Could it not be so he learns though? Take jan: much as I love the man his strength is not at set pieces. There were instances last year where he switched off and someone got in front of him. Same for caulker (although attacking SPs he seems like a god). Gallas and daws despite not being as proficient all round do have that positional awareness and experience. He's 21. Time and a slow introduction are sensible. Watch and train with jan to gain his ability and experience with the ball and defensively in open play where he's pretty much unrivalled bar the obvious few in the prem and then play with gallas or daws to learn positioning and the rough stuff that they are still good at.
Seems to be some foggy memories here re Caulker. SC played the Olympics so was given extra rest meaning he was less involved in the first month of games. Benny was injured and JV was playing LB, so he then got a run of games ALONGSIDE Gallas, through September and October, playing in the defeats at home to Chelsea and Wigan and the away loss to City, amongst other cup games, including the loss to Norwich. This cannot all be heaped on Gallas, Caulker was just as bad.
we should not be selling Caulker. Great prospect and still very young for a centre back. Big in the air, will score a few goals from set pieces (was unlucky not to have a hat-trick in one of our euro games). I can only guess he doesn't get on with AVB? Really strange, will be a spectacular buy for Cardiff if this is true.
That's why we're getting the guy who's name I can't spell. With reference to my previous comment, I was referring to a lack of playing time last year. Not what should happen this year. We had examples of different styles of CB last year - If he didn't learn enough to start say 30 games this year that'd be disappointing. Not as disappointing as his sale though...
Agree, it is very strange with the doubts over Kaboul's fitness - can only assume they are exaggerated despite him not being involved in preseason so far? We have Vertonghen (injury doubt), Kaboul (returning from long term injury) and Dawson if we sell?
Yeah, it was wrong of me to completely blame Gallas. I think I may have generalised a lot of Gallas' bad performances last year and put them into the Caulker bracket and exggerated it a bit to make my point. but i still believe there were times last season, particularly after christmas, where we could have seen more of Caulker when other players looked nakered. Vertonghen was overused at times last season and needed a break.
Cuckoo. This Steaua guy must be a done deal, but then he has no prem experience and is somewhat of a punt IMO. Maybe we have a top-class CB coming in too?
Him. His YouTube reel reminds me of a mix of thiago silva and luiz. But a cruyff turn in his box?! Ween that out of him. Immediately.
I know the deal isn't done yet, but several local journalist/bucharesti/romanian people have said what a great bit of business this is for spurs. He's apparently very good with the ball. The excitement around him seems a bit like it was with Vertonghen last season.
funny you should say Luiz, I was going to put that in my post above, but I thought it'd get loads of responses saying "Like Luiz ". I certainly wouldn't mind having a player like Luiz.
I know the ITK's on twitter mean nothing to most on here, and my god they are late with their ITK knowledge on caulker... but they are also suggesting that he's on his bike. Just further fuel to the fire, that's all.
Wasn't singling you out mate, well, no-one in particular really. I agree Gallas was poor after the OT win, in which he was a rock as I recall, I think he picked up an injury during that one, but still played on. Not sure he recovered fully from that, or more to the point was unable to due to us being short in defence, so was not 100% for the following games mentioned in my other post.
Moving aside from the sales dilemmas, So far I'd consider this a pretty solid window. Still dreaming of bobby though. And a lb if benny is off. Has there been any news on Swindon's new manager? Given most of our youth team is there...
late with their knowledge as it's only just appeared in news sources, anyone would think that's where they get their info from! be disappointed if caulker went as we need him and Carroll to be part of the 1st team, although caulker has to show a bit more urgency as at times he started to look a bit wooden.
28 million for a 28yr old who could be a flop, seems an odd one when you consider we could have signed that brazilian leandro for half the price at one point. 28 million is what utd paid for RVP, probably the same as what rooney would go for, hernandez would be cheaper and proven, hope this Bobby guy is a great buy if it happens but just seems odd for Levy to spend so big on a fairly old striker.
