Player Ratings Vs Palace

[Christmas Tree 4865]

Jonas Gutierrez - 26.3%

 

Kevin Nolan - 18.2%

 

Alan Smith - 13.2%

 

Ryan Taylor - 12.7%

 

Steven Taylor - 7.3%

 

Jose Enrique - 5.4%

 

Steve Harper - 4.5%

 

Fabricio Coloccini - 2.6%

 

Shola Ameobi - 2.1%

 

Nile Ranger - 1.9%

 

Danny Simpson - 1.9%

[Happy Face 29]

Never seen or heard any of the game yet, but that's a pleasant surprise.

[The Fish 10978]

Can't really argue with that, again I'd give Enrique a little more praise. He's been the outstanding performer at the beginning of the season so far, hasn't put a foot wrong in my eyes. Going forward and at the back, he's been superb. Helps Colo out a lot, and provides Jonas with a lot more freedom than he'd get on the right. Now, whether his performances will tail off when the window shuts or not, is another matter.

[Barney 0]

Is that a little harsh on Collo?

 

I didn't see the match, but another clean sheet, and by all accounts, he played well.

[Dr Gloom 22211]

smith and nolan bossed the centre of the park. if we can keep those two we'll do well - they're not much in the premiership but can more than handle their own at this level from what we've seen so far

[donaldstott 0]

Shola got my vote, for ducking under the Jonas cross.

[The Fish 10978]

Is that a little harsh on Collo?

 

I didn't see the match, but another clean sheet, and by all accounts, he played well.

 

Perhaps. Everybody is guilty of favouritism and bias, but I'd say 50% of the good stuff he did, was followed by a mistake shortly after. The only difference being that, in the Premiership he'd be punished for it.

 

He's still prone to dallying on the ball, where he should really just get it out of the danger area. There's an arrogance to his play which sometimes is brilliant (making a forward look stupid with a well timed tackle and a sharp turn) but other times catastrophic (turning from one forward into another and getting robbed)

[Barney 0]

Is that a little harsh on Collo?

 

I didn't see the match, but another clean sheet, and by all accounts, he played well.

 

Perhaps. Everybody is guilty of favouritism and bias, but I'd say 50% of the good stuff he did, was followed by a mistake shortly after. The only difference being that, in the Premiership he'd be punished for it.

 

He's still prone to dallying on the ball, where he should really just get it out of the danger area. There's an arrogance to his play which sometimes is brilliant (making a forward look stupid with a well timed tackle and a sharp turn) but other times catastrophic (turning from one forward into another and getting robbed)

 

He destroyed Sheng Long against Reading with a little flick alright.

 

There's a lot of time on the ball in defence in La Liga. I'd say Puyol sees more of the ball in a game than Henry.

[The Fish 10978]

That's why I've not understood so many of the Premiership clubs looking to those more sedate/considered leagues for their defenders?

 

Off the top of my head I can only think of Carvalho and Desailly that've really excelled in the English leage after a switch from a slower paced country.

 

I can't believe it's because those players look classy and unflappable, without marrying that to the fact the league they play in is at a different pace? If laymen know that to be true, I don't believe people employed to route out talent can't identify which players simply don't have the alacrity of thought and action to play in England.

[Guest alex]

That's why I've not understood so many of the Premiership clubs looking to those more sedate/considered leagues for their defenders?

 

Off the top of my head I can only think of Carvalho and Desailly that've really excelled in the English leage after a switch from a slower paced country.

 

I can't believe it's because those players look classy and unflappable, without marrying that to the fact the league they play in is at a different pace? If laymen know that to be true, I don't believe people employed to route out talent can't identify which players simply don't have the alacrity of thought and action to play in England.

You were doing so well anarl

By the way Fish, I think even Desailly struggled a bit physically at centre-back in the PL at times. I can't for the life of me understand why you don't get more German defenders playing over here though. You'd think they'd be perfectly suited to English football.

[Tooj 17]

That's why I've not understood so many of the Premiership clubs looking to those more sedate/considered leagues for their defenders?

 

Off the top of my head I can only think of Carvalho and Desailly that've really excelled in the English leage after a switch from a slower paced country.

