15 replies to this topic

[The Brit]

Our transfer policy has come under a lot of scrutiny over the last 18 months. Who has impressed the most out of the players that came in the summer?
I am voting for Alex...for someone who was probably fourth choice at the start of the season, he is stating a strong case to stay in side even when we have a fully fit squad to choose from...played a major part in us staying in contention despite all the injuries and we have one of the best defensive records in the league still...he is also a danger from set pieces with his head or foot at the other end. Only rival will be Belletti, who has also done well

[Bodzilla]

Alex abd Belletti, by some margin. I also went with Alex, but it just as well could be Belletti, who was given a less then warm welcome here in August! How much more would we really be getting out of Alves at this time?

[The Moos]

I'm torn between Alex and Belletti.
Alex has been rather good when coming in instead of JT or Riccy. Not easy and despite a less than solid start he has been good lately. Not perfect, but good enough.

Belletti was the "Barca-reject". A signing that I think many was disappointed with since we've just been chasing the "big star" Alves. So signing a much older player who wasn't exactly the hot target for the big teams was something many questioned.
Still, he has been good, both in defence and in offence. He's produced a fair few good crosses (some has led to goals) and scored two beauties. In defence he hasn't been perfect, but still good enough.
He has gone from "why the h*ll did we sign him?" to "why the h*ll did Barca let him go?".

So, Alex or Belletti; Belletti or Alex?
I can't chose right now. Will have to think hard about this one.

The rest I would rate:

3. Malouda
4. Pizarro
5. Sidwell
6. Ben Haim

[blizeH]

Agreed with Bodzilla, and that's why I went with Belletti. Alex is great for us, but is still only a replacement for JT. Belletti on the other hand deserves to feature week in, week out at right back, mightily impressive going forward, and good with his defensive duties too. The others don't even come close afaic, Ben Haim is a brilliant fourth choice CB (the best fourth choice in the Prem?), Malouda is pretty decent but doesn't come close to Robben or Duff when they were on form (and not injured!) and Sidwell tries hard but isn't really good enough unfortunately. Pizarro is a complete waste of space.

[loz]

I don't even need to think about it - it is Alex by a country mile.  He has been remarkably consistent whereas Belletti has proved he is a player of some quality but also a player who can, and will, make horrendous errors of judgement.

[Bodzilla]

"loz":1kvqei4b said:

I don't even need to think about it - it is Alex by a country mile.  He has been remarkably consistent whereas Belletti has proved he is a player of some quality but also a player who can, and will, make horrendous errors of judgement.

Yes, what it came down to in the end for me was those few stinkers Belletti had, compared to just an odd wobble from Alex. Both have performed beyond expectations for me though, which is brilliant.

[coco]

Alex because i cannot imagine trying to get through this season without him.

[JT26CFC]

what do you mean, Ben Haim's a world class defender {SMILIES_PATH}/icon_rolleyes.gif

Alex for me, saved us from having to put BH and essien in CB position.

[blizeH]

Ben Haim really isn't that bad, like I said, as a fourth choice centre-back you're almost definitely not going to get any better than him. He's not up to JT/RC (or even Alex) standards - but there's really, really not many players who are. I never wince when I see him in the team selection, unlike a certain Piza :D

[mad_mac]

Alex for me.  Belletti a definite second, and then I pretty much agree with Moo's ranking.  The deal breaker for me is that with belletti, were he to be unable to play, then we have decent cover in Paulo.  However, if Alex were to be injured then the back up would be TBH and then who??? Probably playing someone out of position.

For me, we have obviously played our 3rd anad 4th string defenders together, and I am a lot happier that Alex was our 3rd string that were it to jusr have been tbh!

[Jimboola69]

Alex has been superb of late, plus his freekicks are real humdingers!

Belletti gives us a new dimension going forwards, even if his defensive work is less than stella.

The rest should be used by Fray Bentos in their pies. I mean Haim is just so damned slow and cumbersome. I don't hate when he see him failing to turn onto a pacy striker...I pity him. That is not a good thing!  {SMILIES_PATH}/346.gif

{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_sad.gif

[Qaz]

1. Alex - makes a few mistakes occasionally but overall, very good. One of our better players this season
2. Belletti - suprisingly good, but still a little scary defensively sometimes
3. Malouda - started well, but hasn't been great
4. Ben Haim - has been fairly solid for the most part. not as bad as people make out
5. Pizarro - has shown very little
6. Sidwell - haven't seen him do just about anything good thus far

[Alan]

Alex by a long way for me, he's been as solid as a rock.

[Gem]

Alex for me, closely followed by Beletti.