Re-Shaping The Team

[Bruce Rioja]

I guess I'm in a seriously threatened minority - but I don't think that Alonso's as crap as people make out... he looked better when he had a couple of games in a row - a luxury he's hardly ever had - but then got injured again... he has had some decent moments in a white shirt... and not much time on the pitch to establish himself..

Exact-a-mundo.

[Ianmooreslovechild]

I guess I'm in a seriously threatened minority - but I don't think that Alonso's as crap as people make out... he looked better when he had a couple of games in a row - a luxury he's hardly ever had - but then got injured again... he has had some decent moments in a white shirt... and not much time on the pitch to establish himself..

Exact-a-mundo.

I agree Bish but I'm just not convinced he should be a left back. He's just not quick or mobile enough. He does have a good left foot strikes the ball well and is decent in the air.Reckon he's pop a goal or two in from midfield. I imagine DF may think he's not fit enough and he may well be right at present.

[officer_dibble]

That fulham game was the gashest performance by a full back since jimmy phillips tried right back. His second game in a row (he played at wolves).

I'll eat this post if he makes it here.

[Bruce Rioja]

I guess I'm in a seriously threatened minority - but I don't think that Alonso's as crap as people make out... he looked better when he had a couple of games in a row - a luxury he's hardly ever had - but then got injured again... he has had some decent moments in a white shirt... and not much time on the pitch to establish himself..

Exact-a-mundo.

I agree Bish but I'm just not convinced he should be a left back. He's just not quick or mobile enough. He does have a good left foot strikes the ball well and is decent in the air.Reckon he's pop a goal or two in from midfield. I imagine DF may think he's not fit enough and he may well be right at present.

Of the precious few good full backs that we've had within my lifetime, I don't recall any of them being particularly quick or noticeably mobile.

[Bruce Rioja]

That fulham game was the gashest performance by a full back since jimmy phillips tried right back. His second game in a row (he played at wolves).

I'll eat this post if he makes it here.

His second game on the bounce? Really? A run as long as that? Oh well there you go then! There's a prolonged run in the side an no mistake, eh?

I too was at that Fulham game and yes, he had and absolute 'mare'. However, I was also at Blackburn away when he was man of the match by a mile and a half.

[thebish]

I just think his appearances in the team have been far too stop-start and disjointed and far apart for us to really know - well, at least those of us who need a decent amount of time to weigh up a player before writing him off... some players thrive on the confidence that a regular start and a run in the team gives them - some players try to snatch at the few chances they have and consequently they are tense and overplay in order to make an impression... I think this is at least possible with Alonso...

if we can be ready to bin Alonso off after about 2 games and a few bits - then we can judge Freedman after 4!

[BWFC_Insane]

I guess I'm in a seriously threatened minority - but I don't think that Alonso's as crap as people make out... he looked better when he had a couple of games in a row - a luxury he's hardly ever had - but then got injured again... he has had some decent moments in a white shirt... and not much time on the pitch to establish himself..

Exact-a-mundo.

I agree Bish but I'm just not convinced he should be a left back. He's just not quick or mobile enough. He does have a good left foot strikes the ball well and is decent in the air.Reckon he's pop a goal or two in from midfield. I imagine DF may think he's not fit enough and he may well be right at present.

Of the precious few good full backs that we've had within my lifetime, I don't recall any of them being particularly quick or noticeably mobile.

How many good fullbacks in the modern game are not quick or mobile?

[CAPSLOCK]

That fulham game was the gashest performance by a full back since jimmy phillips tried right back. His second game in a row (he played at wolves).

I'll eat this post if he makes it here.

His second game on the bounce? Really? A run as long as that? Oh well there you go then! There's a prolonged run in the side an no mistake, eh?

I too was at that Fulham game and yes, he had and absolute 'mare'. However, I was also at Blackburn away when he was man of the match by a mile and a half.

I've forgotten the name of the 9 year old left back they had playing on the right wing, that night

Remind me, who was it

Going forward, he's fine

Defensively, he hasn't got a a prayer

That performance against Duff was downright embarrassing

Its not just a lack of pace, he can't even set his feet in the right place/direction

His weight is misplaced

He just isn't a defender and I doubt he'll be a footballer

Best thing I can say is we didn't piss as much on him as we did on Sordell

[thebish]

has his court case now gone away?? seems to have gone quiet...