 

I can't believe it's because those players look classy and unflappable, without marrying that to the fact the league they play in is at a different pace? If laymen know that to be true, I don't believe people employed to route out talent can't identify which players simply don't have the alacrity of thought and action to play in England.

You were doing so well anarl

By the way Fish, I think even Desailly struggled a bit physically at centre-back in the PL at times. I can't for the life of me understand why you don't get more German defenders playing over here though. You'd think they'd be perfectly suited to English football.

Desailly often struggled against Shearer like. Absolutely class act though.

[Ayatollah Hermione 14094]

Is that a little harsh on Collo?

 

I didn't see the match, but another clean sheet, and by all accounts, he played well.

 

Perhaps. Everybody is guilty of favouritism and bias, but I'd say 50% of the good stuff he did, was followed by a mistake shortly after. The only difference being that, in the Premiership he'd be punished for it.

 

He's still prone to dallying on the ball, where he should really just get it out of the danger area. There's an arrogance to his play which sometimes is brilliant (making a forward look stupid with a well timed tackle and a sharp turn) but other times catastrophic (turning from one forward into another and getting robbed)

 

He destroyed Sheng Long against Reading with a little flick alright.

 

There's a lot of time on the ball in defence in La Liga. I'd say Puyol sees more of the ball in a game than Henry.

 

Top reference

[The Fish 10978]

You were doing so well anarl

By the way Fish, I think even Desailly struggled a bit physically at centre-back in the PL at times. I can't for the life of me understand why you don't get more German defenders playing over here though. You'd think they'd be perfectly suited to English football.

Git.

 

Germans and the Dutch do seem better suited, but managers seem to like to have a Centre Half that "can play a bit". I wouldn't. I'd like two massive pacy hulking brutes that dominate in the air and the tackle; Hyppia, Vidic, etc*... As long as they can dish the ball 10 yards to the defensive midfielder or the fullbacks, they can get to work on the sunshine bus for all I care.

 

fwiw, Enrique seems to be an exception.

 

 

 

 

(*I'm aware neither of those come from either Germany or Dutchland)

[Guest alex]

You were doing so well anarl

By the way Fish, I think even Desailly struggled a bit physically at centre-back in the PL at times. I can't for the life of me understand why you don't get more German defenders playing over here though. You'd think they'd be perfectly suited to English football.

Git.

 

Germans and the Dutch do seem better suited, but managers seem to like to have a Centre Half that "can play a bit". I wouldn't. I'd like two massive pacy hulking brutes that dominate in the air and the tackle; Hyppia, Vidic, etc*... As long as they can dish the ball 10 yards to the defensive midfielder or the fullbacks, they can get to work on the sunshine bus for all I care.

 

fwiw, Enrique seems to be an exception.

 

 

 

 

(*I'm aware neither of those come from either Germany or Dutchland)

I think Billy Furious was right when he said that the back four when you play against sides like Dynamo Kiev always looked like big uncompromising defenders who could play a bit too. Obviously Scandinavian defenders always seem likely to adapt well too. We've scouted players badly too though, it's not just where they're from as you get very tough French and South American defenders etc. One look at Boumsong should've (and many cases did) tell you he wasn't up to it physically and the same could be said about Colocinni and Rozenhal. As a centre-back playing in England you need to be strong and good in the air otherwise you might as well not bother.

Edited August 24, 2009 by alex

[The Fish 10978]

Yeah, it's easy to look strong and good in the air, when you're up against Bojan and Forlan. (It's also easy to look slow and addled minded though)

 

I've often wondered how the good scouts do it, how they spot that a 14yr old kid has the nous to play at the professional level. You see so many big strong kids do so well at reserves then never make the grade because they haven't got that special something. But all too often someone spots a Walcott, West Ham seem to churn out talented kids, Everton too.

 

Yet, the last player we had through our system that looks like they'll actually play at a good level is Taylor and didn't we steal him from someone else academy anyway?

[Guest alex]

Yeah, it's easy to look strong and good in the air, when you're up against Bojan and Forlan. (It's also easy to look slow and addled minded though)

 

I've often wondered how the good scouts do it, how they spot that a 14yr old kid has the nous to play at the professional level. You see so many big strong kids do so well at reserves then never make the grade because they haven't got that special something. But all too often someone spots a Walcott, West Ham seem to churn out talented kids, Everton too.

