Runt, at the level i played at many of the strikers were there for either being huge and decent in the air or had blinding pace. Now there was always a reason they were not playing at a higher level though and i found that despite being slower or smaller than some of them, the majority were quite easy to outfox. And you see that at all levels.
I found alot of them pertty thick really to be honest and quite easy to wind up.*
[size=1]*Obviously making me a goon[/size]
Welcome José Enrique Sánchez Díaz
You don’t need to justify your limitations as a soccer player to me kev.
Damn, I thought I was close
As Kev and Totti have pointed out Sammer was a top class midfielder before reverting to sweeper.
Sweepers were almost mandatory in German football until relatively recently. The conversion of midfield players like Matthaus and Sammer and Beckenbauer to sweeper was indicative of how Germans saw that position - they were happy to see the sweeper striding forward with the ball and even breaking beyond it. It’s s completely different attitude to the position than you’d have seen in its limited application in England where it was usually just playing one defender behind another pairing for defensive solidity more than anything.
I recall seeing an interview with Per Mertesacker a couple of years ago where he talked about the abolition of the sweeper system in Germany giving him a chance at professional football. He wasn’t up to much when playing with a sweeper behind him but once the Bundesliga switched en masse to a flat back four he found himself capable of playing first team football. You’d rarely hear someone in the EPL with the humility or awareness to say they’re not very good in a 3 or 5 man defence.
On midfielders: I think Iniesta is a superb footballer but I think Xavi is even better. I think he’s by far the most influential player in two extraordinary teams (Barcelona and Spain) and has been a huge reason for both adopting the style of play they use.
De Jong is a very good player and very good at what he does. I don’t think he’s as good (or better) than either of those Spanish players and I think Farmer’s point on the World Cup final is fair. He was lucky to stay on and if Robben missing his chance is a factor to consider then the likelihood of De Jong getting sent off merits consideration in his performance too.
:rolleyes:
Yeah, we know so why are you pointing it out again?
As Kev, Totti, Rocko and Farmer have said, Sammer was a top quality midfielder before reverting to the sweeper role.
Centre-half is the least taxing position to play in soccer, and i should know. By that i mean you don’t need the same level of fitness you will for all other positions.
Tinnion, where is Nasri gone?
I’m disapoointed with Arsenal. They have the makings of a fine team with just a few well judged addditiions here and there. What would someone like Gary Cahill cost? £15m maybe? He is a top class centre half and is someone they should be aiming at, not Scott Danns.
On the subject of Bolton, i envisage a very good season for them. Coyle made them play well last season and they have made some astute, cheap signings - Reo-Coker, Tuncay, Eagles, Pratley etc. I can see them finishing 7th or 8th with a bit of luck. They are 14/1 without the big 6 which is not a bad price at all.
[quote=“The Dunph, post: 584055”]
where is Nasri gone?[/quote]
Deal with City all but done acc to reports.
Re Arsenal’s business; £31m for not a lot is my opinion.
They should have spent that amount either last summer or the summer before signing 4 or 5 proven players.
Are they likely to sell Chamakh? Surely they’ve enough sold…
Not watching the Owls tonight Dunph?
I’m not at the game, if that’s what you mean…
It wasnt.
I’ve been reasonably surprised throughout the Fabregas deal at the amount changing hands. I know he has an injury record but considering what Barcelona paid for Villa and what other Spanish internationals like Xabi Alonso went for then I think he’s cheap for his age, ability and the experience he has already. On the one hand Arsenal will feel they had to sell because he wanted to go but at the same time Arsenal knew how much Barcelona wanted him so you’d have expected them to be able to get more for him.
Arsene Wenger has just had his regular pre-match press conference and has said he expects no one to leave.
That’s good enough for me.
@Dunph - Nasri to City. I used some assumptions above.
@Rocko - it’s a terrible fee for someone with Cesc’s ability but hardly unexpected given there’s only one club he is willing to go to and they are a pack of devious c*nts. I look forward to Arsenal receiving similar fees for Hector Bellerin and Jon Toral Harper in 8 years time.
He told Skysports this morning he expects both transfers to be sorted soon “one way or another” hardly suggests they won’t be going.