Naughton's actually done alright in his last couple of games at right-back. Lennon seems to play better with him, as Walker tends to cramp the space that he likes to exploit. The same was true of Corluka with us and Glen Johnson for England. Naughton's cross to Adebayor for the opening goal against Palace showed what can happen if defenders double up on Lennon. If our fullback drops deep then he'll have all day to pick out a pass. It's not something Walker likes to do. Any news on Walker's injury, by the way?
Lol... Cause desire alone is going to get us a CL slot! Still, it looks like mine and SOS' mate Chris has survived the potential cull!
The thing with Capoue wanting to leave as it's a World Cup year: Yeah I get it but isn't it generally the case at most top clubs that, when everyone's fit, there will be plenty of internationals for World Cup teams on the bench or out the squad? Never mind the Chelseas or Man Citys of this world - just look at our team: Of our 4 main CBs 3 play for teams at this WC and it could easily have been all 4 (Romania lost in the play-offs). In midfield we have Dembele, Capoue, Sandro, Paulinho, Lennon, Chadli, Lamela, Holtby, Townsend - that's 9 midfielders with at least a reasonable hope of playing in the WC. And it could have been 10 since Denmark came 2nd in their group and only didn't get a play-off cos they were the weakest 2nd team in the groups. Then up front we have Soldado and Defoe (for now), both of which seem to be behind Adebayor. Point is that I assume Spurs are not that special in this regard - there must be loads of 2nd, 3rd choice players at all the top Prem teams who could be hoping for a WC place. I know he's not even getting on the bench right now but personally I would like to show Capoue what the squad depth is at any top club nowadays, show him the stats for how often we can expect Sandro and Paulinho and Dembele to be fit and tell him that, as HBIC has said, he really is the only like-for-like replacement for Sandro. Take him AND Sandro out of the equation and our midfield looks a bit short of grit when we will be needing that over the second half of the season from time to time. Sorry, but remember that contract you signed six months ago, Etienne? Unless there is some real clash between Sherwood and Capoue I really think he should be sat down with and told that he's performed well so far, that all top squads are big and that there are many besides him that have to wait their turn. (JD's done it for years, got 50-odd caps, gone to a WC, is a club hero and is now earned a huge contract at 31). I'd say "Sorry but we don't want to sell you. It is very, very likely that you will get game time - play in those games as you did earlier this season then you'll have nothing to worry about".
No not alone but if you don't show the right application and desire then you won't get picked regardless of ability and that's a fair '' rule ' to have. Anyway he's shown that players with ability and a will to improve their attitude, like Ade, will get picked
On the gossip column this morning,Levy has stooped the selling of Holtby,as he doesn't want to help the goons land Draxler we as suppossed to be after Juve's Fabio Quaguarella 30, to replace JD,and Porto's Steven Defor 25,will not sign for Villa yet as he is waiting for us to sign him,make what you will of all that.
And so he bloody should! We've already got Factitious strengthening our rivals, so we shouldn't be joining in!
It's only speculation, I know, but we're being linked to Forest's Karl Darlow. Anyone know anything about him? Good signing? We're definitely going to need at least one new keeper, if not now then in the summer
It's clear to see we know our stuff mate, we know a good player when we see one. Spurs should be contacting us for more potential targets, better yet, bloody hire us! As for Naughton, when played at RB he's usually been pretty good. His past two appearances, the 90 against Stoke and half against Palace, he actually played very well. I've said in the past that I'd refuse to comment/ criticise Naughton while out of position and so now he's playing at RB, it's a fair thing to say that he's an OK dare I say good option should Walker be out. He's never moaned about lack of game time either so while he's performing ok when given chances, I'm happy to have him here.
Chadli's agent has pulled a massive u-turn in the last 24 hours, now saying that his client's happy to stay. Pillock. Am I Manager In The Autumn? Seems to tick various Levy boxes, but I don't really know anything about him. Forest fans don't seem to be very happy at the prospect of losing him though, browsing about. Good sign? Where's SC when you need him?
There are currently 3 potential goalkeeping targets from the Football League who we're monitoring closely. Two currently play in the Championship and the other plays in League Two and has the same name as a former player of ours who was released last summer.
I am pleased he is doing well, he's a decent keeper for most of the time. It will be interesting to see how he fares in the top of the table games against the likes of Orient and Wolves, because he gets very tense in the bigger games.
Fair enough, I couldn't remember whether he was one you didn't rate at all, or whether it was just Alnwick. A friend was saying when Rosler left that he expected them to be midtable as they had a tough run of games so they've done exceptionally well to get to the top. Trotta seems to be making up for missing the penalty in the final league match last season.
