He will be fine after all we are making few mistakes on transfers these days . I think there is a fair bit of pressure trying to make a good impression in front of a good home crowd not so much from us but the player himself. He looks a player eager to show what he can do and that sometimes is the very thing that holds you back as demonstrated when he pulled his shot wide just before being subbed. I think he looks an asset and does offer raw pace and some skill which is another weapon at Nigels disposal
I thought he looked good on Saturday and as stated above with more game time and training time he will only get better.
To be fair the whole team was scrappy in the first half, couldn't get settled on the ball, and had to defend. De Ridder was as good at scrapping for 50/50 balls as anyone else, and shored us up defensively down the right side, where we have looked vulnerable this season. What I like about him, he lookss like he really wants the ball. Give him time and we'll soon be singing his praises.
No problems with De Ridder, he's got loads of enthusiasm and it's clear he's loving being at Saints. Watford was only his second league start of the season. The fact that he's been played mainly off the bench so far explains why his form isn't quite up to scratch. Give him time, i'm almost certain he will be a big asset to the side.
If I were to criticise De Ridder it would be that he is trying too hard.......He seems to be trying to show what he can do.......rather like Guly was when he first joined. If he was to play more of a team game he would be out standing. On at least a couple of occasions on Saturday De Ridder had a rush of blood and shot well off target rather than pass to others who were arguably in a better position. He will gel more, the more he plays and gets experience of the way football is played in the UK.
Man is he a trier, and I like them. He has tremendous pace and I think some pretty good skills. I felt sorry for him Saturday as every ball in the first half to him was just a little too overhit. I am sure he will figure and bcome important to us. Imagine if we play a team with an attacking left back and they have to have half an eye on De Ridder with his pace? The full back will be worried about bombing on too much in case he gets caught out - this alone will be useful. Saturday was his first start; he put the cross in for Lambert for the first penalty and worked his socks off. I loved the fact he was disappointed to be taken off, that shows how much he wants it. I hate to say it, but BeddyTare is possibly correct - he is trying too hard. It'll come.
I don't think we got the ball to him enough in the first half, and when we did try to the ball was over hit or wayward.
Ronaldo was a bit pants and tried too hard when he first came to England. So did Henry. So did Nani etc etc ad nauseum. Now I'm not saying De Ridder is at that level, but let's not worry too much too soon.
I wasn't too impressed with him against Preston but I read good reviews of him at Cardiff and on Saturday. I thought Guly was awful when he joined us but look at him now!! I think De Ridder has talent and skill and once he has fully adjusted he'll be an asset. Certainly a good player to have on the bench currently.
