|
Post by wakefieldstokie on Apr 13, 2009 12:31:59 GMT
Though he was poor on Saturday and may have done better to stop the goal.
He seems to want to play the long ball all the time these days - I'm sure he never used to?
Also he also goes up for corners and keeps getting called back by Pulis, I've noticed this quite a few times... anyone else?
I don't think we have anything better, but I'd like to see a replacement for him (at left back) in the Summer if we stay up.
|
|
|
Post by spartanstokie on Apr 13, 2009 12:34:05 GMT
danny was good yesterday . we must be after a natural left back though in the summer as we all know that higgy is a centre back.
|
|
|
Post by barmystokie1 on Apr 13, 2009 12:34:48 GMT
danny is a very solid centre back who would be an excellent reserve to ryan and abdy and has served us very well there before. I also think pulis knows this with us being linked to quite a few left backs such as Shorey, so i do believe we will have a replacement in the summer as full backs need to be cormfortable on the ball and contribute more crosses into the box
|
|
|
Post by fradleyhomes on Apr 13, 2009 12:37:27 GMT
Higgy defends well, TP likes defenders at full back who are reasonably good in the air as well hence Wilko and Higgy being first choice
|
|
|
Post by AlliG on Apr 13, 2009 12:46:56 GMT
TP has always liked having at least 1 full back who can double up as a central defender and I don't see that changing.
There is a lot to be said for making the first requirement of any defender the ability to defend. (Just look at our friends from Smethwick).
If TP can find someone who can defend as well as Higgy, but is quicker, better going forward (and can be relied on to get back quickly), then I am sure he would look to bring him in.
But the argument about bringing in better players could be used against anyone currently in the team
|
|
|
Post by you've been Delapped!! on Apr 13, 2009 13:22:27 GMT
To be fair to Danny Saturday he was doubtful to play because of his back injury which must have affected him towards the end of the game, whether this is why he was out jumped I'm not sure. Seeing him today struggling to walk again because of his back injury he has to be a doubt for Blackbum Saturday.
|
|
|
Post by Lakeland Potter on Apr 13, 2009 14:05:41 GMT
I think a natural left back (preferably pacy and with attacking instincts) should be our first priority this summer. I'm not writing Danny off he should be one of three top class centre backs - with the bonus that he can play left back if needed.
Next priority after that should be another striker - preferably two. Apart from BT, Ricci and Mama (who is out until Christmas) we don't have any other strikers of quality in the squad as is shown by what happened when Beattie went off on Saturday. Here's a thought. One of our new strikers should be a proven striker with experience of top level football here or abroad. the other, in my opinion, can be a younger player with potential. If Newcastle go down how about a cheeky bid for Carroll? He's young, should improve, and looked quite useful in his short time on the pitch on Saturday.
|
|
|
Post by Dazzlerscfc on Apr 13, 2009 14:09:38 GMT
I think its because when we first started premier league teams didn't notice we usually start a counter attack by lobbing it to Danny who ran up to the half way line then passed it to a winger or striker, now that they know our tactic he hasn't got much of an option to longball it.
|
|
|
Post by Bick on Apr 13, 2009 14:28:40 GMT
Here is a statement:
"Danny Higginbotham is our worst first team defender"
I said it!
Abdy - awesome Ryan - awesome Wilko - Improved VASTLY, great passion, great tackler and now pushes forward. Higgy - good all rounder, makes a few mistakes and ALWAYS hoofs.
|
|
|
Post by nathan on Apr 13, 2009 14:47:55 GMT
Here is a statement: "Danny Higginbotham is our worst first team defender" I said it! Abdy - awesome Ryan - awesome Wilko - Improved VASTLY, great passion, great tackler and now pushes forward. Higgy - good all rounder, makes a few mistakes and ALWAYS hoofs. Nonsense.
|
|
|
Post by paulroyston on Apr 13, 2009 15:15:06 GMT
bin with danny last couple of weeks.he cant train also most of the time he is lying on the floor not been able to move cause of his back...so bit harsh really..last twenty mins of yesterday he can hardly walk never mind jump..but pulis wants him to play.
|
|
|
Post by tsm on Apr 13, 2009 15:20:36 GMT
If Newcastle go down how about a cheeky bid for Carroll? He's young, should improve, and looked quite useful in his short time on the pitch on Saturday. I would think he'd be one of the ones LEAST likely to leave, to be honest.
|
|
|
Post by you've been Delapped!! on Apr 13, 2009 15:22:53 GMT
paulroyston I agree that it's harsh as anyone who has seen Danny over the last week will know how bad he's been, also if anyone has suffered bad back pains will know how it can immobilise you.
|
|
|
Post by davejohnno1 on Apr 13, 2009 15:26:29 GMT
If Danny is struggling so badly, why not give Dicko a game. We might as well have left him with Leeds if we are not going to use him.
