James Tavernier - Looks like a very promising player

I think he'd be perfect to cover Coloccini at CB.

He doesn't really look like a strong, Saylor like CB, he's not got an immense physical presence, but he's got good reactions, reads the game well, is quite quick, and has a good pair of feet.

He could cover fullback and CB positions. I know it was only a friendly, but Fenebache looked threatening and full of juice.

I would never pair Tav and Colo in a premier league game together, they're too similar IMO.

I'd perhaps pair him with Saylor though.

I wasn't convinced with Tav before yesterday. He looked promising before, but looked like he had a while to go. He looks like he's not too far off maybe challenging in the first team.

I'd like to see him get games in the cup and maybe early Europa League.

 

So Tav is like Saylor, but too similar to Colo to play together?

I agree, he looks a decent player, but I think it's taken him a bit longer to come through and establish his potential than I thought it would. Still would prefer us to get a good CB in the window!

 

I'd be fairly happy for him to be our 4th/5th choice CB and 3rd choice RB, lots of pace and quite nimble too. His lack of strength is a concern but as you point out, that would be balanced by Taylor/Willo.

So if Biggy is mini-Tiote, Tav is mini-Colo, he just needs to work on his curls.

 

I said he doesn't look like a strong, Saylor like CB....

 

Ok, my mistake, whore!

 

Prick

 

Fight, fight!

 

I just think he's a bit too short to be able to put up much of a fight against most strikers. They're gonna have 3 inches or more on him and he'd have to have exceptional defensive qualities to be able to overcome that. Last season at Norwich we were done over because we had no height in defence - And Tavernier doesn't really help that. We need to bring in another CB.

 

Height really doesn't mean that much if you have the right instinct. Cisse isn't very strong and he's 6ft 0, he doesn't beat CB's in the air, but he positions himself well, poaches chances and scores.

Remy is a great header of the ball. No he's not gonna be winning them in the air from goal kicks, but he's accurate when heading on goal.

It's not as if any of our current strikers are different, none of them really win much against good CB's.

 

I always saw him as a RB who could cover CB as a last resort, but it seems they've groomed him into a CB

 

Agree - Pards seems keen to try him at CB. Perhaps he knows something abut the RB position <cough> Debuchy <cough>

Anyway, glad to see you posting. Was worried yu'd gone walkies. Have some rep.

 

Watched him last season tear up League One, really impressed too. Pleased he signed a new deal!!

 

Away for 3 weeks kayaking in Scotland and then on hols in France.

Hope youre right about Debuchy!

 

Sheffield Wednesday were using him as a RM last season thats why he got recalled and farmed out to MK Dons

 

I'm always a touch reticent to comment on potential until I've seen them play 10+ games in the top flight. When we came up from the Championship i was certain Ranger was going to establish himself as a first team player (on the back of some very good performances in the Championship where he only needed to improve his finishing/composure). Then he seemed to go out of his way to blow his future away (he showed glimpses of his ability, like against Arsenal in the 4-4, but didn't apply himself).

Even when they get to the point Tav is at its still only a small percentage who come through and establish themselves.

 

Good post.

Luckily we seem to have a few decent youngsters coming through now, so I'm seriously hoping some of them make it - for us of course.