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Kalas is Back for Now?

Discussion in 'Bristol City' started by wizered, Mar 2, 2023.

  1. wizered

    wizered Ol' Mucker
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    Bristol City defender's timely reminder sets the standard as he aims to make up for lost time
    The central defender was superb against Manchester City in just his second start of the season

    There's a modesty about Tomas Kalas when he talks about his return to the Bristol City side.

    Without taking his recent history of groin and knee injuries into account, the defender was one of the best players on the pitch against Manchester City. Add to the fact it was just his second start in almost a year, and his performance becomes even more impressive.

    "Whether I played well or not, I'll let you decide," he said as he sat in his post-match press conference following the 3-0 defeat against Pep Guardiola's side.

    In an interview with Robins TV, he also responded when quizzed about his series of well-timed tackles and his clearance off the line: "Blocking on the line is my job. Sliding tackles is also my job."

    There was disappointment in his voice in the knowledge that despite playing one of the best teams in the world, City couldn't pull off an FA Cup shock. Those are the standards he sets as he looks to make up for lost time.

    Only he and those closest to him will understand the difficulties he has been through over the last 11 months. Following his substitute appearance against Preston in February, Kalas wrote on social media: "It’s been tough 10 months. Only few know what I’ve been through and to them, I’m forever grateful for standing by my side.

    "So happy to be back on the pitch doing what I always wanted to do."

    Kalas made his highly-awaited return to action in October as a substitute against Millwall. He managed 32 minutes of league action over two games before suffering another setback that would keep him out until the New Year.

    There has been an understandable caution not to rush him back into action to prevent the risk of more time on the sidelines. With Rob Atkinson out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury, City need him in the heart of the defence if they want to mount an outside shot of the play-offs.

    Kalas is confident he's back in the side for the long haul and his patience will be rewarded. "I think the way I was coming back was very cautious and I was feeling quite fit for a while so I would be surprised if I wasn't fit to play for 90 minutes at any level," he said.

    "Obviously, it's quite nice to come back straight into a game like this in FA Cup. I'm glad that it came, I'm glad that I lasted the whole game."

    Kalas reiterated that point with Robins TV, saying: "You're trying to impress people but not as much as yourself because you always have a point to prove, if not to someone else at least to yourself.

    "Obviously, I haven't played, it was almost a year since I last played a game from the first minute.

    "So I'm quite enjoying being back, overcoming what I had to overcome, coming back and within a couple of games playing such a game, it would have been a wasted opportunity if I didn't enjoy it."

    Nigel Pearson certainly enjoyed it. Kalas looked every bit of the player City paid £8million for him back in the summer of 2019 and having challenged him to extend his deal which expires at the end of the season, the 29-year-old certainly looks up to the task.

    "Do you know something?" Pearson started in his response when asked about Kalas' performance. "I think the thing about Tomas, when you see him up against players of the calibre he's up against tonight, He's a really good destructive player.

    "I said to him before the game, 'you've been broken in now, you've played 70 minutes and one 90 minutes and there you go, you're playing against Manchester City tonight.'

    "He just takes it in his stride, he's able to deal with that type of situation. I thought he showed his experience and his ability to be a little bit flexible tonight.

    "I don't know if you noticed but in the first half he was following De Bruyne in quite a long way and we were going man for man at the back. I thought our players were really brave in that regard.

    "Tomas was really good tonight and so here on in, I hope he can replicate those types of performances because when you have been out for as long as he has and gone on as a sub in an away game at Sunderland, which was a tough game to go on, then plays his first 90 minutes at the weekend and then go up against Man City.

    "I thought he dealt with the occasion well and he's a good defender so I'm really pleased he's available and he's up for the challenge too."

    If Kalas can maintain those levels of consistency and fitness between now and the end of the season, there's no doubt clubs will be queuing up for his signature. After all, a fit and in-form Kalas would represent a bargain for any club in the Championship.

    As one of the highest earners in the squad, the likelihood is that he will need to accept a reduced salary, just as Nahki Wells did, in order to commit his future. And thereby lies the problem.

    There will be clubs who have the financial muscle to blow City out of the water and the longer his deal remains unsigned, the likelihood of other sides taking note increases. For now, however, it's just a pleasure to see him back in a City shirt.
    https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport...bristol-city-defender-timely-reminder-8204511
     
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  2. wizered

    wizered Ol' Mucker
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    He was as solid as a rock for us, if he remains fit he is the best at the back we have got, let's hope a Wells type deal on a new contract is acceptable for him but I would not be suprised if he moves on for a better package at a bigger club, no doubt about it he is a class act.
     
