I think the most erudite comment about this fella, was the idea that the defence plays as a collective unit. Bassong can have absences of concentration, but when fully engaged is skillful, powerful and quick. Assuming that Hughton can build a defence that plays as a unit, i think this will keep Bassong on track and he'll be very successful for us. If the defence doesn't gel. then he could well be a liability, but certainly no worse than barnett or Ward. All in all, I think he's a very positive signing, especially as he adds pace, somthing Tina lacks
Panic signing. The last defender you want to introduce to a backline that just leaked 5 goals against a relegation rival is Bassong! Iâll admit I was concerned when you appointed Houghton that he might keep you up in the Premiership. However the way heâs going at the moment heâll be sacked before Christmas, as McNally wonât take your fate lying down. Still it makes for great entertainment from my point of view.
good post this blending as a collective unit and combing their strengths is key to this signing paying off. and we did need more pace.
Since when have you been concerned about us mikey? He will help us firm up the back was out only problem last year and allow a progressive midfield to develop to give Holty the support he needs
I know he is a centre half, but I think he could be good at defensive midfield. Skilfull, mobile and his lapses in concentration won't be as damaging at defensive midfield. Maybe Hughton sees it aswell, What you think Supers?
I think this move has been in the pipeline for some time as the Number 5 shirt has not been issued (Morison had it last year!). Wolves were full of in-fighting last year and no one was playing well. Given a manager who believes in him I think he'll do well. It's rumoured that Leon is going to Sheffield Wednesday so another place would still be free. Apparently he played as a DMF for France U21. Good move, IMO. OTBC!
i've never seen him play there so not sure whether he'd be capable to be honest. i think we need a specialist in that role - someone like huddlestone or n'zonzi, who can get a tackle in, put their foot on the ball and dictate our play as well as protect the back four. i don't think we should be experimenting with players in that role, but that's personal preference
One thing that worries me slightly is that what was so obviously missing from our defence on Saturday was any kind of organisation at all. The full-backs were getting caught out every five minutes and at no point did either Turner or Bennett appear to be organising or marshalling them to keep in position and be more aware of the runners who made us look a bunch of complete amateurs at the back. It might be a bit of a generalisation on my part here, but African defenders are hardly known for their immense organisational ability so I'm wondering is a 26 year old Cameroonian really going to improve us on that area sufficiently? I really hope so, and I'm not doubting his technical ability at all but I do share the exact same concerns Supers does in this thread.
to be fair, he's effectively french not relevant, but lucas radebe was one of the best organisers of a defence i ever saw and he was african
Afternoon guys, Bassong's a great addition for you believe me. I know he was down the pecking order for us but CB is a position we're oozing with quality with at the moment. Pretty confident in saying he'll become your number 1 CB. Stong, powerful and pacy, occasionally lacks a bit of concentration but that'll improve with regular game time - something we couldn't offer. Captained us in the Europa League last season and played really well. Was great in his first season with us, the year we got 4th and actually got to play in the Champions League!
OK Superman, as we're in agreement on this subject, I guess it's down to us to get it sorted. I've got a FEW quid stashed away, how about you? Start scouring the market for a potential candidate, find out the asking price then we'll wade in with our wad and force a deal through, then hold a press conference to introduce our new Holding midfielder, before giving him to the club! I think it's the only way it's going to happen!! Deal????? ILD OTBC
i'm not sure it should be down to us but yeah ok! i've found tom huddlestone on loan. i've got a tenner in my pocket i can put towards it...
ok, this sounds more promising. the concentration issue is the one which worries me and the thing i've seen him lacking every time i've seen him play. do you really believe that regular football will right this wrong or is it a genuine flaw in his game? also, he will be playing in a much weaker defence where it will be highlighted on a more regular basis
Radebe certainly was a superb defender in the latter years of his career, however I remember him being a proper liability - and almost some kind of laughing stock/cult figure - when they first signed him. Though he had only previously played in the South African league up until then so I guess Bassong has a few years of English football under his belt.
Now we've signed Bassong I can't believe there's anything in this: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8007509
I am pretty happy with getting him. He is almost certainly better than what we have, has played at PL level for a number of seasons, in Europe and internationally and generally done well. Yes he was not wonderful last season but he was on loan at a club in total chaos playing for a manager who didn't sign him. Here he is playing for a manager he obviously has a rapport with, is not in a relegation scrap (give it a few games!!) and is a big fish in a smaller pond and will have the backing of our supporters which will give him a lift. He could be used as a CH or DM or he may replace Bennett and allow him to move to RB. He will give the squad a lift and add competition for places all of which can only be good. If he had all of the attributes of a top centre half he would be playing for Spur's first XI and we couldn't afford him.
From the evening standard... "It is believed the Carrow Road club will have to pay around £5.5m for the Cameroon international, who has two years left on his contract"
I hope I'm wrong but I am getting less optimistic with each passing day. 5.5 million is a lot of money and there goes our transfer kitty.
Wow. Can't believe we will break our transfer record for a CB. If this is true I can only see loanees coming in between now and the window closing. I think he's decent but £5.5m, surely not?
