Centre Back Speculation

[DCWat]

You could well be right BUT Keane only got his chance because we were in the Championship (I could be wrong!) and with our record of sticking with the same 11, I very much doubt any player will come to us from the Premier League. I`d be amazed if Dawson came to be honest. I`m happy with the Tarkowski/Mee potential but as many have said, we DO need a third VIABLE option (Long could be but no one really knows). We would never have found/afforded a Defour from the UK, where`s BelgianClaret with a centre - half a la Vertonghen (15mill) or the Dutch Van Dijk for 4 1/2 mill.

Any player with an ounce of self belief would expect to be able to dislodge the current incumbent, playing in their position. If they don't think that, we shouldn't be signing them.

[mohamed69]

IF Dyche thought Tarkowski was as good as Keane, he'd have dropped Mee to play them together. After all, why not play your best two defenders?

Tarkowski isn't as good as Keane, he isn't as good as Mee. We are a top quality defender down, we need to replace him properly. That doesn't mean relying on your third choice.

Tarkowski is better than mee

[mohamed69]

I wouldn't be entirely happy if we signed Smalling. Not because of his playing contribution, although it can be sporadic at times, but because he could arrive with the expectation of guaranteed playing time. I don't think we want to be in a position where any of the players view a slot as being theirs because of anything other than performance.

To his greater credit Tarks has consistently shown his commitment to the club and demonstrated a very high level of professionalism in the way he has handled his time in waiting. He also happens to be a very good player with untapped potential that could be released with more playing time. Not giving him a crack at the spot would be unthinkable and it could also be bad for the morale of the team. Everyone appreciates fair play and Tarks has more than earned his shot at the CB position.

I'm not overly convinced about Smallings fighting spirit either. Leaving behind the bright lights and big city comfort of the Man Utd first team to join a committed band of take no prisoners warriors that are relishing a mid table scrap could require the need for a massive adjustment on his part. A demand that could make him or break him, providing his wage demands don't break us first.

Smalling is a very good player that could do very well for us, providing we can afford him. His success would probably hinge on how badly he wants to be that success and how ready he is to embrace the demands associated with playing for us.

I don't think we would benefit from bringing in any established high flying prima donnas who might have grandiose expectations. We need players with something to prove or players with a hunger to develop further. Players that don't exhibit a wide gulf between what we already have in our team, as it relates to their current ability and immediate wants. The type of player that will firmly grasp the opportunity to develop and improve or give everything they've got to maintain their position.

Those are the types of qualities that could equate to a competitive and constructive dynamic that will benefit the team. Whether the players we bring in are old or young we definitely need fighters not fairies, the solid feet on the ground over the head in the clouds types. We already have one tear stained damp patch in the parking lot from our loan intake last season and that is more than enough.

'mid table scrap'

[DCWat]

Tarkowski is better than mee

I'm better than you

[mohamed69]

I'm better than you

Nice

[Bin Ont Turf]

I'm better than you

If you can play at centre back then you're in.

[Bacchus]

You said "it should also impact our potential at the other end of the pitch" , but in their case it didn't. Having a poor defence didn't seem to affect the goals they scored to win matches, and eventually finish above us.

No, because they play a completely different way. Also they have players like Sigurdsson who are several levels above anything we have. Dyche sets up to protect his defence with his midfield and it restricts us in an attacking sense. I'm not criticising that approach per se but it stands to reason that if we weaken our defence the temptation will be to rein in the midfield even further, whereas if we strengthen it there could be an opportunity to relax that approach.

[Vegas Claret]

Interesting that Dawson is in his final year of his contract and is currently re-negotiating with WBA and he just happens to be linked with us again

[Spijed]

No, because they play a completely different way. Also they have players like Sigurdsson who are several levels above anything we have. Dyche sets up to protect his defence with his midfield and it restricts us in an attacking sense. I'm not criticising that approach per se but it stands to reason that if we weaken our defence the temptation will be to rein in the midfield even further, whereas if we strengthen it there could be an opportunity to relax that approach.

I'd dispute that Sigurdsson is better than Defour, who if fit, will help relieve the pressure like Sigurdsson did for Swansea.

[claretdom]

I'd dispute that Sigurdsson is better than Defour, who if fit, will help relieve the pressure like Sigurdsson did for Swansea.

Really ?

[quoonbeatz]

strong cast there, spijed.

[DCWat]

Nice

[DCWat]

If you can play at centre back then you're in.

Burnley fans love a trier - that'd be about the best that could be expected

[boiledclaret]

If you can play at centre back then you're in.

But in order to keep everyone happy on here, can you play as a holding midfielder?

[Spijed]

strong cast there, spijed.

