http://www.canaries.co.uk/news/arti...onchengladbach-sebastien-bassong-2227595.aspx Will be one of 4 senior players to put on a City shirt for the U21's when they play Borussia Monchengladbach tonight at 7pm. There will also be some other notable names who haven't had much game time for the first team in the side such as Garrido, Miquel & McGrandles. Hope they all put on a good performance and have a good game. Does anyone think any of these might be involved on Saturday against Birmingham if they play well tonight after the disappointing performance against Brentford on Saturday?
Ironic that we've been playing two right-sided CBs in the first team and are playing two left-sided CBs tonight. At least it'll give Neil a chance to see these players and Rudd in action. I know Garrido has had injury problems, but it's strange that he didn't get more chances when Olsson was struggling. Good chance for McGrandles to show what he can do as well, though Holt obviously knows him well.
Always shocks me that a player like Bassong isn't playing in a competitive championship side (at least) with all the ability and experience that the guy has. Though there are always other forces at play in these circumstances. No argument from me that a fit and in form Bassong would make any squad in this league stronger... could be just the catalyst for the rest of your season.
I'd like to see what McGrandles can do and would certainly play him Saturday rather than Whittaker out of position. Also hope Bassong gets some game time and proves he's worthy of making the starting 11 on Sat.
If Bassong was to play like he did in his first season with us he'd easily be the best centre half in the league. Did he play well at Watford?
Same here we've got nothing to lose, our centre back situation has been piss poor this season. Turner - Is severely lacking confidence. Bennett - Never seems to be settled due to injuries. Cueller - Accident prone Martin - Was never a centre back in the first place.
Excellent win for the 21's tonight. Bassong and Garrido both getting 60 minutes... Subs at the least on Saturday ?
Every time Cuellar partners Turner it's like Groundhog Day... When we first got promoted to the PL under Lambert - we kept conceding penalties - just about every game for the first 5 matches was it? It feels like that again - defence is just an unsettled and the players who get the nod don't seem to trust each other. Sooner or later - personnel have to change and then settle down.
Well, I was at the game tonight and Bassong played quite well I thought. Other players who did their cause no harm were Rudd, McGrandles and Josh. Link to match report and highlights - http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwic...s_1_borussia_monchengladbach_u21s_0_1_3933095
I think Bassong being on the road to a comeback and Hoovield leaving are probably related. Adams didn't seem to count Bassong in his squad, so was short a centre back. That no longer seems to be an issue.
Certainly sounds like they all had a good game which is encouraging, but we need to remember that it is at U21 level. Bassong did well enough at Watford with a Whoscored rating of around 6.75, whereas Turner and Cuellar are over 7 on the same scale. Statistics don't tell everything though.
Would love to see a properly "up for it" Bassong back in the 1st team. We really need him and that could logically give Turner more confidence along side him. Also glad to see McGrandles getting some game time. Sounded like a very exciting player (like Vadis) that we've seen very little of so far.
Well Hairy - according to the latest article by none other than Chris Goreham, you may have got your (and mine I hasten to add!!) wish - http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/column...ess_in_the_transfer_window_1_3944242#cxrecs_s I particularly liked this comment - "His performance against Borussia Mönchengladbach’s youngsters last Tuesday evening suggested that any attitude issues have been addressed and that Alex Neil’s preferred blend of coffee may be the one Bassong has woken up to. "
