A better LB to push BAE is required.
Still questions over Rose it seems. Fryers is not ready yet (IMHO) .
Think Vert is poor at LB - hasn't got the pace to keep up with wingers and so doesn't stop the crosses coming in.
Unsure about Rose...think he'll stay at Sunderland if they stay up. Happy enough with this.
I like Benny but he's not in great form. Think he's suffering with the lack of protection from the left side of midfield though.
As a signing - Baines would be fantastic but can't see it with his age, the fee he'd command and question if he'd move.
That Saints LB looks a prospect.
Umtit was linked with us a couple times saw him play for France u19s in one of their tournaments and looked the best player (BK will back this up). Wouldnt mind signing him.
BAE is clearly uninterested at Spurs atm so I say he can go personally. I read that Rose was performing well at the start of the season, but I think he has a bit of a mare of late.
We definitely need more competition at left back. I love Benny, but his performances lately have been variable to say the least. I would like to sign Shaw, but think he would need to be blooded carefully, the same with Fryers.
As flashy says, Benny suffers from the lack of protection on the left side of the park now that GB goes walkabout most of the time.
Perhaps recalling Townsend next season (showing good skills at QPR) & maybe signing another useful left footer would help in that area.
i think benny will go over the summer....summats not right between him and avb.....
Think AVB has sussed the shoe-in mindset.
Thought the benching last sunday was punishment for perceived slackness against Basel.
Bae other than ade is our most disciplined player. (Fines)
There is an issue Bae cannot be trusted.a coach has mentioned he is not tactically aware enough to be trusted for a first 11 spot. Naughton is considered above him in the pecking order.
I mentioned about fryers the other day there was a meeting with him, McDermott, sherwood and Ramsey they discussed his abilities and how he seriously needs to improve. I quote "fryers is miles away from any first team appearance"
If anyone loves a bet chuck a few quid on us signing luke shaw of Southampton.
I think we have problems with Walker at RB . I'd be interested to know how many goals we've conceded due to his mistakes over the season.
I was happy with BAE as our LB for a season or 2 more, but since his return from injury he has been poor.
Maybe a bit unfair to judge him as he has only started 5 league games since returning and I think he is still not 100% and him being dropped might also be because he is carrying injury and struggling to play twice a week (not sure!). Parker was quite awful after returning from injury but took 8 games or so to recover decent form.
Fryers is 20....not sure whether he could be the main man next season BUT hopefully he will be in the next season or 2. On this basis,do we spend valuable transfer kitty on a new player to replace BAE, or do we just stick with what we have.
Definitely think it is worth selling Rose. He has proved he has some value but will not be happy as 2nd fiddle at Spurs....if we could get £5m for him that would be good, BAE, Fryers & Verts covering LB
Watching City last night, their RB is class, bombs forward continually, provides width, comes inside and gets in the box. It reminded me what a key position FB is and that both our FBs are less adventerous now and Walker in particular could contribute a great deal more offensively....he seems to be treading water or going backwards, both defensively and offensively. His sloppiness at times infuriates me
Do not think that LB is a key area if funds are limited.....CM/AM and a FWD are key.
Spurgle, Walkers form has been very good recently.
I actually have a lot of time for Kyle. He may have been pretty poor for most of the season, but its clear that the talent and potential is there.
Luke Shaw wouldn't go without a monster price tag! He's a serious prospect, saints would rinse us.
My thoughts:
1) verts isn't a left back. he's a quality CB and that is the position he was signed for so that is position he should play. Otherwise you get a lesser player.
2) Last season most of us (not Weare!) thought we had one of the best full backs in the league in Benny. He was amazing. What's happened? Don't know but it is clear that AVB doesn't rate him. Which in turn effects his confidence, performances etc. It would be a huge surprise if he isn't sold at the end of the season.
3) If he is, AVB will have a replacement in mind. if we want to truly push on and challenge for top 4 / Europe, this won't be Rose or Fryers, they'll be back up. we'd need a quality signing to replace Benny.
