Looks a shadow of the player he was last season and doesn't look 100% fit to me and hasn't done all season. His concentration looks all over the place as well which is a disaster for a defender. For me it's a no brainer to give him a break against the Hammers and play Tina and Ryan at the back, if only to give him a kick up the backside and let him know he's not guaranteed a starting place despite his brilliance last year.
yep, can't argue with any of that. very disappointed with him this season. is it anything to do with the captaincy? not sure, but something isn't right with him and he doesn't look fit at all.
Absolutely, he seems at least a yard short of space and personally my first choice CB would be Bennnett, he's a tidy defender and a much better passer of the ball than either Bassong or Turner
He's not the only one who looks unfit, Martin,Johnson,Snodgrass,Garrido,Hooper,all look lethargic. What has happened in past months to allow this?
carrying injuries, recovering from injuries, illness, stress or merely a loss of form, making it look as though they are struggling for fitness because they are 'off the pace'. lots of possible reasons for it.
Lacking the hunger if ask me paired with a bit of frustration. Totally agree with your comments on Bassong Tony, Rusty is another one as a senior player who has to shoulder some of the blame, the ****e he spouts to Archant every week is starting to wind me up too. Not once on Saturday did I see our captains take control of the situation, they both lack the presence, don't me wrong I'm sure their both great characters in the dressing room, but they don't seem to have that determination and drive to succeed.
I would imagine that the knee surgery is having more effect than captaincy, they say that if you miss preseason you never catch up. Johnson, Snodgrass and hooper were all injured at some point earlier on in the season, apparently Pilks plays in constant pain due to an issue with his shins.
Bennett has been are most consistent centreback in this calendar year. I don't know why he hasn't been given more of a chance. He must be wondering what else he has to do especially when our defence hasn't been particularly good this season. I think the captaincy may have got to Bassong, saw Holtamania tweet about it yesterday and I actually agree with it. I know Russell Martin is "club captain", which to me just seems a glorified way of saying Vice Captain, but does anyone else think it should have been Bassong to face the media after Saturday's game as he has the armband. Martin spoke really well after the game and again proves to me he should be our number 1 captain although on the pitch he hasn't covered himself in glory either this season.
I know his form hasn't been great but I had said that I thought Snoddy should ;f got the arm band, will to win and a bit of fire to him. Downside could be ego and possibly a bit out spoken? Bah! P.s. I agree that it's About time Bassong got a few splinters. That said how ballsyer call would that be to drop your Capt, when on form best and most senior defender, for a game that your job may hang on!
Interesting, yes. Last year's 'star' performers (Bassong, Snodgrass, Johnson) have all been off the pace this season. Could just be coincidence, I suppose. Not sure about a kick up the arse. Doesn't seem to have done anything for Johnson. Snodgrass isn't going to get one because we're down two or three players who might take his place.
