We have had a few posts over the last few days with opinions on what we need to get us back challenging mid to upper mid table. I actually think Colo could be a key component this coming season. While he is getting slower and he is not good in the air he reads the game well and he provides the only experienced player in the team now Guttierez and Raylor have gone, and Saylor doesn't spend long enough fit to get involved. His form last year closely tracked the overall team performances - he played very well when we want on our little run, but looked uninterested in the 2nd half of the season. He actually looked at his best when he was playing with Dummett at centre back and I would hope that McLaren can encourage him to mentor Lascelles and help some of the younger players come through. All depends on whether he is up for it though. If McLaren thinks he is not suggest we need to go and find an experienced player to fill that role.
I genuinely liked the Colo Dummett partnership, as such I wouldn't write either off yet. Obviously upgrades would be great though.
I would get rid in a heartbeat. Well past his best and a liability at times last season. We have no pace at the back and the aging personnel need changing. He's a poor captain and if he stayed he'd have to step down (he should be stripped of the captaincy anyway) which would make his position at the club a little awkward. I fear he will not get many offers from elsewhere though and due to his high wages here he may well stay and see out his contract.
If Colo goes and we still have the likes of Dummett, Williamson and Saylor and we bring in no ****ers of quality at CB then we are already in trouble next season.
I think you have to retain him as he is the best of a bad bunch. I cut him zero slack for last season and he has less excuses than the others if anything given he has some ability and is supposed to be captain. If we went and got two good centre backs, he'd be good back up. I'm assuming of course we will right off Williamson now. Saylor is decent but never fit and essentially if a buyer could be found I'd be cashing in. Reality is we are stuck with him. I'm not convinced with Dummett but if he was just there as cover then ok. Lascelles is an unknown, but looks to have loads to learn. I mean if Colo was content to act as mentor in a bit part role, then that would be ideal. I suspect that won't be the case and he'll be first choice. He isn't getting any better and has been quite clearly on the slide for a while. The tendency is to think "yeah but he is covering for Willo". I don't buy it myself, he's been gash just like the others. Indeed at times he looks the least committed player we have. I personally think how we deal with our shocking defence will tell us a lot about this supposed new outlook and McClaren himself. It needs a massive overhaul. Really you should be looking to get shot of Saylor, Williamson, Haidara. Raylor has gone. Janmaat is clearly good enough for us. If Dummett was simply there to cover a new left back and offer additional cover a centre back, and Colo/Lascelles were there as cover to two new centre back, then there is a role for those three. How happy they'd be to be squad cover is another thing altogether. Personally I think we need a new left back, two new centre backs, and cover on the right (not Anita FFS) There is no way Colo should be captain next year. We need to start afresh and one the new centre backs should be captain material if at all possible. Always been the best place for a captain along with defensive midfield. As I say I would judge their actual intent on the above because The Blind Boys of Alabama can see we have not had a defence for the last 5 years. It isn't just coaching, we need to get our heads from up our own arse and actually deal with this issue once and for all. I'd prefer to see the defence sorted before any other area. I'm still not convinced Krul has developed as hoped either. Its easier said than done of course but they have created this situ with a lack of investment.
Agree on Krul. He needs someone to push him. His distribution needs some serious work if you ask me also.
Keep colo, supposidley williamson is off to leeds, despite still being in contract, we have told leeds that they can have him for free. I blame Willo for the majority of Colo's mistakes, willo's inability to be in position or win a header or tackle made it very hard for colo. Willo is also very eratic and hates the ball at his feet, I think if we saw a younger pacy well position CB partner colo, then his perfomences would look alot better.
Put him beside someone strong and fast and he will be good. I would ideally like him to be our third choice, though.
Don't forget we have young Lascalles coming in for next season at CB so yet another option. Still need a leader at the back though and that isn't Colo anymore.
Just don't. This is the weakest excuse of all time. He's been gash. Not because of Saylor Willo, but because he himself has been gash. All those rushes out of defence into no mans land, those pathetic attempts at challenging his man, and his failure to react to balls coming into the box have nothing to do with where Willo is. They are individual errors down to him. That 5th place season was a great time. Lets be honest though, it was an anomaly over the course of his time here (you could argue his career).
