This may run counter to the general concensus about our Mexica left back, but since January I think he's been good for us. I'd written him off by December, but since then the accumulation of many solid performanced has skewed my thinking about him. Saturday, I thought he and Sidwell were our top performers, and taking his contributions as a whole and comparing him to Konchesky, I think he's making a case for remaining in the team after the summer. Pulling out the old balance sheet, Konchesky is/was [*]Faster [*]Better defender, particularly in the air But I'd argue that Salcido is a better tackler (perhaps best on the team next to Etuhu) passer by miles on the ball getting forward shot/cross Watch him next Saturday against Bolton. There's nothing spectacular about him, but look for the dozen or so little contributions he makes.
I agree that he's improved since his string of errors, and while he did look impressive against Wolves, another mistake and we will all be on his back again. Maybe Briggs's return to fitness has sparked a fire up under his a$$?
As an experienced international for Mexico there's no reason why he shouldn't be quality in the prem, it's just the evidence of our own eyes at his performances. He has been better lately so I hope this continues. He is very one-paced and too attack minded, and the latter will work in some games (as Blackpool & Wolves) but be a downfall in others.
Had we had Zamora on the field from the start I think we would be saying Salcido's crosses were big instigators in goals we scored. Dempsey has been in a horrible run of form recently. At half time against Wolves we were starting to get a bit annoyed at him. He was a bit better in the 2nd half but not the old Dempsey. You have to remember with Salcido is that this is his first time in such a highly competitive league, Holland doesn't pose as many problems. He needed time to adjust. I think he is getting better and better. He made some very important tackles during the game. Like Zamora I think he can go on to be a fans favourite.
To be honest I always felt Salcido was a good player. However we kept trying to play the same way we did with Konchesky and kept asking Salcido to cross with his left foot. His confidence seemed to disappear at the end of the year and he just wasn't the same. I'm optimistic that he can be good for us next year though. Once JP is gone, we're going to need a full back who can attack (Baird is a very solid player, but his attacking play is not his strength!)
I'm still reserving judgement on this. He's had some awful games that I can't fofget too easily and been the obvious our weak link. I will say he occasionally put in some fantastic crosses in and his form in the last few games have been "good" If he becomes a fans favourite I will be amazed. I can't knock him at the moment though !
