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defensivebatsman

Listed below are comments made by defensivebatsman between Tuesday, 16th June 2009 and Thursday, 19th November 2009.

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No rush for Rodwell move 1:48pm on 19 Nov 2009 Because Rodwell's positional awareness has to improve, people think he should play central midfield but he looks best to be a central defender. His vision will improve but not sure how much while physique should not be too much a problem as Sharp is pointing out. If he is to reach Carrick's or even Alonso's ability he needs to develop quicker in that position.
What we can learn from Rooney, Dan Rooney 3:02pm on 10 Nov 2009 I don't think Ince got needless pressure because he was of black descent. He just wasn't good enough; indeed young managers like Southgate failed because they don't have the theoretical understanding of football such as studying Arrigo Sachhi's and Cruyff's methods etc.

And also experience in developing youngsters therefore gaining better understanding of people's mindsets and development process. Van Basten was lucky as he worked under Sachhi and Rinus Michels but he also took his time out before to watch Wenger and other managers instead of like Southgate who tried to copy him without really getting the best understanding.

17 games and bottom was more than enough time for Ince; Barnes and Mcateer were useless while Hughton is just a stop gap.

McCarthy's assistant at Wolves is black and seems quite good but I think this is just the start of black coaches and you will start to see more (Vieira, Thuram) but I can't see many English ones at the moment....No, not Ferdinand.
Brazil's new breed of guard dog 2:27pm on 09 Nov 2009 Corrections above No. 16^^^^: Possession should be changed to position and there should be a not in the second sentence in the third paragraph.
Brazil's new breed of guard dog 2:25pm on 09 Nov 2009 The rise of players like Gilberto are reactionary and things like this go full circle. I have seen enough in top level football to suggest teams will once again desire creativity in this possession but then somewhere along the line, one team will have success with a destroyer again.

The reason why Wenger sold Gilberto had partly to do with mobility though by what percentage is open to question. Wenger certainly felt he had a couple of years in him but the level of competition and talent coming through may surpass him or indeed be hindered by the Brazilian. You can see with the system Arsenal have mobility needs to be combined with technical ability and reading of the game which Song has although one would still argue if Arsenal could better him in terms of passing ability.

But Gilberto's criticism seems have been manufactured also because Brazil as a whole are not creative enough. You can go with one specialist to balance the team but three as they have now (Melo, Gilberto and Ramires). Brazil have been slow to act on again to changes and one could maybe see them fall behind later to the European's for short period of time; despite their relative individual talents at U17 level can it work in a harminious system in the future?
Capello's World Cup contenders 12:23pm on 15 Oct 2009 I think most people miss the point on Beckham. Capello likes him as he is a calm infleunce on keeping and wanting the ball. His movement adds variety and then there's the added threat of the clever pass.

What Crouch lacks is mobilty otherwise he's a shoe-in but Capello knows his worth nevertheless. Walcott ahead of Lennon because he is almost a wide forward and his ability to get behind the defence gives different points of attack.

What I like about Foster is hids confidence (which is a slight paradox as he lacks confidence at the moment). But he likes to get involved where otherwise another keeper like the situation in Unkraine, where Green decided to stay back (not really his fault however) and paid the price.

Tyrone Mears as back up anyone?

My Squad: James, Green, Foster
Defenders: Johnson, Brown, Terry, Ferdinand, Cahill, Cole, Bridge
Midfielders: Beckham, Walcott, J. Cole, Gerrard, Lampard, Barry, Carrick, Milner, Hargreaves/Wright-Phillips (if injured)
Forwards: Rooney, Heskey, Defoe, Crouch
Seba Veron, an heir to Cerezo 4:23pm on 20 Jul 2009 What people forget is that Veron was fantastic for United in the European games. Ferguson loves creative players like him but ultimately it seemed the English style didn't suit him. It was quick and also was United's play despite being very technical also. He was pressured just like the Argentinians were in 74 by the Dutch.
Gomes sets sights on World Cup 2:30pm on 13 Jul 2009 I'm probably the only one who was left unimpressed by Fabiano in the confederations cup. Yes he led the line well, playing on the last man but the way he was used, I felt he had more ability. Modern Brazil is all about individuals and specialists and balancing them out.

I like my strikers to be all round that's all, like a de stefano or a Pele.
Copa Libertadores deserves golden final 1:52pm on 06 Jul 2009 @ 15: £50m is too much for any player but Kaka can be very effective but even more in a technical gifted side and one with good movement. His strength is fantastic and can make fantastic bursting runs. He along with Alves, looked the technically best players for a functional Brazil side.
England World Twenty20 player ratings 2:20pm on 16 Jun 2009 Matt Prior has been a class batsman for England. The selctors should have identified those who are out of their depth batting wise (Morgan) and those who can hit the ball cleanly against the best bowlers. Therefore Prior should have at least been a specialist batsman. England sorely missed a spinning all rounder (Patel, Yardy, Blackwell) but someone who could have hot the ball as well.

My team for next: Bopara, Pietersen (c), Prior, Shah, Patel, Wright, Flintoff, Broad, Foster (Wk), Swann, Anderson.
Others: Trott, Rashid, Mascerenhas, Sidebottom.
Brazil's Confederations Cup dilemma 1:15pm on 16 Jun 2009 @ 39: Why Diego doesn't get many games? Dunga is a cautious manager. I would like to compare him to Benitez, except Benitez is more about organisation and controlling space.

They both play a similar formation but Dunga insists of two defensive midfielders when it is apparent Brazil are a team who need fluidity, flexibility therefore technical players. He may not have those players at his disposal hence the approach. It was apparent Kaka and Alves were alone in the match v Egypt. Diego could easily play loosely on the right but Dunga seems afraid of allowing too much room to the opposition.

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defensivebatsman