10 hours ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

I think Colwill is fine, but he's a victim of the system/lack of experience. Any young CB would have an experienced CB next to them to learn their trade, we should have kept T.Silva for another year ideally. Terry had Desailly. Konate is learning from VVD. Pique had Puyol. We have him playing without a LB next to him, and Fofana for 10 games a season and whoever else can fill in while he's injured. RCB has to be priority in summer and have a settled CB partnership for the majority of games next season.

Basically the point I have been making all season with Colwill. The guy is having to learn it all by himself. At Brighton, he played next to Dunk. Solid, not the best CB in the world, but very experienced, and Colwill looked excellent alongside him. He's also not being helped by tactics. Like you say, he has no LB next to him, the LB is too busy being a CM, CAM, LW, ST. How is a CB supposed to get his positioning right when he needs to pick up two positions? it's impossible.

6 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

Basically the point I have been making all season with Colwill. The guy is having to learn it all by himself. At Brighton, he played next to Dunk. Solid, not the best CB in the world, but very experienced, and Colwill looked excellent alongside him. He's also not being helped by tactics. Like you say, he has no LB next to him, the LB is too busy being a CM, CAM, LW, ST. How is a CB supposed to get his positioning right when he needs to pick up two positions? it's impossible.

I think this was heavily overstated by the media at the time. Good for his age perhaps, but a long way short of what we've been used to over the years. Still early days mind you.

23 minutes ago, Sexyfootball said:

I think this was heavily overstated by the media at the time. Good for his age perhaps, but a long way short of what we've been used to over the years. Still early days mind you.

I think he still has a way to go before he convinces a lot of people that he is more than just potential. That being said I agree that he has not been helped with a lack of a consistent, experienced option to mentor him. He probably looked at his best this season alongside Fofana, but even Fofana is pretty young.

I bet if you put a Silva quality CB next to Levi you will really see him up his game. I think he's a follower not a leader.

2 minutes ago, Scott said:

I bet if you put a Silva quality CB next to Levi you will really see him up his game. I think he's a follower not a leader.

Bar VVD, Silva was genuinely the last of a dying breed of elite CBs, and even age had caught up to him.

Market is bleak for CBs.

Been slated a lot recently but got to give him his credit today he was fantastic

A top quality cb needs to take ownership, lead, be accountable and responsible, know when to be aggressive, know when to keep it simple, and have the skill, intelligence and positioning to help elevate those "human traits" that all the best cbs have.

Like society, the game today appears to be lacking those "leader amongst men" types

He just turned 22 in feb. Saliba was playing in France till 22 for context.

I think he is doing well for a young CB- he will improve his positioning and read of the game. He has good ball playing ability.. he will never be a JT - I don’t think he is that brave, but his blocks will improve with anticipation and experience.

He has been playing PL since he was 20 and every year he has made improvements ..

I think colwill shows really good traits and I think it’d be foolish to give up on him now. In an ideal world sign Tah on a free transfer this summer colwill to learn from him, then when Tah retires colwill can train acheampong through. Or is that too simple?

I’ve been hard on him for large parts of the season, but credit where it’s due, and as said above. He has played very well the last few games. More assertive, which is great to see. Keep it up!!

9 hours ago, Jangz said:

He just turned 22 in feb. Saliba was playing in France till 22 for context.

I think he is doing well for a young CB- he will improve his positioning and read of the game. He has good ball playing ability.. he will never be a JT - I don’t think he is that brave, but his blocks will improve with anticipation and experience.

He has been playing PL since he was 20 and every year he has made improvements ..

Agreed. People are way too critical of Colwill. If he was still at Brighton people would be hyping him up as the next great thing just like they did with Branthwaite and Huijsen.

1 hour ago, carefree franco said:

I think colwill shows really good traits and I think it’d be foolish to give up on him now. In an ideal world sign Tah on a free transfer this summer colwill to learn from him, then when Tah retires colwill can train acheampong through. Or is that too simple?

Its not helped Colwill and other young uns that Maresca is constantly swapping and changing the defence, theres almost no consistency or time to build up a partnership. I hate when a manager treats the defencs as the same as the attack, where it is easier (not easy by the way, just easier) to swap players in and out. the defence, especially centre backs need to be playing together consistently, the spine of a team should play the vast majority of games, it needs stability, it needs an understanding. This imbecile is dicking about constantly.

21 hours ago, dkw said:

Its not helped Colwill and other young uns that Maresca is constantly swapping and changing the defence, theres almost no consistency or time to build up a partnership. I hate when a manager treats the defencs as the same as the attack, where it is easier (not easy by the way, just easier) to swap players in and out. the defence, especially centre backs need to be playing together consistently, the spine of a team should play the vast majority of games, it needs stability, it needs an understanding. This imbecile is dicking about constantly.

This a 100 times over. Colwill has stagnated, but has had nothing from Maresca.

Ok I may have been overly critical of Levi. Another very solid performance, and stringing them together now. Probably helps to have a consistent partner also.

Very good performance I feel he plays well with Chalobah they just need a good run of games together.

Funny he looks better alongside a more experienced defender who is actually a pretty good defender.

Imagine how much better he could look alongside a player like Marcel, JT or Ricky?

A settled defence is so important for everyone, Fofana can’t be relied on and we need to build for the future. Huijson to partner Colwill with Tosin and Chalobah in reserve. Lovely.

3 hours ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

A settled defence is so important for everyone, Fofana can’t be relied on and we need to build for the future. Huijson to partner Colwill with Tosin and Chalobah in reserve. Lovely.

Don't think Tosin is the level we need in a squad that has CL football.

3 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Don't think Tosin is the level we need in a squad that has CL football.

Agreed .. Tosin is really a Fulham level player - can be a 4th choice at best.

13 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Don't think Tosin is the level we need in a squad that has CL football.

He's fine for a free squad player. If he's happy to pick up the smaller prem games and early stages. Realistically if Colwill and Huijson are fit we shouldn't be rotating them.

34 minutes ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

He's fine for a free squad player. If he's happy to pick up the smaller prem games and early stages. Realistically if Colwill and Huijson are fit we shouldn't be rotating them.

Have to consider if we are placed in a situation where he needs to play the bigger games. Need more a Cahill level of player.

15 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Have to consider if we are placed in a situation where he needs to play the bigger games. Need more a Cahill level of player.

We would still have Chalobah.

Cahill was arguably one of the best CB's in the league for 2-3 seasons, not sure we're going to have that level of player 4th choice.

Edited May 6, 20251 yr by Ukraine Bolt

On 01/05/2025 at 19:43, dkw said:

Its not helped Colwill and other young uns that Maresca is constantly swapping and changing the defence, theres almost no consistency or time to build up a partnership. I hate when a manager treats the defencs as the same as the attack, where it is easier (not easy by the way, just easier) to swap players in and out. the defence, especially centre backs need to be playing together consistently, the spine of a team should play the vast majority of games, it needs stability, it needs an understanding. This imbecile is dicking about constantly.

It is because offensively what maresca want is quite specific so Tosin will always play ccb, Colwil will 90% play ccb, Chalobah will 90% play as RCB.

6 hours ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

We would still have Chalobah.

Cahill was arguably one of the best CB's in the league for 2-3 seasons, not sure we're going to have that level of player 4th choice.

I'd be aurprised if we keep Trev.

13 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

I'd be aurprised if we keep Trev.

Brain dead from the SD's if we don't