I know that I am not the only person who has been impressed with Tettey over the last few weeks but I really feel he is the type of player we have been crying out for. I have seen several posts about how good our second 11 is now and I recognise why these comments have and are being made. The value and quality of our second string is so much higher than it would have been a couple of years ago. My concern though is that in the midfield we have a group of players who, in my opinion are too similar and cannot be played together. Within this group I would include Surman, Snodgrass, Butterfield, Howson (when not played far enough forwards), Fox. These players are naturally attacking players but I feel all lack pace and when played together. The introduction of Tettey yesterday was interesting as we herald him as a defensive midfielder which is true but the reason I think he will become vital to our midfield is his ability on occasion to pick the ball up and power past an opponent in the same was Bennett gets past players with pace. Without this sort of player or playing combinations of similar midfielders mentioned above I feel we are very predictable and quite simply pose little threat especially whilst playing with only one upfront. Its great that we have good players who form our second 11 - I just dont think that they should all be played together. Hopefully if Tettey continue to play like he has been then it might mean we look abroad again come january. I believe that Surman ect are all great footballers but it the physical elements that I feel they may lack which stops them becoming first team regulars.
he was a player i knew little about when we signed him but he has certainly impressed me immensely. his performances have not gone unnoticed by outside sources either. if he keeps playing the way he has been he won't be here for long - the big money offers will come in and he'll be off. hopefully we get the best out of him for as long as he's here, which hopefully will be a long while yet. it was never confirmed how much he cost but rumour has it it was less than £2m. that is startling value for money!
Good engine, enabling him to get forward quickly when not involved with defending. A 'de luxe' version of Dickson Etuhu springs to mind?
Yeah, I'd say that's a fair comparison. I've been really impressed with him so far, he wouldn't look out of place at a bigger club. Had he come into the team earlier, he'd definitely be my player of the season so far, but Bassong edges it right now.
I like that he isn't just stuck in one role. Too many times some of our midfield guys do as they are told rather than playing what they see. For instance, can you really say how many times Howson or Fox have got into the opposition box? But Tettey seems to take the initiative whatever the situation.
Totally agree. I think even wehn being deployed as a defensive midfielder the opportunity will arise to travel forwards with the ball. This can often be the best way to relieve some pressure and earn a freekick or put pressure on the opposition. I totally agree with the above comments but hopefully with him only just getting into the team bids in January may be spare and we can keep hold of him until the summer at least. It gives me confidence that bargains can be found in some of the foreign leagues. I would like to see more 'athletes' in our squad and I think Tettey is a prime example of the benefits.
What is startling is what it says about the stupid valuations currently attached to home-grown players. Villa's two stand-out signings, Vlaar and Bentecke, are other examples. Saints reputedly paid £7M for Jay Rodriguez; Bentecke reportedly cost the same. No question who got the better value IMO.
Tettey reminds me of the sort of player Arsenal used to find and is a good indication of what can be found if you spread the net a bit wider. When he came on I thought he ran the show last night and was one of our best players along with Bunn and Morison.
I also like the fact that he's not afraid of shooting from outside the area AND tends to be on target. We're starting to see more of it from Johnson too (powerful but usually minus accuracy) and maybe even Howson. Possibly something that the coaching staff have impressed on the midfield to do.
I don't think it is any surprise (to me anyway) our best signings have been those originating from abroad. Tettey, Garrido and Bassong. All pretty cheap and all have a definite class about them. I think they would come in most peoples top 5 players this season. If we had Lambert still here with those 3, I honestly beleive we'd be in the top 10.
I hadn't even heard of Alexander Tettey when he first signed for us, on his début against Doncaster I thought he bossed the midfield and he scored a screamer of a goal which left me hoping that it wasn't just because we were playing lower league opposition that he looked so good. Thankfully he seems to be not only that good but getting better every time he plays.
I had heard of him because I always look out for Rennes in the the French top tier as I have family near there. But it was literally I just knew his name and face, didn't really know how good a player he is. He definitely has bossed the midfield, agree with one of the above comments about his shooting too. Yesterday's goal might have been lucky but you have to shoot sometimes to get that luck. That's twice now that he hasn't scored from long range, but him shooting has led to a goal. Sometimes I feel we play it too much around the box and would love to see someone have a crack, Fox is most criminal of that. Although Nemo I disagree about Fox, Snodgrass, Butterfield, Howson and Surman being similar types of players. For example Fox's strength is spraying the ball from deep, Howson's is making attacking bursts into the box (when played in right position), Snodgrass is beating players... I think you get my point anyway. They have different strengths and weaknesses, they're not the similar at all in my opinion. Admittedly not seen anything of Butterfield yet mind.
Love the look of this guy, potentially a class act. Could be a very influential player for us on what we've seen so far. Here's hoping he's over the injuries that plagued him in Brittany.
I think we might have to all stop talking about him in case anyone hears of him and all pray we stay last on MOTD
I actually prefer Hughton to Lambert and think he has improved us no end. Ok, we has a shaky start but he was changing our philosophy. I honestly believe we have better players and having thought Hughton would be defensive minded, he's quite happy to go of it when required I.e Villa and Spurs. I actually think we will do better with Hughton than Lambert over the coming years.
Wouldn't be surprised to see Tettey giving Holt & Ruddy a run for player of the season come the end of the year. Bassong will be another key player for us over the season. Provided all 4 stay fit i think they will form the back bone of our team.
I'm curious as to how a club like Norwich has a scouting system that manages to unearth a Norwegian plying his trade in North-West France? But well done to Ewan Chester/Chris Hughton for doing just that
