Another piece of good news! Really impressed me in the second half of last season - but must be a left mid not left back!
I'm really pleased with this news. A new maturity and change in attitude was evident last season. My only concern is how injury probe he is. As with Hoilett, he always appears to be one sprint away from a pulled hamstring. Hopefully they will both move on from their injury issues next season.
I think with Traore it was mentioned last season that is was more of a psychological thing with him - if he felt any slight muscle injury he would pull out of games far to easily, when it wasn't necessary. I think that has been sorted out now.
Time for him to step up Has plenty of pace, a terrific build for a footballer and he needs to have an impact in the Prem He needs to have the confidence to take on the full backs and get those crosses in. Big year for him
Im a big fan and i think he can become another one in our line of good left sided players... Great news for me IMHO. Him and Yun together can cover each other and both have youth and pace. MASSIVE POSITIVE IMHO
Has all the attributes, just needs to start using them all at the same time. When I saw him last year he looked like he could do well but often had a poor touch and lost the ball. The left hand side is looking decidedly young and pacey...when was the last time that happened?? Lets hope they can stay fit.
I think you're right Judo. Didn't he mention something about reading some book which made him re-think his attitude? Wasn't it something about knowing your monkey or something similar? I think he is an asset when he's aggressive and focused.
Good cover for LW and LB. His attitude improved a lot last season. He knows he needs to buckle down. One more LW and that both wings sorted. Hoilett, Traore, Philips and one other will be good for a team in our position. How about Townsend?
I think its more to do with his partner in crime not being there. If he comes back, Traore could revert to his old ways or he could have a good influence over taarabt.
Its call The Chimp Paradox - I am currently reading it after I heard him and Barton (who recommended it to Traore) and it is not simply a case of reading it like a novel. It is a self help mind management book, that is written in a very simplified way (I don't mean simplified so that thick people are able to read it) that enables us to understand the way the different parts of our brain interact and what causes us to react in the way we do and how we can work on it ourselves to change this default behavior for the better. From a footballing point of view I think he does offer us something different from Hoilett and Phillips in that he will not just run at defences until he loses the ball somewhere around the D, he will get past fullbacks, be it not that elegantly some times, and will swing a half decent cross in for Charlie to get his nugget on to. Glad he has resigned and I hope he continues to improve and be a pivotal member of the first team squad.
I agree totally. I was underwhelmed at Clinton Hill signing up again; but I'm more content with this news. I think we will see him develop best at left midfield; and would focus his training on his close control, specifically his first touch when bombing down the wing.
Good news. He seems to have improved a lot especially defensively, his concentration seems better. I think he is a better option at LB - I don't think his close ball control is good enough in the more crowded midfield, even wide midfield. He is more effective from the back position where there is usualy more space and he can use his good pace and crossing foot to better effect. He is good in the air too, ideal for LB. With Yun, and Clint also able to play there if the opposition aren't quick out wide, that covers us in the LB position, plus both LB's can play further forward.
Much improved towards the end of last season. If he continues in the same manner this year, he could be a massive boost for us.
