Catts isn't a creator mate, but as I say, that's not what a holding player is for. Barry, I'd agree wholeheartedly was excellent last season, but we're comparing to Colback rather than Barry. I think Catts will be amongst the goals this year in Gus system too, that will strengthen his case, I guess we let the season bed in then revisit this one
That's where we disagree then, I think an intelligent holding mid should be a creator. A creative player who can nullify attacking threats from the oppo will always get the nod over a defensive mid, that's why there's becoming fewer and fewer of them at the top level, which is why I think Cattermole stands out, he's an old fashioned tackling midfielder.
I don`t see what the fuss is about Colback playing for England. He`s a decent player, not a `stand out set the world alight` type so should fit in well with rest of them.
From the outside looking in, this last year I've read ****loads of posts referring to English players getting a call up based on what club they play for.. Prime example being now passback.. Now instead of me going down the negative trait, in catts we have a Leader! That first goal of the season was a sign of new times to come catts was a bees dick away from being sold to Stoke in jan, cheers ES and cheers again for ice bucket challenge! You obviously have a solid pair of nuts unlike pardew & his nuns... Whether or not catts, aj, or rodwell get called upto the team or not doesn't affect me whatsoever... Gus has his style of play, his calmness of the club and players and most of all his philosophy on football which is most dear to me cause I can feel it here down under!
Yeah, we will disagree here. Makelele os often held up as the best ever, he patrolled a 30 yard area in front of the back line and gave it simple to the channels, or to Frank or whoever ahead of him, 'holding' as in 'holding the shape of the team', they used to call them anchormen before the game went all arsey. Hos job is to protect and distribute, or to win ball, or to organize. He does all of these things immaculately, as well as being a natural leader on the park.
The classic 'anchor' is fast becoming obsolete though in my opinion, the 'insurance policy' player left in to break up play is being outed from the team by your Xabi Alonso type players who can contribute further up the pitch but predominantly they can 'sit in' and allow for other midfielders/attackers to move. I think Colback is part of the latter group, his strength doesn't lay in tackling by the look of him, and he seems to be able to shift the ball intelligently, albeit not too confidently, as exposed by his tendency to pass the ball backwards quite often as well. Cattermole's reputation as the old fashioned DM, from his shorts up stance to his pitbull chasing is all I've got to go on, I've seen a fair bit of you lot and I can't say I've noticed his distribution being all that great, unless he's camera shy.
We've got a couple Sky games due mate, have a good watch of him, or, come up I'll get you a ticket, and whoever is wrong buys the baltis (you...). The way he wears his shorts, worryingly, is likely how Hodgson selects our national team...
Exactly. apparently Woy says he (was told) Colback played well last year. yes Woy, he did - that was for us, but he was inferior to Catts all season long...and continues to be. It's the weakest England squad I've ever seen. The sooner that sackless yes man gets the boot the better.
When I read that the first time I read "Bath Salts" I'll watch both games mate for sure... I don't think he's a **** passer by the way, it's more than just the pass, it's the pass he picks. He done a nice little turn or two against us last week I noticed mind.
My question to all SAFC fans out there, does colback's selection make you despise the England team even more?
Ha, Me and my pals who I go to the game with 'weeeeeey' every Cruyffy mate, he does about 30 a game, loves it. Keeps it tight as well, never seen him lose one yet, in 4-5 years! Hidden depths has Catts
I could never despise a team representing the country of my birth. I am just eternally disappointed in it.
Despise is too strong a word, but I think it is a team of yes-men, for the No1 yes-man and I'm beyond caring. I'm not surprised Stoke fans are up in arms about Shawcross. He's the natural step-up from Terry as the 'balls and all' centre-half. Jags and Cahill are too similar and there's nee ****er else to play there. As for midfield, there is just no steel or leadership in there: Colback, Milner, Henderson, Wilshere, Townsend (Barkley, Carrick, Lallana); I wouldn't count the Ox and Sterling as midfielders, they're attacking wingers. As long as the midfield and defence stays like that, we'll get torn a new one each time we turn out. ****ers.
Yeah, not cos it's Colback per se, as I've said, he's probably close to most of the options, more that he's even a consideration, it shows how far off we are.
The fact that woy rocked up to watch aj against hull last season & now the ginge is in speaks volumes!
Like that kid you meet on Fifa online who can only do the Zidane Pirouette, then comes a cropper when he tries the rainbow flick and the ball hits the players arse every time.
He's been recording Ronaldo's training ground tricks, should be fun when he's 1-on-1 with the oppo 'keeper and he goes for the Rabona.