Higgy is one to replace next season in my opinion. A good defender, but if we are to improve, we will need 2 full-backs capable of contributing to our attacking play as well.
|
|
|
Post by thepremierbanksy on Apr 13, 2009 15:35:07 GMT
I'm I the only one who thinks those diagonal hoofs that he's been doing since day one this season are something Pulis has been telling him to do? Whether that is Pulis thinking that higgy isn't capable of much else, or whether it is a practiced part of the gameplan, I can't really contemplate that higginbotham has played so many of those identical balls of his own accord.
Full back is an area we can definately improve, but defending needs to take priority, I don't think it's the best option to suddenly start playing two very attacking full backs, lets not run before we can walk.
Also the goal on saturday was influenced by the little flick that duff's cross took from Whelan's head, not sure carroll would've scored if it hadn't taken that deflection. Great header though.
|
|
|
Post by big bea on Apr 13, 2009 18:38:47 GMT
hes just like a plodder, does his bit nothing special,
|
|
|
Post by paulroyston on Apr 13, 2009 19:42:23 GMT
vice captain plodder..
|
|
|
Post by expectedtoulouse on Apr 13, 2009 20:31:19 GMT
He's a quality defender, but just lacks a little bit going forward. However, most of his crosses are good, he just gets caught out a little bit when the ball comes on his right foot. I think the left full back is instructed to play the long diagonal ball as Pugh and Dickinson both did that regularly last season when they played there. If Danny is still struggling on Saturday then I see no harm in playing Dicko at left back. With Abdy talking to him and with the likes of Brett Emerton playing against him then I can't imagine him having any problems.
|
|
|
Post by nathan on Apr 13, 2009 20:43:48 GMT
Danny is a top pro and a solid, dependable performer.
He lacks confidence to carry the ball forward from the fullback position, though when he gets into certain areas he's got a very decent ball on him.
Let's not forget, he's a top CB. Considerably better than Cort and light-years ahead of Donko.
|
|
|
Post by chell_rosey on Apr 13, 2009 20:47:12 GMT
Danny is a top pro and a solid, dependable performer. He lacks confidence to carry the ball forward from the fullback position, though when he gets into certain areas he's got a very decent ball on him. Let's not forget, he's a top CB. Considerably better than Cort and light-years ahead of Donko. Agreed.
|
|
Banega23
Youth Player
kick and rush...
Posts: 462
|
Post by Banega23 on Apr 13, 2009 21:12:04 GMT
Danny is a top pro and a solid, dependable performer. He lacks confidence to carry the ball forward from the fullback position, though when he gets into certain areas he's got a very decent ball on him. Let's not forget, he's a top CB. Considerably better than Cort and light-years ahead of Donko. Lack of confidence means that he is more inclined to kick the ball long than pass short to a player? We are talking about his current contribution to the team, which happens to be at left back. So his ability at centre half is irrelevant here. He clearly has a creativity deficiency and I'm not so sure that a lack of self-belief is accountable for that.
|
|
|
Post by bunnyscfc on Apr 13, 2009 21:13:29 GMT
agreed x 2.
Seems we are to keen to look on the negative at times. What TP doesn't want are show-ponies in the changing room no matter how good they are.
Higgys is an old-style pro, who plays through pain and who has had a decent season imho. We need more quality on the ball from both full backs, but that's for future months. Right now, we need 11 on the park sweating blood and geting us over the finish line.
SOund bloke, sound player.
|
|
|
Post by nathan on Apr 13, 2009 21:16:54 GMT
Danny is a top pro and a solid, dependable performer. He lacks confidence to carry the ball forward from the fullback position, though when he gets into certain areas he's got a very decent ball on him. Let's not forget, he's a top CB. Considerably better than Cort and light-years ahead of Donko. Lack of confidence means that he is more inclined to kick the ball long than pass short to a player? We are talking about his current contribution to the team, which happens to be at left back. So his ability at centre half is irrelevant here. He clearly has a creativity deficiency and I'm not so sure that a lack of self-belief is accountable for that. Yes, Banega, you've cracked it. Seldom does Higgy dribble with the ball out of defence - not even when the opposition provide him space to do so. Hoofing long is the relatively easy option - should the opposition regain position, clearly they are going to be harder pressed to score than should they dispossess you in your own half. His ability as a CB is also relevant as this thread has diversified into a general topic regarding Higgy and his role beyond this season. Gouranga.
|
|