http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/spor...ot_giving_up_on_his_world_cup_dream_1_3205245 It's obviously been a tough season so far, but I hope this might drive him to the next level in the second half of the season. Would be great to see him at the World Cup and if he can return to last season' storm I'd say he will deserve it.
Me too Rob, but he needs to rediscover it quickly, because for me, he´s been this season´s biggest disappointment, and that´s why the defence has looked very leaky at times.
Watching him at the last few games live, he is a different character on the pitch, he is not exuded confidence at all, rather the opposite, it is as there are additonal concerns (through being captain) that are capturing his attention and in turn he seems less focused on his central defensive role and has taken on a much more organisational role. I'm not sure what I am saying but last season he just did it and now he spends too much time thinking, at least thats how it appears to me
There was a lot of infighting, finger pointing and remonstrations on the pitch during the Everton match from City players. Any captain worth his salt would have been on their case immediately and calmed things down. Maybe the POTS award is a poisoned chalice, I mean look how comparatively poor Seb is this year compared to last. Unless his displays increase ten fold, any talk of the world cup is surely delusional?
I think assigning him the role of Captain had a negative affect on his performance, too much pressure and distraction maybe. Someone up front should be given the role leaving him to concentrate on getting his form back.
But Bassong contributed to the infighting, and certainly didn't help to foster a collective mentality
If he's being serious, he really needs to step his game up. He's suffering a serious case of the second season syndrome.
But harsh. On form he is a high quality CB - good enough for a Europa League level team and Cameroon are hardly full of world beaters, so I see no reason why he shouldn't go if his form picks up (admittedly a lot)
Can you imagine brazil coming up against bassong the way he is playing at the moment? I personally thought Turner was bailing him out a lot until his injury, his last ditch defending is absolutely superb.
For me Turner has been our best defender this season, though Olsson has also been very good. Turner's ability to cut out attacks early on AND put in the last ditch tackles has been really impressive. More than a few times, when a player is advancing towards our goal, he'll be out there with a crunching tackle and then lay it into the midfield. That's exactly what you want from your CB and I think the issue with Bennett and Bassong is they both drop off. Turner is the only one that goes to cut out the danger early.
The guy obviously isnt a leader in any way shape or form, someone else needs to get captaincy before its to late..
Strange, because a lot of the time this season he has looked as if he doesn't care, but clearly from that statement about the WC, he does care a lot. I guess that shows how the look of a player can mislead in terms of what is really going on inside their head.
I call it the Hughton affect, he is a great player still it's just that CH has drained all the talent and confidence out of him like he's done with so many other of our squad. Imagine playing and watching that dire football week after week, I don't think I would be at my best either, a new manager would get him back on form in no time at all.
