Douglas.

Where did I say he consistently gives away free kicks? I said in most of his games his defensive displays are immense and he gets in TOTW a lot because of his performances, but at times in the past he's lashed out.

There again so have Coloccini and Jonas! Coloccini has elbowed a couple of players, Jonas has gone it wrecklessly at times and got himself sent off stupidly at Man Utd. Douglas' temper is not beyond control at all.

That time he "assaulted" the referee, it was because he got sent off for absolutely nothing when another player play acted, and he got frustrated and angry, and literally shoved the ref with his chest.

After he got sent off he did deck the player, but can you blame him? I don't condone it, but the little **** just got him sent off for **** all. I don't think you can call him a petulant player for acting the way he did here -

[video=youtube;9AwuazHJZC4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AwuazHJZC4&feature=related[/video]

 

Douglas was disgrace in that game. His behaviour was Joey Barton esque and he is fortunate they got hold of him so early. You can't go on like that on a football pitch. He has disciplinary problems, of that there is no doubt. 4 sendings off in 2 seasons is not great, particularly when one of them is unsavoury.

 

I love Tiote but you are saying this guy is more over-zealous than him. In central defence that is a recipe for disaster.

 

Perhaps Pardew can work his magic on him.

 

Douglas doesn't do it as frequently, and Pardew will obviously tell him that Tiote can get away with it in his position at times, but he can't do it at all.

However when Douglas does it, it's usually a bit more than just a clip around the ankles. He doesn't do and two footed tacklers or anything, but sometimes he'll truly clobber a player. Definite yellow card challenges.

It's definitely not as bad as I've made it seem. Definitely worth it.

 

Oh great, so he won't just give away free-kicks and penalties but he'll get himself sent off lots too! Sign him up Pards!

I hope you don't work in sales!

 

Get stuffed you sarcastic ****.

He makes some silly moves at times but he's still highly regarded for his defensive displays, and from what I've seen he's quality and well worth it.

As I said, he doesn't do it as frequently as Tiote, and he doesn't go in two footed or punch anyone or anything, he just likes once in a while to crash into someone, and he goes in for some risky 50-50's. However, he doesn't do silly things like hacking players down next to the penalty area or in the pen area. His stand tackling is very precise.

It's not too late for him to improve and if Carr thought it would be too much of a problem he'd not even bother mentioning him to Pardew, never mind having him near top of the list next to Jan Vertonghen!

 

The most shocking revelation on this thread is that Tash has seen our summer transfer list as prescribed by Carr. I thought we'd be a bit more secretive? Or am I just underestimating Tash's influence and the porn formation sessions him and Graham have been secretly enjoying?

Seriously lets not get to excited on Douglas, he might not even be a top target for all we know.

 

He is, I said so, therefore it is true as I am Tash. Bitches.

 

I'm hoping Saylor can have a Van Persie type season. Injured for many years, but comes back better than ever and stays fit.

 

All hail the mighty Tash!

 

If Tash is always right because he is Tash and MrTiote is always right because he is MrTiote then what does that mean when they disagree?

On topic, I'm not 100% sure on Douglas. Looks a great player but if Pardew can't work his magic on him then he could be an expensive spectator for half the season.

His handling of HBA gives hope though, look what a team player he has become!

 

Does not compute

 

I don't think we can be too surprised by the attitude of modern footballers - they are currently riding the crest of a financial wave. The best players can basically pick which league they want to play in and their agent does the rest.

I think we're kidding ourselves if we look for genuine passion for a club from foreign players - why would they go anywhere else than the club that will fill their pockets the most?

Once they arrive, it's all lip service to keep their stay sweet until the agent can manufacture another lucrative move for them.