Which as look like says, could be Shaw
I agree with Edinspur about Walker. He's still young and will only learn. However, didn't like him giving it to Dembele for overhitting a pass against Everton.
Luke Shaw is a great prospect but i'm not sure about him, if we're getting into the CL.
looks like....was it ability or attitiude that fryers was lacking...!?
i think avb don't like benny's laid back attitude...avb lives and breathes the game...and i wld imagine expects his players to do likewise....
, didn't like him giving it to Dembele for overhitting a pass against Everton.
----
tbh...i liked it...a young not afraid to speak his mind....like that kinda passion...if as the player being digged out...you can't handle it...ur in the wrong game....
"was it ability or attitiude that fryers was lacking...!?"
He is not there yet in basic defensive stuff.
The 2nd half of the U21s game against Liverpool a couple of months ago epitomised that.
Nothing wrong with his attacking play though (IMHO) .
Are you rating Walker's form on his defensive or attacking performances. IMO, he still makes too many mistakes, gives away too many stupid fouls and gets caught ball watching too often.
It's easy to look impressive when you're bombing forward at speed but you have to have an end product. I'm not sure he knows what he's going to do himself half the time, he just puts his head down and runs.
As i said above, i'd be interested to know how many goals have come from or can be attributed to his mistakes?
junction8 (U1074)
Well, it wasn't as if Dembele played poorly for 70min minutes and overhit every pass. It was after 10-15 minutes so there was no reason to embarass Dembele in front of the whole crowd.
Well he is a clear talent going forward Spurgle, has all the right physical attributes. I also think he is ok when it comes to positioning.
His biggest flaw is that he still struggles with the judgement of crosses and jumps into the tackle far too often. I think he has very rectifiable mistakes, which is why I am not worried.
It does appear that AVB has reservations about Assou-Ekotto. I wonder if the one of the reasons could be this. A few weeks ago BAE was quoted in the press as saying that he didn't regard Kyle Naughton as serious competition for the left-back spot because he was right-footed. I'm pretty sure BAE said this tongue-in-cheek, but maybe AVB didn't see it that way and thought he needed to teach BAE a lesson, especially as his performances have indeed shown signs of possible complacency.
Edin,
He's been making the same mistakes since he came into the team, i'd have thought he should have been working to rectify them by now.
Don't get me wrong, i'm happy we've got him, i just wish he'd learn to do his job properly before indulging in some of the cocky behaviour he's often guilty of.
I think he is slowly learning though Spurgle. He may still go in too physically on players so they can go down, but he isnt trying to force the tackle too early like he used to. The guys is 22 and clearly has a love for the team, I see him as a very valuable asset personally.
Georges Duhamel (U10039)
Very good point, mate.
BAE also clearly stated that he does not have friends in football and he doesn't even have the phone number of his team mates
Seems he's not interested in being part of a team...
Well, it wasn't as if Dembele played poorly for 70min minutes and overhit every pass. It was after 10-15 minutes so there was no reason to embarass Dembele in front of the whole crowd.
-----
no...and i dont suppose he meant all game...and again...if you embarrass easily...then pro football isn't for you....
Looklikemodric, do you know if we are also looking at Ben Davies of Swansea? With Neil Taylor returning from injury, they could sell him for a good price.
Would like Shaw but I'm pretty sure he'll be off to Chelsea. He's a Chelsea fan and they need a new LB soon.
Luke Shaw is superb. Would make him priority number 1 this summer. What would he cost though? IMO something like £12m would be a bargain.
He looks like the complete player and IMO will be England's left back for years to come.
Plus, our last 17 year old saints left back turned out alright
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The Left Back Situation
Page 1 of 2
posted on 9/4/13
A better LB to push BAE is required.
Still questions over Rose it seems. Fryers is not ready yet (IMHO) .
posted on 9/4/13
Think Vert is poor at LB - hasn't got the pace to keep up with wingers and so doesn't stop the crosses coming in.
