Al Dakhill

beddie · Post by **beddie** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 7:58 am

Apologies for another thread on one of our players but I felt it only appropriate to mention Al Dakhill who to me was outstanding last night, very calm under pressure, aware of what was going on around him, good vision for a pass and not afraid to give it (so to speak). Another brilliant acquisition from a truly remarkable Manager.

sjb · Post by **sjb** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 8:02 am

No apologies needed Beddie. Outstanding player & performance. MOTM by the proverbial country mile.

fatboy47 · Post by **fatboy47** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 8:02 am

I'm thinking this lad and Beyer may be our preferred pairing come July/AUG, with Ekdal and the boy at Coventry as back up.

It could be a hedge against City bending us over for THB.

RVclaret · Post by **RVclaret** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 8:08 am

He's a serious talent. New country, new league (far more physical compared to Belgium) and he's adapted really well. I also thought he was outstanding last night. Proper cool on the ball (will get better) but it's his turn of pace and reading of the game that impresses me the most. You rarely get defenders that are this quick (for 3m!) and it allows us to play a high line.

Kompany recently said that he's actually got a profile more suited to the Prem than the Champ which I thought was interesting.

helmclaret · Post by **helmclaret** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 8:10 am

What a success story. From refugee to top class footballer - what a future he has.

Culmclaret · Post by **Culmclaret** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 8:16 am

Got the most potential of all the centre backs. I was delighted when I saw his name on the team sheet last night He has pace and a fantastic range of passing. Looks the real deal.

Duffer_ · Post by **Duffer_** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 8:17 am

He is so quick. He headed a ball over the top back towards Muric but it didn't have quite enough on it. The sparse home crowd got excited but he just continued his run and passed it back as though the attacker wasn't there.

I also liked what I saw when the beaver faced Rankin-Costello employed his amateur hour sh1thousery. Ameen is no shrinking violet.

CnBtruntru · Post by **CnBtruntru** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 8:34 am

I thought he was outstanding, what a talent for 3mill, we had some ones trousers down on that deal.

AlargeClaret · Post by **AlargeClaret** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 8:40 am

Certainly a good buy and be interesting to see if he can step up . He’s got bit of pace too . If we can’t keep THB he’ll be essential , though all our CB’s are yet to face real tests .

Conroysleftfoot · Post by **Conroysleftfoot** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 8:42 am

Duffer_ wrote: ↑
Wed Apr 26, 2023 8:17 am
He is so quick. He headed a ball over the top back towards Muric but it didn't have quite enough on it. The sparse home crowd got excited but he just continued his run and passed it back as though the attacker wasn't there.

I also liked what I saw when the beaver faced Rankin-Costello employed his amateur hour sh1thousery. Ameen is no shrinking violet.

Those two things stood out for me as well. Particularly standing up to the shithousery.

Pickles · Post by **Pickles** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 8:50 am

He was well up for it. Some player.

claretspice · Post by **claretspice** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 9:01 am

He was shaky at Rotherham but absolutely terrific last night. Best player on the pitch by absolute miles. Quick, composed, refused to be bullied.

As he fills out and gets stronger, and builds his confidence, he's going to be a some player.

warksclaret · Post by **warksclaret** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 9:22 am

Gone under the radar a bit, but a huge talent-tough, quick and gets stuck in. He will benefit from VK's coaching and become a regular first teamer

quoonbeatz · Post by **quoonbeatz** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 9:40 am

He's class, looked it from minute one. Big future ahead of him.

JohnMcGreal · Post by **JohnMcGreal** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 9:42 am

I thought their Wharton lad ran him close in the first half but he was the player on the pitch for me last night. Superb.

Colburn_Claret · Post by **Colburn_Claret** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 9:44 am

He's looked class everytime he's played. Considering his age that's amazing.
I don't buy he's one for the future, he's one for now. We are blessed atm, Beyer, THB, Ekdal

Leisure · Post by **Leisure** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 9:50 am

He's even more impressive when you take into account that before coming to us he'd only played 28 professional games in Belgium!

nil_desperandum · Post by **nil_desperandum** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 9:55 am

I too thought he was outstanding. Interesting scenario:
I would select him ahead of THB on recent performances.
Would City be happy to loan THB to us on another season long loan if he isn't going to be a very regular starter?