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  3. AshtonRed

    AshtonRed Well-Known Member

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    The only thing in our favour is his recent fitness, and if he’s happy here and doesn’t fancy a move, remember that was part of the motivation for him joining in the first place, he wanted stability after years of loans from Chelsea, but I agree quality defender, I hope we can come to an arrangement
     
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  4. bcfcredandwhite

    bcfcredandwhite Well-Known Member

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    I don’t claim to know him personally but he comes across as a down-to-earth kind of guy.
    He needs to decide if playing regularly is more important than warming the bench as a sometime-used sub (like Semenyo is at Bournemouth) but being paid lots more money.
     
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  5. realred1952

    realred1952 Well-Known Member

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    he is worth keeping on the same salary, or at least the equal of the highest paid,[ currently £27k ] or a contract on lower wages but until 26/27 with option of 1 year.
    we need to build up the squad for a potential 24/25 top 6/ promo!
     
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  6. AshtonRed

    AshtonRed Well-Known Member

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    I agree he should still be kept a top earner within the new wage structure , but would still need to drop considerably from his present deal, no way can he be kept on what he’s on now.
     
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  7. Angelicnumber16

    Angelicnumber16 Well-Known Member

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    Always really rated the guy, and hope he's happy here and stays with us for at least a Play Off push next year.
    Which may of course depend on how many of our bright young stars are lured away by bigger teams after our nationwide coverage on Tuesday.
     
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  8. Redprintt

    Redprintt Well-Known Member

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    £25k a week gets you a 'Kalas'.

    Whether NP/JL can persuade him to agree a reduced salary is another matter.

    Not surprised if he gets a great offer from one of the relegated Prem teams.
     
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  9. Supcon72

    Supcon72 Well-Known Member

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    Interesting you say this RP, as this was always my point under a previous regime. If we wanted to progress you have to have better players than we ever had before, and those cost big fees and big wages (although £25k still isn’t big by Championship standards), yet that regime was maligned by many for doing it.
     
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  10. realred1952

    realred1952 Well-Known Member

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    What do you think that is? Hint ... less than 25, 001 ! Top player is on 27k and its not Nahki ..!
     
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  11. AshtonRed

    AshtonRed Well-Known Member

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    I’ve no idea what wages any of the players are on, I suggest nobody really knows, but considering he’s our most expensive player he’ll have been one of the highest wage earners before we started reducing wage costs since COVID. If he stays he’ll have to have his wages reduced considerably, like Weiman has, Wells has and like Baker did. Because of his quality He’s likely to be offered considerably higher than we can afford by a top end Championship team with PP money. The question is will he be prepared to stay with us or will he move. I don’t think you’ really grasp the financial restraints we are working under.
     
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  12. Redprintt

    Redprintt Well-Known Member

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    I did not malign anyone for spending big money on Kalas. We all understand the law of big money (usually) brings good players. Webster was another who was a great signing.

    Without going over old ground it was the scatter gun approach to signings that I maligned. And the guys who oversaw those signings.
     
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  13. oneforthebristolcity

    oneforthebristolcity Well-Known Member

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    And that you hated LJ......just saying....:emoticon-0105-wink:
     
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  14. realred1952

    realred1952 Well-Known Member

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    was not in the top 5 earners???

    Come on... how not to understand the gravity of the financial conundrums at AG. The next set of accounts will be interesting .. cup run will be worth around £500k [ all in ] and wage bill difference interesting will Kings wages be player or coach or mix? Accounts rarely tell the true story on the couple of times I employed a professional to do mine he made me less profitable so less tax but little extra in my pocket as he had his fee! I did learn things though!
     
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  15. realred1952

    realred1952 Well-Known Member

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    Hindsight RP ... IN LINE WITH THE "PLAN " .. buy in and improve.. use or sell was working to a degree. You have to look at the whole picture. EC: you buy ten items 3 you resell for a big profit, 3 you use and get your monies worth 4 you let go or get peanuts = at end of the day you hope you make a gain .... can be animal vegetable or mineral! it all works the same.
    OF COURSE has to be a level playing field! no sneaky things like covid intervening!.....
     
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  16. Redprintt

    Redprintt Well-Known Member

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    I don't like or dislike him.
    I detest nepotism.

    Oh no, here we go again.....
     
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  17. bcfcredandwhite

    bcfcredandwhite Well-Known Member

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    Oh dear - that’s the royal family out then…..
     
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  18. Redprintt

    Redprintt Well-Known Member

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    Off with their heads.
     
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  19. Supcon72

    Supcon72 Well-Known Member

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    nepotism
    /ˈnɛpətɪz(ə)m/
    noun
    1. the practice among those with power or influence of favouring relatives, friends, or associates, especially by giving them jobs.
      "he promised an end to corruption and nepotism"

      Similar:
      favouritism

      preferential treatment
      keeping it in the family
      the old boy network

      Tell me RP, how does this not apply to almost all football manager appointments, and certainly their staff.
     
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  20. Redprintt

    Redprintt Well-Known Member

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    Supcon

    Ffs - let it go.
     
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