Jack Collison

[RyanWHUFC]

Diame yes... But Maiga, for me he's a little unproven, I've heard he's got a bit of a stinking attitude as well... For me, it has Savio written all over it, only time will tell.

That is fair enough mate, but I'd like to think we didn't go out and spend 4+ million on a bit part player who will be used from the bench.

[Hambrosia Stu]

Diame yes... But Maiga, for me he's a little unproven, I've heard he's got a bit of a stinking attitude as well... For me, it has Savio written all over it, only time will tell.

Can you seriously imagine Big Sam buying a player like Savio?
Never heard of the bloke before we signed him, never seen him play, but I'd trust Sam's judgement. He doesn't seem to go for players with bad attitudes

[Yea Why Not]

He doesn't seem to go for players with bad attitudes

Not too sure about that one Stu

[bobby0303]

Sam actually stated when we brought in Ravel that he likes the challenge of a problem child like him (something to that effect anyway) and he took Anelka to Bolton didn't he when he was at the height of his stroppy sulky frenchness?

[Trevor Montana]

Never heard of the bloke before we signed him, never seen him play, but I'd trust Sam's judgement. He doesn't seem to go for players with bad attitudes

People like Diouf you mean?

[Billy Hunt]

Back out of this one Stu !

[Bobby Orangeboom]

I just got a " Over my dead body " alert into my Inbox, did someone mention El Hadji ?

[Hambrosia Stu]

Never heard of the bloke before we signed him, never seen him play, but I'd trust Sam's judgement. He doesn't seem to go for players with bad attitudes

People like Diouf you mean?

Ah, well, when you put it like that.....!

Although, playing devil's advocate, I can't imagine Sam had much trouble from him off the pitch. It's more what happens when he steps onto a football pitch....

I guess what I meant was that Sam, iirc, has mentioned that the character of a player and his mentality is an important consideration for him. Maybe a player who gobs at opposing fans is showing the right character in his eyes...
I just find it hard to believe that Sam would have signed a player he knew he'd have problems with (he obviously felt he never had a problem with Diouf), to the extent that he wouldn't pick him much (as suggested by the post I replied to). Sure, any transfer has a certain risk, you never really know what you are getting until you get them into training, and some players will fall out of favour with the manager. I just feel that Sam is unlikely to make an error of judgement on the scale of Savio, to the point where his new signing is pretty much unplayable, and I'd trust his judgement on whether he feels the player has the right character, even if the player did get his arse in his hand at his last club.
Did I dig myself out of that one...?!

Anyway, isn't this the wrong thread for this discussion....

[westhamerica]

Just because they are mental cases doesn't mean they aren't ready to step on to the pitch and do a job, so I think Sam can deal with that.

Guys like Savio or Barrera I don't think he would touch.

[Bobby Orangeboom]

Just because they are mental cases doesn't mean they aren't ready to step on to the pitch and do a job, so I think Sam can deal with that.

Guys like Savio or Barrera I don't think he would touch.

We call them " Shitters " Wham..

It's why i laughed at the Etherington to return rumours..

[hammer1975]

As much as I’d love to see that I reckon one of Taylor/O'Neill/Collison will be occupying one of the wide positions. I mean, Allardyce didn't play with two attacking wide players in the Championship so what are the chances of him doing so in the top league?!.....

I think we're more likely to see o'neil and taylor in the two wide slots than maiga and vaz te personally - although I agree that most likely is vaz or maiga on one side and collison/taylor/o'neil on the other.

IMO we don't have sufficient quality full backs or mobile midfield to play both attacking wide men. it amazes me how little credit/awareness there is of how much work collison and o'neil got through compensating for the mobility of midfield, supporting the full backs and allowing vaz te to focus on attacking at the end of last season.

Nolan got a lot more mobile towards the end of the season but it's clear that's not his real game - and really, do we want him to do that? He's probably the most lethal composure-wise in the squad. we need him to 'goal hang' so to speak. this would not be a problem if the other ten players were very athletic or not falling apart

Whilst the news about Jack is not great as he may miss the start of the season he did play most games last season . if he can put together a similar run of fitness I'd still be interested to see him in the middle with Diame and Nolan to see if it changes the dynamic of our team. nothing against nobes - but i do think he dictates the way we play and curious to see what happens if you take that away and have a (hopefully) more energetic midfield. This may be unrealistic or not viable with Jack's injury though.

[Cuenca 'ammer]

h 75

I'd hate to have us with O'Neill and Taylor wide this season. The opponents would chuck everyone forward at every opportunity knowing we would never have the pace to counter attack.

[hammer1975]

h 75

I'd hate to have us with O'Neill and Taylor wide this season. The opponents would chuck everyone forward at every opportunity knowing we would never have the pace to counter attack.

i know what you mean - and i suspect we'll only see one or the other (think o'neil is a better shout for quick counterattacking by some distance over taylor - who may feature much more as an attacking full back for certain games than midfielder)

i just can't see Vaz Te, Cole and Maiga lining up together at the start of any serious game. i generally doubt we'd see as much as 20% of the ball. we may be effective with that 20% but I also don't have confidence in our defense holding out against teams who can utterly dominate possession quite that much against us

in truth we need another mobile attacking/wide midfielder like collison who doesn't have a dodgy knee imo. i half joked with bobby last season that he was statistically our most important player - just because it balances us up imo

[Cuenca 'ammer]

Pre season I know but Barca player ManYoo today and I don't think the mob from Madchester had as much as 30% of the ball. Rooney missed a pen at the end of the first half, Rooney had his first one saved and while Valdes was still on the ground lashed the rebound off the corner flag I reckon. Nani and of course Ashley Young missed as well in a p.k. s.o. Oh why can't Englishmen take penalties when it counts most ???



Nani thought he was being clever with his run up and only clanged it off the crossbar. Ashley Young's was just *****.

[Hockley Hammer]

Ashley Young's was just *****.

At least he is consistent

[indiehammer]

Jack has been included in the Wales squad to play Boznia-Herzegovina on Wednesday.

strange.

Collins is also in the squad.

So that's Demel, Collins, JOB and Collison on International duty. Fingers crossed.

[gegsy]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012 ... ales-squad

Some stuff about Jack in there. Not good.

[Billy Hunt]

Shame, he was regaining fitness and form towards the end of the season. Wonder if he will ever be able to fulfill his potential ?

[szola]

Wonder if he will ever be able to fulfill his potential ?

He will have a less successful career then Fran Lampard jr.
He will have a more successful career then Chris Cohen.

[hammer1975]

anyone know how far off he is? Guardian mentioned a 'lengthy lay off' yet David Gold only described his issue as a 'niggling injury'....hasn't trained yet so presume it's at least a month off....

would have liked to have seen him come on Saturday against villa personally for Taylor or Nolan as they tired