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Post by nathan on Mar 24, 2008 21:03:25 GMT
Lets have a thread praising this lad - a very good defensive performance on Saturday by an under rated member of the squad. He was the first to win the ball in the air when competing with Burgess and generally looked defensively sound. He isn't the best on the ball, and he scares me every time he is on the ball (particularly when he took it around their CF  ) but defensively he is better than Cort. He lacks a bit of confidence for my money at the minute, but if he becomes more accomplished and composed on the ball, which will come in time, he will be a very good player in my opinion. |
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Post by longtonstokie on Mar 24, 2008 21:06:21 GMT
I for one thought he looked really sound when he came on and was a candidate for mom. He has got better as time as gone on, its about time he had some praise.
Longton.
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Post by Olgrligm on Mar 24, 2008 21:07:19 GMT
Well we've got to rely on him in our next match with Cort and Shawcross out and for my money he's a very good centre back. Worst distributor of the ball at the club, but he can tackle, pass and mark very capably.
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Post by Spiderman on Mar 24, 2008 21:07:41 GMT
And a better RB than Griffin
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Post by nathan on Mar 24, 2008 21:08:57 GMT
For the reported fee, I'd of preferred Zak over Cort.
You're buying into potential - likely to get longer out of him and value likely to rise.
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Mar 24, 2008 21:09:37 GMT
He doesn't convince me at right back but he is a more than decent centre back - does need to work on his distributon though.
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Post by davejohnno1 on Mar 24, 2008 21:10:30 GMT
Sorry Spider, but if you really believe that then you don't know too much about football.
Zak is a really good defender, and I love his wholehearted approach. He is a very capable and decent centre half, much better than Cort in my opinion, but he is crap as a full-back.
He has no ability on the ball, no composure, and when played at full-back, this stands out a mile.
He is a good solid defender though, and if we need him on Saturday, there is no doubt in my mind that he will excel alongside Riggot!
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Post by Spiderman on Mar 24, 2008 21:11:34 GMT
What and Griffin is a good RB DJ ??? ???
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Post by nathan on Mar 24, 2008 21:11:43 GMT
He is no right back. He offers nothing going forward, and as mentioned above his distribution is poor. Plus, he is incapable of throwing the ball.
At CB he's better than Cort and a 'safer' option than Ryan.
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Post by FullerMagic on Mar 24, 2008 21:11:44 GMT
For the reported fee, I'd of preferred Zak over Cort. You're buying into potential - likely to get longer out of him and value likely to rise. I agree. He's a proper defender. Cort could be , pound for pound, Pulis' worst-ever buy. |
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Post by bigbren on Mar 24, 2008 21:11:48 GMT
Have always rated him at CB. He'll do just fine alongside Riggott on Sat if required.
bb
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2008 21:12:43 GMT
Grapey, could I just say the words Paul, and indeed, Williams?
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Post by FullerMagic on Mar 24, 2008 21:15:47 GMT
He was a free though, rob.
Considering the central defenders he's bought and then moulded into tight backlines on peanuts, lashing out potentially £1.5m on Cort just leaves you shaking your head in amazement.
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Post by davejohnno1 on Mar 24, 2008 21:16:54 GMT
Spider...Griffin is a very decent full-back at this level, be that right or left back.
I would prefer to see Griff deployed in the left back position that we have always seen him in (prior to this season) but regardless, he is 100 times better than Zak is at full-back.
That is not to criticise Zak, because I really like him and would take him over Cort every day of the week, but Zak isn't a full-back and never will be. Hence me questioning (politely of course) your football knowledge.
As an afterthought, Zak's efforts v West Brazil away (albeit for only 25 minutes) at centre half, were absolutely outstanding. Brave, robust and effective defending that I was really proud of on the night.
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Post by Spiderman on Mar 24, 2008 21:20:00 GMT
I'd have to say that Griffin isn't a very good RB IMO, much better at LB but Pulis seems to be the only one on the planet who can't see this.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2008 21:23:48 GMT
True he was a free Grapey - however, given the hoohaa of waiting for his arrival, and the damage he did when he signed, I'd still say he was worse - I think Cort is much maligned. Alongside a Taggart figure, much like Duberry, I think he'd be alright.
