Cheik Tiote - Becoming top class

He's always been great, but I've noticed major improvements in him over the last 6 months. He still gets frustrated at times, and will probably still get his fair share of bookings.

But he's not just that berserker at the back anymore, he's not just a destroyer.

He's reading the game much better now. His tackling and marking have always been good, and are still improving, but his interceptions and his decision making are a lot better.

Plus his composure has improved. The shot he took that lead to the goal, a younger Cheik would have just blasted that first time, he instead fake shotted, touched the ball round the player in front of him, then shot. An earlier Cheik's shot would have just smashed back off the player, todays Cheik is cleverer with his feet and more composed. I know it was Ben Arfa's skilled that lead to the pen, but he plays his part in the set plays, routuines and build up play that lead to the goals, a lot more.

Howay Tiote lad!

 

Agreed...I always felt we showed a bit too much homerism at times in the past, when he didn't do so well.. But I have to say, he is really starting to look like the real deal.. I believe it has to do with adapting to the pace of the game, this being his 3rd season, he should be much more comfortable with the pace now, and know when to harass more and when not to.

I really hope we reject all bids for him, I want to see how much better he can become for us.

 

I think he has been top class since arriving but he is slowly improving. Being brutally honest, the Spurs game was not the best example of this as aspects of his game were well below par. I think its a sign of how good a player he is, that even when he has an average to poor game, he is still very very effective.

I could not believe how bad his passing was on Saturday, I've never seen him surrender so much possession! I don't think it helped him to have a half fit Cabaye after only 20 mins of pre season. It meant it limited his options as Cabaye struggled to get in and around him. But I can't blame all of Cheiks poor passing on that. He was misplacing 5 yard balls and at one stage with several simple passes on, he booted the ball 40 yards into the sky and put us under pressure. It was bizarre and not a true representation of his passing talents. With his shooting its pretty poor and still needs to get more selective. He must have hit 4 sky high awful shots. Ever since the Arsenal game he gets "shoot" from the crowd. Its just not funny anymore and it can't be helpful to him.

The great thing is though that his defensive work against a very good Spurs side was top quality. The way he breaks down play is unrivalled in the PL for me. Yes Toure is a better player but Cheik is the better at disrupting the opposition. He covered every blade of grass again and you can see the fear in the opposition. And it is fear, because they know he is fair but he's no holds barred.

I think you have to listen to Pardew too. He reckons he is even better again and once he gets his passing back up to his normal level (top class) and has Cabaye fit and functioning alongside, I think he could take us far this year. I watched Man U last night, their midfield is crying out for him.

 

I personally don't uderstand the certain people saying Cheik was bad. He wasn't his best, but he played quite well IMO.

His shooting is average but he is a DM after all. He's been a tad unlucky only to score one goal. He quite often strikes them with great power and decent technique.

His passing seems to normally be good but a bit inconsistent. He'll play 2 good little passes, then play one dreadful one.

 

I think you have to listen to Pardew too. He reckons he is even better again and once he gets his passing back up to his normal level (top class) and has Cabaye fit and functioning alongside, I think he could take us far this year. I watched Man U last night, their midfield is crying out for him.

Let's hope they don't get him WP.

 

If Manure had any sense they'd have bought Song as well. A good DM, who's not as rock solid as Tiote, but a better passer, and he'd chip in with a load of assists

 

I don't think he had a bad game. But he probably did by his standards. At the end of the day his primary role is to break down play. He was absolutely fantastic in this regard. But I can't defend his passing which was awful. I'd be interested to see his completion stats and how often he surrendered possession. Its NOT his level though. I think he is a very good passer of ball. He has every pass in his locker, and in his first season rarely misplaced a pass. So we know it is there. I think we have to cut him some slack too. He has been carrying knocks for the past season and into this one.

I know people will say "he should have enough sense to ignore the crowds 'shoot' cries" but he is an emotional lad and loves to please the fans. Personally I think it leads to him taking on shots that are not on.

 

My one fear! However I think Fergie will have to offload if so. He has a hell of a lot of midfielders on the books there now. Cleverley has made it clear he wants game time. Scholes isn't out of retirement to watch. Jones will struggle to get in at centre back, Carrick, Anderson, Fletcher, Giggs. That is a lot of midfielders to pay even if some won't be involved. If they sell Anderson they may get one in but I wouldn't be surprised if its Felliani because he monstered them last night again!

 

You could say that. Fergie would have been spitting blood.

 

He has always been top class for us and only an idiot would say otherwise!

http://www.newcastleunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/arsenal_set_to_sign_tiote_753501/index.shtml


Not good if he goes in my opinion we can't replace him easily to say the very least.

I wish the top clubs would get theor own scouting done and save themseleves some money.

 

I've gotta agree with Warm Pouch, Tiote was poor by his own, very high standards. His passing was off and the Defoe shot off the post came off a half hearted challenge in the middle of the park from Tiote!

 

Just a point Tash, he spells it Cheick, not Cheik.

Kinda agree with everything you say though

 

I'd be one of them and take no pleasure in that. I have to say it as I saw it, as did everyone I was with. Cheik's passing was completely dreadful on Saturday. Yes of course I accept it wasn't a complete disaster in that some of his defensive work was ok, but I really hope that passing perfomance was a one-off.

I still have a nasty feeling that Mr Wenger is going to come hunting with his cheque book.

 

You're entitled to your opinion, but an idiot for not thinking otherwise? Don't be so silly.

 

It seems pretty obvious he would, along with Fergie. Maybe even Chelski too. I'm under no illusions we'll face a battle to keep him between now and Sept 1st. Top player and can affect a games outcome with sheer will. They'll always want these type of players. My worry would be Songs move and Man U losing last nights game in midfield. Of course Cheik may not want to go anywhere.

 

Hopefully Fellaini might of turned some heads that would of otherwise have been looking at Tiote...

He looked awesome last night and hopefully the media hype since will get people looking at him

 

he has been awsome for us all in

Prdew would say the same

who would you say has not been awesome or us since he signed? fro me all of tem have been.

 

Normally Tiote's passing is never off, it's just occasionally hit so hard the team-mate fails to control it!

As soon as I saw him play, I thought he was the best player I'd ever seen at St James', and though his performance against Spurs wasn't his greatest, I don't think that'll be changing even with the class players now.

Also, the "Tiote Turn" is slightly arousing

 

Let's face it guys, Fellaini's show last night put Tiote in the shade. Who'd come in for him when they could turn their attention to a world beater like Fellaini?

 

True. Tiote is pitiful in comparison, just pitiful. Woeful, in fact.

His haircut isn't even as retro... and you can't even make as much money off his name because it has less letters...

So Sir Alex, if you're reading this, Tiote actually sucks, all posts before were a joke (like your defence at present... not that you need one like Colo or Saylor, they also suck... Williamson, now there's a player)...