I think at the moment for some reason or another he's almost being forced into a "ball winner" role, which he's not particularly good at. We've really only got one midfielder (Leon) dedicated to winning and moving the ball on quickly. All of the others are far happier in more creative roles where they can take a little more time. If Laudrup has plans to work on this aspect of his game and manages to improve him then he could go on to be a great acquisition for us. If he continues to be weak in the tackle and slow in possession then he's probably not going to be much use to us long term.
Lone-exactly right! he was a signing made by the club and not by Laudrup so its been a case of fitting him in here and there while Laudrups first choice player JDG plays in that withdrawn roll or creative midfield place. Ki is going to be a great signing for us, its just that he hasnt found a consistant place and is probably a bit tired after not having any rest this year! we must remember that Ki has played the olympics and a few internationals and has had no rest while also moving up to a far more intensive and physical league ,it all adds up really. These things dont excuse his sloppy play and his lack of tracking players but i guess it doesnt help right now!! An intresting point is that talking to my cardiff friends, they say exactly the same thing about their Korean player !! how strange!! Maybe these players have such worship back home they forget that they need to put in the spade work when plying their trade in our league ??
Even if the move from Celtic compared to la liga is different how does that explain Davies coming in with not 1 professional game to his name and looking like he'd been playing LB for years? Under-21 matches are way below SPL quality... Don't want to be dismissing Ki just yet. I really do hope he comes good, it's just the money spent and the performances we've had from him don't tally up. Debate is good!
Ki has been plying his trade in the relaxed atmosphere of the SPL playing for the most dominant team in that league. We all know that Celtic don't often come under the cosh there, when facing teams such as Dundee and Motherwell etc etc. Celtic is the team that usually asks the questions of the opposition and I doubt that Ki has ever played two consecutive games in a team that has been on the back foot. I began to worry about him some time ago and, when I stated my concerns on here, I received a PM from an aggrieved fan of his accusing me of under rating him. Maybe, but for starters I just don't see an athlete. He seems to me just like an Owain Tudor Jones type with no pace, little strength and complete lack of bite in the tackle. When given the time to play, he has the ability to spray some very good passes around but that is always when we are on the front foot. As soon as he comes under pressure, his composure disappears and his passing becomes ragged. As for tracking back, we have either conceded a goal or won the ball again before he appears on the scene. He has shown snatches of what he can do but for me he needs a lot of work on the "ugly" side of things before I have any real confidence in him on a consistent basis.
To be honest mate i think thats easier in a way. Ben has been brought up on our methods and doesnt know any other way of playing, the youth team also watch how the seniors play every week and can see first hand in training what goes on. The reason Ben has done well is down to the fact all the youth set up and play the same way (within reason) , Ben hhas also played the same position and has had a chance to learn from his mistakes,of which there have been plenty!! in fact he is still making them but not as bad as when he first started! Davies has grown with every game because he has been allowed to have a consistant run in the team playing the same position with the same combinations in front of himand along side of him. our midfield is very fluid in personell