Unsure about Rose...think he'll stay at Sunderland if they stay up. Happy enough with this.
I like Benny but he's not in great form. Think he's suffering with the lack of protection from the left side of midfield though.
As a signing - Baines would be fantastic but can't see it with his age, the fee he'd command and question if he'd move.
That Saints LB looks a prospect.
posted on 9/4/13
Umtit was linked with us a couple times saw him play for France u19s in one of their tournaments and looked the best player (BK will back this up). Wouldnt mind signing him.
BAE is clearly uninterested at Spurs atm so I say he can go personally. I read that Rose was performing well at the start of the season, but I think he has a bit of a mare of late.
posted on 9/4/13
We definitely need more competition at left back. I love Benny, but his performances lately have been variable to say the least. I would like to sign Shaw, but think he would need to be blooded carefully, the same with Fryers.
As flashy says, Benny suffers from the lack of protection on the left side of the park now that GB goes walkabout most of the time.
Perhaps recalling Townsend next season (showing good skills at QPR) & maybe signing another useful left footer would help in that area.
posted on 9/4/13
i think benny will go over the summer....summats not right between him and avb.....
posted on 9/4/13
Think AVB has sussed the shoe-in mindset.
Thought the benching last sunday was punishment for perceived slackness against Basel.
posted on 9/4/13
Bae other than ade is our most disciplined player. (Fines)
There is an issue Bae cannot be trusted.a coach has mentioned he is not tactically aware enough to be trusted for a first 11 spot. Naughton is considered above him in the pecking order.
I mentioned about fryers the other day there was a meeting with him, McDermott, sherwood and Ramsey they discussed his abilities and how he seriously needs to improve. I quote "fryers is miles away from any first team appearance"
If anyone loves a bet chuck a few quid on us signing luke shaw of Southampton.
posted on 9/4/13
I think we have problems with Walker at RB . I'd be interested to know how many goals we've conceded due to his mistakes over the season.
posted on 9/4/13
I was happy with BAE as our LB for a season or 2 more, but since his return from injury he has been poor.
Maybe a bit unfair to judge him as he has only started 5 league games since returning and I think he is still not 100% and him being dropped might also be because he is carrying injury and struggling to play twice a week (not sure!). Parker was quite awful after returning from injury but took 8 games or so to recover decent form.
Fryers is 20....not sure whether he could be the main man next season BUT hopefully he will be in the next season or 2. On this basis,do we spend valuable transfer kitty on a new player to replace BAE, or do we just stick with what we have.
Definitely think it is worth selling Rose. He has proved he has some value but will not be happy as 2nd fiddle at Spurs....if we could get £5m for him that would be good, BAE, Fryers & Verts covering LB
Watching City last night, their RB is class, bombs forward continually, provides width, comes inside and gets in the box. It reminded me what a key position FB is and that both our FBs are less adventerous now and Walker in particular could contribute a great deal more offensively....he seems to be treading water or going backwards, both defensively and offensively. His sloppiness at times infuriates me
Do not think that LB is a key area if funds are limited.....CM/AM and a FWD are key.
posted on 9/4/13
Spurgle, Walkers form has been very good recently.
I actually have a lot of time for Kyle. He may have been pretty poor for most of the season, but its clear that the talent and potential is there.
posted on 9/4/13
Luke Shaw wouldn't go without a monster price tag! He's a serious prospect, saints would rinse us.
My thoughts:
1) verts isn't a left back. he's a quality CB and that is the position he was signed for so that is position he should play. Otherwise you get a lesser player.
2) Last season most of us (not Weare!) thought we had one of the best full backs in the league in Benny. He was amazing. What's happened? Don't know but it is clear that AVB doesn't rate him. Which in turn effects his confidence, performances etc. It would be a huge surprise if he isn't sold at the end of the season.
3) If he is, AVB will have a replacement in mind. if we want to truly push on and challenge for top 4 / Europe, this won't be Rose or Fryers, they'll be back up. we'd need a quality signing to replace Benny.
