Who's the weak link in our squad?

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who's the weak link in the squad

  • Krul

  • Simpson

  • S. Taylor

  • Coloccini

  • R. Taylor

  • Obertan

  • Cabaye

  • Tiote

  • Jonas

  • Best

  • Ba

Results are only viewable after voting.
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I voted Tiote. I don't know why. Suprised to see 2 others have done the same?!!

Anyway, I'd say, as already pointed out, our two main weak links are Raylor and Simpson, but both for different reasons. Raylor is not a left back, meaning he is often out of position or gets himself in a muddle when trying to clear with his right (e.g. on saturday). He's done OK, but he's been relying on Jonas a hell of a lot.

On the other hand I actually rate Simpson quite highly in terms of defending. He seems to be slowly but surely ironing out his problems in that side of things. Unfortunately, he just isn't anywhere near enough comfortable on the ball for the PL. Whenever he gets it he just panicks and plays a diagonal ball up the pitch to one of our strikers. A lot of our play breaks down because of this.
 
The Secret Ingredient said:
i actually thought on saturday that it would have been easier to hoof it with his right but he sort of got himself in a mess for some reason
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Looked to see where Richards was, saw he was making a run in behind, so turned to keep with him, just as the ball was passed (which he didnt see). when he looked again to see where the ball was it was right on top of him, had to continue turning to try and deal with it, got in a muddle and Richards picked his pocket.
 
Some things I'd like to point out.

Raylor has by no means been "fantastic" this season, hes had massive amounts of help from Gutierrez which makes him look less ****, hes been more than decent going forward but hes looked like, and has been dropping clangers for the majority of the season, luckily Colo and Gutierrez have been absolutely fantastic and have made up for the mistakes, I'd consider playing him RM and bringing Santon in at LB, however I do like Obertan and think hes improved recently so it would be a toughie.

Simpson is not a good player, hes not a terrible player or a Perch type player but hes not good. After years of first team experience he still hasn't grasped simple concepts such as not drifting inside and leaving a huge gap on the wing, closing down players, staying tight to your man and not backing off in or around the box. His distribution is the worst of the back 4 aswell, just normally hoofs it anywhere.
 
Raylor. Yes he's scored a couple goals and puts in a good free kick, but that doesn't make up for the number of times he gets beat in the air, requires cover, or lets players slip around him. Credit to him, he's made some key interceptions when covering up for others (I think I recall that happening a lot early against Everton), but every week there are obvious moments that he's playing out of position - and at some point that excuse ceases to be reasonable.

I've thought defensively Simpson has improved this season, is closing down players a little earlier, and has strayed out of position less. Ideally though he, like Raylor, will be cover rather than in the starting XI in the not too distant future.
 
Our team as a whole has played amazing all season. Most people have said Raylor, i think hes done a good job stepping in... Pardew knows more than us and clearly he thinks hes done well enough... But i would love for Santon to come in soon, I dont know if that should be against Man U because it could kill Raylors confidence and we could potentially lose a good LB (Pardew has said Raylor is a confidence player, dropping him would also drop his confidence and he may end up a fringe utility player again). But sooner or later i think it will be Santon and a new LB starting.
 
I'm With Colo said:
Raylor. Yes he's scored a couple goals and puts in a good free kick, but that doesn't make up for the number of times he gets beat in the air, requires cover, or lets players slip around him. Credit to him, he's made some key interceptions when covering up for others (I think I recall that happening a lot early against Everton), but every week there are obvious moments that he's playing out of position - and at some point that excuse ceases to be reasonable.

I've thought defensively Simpson has improved this season, is closing down players a little earlier, and has strayed out of position less. Ideally though he, like Raylor, will be cover rather than in the starting XI in the not too distant future.
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Agree with this and have voted for Raylor.
 
Please don't start the argument again or I'll just lock the thread - it's getting boring so lets just agree to disagree.

Anyway for me Ryan Taylor, he hasscored a few goals but for me his general play hasn't been that great.
 
NufcBano said:
At least Raylor offers a goal threat plus set pieces. Simpson does niether. He also just as incompetent in defence. But more annoyingly he loves giving the ball away for some reason. Get out.

Its a bout time Santon got a fair crack at the whip.
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Santon might fit in CM for 20 minutes.............( don't tell NufcBano I thought of this.).........Ha
 
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