 

Yet, the last player we had through our system that looks like they'll actually play at a good level is Taylor and didn't we steal him from someone else academy anyway?

I think Taylor was here all the time. He was born in London but he's lived in the NE nearly all his life I think. You might be right though. Annoyingly I think Edgar would have been decent at this level and might have played a fair bit this season.

[The Fish 10978]

It is a shame that someone that looked OK left the club when a small wage bump for someone on a comparative pittance would have secured a decent utility back four player. Especially given his ties to us.

 

Didn't his Dad play for us back in the day too? or am I completely wrong? Again?

[Papa Lazaru 0]

Yeah, it's easy to look strong and good in the air, when you're up against Bojan and Forlan. (It's also easy to look slow and addled minded though)

 

I've often wondered how the good scouts do it, how they spot that a 14yr old kid has the nous to play at the professional level. You see so many big strong kids do so well at reserves then never make the grade because they haven't got that special something. But all too often someone spots a Walcott, West Ham seem to churn out talented kids, Everton too.

 

Yet, the last player we had through our system that looks like they'll actually play at a good level is Taylor and didn't we steal him from someone else academy anyway?

I think Taylor was here all the time. He was born in London but he's lived in the NE nearly all his life I think. You might be right though. Annoyingly I think Edgar would have been decent at this level and might have played a fair bit this season.

 

What's worse is Edgar would hardly have been asking for a deal that would break the bank, he just wanted a contract offer which never came and we lost a player who was already here with a bit of first team experience who i think could do a job at CB in the champonship.

[Guest alex]

It is a shame that someone that looked OK left the club when a small wage bump for someone on a comparative pittance would have secured a decent utility back four player. Especially given his ties to us.

 

Didn't his Dad play for us back in the day too? or am I completely wrong? Again?

His Dad was at Newcastle, aye. Not sure if he even played for the 1st time though. Also rumoured that Edgar wanted to stay but we offered him a shit contract so he went to Burnley instead.

[Guest alex]

Yeah, it's easy to look strong and good in the air, when you're up against Bojan and Forlan. (It's also easy to look slow and addled minded though)

 

I've often wondered how the good scouts do it, how they spot that a 14yr old kid has the nous to play at the professional level. You see so many big strong kids do so well at reserves then never make the grade because they haven't got that special something. But all too often someone spots a Walcott, West Ham seem to churn out talented kids, Everton too.

 

Yet, the last player we had through our system that looks like they'll actually play at a good level is Taylor and didn't we steal him from someone else academy anyway?

I think Taylor was here all the time. He was born in London but he's lived in the NE nearly all his life I think. You might be right though. Annoyingly I think Edgar would have been decent at this level and might have played a fair bit this season.

 

What's worse is Edgar would hardly have been asking for a deal that would break the bank, he just wanted a contract offer which never came and we lost a player who was already here with a bit of first team experience who i think could do a job at CB in the champonship.

Typical man, offering Edgar £10k more a week would've been cheaper than buying a replacement. Although I suppose they aren't looking to buy a replacement so they probably think it was good business to get him off the books.

[The Fish 10978]

His Dad was at Newcastle, aye. Not sure if he even played for the 1st time though. Also rumoured that Edgar wanted to stay but we offered him a shit contract so he went to Burnley instead.

You were doing so well anarl

 

[Guest alex]

His Dad was at Newcastle, aye. Not sure if he even played for the 1st time though. Also rumoured that Edgar wanted to stay but we offered him a shit contract so he went to Burnley instead.

You were doing so well anarl

 

Just doing my Ricky Ponting impression.

[The Fish 10978]

His Dad was at Newcastle, aye. Not sure if he even played for the 1st time though. Also rumoured that Edgar wanted to stay but we offered him a shit contract so he went to Burnley instead.

You were doing so well anarl

 

Just doing my Ricky Ponting impression.

Really? Great, you 'll be fucking off home soon then, never to return.

[sniffer 0]

Edgar was no loss so who really gives a rat's arse?

[The Fish 10978]

I thought he was an all right utility defender, who wasn't on huge wages and who was likely to give more of a shit than Colo come Christmas.