[Enoch]

There's a team in the Championship that Dougie Freedman has already built. That team was relegation haunted when he took over. He assembled it on a shoestring budget. He organised it from the back. He brought in a few bargain signings and young players from the youth team. Then he got it playing football his way. It is the only away side to win at the Reebok this season and sitting pretty at the top of the league.

This is why his leaving is so f***ing raw with me

As this thread is about 'Re-Shaping The Team', thought I'd share this post lifted from holmesdale.net, a Palace forum. Obviously The Sash is an enlightened chap for one of them!

For all the pre season hype and current misgivings, this squad is certainly way ahead of the one he inherited at Palace. As one that has no need for instant gratification, I'm happy that Freedman will produce.

[Bruce Rioja]

That fulham game was the gashest performance by a full back since jimmy phillips tried right back. His second game in a row (he played at wolves).

I'll eat this post if he makes it here.

His second game on the bounce? Really? A run as long as that? Oh well there you go then! There's a prolonged run in the side an no mistake, eh?

I too was at that Fulham game and yes, he had and absolute 'mare'. However, I was also at Blackburn away when he was man of the match by a mile and a half.

I've forgotten the name of the 9 year old left back they had playing on the right wing, that night

Remind me, who was it

l

They actually had a 9 year old left back playing on the right wing that night? Really? If you've nothing remotely sensible to add then please save yourself from making a todger of yourself by not doing. Now jog on

[CAPSLOCK]

Haha

Well, who was it

May well have been for all I know

It definitely wasn't a first team winger

[Wandering Willy]

Its not just a lack of pace, he can't even set his feet in the right place/direction

His weight is displaced

Make him captain then.

[CAPSLOCK]

Well, yes

But he's scored 4 goals this season, don't you know

[Bruce Rioja]

Haha

Well, who was it

May well have been for all I know

It definitely wasn't a first team winger

I do recall one Jay McEverley making his debut for Blackburn and keeping Youri Djorkaeff in his pocket.

[thebish]

Haha

Well, who was it

May well have been for all I know

It definitely wasn't a first team winger

I think it might have been Grant Hanley - a Centre Back, normally - he played 23 games that season and is 20yrs old...

[Wandering Willy]

Well, yes

But he's scored 4 goals this season, don't you know

Dressed in your pink chaps you'd have got six coming on as a sub.

[Bruce Rioja]

Haha

Well, who was it

You tell us. Go on?

[Ianmooreslovechild]

I guess I'm in a seriously threatened minority - but I don't think that Alonso's as crap as people make out... he looked better when he had a couple of games in a row - a luxury he's hardly ever had - but then got injured again... he has had some decent moments in a white shirt... and not much time on the pitch to establish himself..

Exact-a-mundo.

I agree Bish but I'm just not convinced he should be a left back. He's just not quick or mobile enough. He does have a good left foot strikes the ball well and is decent in the air.Reckon he's pop a goal or two in from midfield. I imagine DF may think he's not fit enough and he may well be right at present.

Of the precious few good full backs that we've had within my lifetime, I don't recall any of them being particularly quick or noticeably mobile.

Like BWFCi says tho I think it's plus in the modern game.Racking my brain for decent mobile bolton fullbacks we've not exactly been blessed- Brian Borrows,not many more. Ricketts has decent pace and mobility. I suppose it's more that alonso seems a bit flat footed and slow to react at times. Also if you lack pace you need good positioning. Ironically now we're playing a bit deeper pace may be less of an issue but he'sbeen caught out by players cutting in and firing off a shot a few times in his handful of gmes and it's cost us and that is still going to happen if we are defending deep. His best game (blackburn ) was indeed against not a lot of threat which meant he could get forward where he looks more comfortable to me.

[thebish]

I don't think Alonso is as slow as some on here reckon he is...

also - we have only ever really seen him just back from injury or ring-rusty from a long absence from 1st team football..