Why? You don't play alongside De Bruyne etc. in the national side if you aren't a top class footballer. Remember, before Defour got his bad injury he was wanted by many of the top clubs in Europe. And I did qualify it by saying "a fully fit Defour"!

[claretdom]

strong cast there, spijed.

Knew he was serious ha, not so much a strong cast more a case of lobbing dynamite in the river and blowing everything else out the water

[Firthy]

End of thread. This will have some quaking in their boots

http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/08/04/bu ... -a-centre/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[piston broke]

HITC so probably BS but as the man who coached Mee and Keane to their current level if SD believes it I'll go with it.

[FactualFrank]

Dyche says, "We haven’t brought him in for that reason".

[TVC15]

Why? You don't play alongside De Bruyne etc. in the national side if you aren't a top class footballer. Remember, before Defour got his bad injury he was wanted by many of the top clubs in Europe. And I did qualify it by saying "a fully fit Defour"!

The relevant bit in that post is "before Defour got his bad injury"

You are referring to the hole in his foot he is now left with !

Lets not exaggerate Defour`s recent appearances for Belgium either. When was the last time they picked him in a competitive game ?

To say he is better than Sigurdsson is i`m assuming a tongue in cheek comment. If not then I`d expect Mr Garlick is currently mulling over several £50m plus bids from a number of the top clubs across Europe.

[ralph]

But only someone at the club could confirm Ablue is talking 5hit

... a lightbulb moment in KRBFC's brain after all this time, yes we are making progress - slow progress but yes progress ...

I don't comment much on here because I can't, this time I know abc was wrong and that my friend is that.

[KRBFC]

... a lightbulb moment in KRBFC's brain after all this time, yes we are making progress - slow progress but yes progress ...

I don't comment much on here because I can't, this time I know abc was wrong and that my friend is that.

You can't claim your opinion as fact because you claim to "just know" because you claim to be "in the know". If you are in the know then give some proof.

[mohamed69]

You can't claim your opinion as fact because you claim to "just know" because you claim to be "in the know". If you are in the know then give some proof.

Yawn

[ralph]

You can't claim your opinion as fact because you claim to "just know" because you claim to be "in the know". If you are in the know then give some proof.

Sure if it is bothering you that much just message the site editor and ask him if I'm LIKELY to know I don't know of any other way of proving that I may SOMETIMES know this and that ...

ABC made a statement which not for the first time will prove to be factually incorrect

[KRBFC]

Sure if it is bothering you that much just message the site editor and ask him if I'm LIKELY to know I don't know of any other way of proving that I may SOMETIMES know this and that ...

ABC made a statement which not for the first time will prove to be factually incorrect

Show some form of ID and then I will take your opinion as factual.

[CFS]

Smalling starts for united in the super cup v Madrid.

[ralph]

Show some form of ID and then I will take your opinion as factual.

I thought you knew Tony ? ask him ... take you two minutes to mail him

[Tribesmen]

Ralph knows 1 KRBFC 0

[ralph]

Ralph knows 1 KRBFC 0

No further comment until September mate the silly season is almost upon us 20 days or so of madness eh ?

[kentonclaret]

The assumption has been made and repeated on this message board that it is widely known that Tarkowski is the replacement for Michael Keane.

If that is true obviously nobody has mentioned it to Tony Scholes.

In The Guardian Premier League preview supplement published today Tony Scholes is asked for the Fan's view of his teams prospects for the upcoming season and comments "We are still looking for a replacement for Michael Keane though."

[claretblue]

'...Tony Scholes is asked for the Fan's view of his teams prospects for the upcoming season and comments "We are still looking for a replacement for Michael Keane though...'

he's always knocking the club!

[boatshed bill]

The assumption has been made and repeated on this message board that it is widely known that Tarkowski is the replacement for Michael Keane.

If that is true obviously nobody has mentioned it to Tony Scholes.

In The Guardian Premier League preview supplement published today Tony Scholes is asked for the Fan's view of his teams prospects for the upcoming season and comments "We are still looking for a replacement for Michael Keane though."

To be fair you could interpret that as "we are looking to add a defender to the squad having sold Michael Keane", if you want to.

[kentonclaret]

Also, to be fair, the comment by many posters on this board recently that we have still not bought in a replacement for Michael Keane could also be interpreted in the same way.

In the interests of "fairness" so to speak.

[claretblue]

sounds like Grayson is reminding anyone who wants to listen that Kone is available

see link:

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/foo ... -1-8703086" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Top Claret]

I can't see us signing this fella. His wage demands will be out of our league

[IanMcL]

Isn't it amazing. We used to talk about who we would have to sell, so we could buy someone for half the amount max, or just survive financially. Now we talk of £20m as though it is pennies.

I hope the Board are retaining some cash for the future, should this all go tits up!