My simple definition of Caulker is "a promising player who fails to concentrate." Sometimes he looks great and seems like a player who could do really well in this league. At other times, he simply cannot concentrate and makes ridiculous mistakes.
Clint Hill would have put that defensive header well out of harm's way, not straight into the path of Jellyfish. I have seen nothing from Caulker to pursuade me that he is a better defender than Hill.
Queenslander misquotes Hill. He was referring to his ability at LB. The two best CBs we have are Hill and Dunne. End of. I wish they were younger and I do think we need to replace them. But a fit and running defence of Yun, Hill, Dunne and Furlong would have been better yesterday. Hill absolutely puts his body on the line and near enough wins every header. He may not have the pace but being a good CB is not all about pace. The same goes for Dunne. But Yun and Furlong would have helped with the pace issue.
That is something I agree with (sadly). I don't think we'll be troubled further by Ferdinand once the season ends. I hope that Caulker can become the player we'd like him to be. For what it's worth, I don't blame him too much for the first goal. He tried to head it clear and forwards but didn't get the required power on it. Yes, a header backwards would have made that attack safe at the expense of giving away a corner, but marking at dead ball situations isn't as strong as we'd all like, is it?
School boy errors that should have been drummed out of him when he was younger. You never put the ball back into the danger area.
I thought so at first too but watch it again. Ferdinand lost his man for the second. Ferdinand isn't much much better than anyone these days mate. Take the blinkers off
He's much better than Caulker. I am beginning to wonder if Caulker will ever realise all this potential that people talk about. Hope he does. With regards to the 2nd goal........yes I agree, having now watched it again, that Rio lets his man drift behind him.
I have my doubts too. He isn't commanding or aggressive enough IMO and is prone to lapses in concentration.
You're right COL. Caulker hasn't looked an 8 million pound center half since he joined. He's looked average at best. Onouha was touted as our best defender too but he's nothing special either. We won't agree on Rio though . I think he's a 10th the player he once was and has struggled with us since day one. Was a top player once alright.
Oh I do agree about Rio. He's gone downhill rapidly without a doubt. I just think he's still better than Caulker, as Caulker has been so disappointing imo. I think Ned has limitations, but is possibly a better centre back than Caulker too. Ned certainly isn't a full back.
Ehmer signed professional forms with us as a 17 year old in 2009. Since then he has made 1 appearance for the first team, as a sub for Clint against Middesbrough last year. I suspect that if he was any good we would know already, and he woudn't be on perma loan.