Before we get into this... I know the playoff final is over, yes we won, no I'm not hating on Tate, yes he's been a great servant to the club, no i'm not saying we should sell him. With that said, I was in a very interesting debate with a friend the other day about how Alan Tate coped (or didn't cope) with Jimmy Kebe running at him at Wembley. I was of the opinion that Tate simply couldn't handle him... Kebe had him running backwards for 90% of the match and in my opinion made Tate look very out of his depth. My friend however was saying that he felt it was the best way to deal with it, and knew exactly what he was doing by backing off and waiting for cover. There's no doubt that Tate had a big impact on the game, even making the passes that lead to penalties! I just feel personally that Tate looked out of his depth. What do you guys think?
Tate's approach is his best approach given his lack of matching pace. Kebe never really skinned him because Tate was backing up so much; at one point I thought he was going end up in the stands. Will it work against Bale, Lennon et al., quite frankly I don't think so, they are much sharper of the mark from a dead stop and changing direction and that's what's going to be difference. If Bale can make Inter's world-class full-back look like swiss cheese he's going to do the same to Tate regardless of what Tate does bar yanking his shorts down as he goes past. But, in reality it's all moot because Taylor will be starting at left back - we just have to pray he stays healthy.
What saves me from despair is if you analyse how Rangel successfully managed Bellamy last year, given how Bellamy was ripping EPL side backs to shreds the season before. Tate, in fairness, will only be used as a replacement for Taylor or Rangel and I think that they both have the pace to stay with most EPL wingers.
Kebe never skinned Tate because he didn't need to! Tate was giving Kebe so much space that he could put a cross in without even being troubled by Tate
Another constructive post from our Aussie friend. Top work that man. Tate backed off all game, and I'd agree it was the best tactic for him to employ. At least that way he could usher Kebe to the corner, as opposed to "letting him in" to the box which would have been even more dangerous... having said that it still highlighted a lack of pace, and, perhaps, top level quality. As has been mentioned, I really don't see Tate starting any games at LB this year (unless in an emergency), which I am glad for.
I think I'm with JamieT here. I love Tate, but he'll be needed in a more supporting role this year. Kebe was invited into good positions and given space to cross from them because Tate just couldn't handle him. I agree he had to employ tactics to make up for his lack of pace, but backing off so far left Kebe in some great positions. For me Tate v Kebe is the same as Bruno v Tyson. You know who we all wanted to win it, but it was only ever gonna go one way.
I know Tates been a loyal servant for our club and all that but ive never been a fan of his since day one. When he had a few good games they really stood out because of all his average to poor games imo, he will stay as back up because he came up through the leagues with us but iff we stay up it will be tata tate. Does any one know stats for player who gave away most free kicks and pens whilst a swans player by the way ?
Because of his versatility Tate will probably spend most of the season on the bench - but when he comes on (or plays from the start) he will as always give 100%. Time will tell if that will be good enough at this new, higher level.
Can see the argument about the playoff final and Tate. Never thought of it that way before. I just thought that Tate was obviously having real trouble handling a tricky winger who did him for pace. Silly me. Still, Tate had a good final to be fair and has now done his work for us. Great servant and all that. But he should never start a game for us here on in if it can be avoided. Real quality wingers (and I don't mean the likes of Kebe) will shred him, and we will suffer.
I don't recall Kebe setting up any real chances, Tate simply stood off, avoided diving in to make any rash challenges, showed him the outside and just waits for support. Reading were way too over reliant on Kebe and probably gave him too much of the ball and Tate just coped with his threat. He wouldn't be able to employ these tactics against some of the class acts in the Premier League but then again like everyone is saying he's going to be back up to Taylor. I can't criticise Tate after all he intercepted a pass from the Reading centre half ran forward even beating a couple of players before rolling the ball into Borini which lead to the foul for our second penalty which was bigger than any contribution Kebbe made to the game. That makes Tate the winner for me
Tate shouldn't need the support that's the thing, if it had been Neil Taylor, Joey Allen wouldn't have had to come across, but throughout the game Allen was forced to go to the left back position because Tate wasn't doing anything.
fans run tate down at every possibility, try forecasting on the good points for a change as he has many and has won MOM on a few occasions, he is being used as the fall guy by some and he dont deserve it, he gives 100% every game and all defenders are bound to make mistakes at some point..get off his back as he is a credit to the swans..
He attacked well against Reading and played his part in the 2 penalties, but he wasn't great at defending, and he's a defender. Yeah, he does give 100%, but so does Craig Beattie but he still gets ripped into, because he gives 100% doesn't mean he is going to be good enough for the Premiership. Tates been good, but not good enough for the Prem.
I think we'd have to wait and reserve judgement on that Jamie. To write a player off pre-season is quite harsh considering none of us have ever seen him play in the Premiership. Everydone deserves a chance, if they clearly aren't up to it then so be it, but this group of players got us here, so they should all have the opportunity to wear the Swans shirt with pride in the Premiership.
agree scottswan..none of us know if any of our players are good enough for the premiership. i would say lets see if tate and the rest are good enough, you have to remember that we are the minnows in the premiership and we wont get these super defenders to join a club like ours. we can only attract defenders that fit into our wage bracket and these players would not be of interest to the big boys......lets get behind players like tate and monk instead of rubbishing them at every opportunity.
as is your comment Scott, if Tate plays this season the Swans are straight back down, too slow, give him a backroom role
Maybe my comment wasn't constructive, but I've seen Tate play a hell of a lot more times than you have in fairness, and I'm still willing to reserve judgement until next season when he's had a go. As a squad player he'll be important cover next season. Edit: Unless my memory is failing me, and it was someone else who said they'd never seen the Swans play.
Tate has been a great player but i dont think he will play too much this season if we have a fully fit side. As for the Reading game im not sure whether it was the fact he was scared, for lack of a better word, of getting skinned and Reading getting behind us OR complete genius. I remember a game or two last season (via highlights only mind you) where Kebe would use all that speed, then either from being too quick/lack of composure (i dont know) manage to cock it up and either deliver a poor ball or take on etouch too many. Could have been Rodgers/Tates game plan to deal with him. I suspect not but we will never know.
