Now, this isn't a question about whether Sol Bamba is a superb player or not. Well, it is but I'll come on to that. This is a question about our perception of him.
Now, I understand Dyer an Gallagher. We all agree that Dyer is lightening fast and a hard worker but lacks end product. We all also agree that Gallagher has talent to burn but is lightweight, slow and can't tackle to save his life. The discussion is easy, you either like that type of player or not.
What I don't understand is this. Why do we all see a different Sol Bamba? It's not that we disagree whether we like a footballing centreback or not, we disagree as to whether he's actually defensively any good or not.
I personally think that Bamba is immense in the air, but positionally poor and often I think he drags full backs and Mills all over the place. I feel he often does not follow the line and causes confusion for Mills. I basically think that whilst Bamba is technically a good player, he's a technically terrible defender. However, here's the weird thing - many of you disagree with me. You think he's a topsefender who's let down by his chamionship standard defenders that just arent good enough to read his amazing game
I find it odd we see a totally different player. It's not that we're disagreeing as to whether we like his erratic nature, we're disagreeing as to whether he's a genius, or a buffoon!!
So, here's how we can find out for sure.... FIGHT!...
.... ok, no fight. Please vote 1 if you think Bamba is a genius who is too good for the championship and looks bad because the players around him can't cope with his genius mind.
Vote 3 if you think he's alright. No better than Mills or St L but no worse. Is good on the ball but could improve his defending.
Vote 5 I you think he's a liability, ruins the shape of our defence and makes us a poorer team.
Explain you reasons and let's debate:
Is Sol Bamba a genius, a liability, or just a decent quirky defender with a personality??!!
Sol Bamba - Genius or Liability
posted on 30/1/12
i agree Mersey and i have seen Bamba antispation back that happen.
Three clean sheets blue excelent not knocking it Forest and Swindon hardly the best opposition in the world and even then Kasper had to mael world class saves to keep us in the game.
The defence are playing better yes but the key is the midfield (all two of them on Saturday)and the strikers are closing down hgher up the park giving the defenders more of chance.
posted on 30/1/12
When I think about mistakes or moments of indiscipline that have directly cost us games this season I think of SSL’s error against Bristol City and Mills’s two sending offs as much as anything that Bamba has done. Yet it seems that Bamba is the man that costs us games and points.
Everybody is now getting excited that we’re winning games and not conceding goals. I would argue that the energy, closing down and team ethic of our recent performances has as much to do with better defending as the individual performances from the two centre backs. Certainly the midfield is functioning much better than it has done, which is bound to protect the back four.
If we let Sol go, as some are advocating, I’m convinced he’ll turn up in some Premier League side and look pretty comfortable. If I had to make a prediction I’d say:
Bamba will be a Premier League player within 2 years
Mills might be a PL player within 5 years
Shaun St Ledger and Wes Morgan will never be PL players
But we shall see ....
posted on 30/1/12
I both love and hate Bamba in equal measures.
At my reasoning is this:
As you stated, he pulls his fellow defenders all over the place, and is so unpredictable, im not sure he knows what he's going to do half the time, so his teamates can't have a clue.
However, technically, he is brilliant, he's good in the air, he puts in superb tackles, gets back on his man if he's turned or gone past, and in that respect is solid.
I think my second point is why many fans are calling for him to be put in midfield.
What i will say is this: As exciting as it is to have him in the team, we've looked much more solid without him.
posted on 30/1/12
Flawed genius. He has all the skills you'd want from a centre back - He's big, strong, dominant and wins a lot of balls outright from attackers. Add his pace and ability on the ball to that and you've got a very strong defender and a tough proposition for strikers.
The flaw, as has been mentioned, is his positioning. The most noticeable thing to me is that we seem to get far fewer offsides while he's in the team and that can't be coincidence. However, since Pearson arrived his marking at corners has improved, so it's possible his new manager could add the extra element to his game.
Personally I think he's great to have in the team and I'd like to see him stay and see if he can improve.
posted on 30/1/12
I therefore vote 2, just to be awkward.
posted on 30/1/12
5 for me I'm afraid.
Great fun to watch but a central defender he ain't.
But I do somehow agree with Joby in that I can see him playing in the Premiership - possibly by next week ! He will look great for a few weeks but it would be interesting to read the 606 boards after he has played half a dozen games.
posted on 30/1/12
His style makes his him a liability in the championship, and yes he does cause weaknesses in the defence cos of his lack of discipline.
But the times hes able to clean up in defence by himself with ease in this league are a joke, hes just too good at it! And that makes me a massive fan of his.
Hes just not suited to the championship, his co-defenders, and probably the Nigel Pearson way. But if we are still looking at the prem in the near future - we need to keep him.
posted on 30/1/12
Incidentally, I just dont get this Wes Morgan signing. I can only hope NP is doing this cos hes seen enough of Bamba in the DM role.
posted on 30/1/12
Look, I'll say now that I'm a fan of Bamba and I'd be disappointed if he left. Unless he wants to, I think we should keep him were there to be interest.
I think he has every technical attribute you would require in a defender but he just needs to get the mental side of his game right with things like decision making and positioning. I actually feel that under NP's management, Bamba could really flourish because he will help to iron out those flaws.
posted on 30/1/12
I also don't understand the ones who say 'he isn't NP's type of player'. First of all, Nigel's the one who told him not to change his style and to carry on playing like he does and also, Nigel's played Bamba for every game in which he can do (I think he was suspended for his first game).