good enough to ultimately push on to top half/possible Europe even in a fairly poor PL. Not creative enough, will probably pick up a ton of suspensions and in the case of Gutierrez, we'd need far superior attacking options to really get the best out of him. The likes of Martins/Shola don't have the ability to read the game well enough or can't use their best assets properly (well, in the case of Martins. I'm not sure what Shola's best aspect is. Maybe making a nuisance of himself) to really see Gutierrez' best stuff come out in the last third. Having said that, I'd certainly take that over having Butt, Geremi or Duff in it at this point Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14011 Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Van Basten once asked Bassong for advice. FACT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deano 0 Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 I think that midfield (Geordie Lad's) is still pretty limited in all truth. Almost certainly better than having Nicky Butt and Duff in there but Nolan/Barton still isn't a partnership good enough to ultimately push on to top half/possible Europe even in a fairly poor PL. Not creative enough, will probably pick up a ton of suspensions and in the case of Gutierrez, we'd need far superior attacking options to really get the best out of him. The likes of Martins/Shola don't have the ability to read the game well enough or can't use their best assets properly (well, in the case of Martins. I'm not sure what Shola's best aspect is. Maybe making a nuisance of himself) to really see Gutierrez' best stuff come out in the last third. Having said that, I'd certainly take that over having Butt, Geremi or Duff in it at this point I agree in principle, i think R.Taylor will brings us some technical ability down the right and i think would link up well with Beye overlapping, i think Gutierrez will give us flair, trickery and drive down the left and will track back and support Enrique (They link up well on the left). Centre Midfield is the thing really isnt it? I mean Nolan is a battler and is industrious (a more finished version of Guthrie) and Barton who is box to box and has an eliment of creativity about him. But i think we COULD add something better in the mix. Iv said if we can get near enough the 6mil we paid for Barton (Maybe 4mil) then id let him go, ONLY if we could find a modern day Rob Lee...A ball player...Someone in the mold of Carrick (Obviously he is out of our league) But with similar qualities. I think we need one dig and drive and one pick up and pass in CM...Nolan and Guthrie can do the former we just need someone to do the latter. I think Barton has it but whether we will see it is another question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 lets not forget Barton who has looked class at times with his passing a breath of fresh ait compared to Butt. Can R Taylor not play alongside or Guthrie. Everyone fit, our first 11 would give any team a good game. Sorry, I seem to be one of the ones who has forgotten that. Which games are you on about? I think he's a canny player but I can't pinpoint a single 'class' performance since he arrived. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake 0 Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Enjoy him when you can, as soon as an ambitious club shows an interest he'll be off I reckon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottish Mag 3 Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Enjoy him when you can, as soon as any ambitious club shows an interest he'll be off I reckon sold.... FYP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 We must have a different definition of 'class'. Class compared to Butt doesn't qualify as that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 "class at times" Alex. He did get into the England squad and being an arsehole aside, is easilly the best midfielder at the club. I wouldn't get hung up on word play, the point is the team is better with him in it, which in turn helps the back four. During his time here though? That was my point. He's a good player imo but we've seen nothing like the best of him here. I'd obviously play him when fit but even towards the end of last season and when he's done OK this season, that's all he has done, i.e. looked alright. I assume you meant in his time here, yes? That's what I was disagreeing with. If he has been 'class at times' - when? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Barton had a good 2nd half in that match tbf. We were lucky Villa weren't a few up at half time though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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