Sweeney must be a strong contender for TP's worst buy as well.
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Post by AlanHansen on Mar 24, 2008 21:24:23 GMT
I gave Zak my MOM at the weekend on the thread at the top of this page, he's a proper defender.
CO
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Post by davejohnno1 on Mar 24, 2008 21:25:26 GMT
Pulis obviously sees him as a right back though, as he bought him in last season and immediately put him in the right back position.
It was only the form of Hoefken's and probably the reaction of the fans, that saw Griff deployed more on the left side.
I too would rather see Griff at left back as he seems to look more comfortable going forward in that role, but equally, I would like to see one of either Wilko or Dicko regularly deployed in the full-back positions. Whichever of those two plays, I would play Griff on the opposite side.
Pugh shouldn't be used at left back again this season though. Midfield or nowhere for him in my opinion.
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Post by Olgrligm on Mar 24, 2008 21:29:34 GMT
He was a free though, rob. Considering the central defenders he's bought and then moulded into tight backlines on peanuts, lashing out potentially £1.5m on Cort just leaves you shaking your head in amazement. More baffling is that we had him on loan, too. He wasn't exactly solid at the back then, was he? |
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Post by nathan on Mar 24, 2008 21:31:29 GMT
To be fair, me and MD expressed our concerns from the off.
Yes, this is an 'I told you so' post.
;D
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Post by AlanHansen on Mar 24, 2008 21:33:56 GMT
Perhaps he purchased Cort for his goals?
CO
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Post by nathan on Mar 24, 2008 21:34:59 GMT
He still isn't worth that.
That fee is astronomical for a player of his defensive (in)capability.
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Post by davejohnno1 on Mar 24, 2008 21:35:23 GMT
CO...There is no perhaps about that mate.
He admitted as much when he signed him.
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Post by trend....... on Mar 24, 2008 21:37:24 GMT
agree, zak is quality. he deserves to be in the starting line up, but who to drop? i feel we cant drop shawcross or riggot. and zak cant play right back.. so its a toughy !
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Post by Olgrligm on Mar 24, 2008 21:37:51 GMT
To be fair, me and MD expressed our concerns from the off. Yes, this is an 'I told you so' post. ;D Have some karma, we're ace. ;D |
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Post by AlanHansen on Mar 24, 2008 21:39:27 GMT
Well arguably it's paying off then?
I must admit Cort gives me the jitters more often than not when he's defending, not too mention his gay heading and the fact that he's never been booked (FFS). On the other hand he's been banging in the goals, as much as a forward to be fair. If i am not mistaken he won player of the season at Palace last season so perhaps we have yet to find the correct partner for him, maybe Danny would have worked well with him?
CO
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Post by mermaidsal on Mar 24, 2008 22:18:59 GMT
Good one, Owls. Zak was one of the few encouraging things on Saturday, and I'd be tempted to pick him at CB ahead of Leon. He's only adequate at RB imo, bit like Clint used to be at LB.
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Post by Stick It On Cort's Head on Mar 24, 2008 22:21:25 GMT
Very good young player is Gabi, i don't think he's as good as Cort, but he WILL be better, there is no doubt that IF we could sign him, he could be a top, top player for us.
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Post by barndoorbanjo on Mar 24, 2008 22:21:40 GMT
I like Zak can't remember him ever letting us down.
Does his job of defending very well.
Yes his distribution is poor but at the end of the day he gets paid for defending and not playing like Brazil.
He's better in his natural position of centre back definitely no right back unless in emergency.
I've got no problems with Zak playing between now and the end of the season.
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Post by haslingtonstokie on Mar 24, 2008 22:27:55 GMT
I thought Zak played superb when he came on on Saturday. Didn't put a foot wrong in some tricky conditions and will do a good back up job for us. But I have to agree that he is not a RB and there is no way he is better that Grif at RB - even if defensively he is better!!
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) but defensively he is better than Cort. 