SurreyClaret99 · Post by **SurreyClaret99** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 9:58 am

Was really impressed when I saw him at Reading and another strong showing last night.
Definitely got a good future ahead of him!

summitclaret · Post by **summitclaret** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 9:58 am

We may play 3 cbs next season.

NottsClaret · Post by **NottsClaret** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 10:01 am

Obviously good on the ball like all VK's signings but his pace is a real asset - makes him Premier League ready.

wilks_bfc · Post by **wilks_bfc** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 10:04 am

Vinnie can certainly spot a CB

With him, Ekdal & hopefully Bayer, I wouldn’t be too disappointed if we were unable get THB for next season.

Not to forget we also have McNally & CJER to return

quoonbeatz · Post by **quoonbeatz** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 10:06 am

His recovery to tackle BB-D last night showed it all - pace, awareness, timing. Brilliant.

BleedingClaret · Post by **BleedingClaret** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 10:06 am

RVclaret wrote: ↑
Wed Apr 26, 2023 8:08 am
He's a serious talent. New country, new league (far more physical compared to Belgium) and he's adapted really well. I also thought he was outstanding last night. Proper cool on the ball (will get better) but it's his turn of pace and reading of the game that impresses me the most. You rarely get defenders that are this quick (for 3m!) and it allows us to play a high line.

Kompany recently said that he's actually got a profile more suited to the Prem than the Champ which I thought was interesting.

Totally agree that turn of pace is priceless, but so strong too for a youngish lad

Cirrus_Minor · Post by **Cirrus_Minor** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 10:10 am

I thought he was exceptional too. With him, Ekdal and Beyer we have a foundation already for the Premier league. Harwood-Bellis has a good passing ability and has suited our style this season for dominating the ball from the back, but his lack of pace and especially physicality would worry me for next season.

Commy · Post by **Commy** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 10:17 am

I thought we would have been better against QPR with him when their sub kept skinning us in the second half. He would have kept up with him.

jdrobbo · Post by **jdrobbo** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 10:21 am

Do you know when you see a player, and you think you’ve got a talent, without needing a further look? Al Dakhil is an example of this: he just looks to ‘have it’.

THEWELLERNUT70 · Post by **THEWELLERNUT70** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 10:27 am

He was outstanding last night. He has the edge about him which I really like and he's rapid too

Firthy · Post by **Firthy** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 10:38 am

Al Dakhill, Ekdal and Beyer all capable of playing in the Premier League. With Al Dakhill playing and maturing as he has I'm not convinced we'll sign THB if the price is too high. THB must be gutted to have moved down the pecking order because of his injury, from first choice to possible 4th choice.

sjb · Post by **sjb** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 10:43 am

I was absolutely delighted when the news broke we were signing him. I'd followed his career for at least 2 minutes by then.

Pearcey · Post by **Pearcey** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 10:55 am

He really is impressive. What a signing.

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 10:56 am

The signings we made over the summer

We've had far more hits than misses, and that is such a good sign

Boss Hogg · Post by **Boss Hogg** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 11:11 am

He was excellent last night. Bright future ahead. Will be interesting to see which central defenders fare best in the Premier League.

iw1961 · Post by **iw1961** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 12:16 pm

Excellent last night. Brings a little more physicality to proceedings when needed. I could see three at the back next season, with him, Ekdal and Beyer.
Must be honest I'm not a fan of Harwood Bellis, if he had been brought in from an unfashionable club, not sure folk would rave as much, it's the City, Kompany links that seem to make him better. That's not a criticism of him, he's good but not as good as the other three. Seem to remember Stan using Ian Cox, Steve Davis and Mitchell Thomas like that once. Classiest ever back three in div 1

Mind you Wharton last night would be ideal for us, ready made replacement for Cork.

Walkerpool · Post by **Walkerpool** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 12:27 pm

iw1961 wrote: ↑
Wed Apr 26, 2023 12:16 pm
Excellent last night. Brings a little more physicality to proceedings when needed. I could see three at the back next season, with him, Ekdal and Beyer.
Must be honest I'm not a fan of Harwood Bellis, if he had been brought in from an unfashionable club, not sure folk would rave as much, it's the City, Kompany links that seem to make him better. That's not a criticism of him, he's good but not as good as the other three. Seem to remember Stan using Ian Cox, Steve Davis and Mitchell Thomas like that once. Classiest ever back three in div 1

Mind you Wharton last night would be ideal for us, ready made replacement for Cork.