Which as look like says, could be Shaw
posted on 9/4/13
I agree with Edinspur about Walker. He's still young and will only learn. However, didn't like him giving it to Dembele for overhitting a pass against Everton.
Luke Shaw is a great prospect but i'm not sure about him, if we're getting into the CL.
posted on 9/4/13
looks like....was it ability or attitiude that fryers was lacking...!?
i think avb don't like benny's laid back attitude...avb lives and breathes the game...and i wld imagine expects his players to do likewise....
posted on 9/4/13
, didn't like him giving it to Dembele for overhitting a pass against Everton.
----
tbh...i liked it...a young not afraid to speak his mind....like that kinda passion...if as the player being digged out...you can't handle it...ur in the wrong game....
posted on 9/4/13
"was it ability or attitiude that fryers was lacking...!?"
He is not there yet in basic defensive stuff.
The 2nd half of the U21s game against Liverpool a couple of months ago epitomised that.
Nothing wrong with his attacking play though (IMHO) .
posted on 9/4/13
Are you rating Walker's form on his defensive or attacking performances. IMO, he still makes too many mistakes, gives away too many stupid fouls and gets caught ball watching too often.
It's easy to look impressive when you're bombing forward at speed but you have to have an end product. I'm not sure he knows what he's going to do himself half the time, he just puts his head down and runs.
As i said above, i'd be interested to know how many goals have come from or can be attributed to his mistakes?
posted on 9/4/13
junction8 (U1074)
Well, it wasn't as if Dembele played poorly for 70min minutes and overhit every pass. It was after 10-15 minutes so there was no reason to embarass Dembele in front of the whole crowd.
posted on 9/4/13
Well he is a clear talent going forward Spurgle, has all the right physical attributes. I also think he is ok when it comes to positioning.
His biggest flaw is that he still struggles with the judgement of crosses and jumps into the tackle far too often. I think he has very rectifiable mistakes, which is why I am not worried.
posted on 9/4/13
It does appear that AVB has reservations about Assou-Ekotto. I wonder if the one of the reasons could be this. A few weeks ago BAE was quoted in the press as saying that he didn't regard Kyle Naughton as serious competition for the left-back spot because he was right-footed. I'm pretty sure BAE said this tongue-in-cheek, but maybe AVB didn't see it that way and thought he needed to teach BAE a lesson, especially as his performances have indeed shown signs of possible complacency.
posted on 9/4/13
Edin,
He's been making the same mistakes since he came into the team, i'd have thought he should have been working to rectify them by now.
Don't get me wrong, i'm happy we've got him, i just wish he'd learn to do his job properly before indulging in some of the cocky behaviour he's often guilty of.
posted on 9/4/13
I think he is slowly learning though Spurgle. He may still go in too physically on players so they can go down, but he isnt trying to force the tackle too early like he used to. The guys is 22 and clearly has a love for the team, I see him as a very valuable asset personally.
posted on 9/4/13
Georges Duhamel (U10039)
Very good point, mate.
BAE also clearly stated that he does not have friends in football and he doesn't even have the phone number of his team mates
Seems he's not interested in being part of a team...
posted on 9/4/13
Well, it wasn't as if Dembele played poorly for 70min minutes and overhit every pass. It was after 10-15 minutes so there was no reason to embarass Dembele in front of the whole crowd.
-----
no...and i dont suppose he meant all game...and again...if you embarrass easily...then pro football isn't for you....
posted on 9/4/13
Looklikemodric, do you know if we are also looking at Ben Davies of Swansea? With Neil Taylor returning from injury, they could sell him for a good price.
Would like Shaw but I'm pretty sure he'll be off to Chelsea. He's a Chelsea fan and they need a new LB soon.
posted on 9/4/13
Luke Shaw is superb. Would make him priority number 1 this summer. What would he cost though? IMO something like £12m would be a bargain.
He looks like the complete player and IMO will be England's left back for years to come.
Plus, our last 17 year old saints left back turned out alright
Page 1 of 2