The mood on the board is low, for a variety of understandable reasons, So let me start a fight : If we had a straight choice between keeping Townsend or Taarabt, who would you keep and why? Personally, in the real world I expect us to lose both. Townsend has been one of the few reasons to watch us in recent months, but I would keep Adel, who still has the potential to be a world beater.
Townsend has been impressive for us and one out of a few this season that has carried a goal threat. Quick, not afraid to take on his man, has a good shot etc. But these five months with us has been his most consistent so far in his career, not convinced he's right there yet. At the end of the day he is just another speedy tricky winger. Adel on the other hand, an enigma for sure yes, but he has that something special about him. Very consistent in our Championship winning season, extremely incosistent in the Premier League. Even though he has visited the deepest of the lows he has also played some of the best defenders in the league off the park. The thing though with Taarabt is he need to be managed right. Not all managers are willing to do that, Redknapp the latest. So under Arry I'm afraid we wont see the best from Adel. Even Sparkless found out in the end that Adel was key to us winning games, especially at home in the latter parts of last season. I like Townsend but I love Taarabt. So a non contest for me. Not sure though if it's the heart that rules the head, only time will tell.
Townsend hands down. If by some miracle we was to get promoted next season he is Prem quality, Adel not really up to it.
No question Taarabt is a talent with great ability but for me I'd have to say Townsend bacause: a) More consistent b) Don't have to setup the team around c) More of a team player & less like to stir things up in the dressing room.
I hope you don't mind me making a contribution and offering the "outside perspective". Mostly based on what I have seen of Townsend since you got him in January I would put him quite a bit ahead of Taarabt. In terms of individual skill he is not as good as Adel but may be as good in a few years. His pace is much quicker and creates huge problems when running down the flanks - He was easily the best outfield player on view in our game with you in February. He seems to have a really good attitude - all of the time.
Totally different types of player and if Harry is really going to get us straight back up he needs to bust a gut to have them both in the side and playing to the best of their abilities, look at how well we played with Adel and Routledge in the promotion year...
hahahahahahahaha...even an outsider can see it..... don't really need to bother with this one anymore. you bored stan ?!!
The way I feel this morning I must have been very well oiled when I wrote the OP! Still no harm done as long as we mind our manners. Now have to drive my daughter to Wolverhampton for a county hockey tournament, and will be in search of coffee and wi-fi in that godforsaken country.....
Taarabt.....although they are completely different players. Not getting drawn into that whole Adel debate again!!
You've been telling us for as long as I can remember that everyone else who is not a member of this Board agrees with you. I suppose it's about time you found one who would step up to the line and agree with you.
Townsend for me. Based on his overall contribution in defence and attack. Adel is a little too needy if things not going his way.
Stop it and open your eyes !! SB obviously lashed...he was the one who told me not to drink and post !
Good OP, Stan, to take us out of ourselves after the sad news last week. My answer is Townsend. He's more consistent, more reliable than Adel, if slightly less mercurial. Townsend will cut it in the Prem, I'm sure. Adel won't, unless he's used in the role of a specialist sub, employing his tricks in the penalty area against tired defender's legs.
Townsend, he is tricky, he has an engine, can really run at players....and he doesn't appear to have all those issues Adel seems to have But we won't keep either of them
Can't agree with you on that one Goldie. I think Taarabt will prove that he can be a top class player in a top class league. He's just too talented not to imo. Time will tell eh? As for Townsend,,,,,,apart from the odd wonder goal, I feel he needs to improve his end product hugely before he can be called a top class performer. Great attitude, speed and an awful lot of potential.
You could be right, Col and I'm interested in your view since you have played at a high level. If Adel can learn to under-complicate things (which 1 in 3 or 4 times in the Prem seemed to result in him losing possession) and restrict his tricks to the penalty box then perhaps he has a top level future. Such is the quality of the defending in the Prem that the clever stuff he was doing all over the field in the Championship doesn't come off . Agree with your comments on Townsend.
There's no doubt that Townsend has been pleasing on the eye and is not saddled with the baggage of playing as though he will be relegated at the end of the season. He won't. He always knew he would move on to keeping the bench warm at White Hart Lane or on to his next loan spell. But has he really been that special? He scored in consecutive matches some 10 matches ago but since then, has not had any real impact on our performances as the stats will show. In fact, he seems to have developed some faults in that a lot of his runs are pointless because he does not release the ball early enough or takes on one man too many. Sound familiar?
