Bollocks mate, many, many times I have criticised Catts when he's deserved it. He does have flashes in him, but the reputation that he's always at it and is some sort of thug is utter bullshit. Players like Jedinak, N'Zonzi, Henry are all filth compared to Catts, and you know what, they are all decent, valuable footballers to their teams as well. Tell me, what exactly is 'England quality'. An absolute lack of any passion, interest and ideas, and a pre-determined acceptance of failure? I'll keep Catts, ta.
I'm not really using it in the context of a stat though, as a yellow card isn't a "stat", it's a tangible punishment that affects a players performance and the opposition's approach for the rest of the game.
And to be fair, I agree with nearly all that post, he just has too many of his moments. If he was a higher quality player, you could put it down to taking the rough with the smooth but he's just not good enough to make taking a punt on him worthwhile. And regardless of whether you are right or not, he will always have the reputation as a dirty player and that's his own fault, and will always hold him back. I also don't see Jedinak, N'Zonzi or Henry getting many praises sung about them, they are crap too haha.
I fact when you look at the list there are a canny few ex safc players on the list, must be something sorely wrong at the club eh? We must breed filth into them. Or in catts case a pre-determined opinion or reputation, a bit like calling 50-100 daft ultras at palace droning on to a drum 'one of the best atmospheres in the league" etc
Point on those 3, people say they are 'crap' but you ask any fan of their teams would they rather have them in or out, you know what the answer would be. In the none eye catching, do a job world of the DM, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and only those who watch every week see the graft, the effort and the results involved. We are a weaker side every time Catts is missing, and that is all there is to it in simplicity. You have Tiote, he's so **** he doesn't get booked anymore cos he misses his man! Ha. I'm happy for other clubs to not rate the lad, cos the second one of them actually looks, we might lose him.
No one will ever agree on Cattermole because most people hate him but most Sunderland fans have a strange undying love for him. But either way, do you realise his reputation is of his own making and will never change, so that's baggage that will always come with him whether fair or not?
Because as English lads, we all put insane amounts of value into people who will run their knackers off every game and absolutely go through an opponent with a meaty challenge. Gets us off our seats. Plenty of clubs do fine without that holding midfielder, instead putting 2 quality "normal" CM's in there.
I can only partially agree, all of the really top teams have a naughty bastard or 2 in their side. Even Barca, biggest bunch of fannies going, have Busquets, he's filth at times. Real have a bunch of lairy lads, Pepe, Ramos, Sami, Marcelo.
True but that's the highest level, below that you can replace an anchor for someone a bit more tippy tappy and creative without losing too much imo. Arsenal have proved that those really top teams do need the tenacious CDM. I'm as guilty as anyone mind, I love Tiote, Janmaat, love seeing a filthy game off football, love someone who goes out to reduce opponents. But I accept that I overrate these players
Seriously mate, try watching him play. You might want to listen to the people who watch him every game. Here's the stats that matter to a DM compared with his rivals for a squad place. Maybe you'll realise the ****e you're swilling on this thread is just plain daft. You sir are combining how unfashionable he is with his reputation which is tantamount to blind ignorance. Watch him play ffs because you clearly haven't seen much of him recently please log in to view this image BOOM
That's about 3 mackems who have been abusive on this thread all because someone has criticised Lee Cattermole. Thankyou lads for proving my point about this weird love affair. You must have some app or something because you always churn out these stats, fair play and they are interesting but stats really aren't worth the paper they're printed on, truly they aren't.
He's clearly hitting a late burst in his development, because all that fire, work rate and passion he's always have is now being complemented by much better footballing brain. Anyone who thinks he's ****e, isn't watching him. 1 bad game in ten and about 6 or 7 where he's been out of his world, i'd say yesterday and QPR were the ones where he's been average
