Curtis is as Good as Willo

Wore the captains armband last night for the reserves vs Mackems and it was easy to see why. He totally dominated an in form Whickham, the England U21 goalscorer hardly had a sniff and was restricted, for the most part, to speculative, long range efforts.

Good was very calm and comfortable with the ball at his feet and showed a real desire to be on the ball in more advanced areas too. He beat Whickham to pretty much everything in the air and showed good pace and quick feet to thwart the pace of Roarie Deacon.

I know it was only a reserve game but Good was head and shoulders above anyone on the pitch and would benefit from first team action. He certainly can't be any worse than Williamson, not that the big man has been terrible this season but still.

Get the Aussie in the last Europa game, hopefully that match won't matter to see how he handles it and start blooding him now!!

 

I can only imagine that his age and inexperience is the reason he hasn't been given a chance yet. With Pardew complaining of being short at the back and the lack of cover, it makes no sense at all. I've been saying this for weeks now and I must have said it a hundred times after Saturday.

I sometimes wish Pardew would read forums. Having said that, he watches them train every day and I don't.

 

I know he's ''young for a centre half'' but his mentality is beyond his years. You don't stop being comfortable on the ball just because you step up a a level. (See Bigirimana)

Alongside Taylor or Coloccini he will learn fast. He can't do any worse than Willamson. Putting him in meaningless games won't do any harm (i.e. FA Cup 3rd/4th round (draw dependant) and last group game in Europe))

 

Totally agree, and by the way I think despite his age, we are wrong to not have played him yet.

If Tav can get in the team, Bigi, Fergie an Sammy, even Obertan- then surely Good can get in with the problems we have at the back?

I would really love to see him get a game on Thursday. Don't think I've had the chance to see anything of him at all yet

 

That is nice to hear. I'd like to see him given a go. I'd even play Tav ahead of Willo. I don't want to be too harsh on him but I think he handicaps us and certainly makes us go longer.