You need to go Specsavers

nil_desperandum · Post by **nil_desperandum** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 12:38 pm

iw1961 wrote: ↑
Wed Apr 26, 2023 12:16 pm

Mind you Wharton last night would be ideal for us, ready made replacement for Cork.

Wharton would be a fantastic signing, but I have a feeling that bigger clubs are looking at him, so he won't come here.

IWOODLOVETT · Post by **IWOODLOVETT** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 12:58 pm

When our loanees return we have Al-Dakhil, Ekdal, McNally, Egan-Riley, Charlie Taylor and Bobby Thomas as contracted central defensive players - with potential options for TH-B and Beyer.
That’s fantastic strength in depth in a key position and potential bargaining chips when strengthening other areas.

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 1:00 pm

With VK's coaching he could go to the very top, he has the potential.

ŽižkovClaret · Post by **ŽižkovClaret** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 1:18 pm

What a defensive Line up we have!

The Welsh Cafu
The Baghdad Baresi
Hjalmar (of the Gods) Ekdal
Ian Maatsen

IWOODLOVETT · Post by **IWOODLOVETT** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 1:24 pm

ŽižkovClaret wrote: ↑
Wed Apr 26, 2023 1:18 pm
What a defensive Line up we have!

The Welsh Cafu
The Baghdad Baresi
Hjalmar (of the Gods) Ekdal
Ian Maatsen

Don’t forget BeckenBeyer.

jlup1980 · Post by **jlup1980** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 1:33 pm

I too thought he was outstanding last night and agree that he's currently above THB in the pecking order. I think he offers a bit more physicality and that's never a bad thing for a CB! I'm not sure VK will play three at the back next season but he might look to deploy Beyer in the Jack Cork role and play two of Al Dakhil, Ekdal or THB (if we get him back) at CB. Beyer certainly has all the attributes to play slightly further up the pitch.

Hedontplayforyou · Post by **Hedontplayforyou** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 1:38 pm

Al-Dakhil was brilliant last night m. Leaving us with a good group to select from if both Beyer and THB stay for next season. I’m not sure that both will be here, but Beyer seems nailed on.

Would VK go 3 at the back? If it suited us then yes I think he would. He isn’t a one trick pony and has tweaked our system throughout the season. We could very well play in a number of different shape next season.

CoolClaret · Post by **CoolClaret** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 1:40 pm

ŽižkovClaret wrote: ↑
Wed Apr 26, 2023 1:18 pm
What a defensive Line up we have!

The Welsh Cafu
The Baghdad Baresi
Hjalmar (of the Gods) Ekdal
Ian Maatsen

The Baghdad Baresi is genius.

What a guy

karatekid · Post by **karatekid** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 2:14 pm

He is very vocal too. At one point he was organising the whole team to defend a corner. Even the experienced players were looking to him for positioning.

ecc · Post by **ecc** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 3:19 pm

Thought exactly like you all. He's got amazing pace for a centre-back. That will be essential in the PL. But thrown into a pressure cooker last night and just breezed through it.

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 4:01 pm

Leisure wrote: ↑
Wed Apr 26, 2023 9:50 am
He's even more impressive when you take into account that before coming to us he'd only played 28 professional games in Belgium!

that is insane !

Taffy on the wing · Post by **Taffy on the wing** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 4:32 pm

He's the real deal.

ksrclaret · Post by **ksrclaret** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 5:31 pm

He was absolutely magnificent last night, and at the point he did actually put a foot wrong and didn’t put enough on his header back to Muric, he simply accelerated and swept it up with ease.

I really do believe we’ve got a hell of a player here who might well find himself starting in the PL.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 6:31 pm

I’ve been hugely impressed with him since seeing him make his debut at Ipswich. Hard to believe he’s only 21 and playing in a new country. He’s quick for a central defender, our quickest since Michael Keane, and he can only get better.

He was my mom choice too last night.

frankinwales · Post by **frankinwales** » Wed Apr 26, 2023 6:40 pm

We sure did some great business in the January transfer window. Quite timely for us with the injuries to other defenders.

Up the Clarets.