He had one or two outstanding seasons for Rennes, where he run the show. The biggest buzz around him was how he found and made space effortlessly. Defensively, I'd say he was similar to Nigel De Jong, but a better passer than De Jong. His last season at Rennes he seemed to get a bit primadonna-ish if you like, not in a showboaty way but in a 'I'm not chasing that', kind of like Ronaldo when the ball doesn't go into his feet. I think this put Arsenal off and if I'm not mistaken, the only other club in the running for his signature when he left Rennes were bad-egg QPR. He needed that move, the next step/level in his career, the last season at Rennes for me, was like watching a bored/frustrated player who was a cut above his team mates, rather than him being snotty. The problem is, he chose the wrong move, he probably has/had a dickhead of an agent. It's make or break time for him, he really has no choice but to keep his head down and work hard, or he'll drown. If he works hard, keeps focus and rediscovers who he was a few years ago, he'll have you lot singing songs about him for years to come.
Yep! I've only read about him and know nothing of him as a player! But I'm happy that he's the sort of level of player we should be looking for! That "next level" if he gets his head straight and Dick gets the best out of him
So the issue from now on is, will he help get us to the next level (mid table comfort zone), or will we drag him down to ours?
Well we'll eagerly await his debut mate! Honestly I see us as a tighter unit defensively this season for sure.. Their will be more goals mate, Defoe to improve well I hope so!
Not being defeatist mate, if it sounded like that. I just think there have been underlying issues at the club that have affected performances on the pitch. No idea what they are. The club just doesn't seem able to all pull together in the same direction. I'm just hoping Big Dick's vast experience can identify any off-pitch problems and sort them out once and for all.
He had it in him to be way above your next level mate, he could have had the world at his feet I reckon. He was always one of the better players to watch in France as he was such a boss, but give me a Mikel/De Jong type any day over him, because you can trust them to put a shift in. My guess, is that he'll excite you lot and he'll really be a fans favourite, but he'll also frustrate you.
THats the difference though between say a MAn U level player and ours. Consistency is what takes players up or down levels.
You weren't sounding like that at all mate, agree with the issues at the club.. For me from the land of oz looking in I believe some of the players come to wear side for a piss up rather then get involved with the community and play for the jersey! Some of these decisions regarding recruiting players lies within the club, I hope we've learnt our lessons the last few seasons... I believe right now,we're stepping in the right direction!
Just looking at the pictures now and of him a few years ago i think he needs to shift a few pounds and get fit. Hopefully this move will get him focused again and get his career back on the good path it started on.
Watch it mate, you're painting a positive picture there, didn't you it's all doom and gloom with no positives what so ever?
i've just had M'Vanilla ice cream to celebrate. much nicer than a pulled pork sundae. sounds like a ****ers weekend meal, to me
still are for me, always pop along the coast for one when i'm up north. Anyway if these new signings have improved the team and can get us another ten points this season that will surely take us up the table.
We mustn't forget how many we drew last season, 13 or 14 was it? We aren't a million miles away from achieving that improvement in results and with a more positive and attacking attitude from the start of the season from old Eggnog than we had with GP last year, there's a lot to be positive about!
