Van Aanholt

just because he looked good in one game dosent make him a good or bad player,so how do you know hes not a lazy c ant in training with a proper cockney wide boy attitude or perhaps he fell fowl of the dreaded twitter :woohoo:

I’ll now contradict some of what I said by looking at my notes for the meeting with Roberto which I got out today to check what he’d said about the FA Cup.

When asked a separate question about PVA he said (and this is in note form):”He is only 21 and has potential. He needs to adapt. We have no margin for error, we can’t gamble. He will be as good a player as he wants to be. He is currently (at time of interview) playing at Championship intensity. He will play a big part.”

On reading that back it does look to me as though he hasn’t been putting everything into training and fitness levels and all the other things that have metrics attached to them now to help a manager pick his team, and so ultimately won’t be playing a big part.

So what was jrfatfan suggesting?

This is what he said

“Don’t forget bobby sees these players day in day out, not just for the odd game now and then.
If he was good enough he would be in.”

He then went on to say

“I’ve always said it, defenders must be good defenders first and foremost, if they can join up with the attack that’s a bonus.”

At that point people questioned if this is correct why is Jones in the side in the wing back position when everybody other than the manager can see he is not suited to that role, infact his defending skill are nil.

So is he saying PVA was not good enough, but Jones is ? You seem to know what he is thinking so perhaps you could explain it.[/quote]

How do I know what he’s thinking?

I also don’t reckon JR was suggesting anything about Jones. There was no mention of Jones in his post. No agreement that the manager’s choice of Jones in a defensive role was a good one either (despite seeing them in training day in day out).

Although if you’re taking it that the line ‘if you’re good enough then you’re in’ applies equally to Jones whilst aimed at PVA then I can see your point.

However, just because the manager plays someone in defence that isn’t good at defending doesn’t undermine the assertion that defenders should first and foremost be good at defending.

The Jones problem is easily solved by moving Figs out to Wing Back and fetching in another central defender ie Boyce ! Now that would work a treat !!

Jones has his strengths and he has his weaknesses, but one thing is for sure – he is a 100% trier unlike some

Albert Crusat or as I heard him called v Sunderland ‘that mon plays more like Albert Tatlock’ – cant way him up at all

Just proves how objective football is, I thought he was playing really well up to getting injured

So what was jrfatfan suggesting?

This is what he said

“Don’t forget bobby sees these players day in day out, not just for the odd game now and then.
If he was good enough he would be in.”

He then went on to say

“I’ve always said it, defenders must be good defenders first and foremost, if they can join up with the attack that’s a bonus.”

At that point people questioned if this is correct why is Jones in the side in the wing back position when everybody other than the manager can see he is not suited to that role, infact his defending skill are nil.

So is he saying PVA was not good enough, but Jones is ? You seem to know what he is thinking so perhaps you could explain it.[/quote]

Fekin hell dogman I’m not in court being tried for murder.

I’m not saying Jones is a top defender but he fits in this formation nicely and has something that many people on here often moan about Bobby’s signings, lack, premiership experience. Admittedly there have been quite a few occasions were Jones has been left wanting on one to one situations, but there have also been more positives with respect to passing ability, linking up with the left winger, creating chances for others and himself, keeping hold of the ball when needed, looking generally what he is, a very good experienced player that has help steady our sinking ship and bring confidence to the team

I’ve seen the Chelsea kid twice, once at Everton and the other at Palace and he looked great surging forward but as for know how of the game with respect to positioning and reading it, miles away. It’s only off two games mind and bit parts in a few others so that’s all I’m basing it on. As for Bobby he is basing his decision to let him go on what he sees in training, full scale practice games etc.

Sorry if I’ve “blown you out the water” guys, but I sort of understand the game a bit and don’t just come on here to moan about decisions made by Bobby or Whelan.
If the kid had got in the team and played bad for 5-6 games you would then be on here moaning about bobby keeping him in the team and not having the foresight to see when a player is not ready for the rigours of the EPL.

…..and that is the case for the defence your honour! B)