Star Posted July 25, 2007 Posted July 25, 2007 Am I alone in thinking that if we lose Didier we are in sh*te loads of trouble? I hope and pray the Ivory Coast get knocked out of the Afro Nations because I cannot see Sheva stepping up, the more I see of this pre-season it seems things have not improved in our 30 million purchase, right up there IF THINGS DON'T CHANGE of being alongside Chris Sutton and Robert Fleck as our worse ever striker buys. Of course it's only a few games but Pizzaro showed more in 15 mins today in his hold up play, running off the ball, pace and awareness to suggest he will be our main man when Didier leaves for the Africano's. I'd like to see SWP given a role behind Didier myself. Without doubt he has been our best player pre-season and pace worries defences, he also turns quickly and is a jack in the box, with such a low sense of gravity, aqny touch in or around the box will earn us a tasty free kick or a pen. Also a worry today the swopping of Full backs - got a terrible feeling Ferreira and Johnson will be axed mid season and Essien back there.
callista Posted July 25, 2007 Posted July 25, 2007 "Star" Am I alone in thinking that if we lose Didier we are in sh*t loads of trouble? No, I am preparing to join your club as we speak. I hope and pray the Ivory Coast get knocked out of the Afro Nations because I cannot see Sheva stepping up, the more I see of this pre-season it seems things have not improved in our 30 million purchase, right up there IF THINGS DON'T CHANGE of being alongside Chris Sutton and Robert Fleck as our worse ever striker buys. Looks like he certainly will be competing with them for that award yes indeed. And I too shall be praying the Ivory Coast gets its arse booted out of the competition in record time (sorry Didier). Of course it's only a few games but Pizzaro showed more in 15 mins today in his hold up play, running off the ball, pace and awareness to suggest he will be our main man when Didier leaves for the Africano's. Considering it was his first run out with the club, I agree he did, could do well for us, looks like an intelligent player who can link play up well and good in the box, unlike Sheva who at the moment couldn't score if the goalkeeper actually laid down on the floor with his arms folded. I'd like to see SWP given a role behind Didier myself. Without doubt he has been our best player pre-season and pace worries defences, he also turns quickly and is a jack in the box, with such a low sense of gravity, aqny touch in or around the box will earn us a tasty free kick or a pen. Correct, SWP has been our best player pre-season. Also a worry today the swopping of Full backs - got a terrible feeling Ferreira and Johnson will be axed mid season and Essien back there. Johnson and Ferreira both had poor games tonight, Johnson was caught for the goal and his tackling and passing were generally poor and Ferreira as the other partner in crime made rash tackles when he didn't really need to and one of them caused the free kick which resulted in the soft goal. If things don't improve expect to see Essien out of the midfield where he provides such drive and energy and covering defence - again. To me, this will signal a failure on Jose's part to rectify our defence weaknesses. Johnson to me does not look like the solution to a problem he is the problem.
loz Posted July 25, 2007 Posted July 25, 2007 It was only a few seasons ago when pre-season suggested Kezman was going to be a far better buy than Drogba. I have never placed any significance whatsoever on how players perform in pre-season (be it well or badly)
Alan Posted July 26, 2007 Posted July 26, 2007 I remember thinking Kezman would take the Premiership by storm
Iceman Posted July 26, 2007 Posted July 26, 2007 Seeing last night's match, it makes the need for Alves all the more urgent. Hopefully Alex will come in too. Yes, the striker situation is a worry if Drogs gets injured, even without tbh. It would be nice to rest him more games this season. Had no more in the tank in the business end of last season. So yes, Mourinho still needs to address attack and defence IMO.
Star Posted July 26, 2007 Author Posted July 26, 2007 I I have never placed any significance whatsoever on how players perform in pre-season (be it well or badly) Dixon, Nevin, Spackers, Big Joe, ah for an American trip in 83/84 - we'd have all been on at 33/1 !
BLUENUT Posted July 26, 2007 Posted July 26, 2007 I I have never placed any significance whatsoever on how players perform in pre-season (be it well or badly) Dixon, Nevin, Spackers, Big Joe, ah for an American trip in 83/84 - we'd have all been on at 33/1 ! Sand dunes in south Wales for that lot mate Back to the topic. We will struggle without Drogba, we have no sharp-end without him. Sheva just looks off the pace and you can't teach a 30+ player how to run fast!
callista Posted July 26, 2007 Posted July 26, 2007 Drogba needs to be rested occasionally and we still rely on him totally and that's not good for him or us. Sheva cannot gain pace, he is what he is, a 30+ striker who has seen better days, incompatible with the premiership rough and tumble. The brain may still be as sharp as ever also the legs are lagging way behind and it's painful to watch him struggle both physically and mentally out there. I hope SWP steps up to the plate and takes his chance.
nickwus Posted July 27, 2007 Posted July 27, 2007 I remember thinking Kezman would take the Premiership by storm He did....unfortunaltely it was a sand storm !
evissy Posted July 27, 2007 Posted July 27, 2007 We are considerably weaker without Drogs but so would be any other team in the world. Sheva and Pizza are good backups and I have faith in them. Pre-season is usually where players who don't play that much(during the season) play their a*ses off to make it hard for the manager to pick the XI when the season starts. When the season starts all the best players start to perform. I wouldn't put anything on Sheva's poor form in the pre-season. He's an experienced player and don't risk anything during this time. He knows he gets his chance to prove Jose and us when the SEASON starts.
Ro Posted July 27, 2007 Posted July 27, 2007 That's my opinion too - we'll be weaker without Didier, but we still have Sheva and Pizzaro. Besides, we have a couple of wingers that can do some serious damage and score as many times as needed. EDIT: I'm more afraid of losing JT...
dkw Posted July 27, 2007 Posted July 27, 2007 ive got big hopes for pizarro. i think he`ll do well in the prem when drogba doesnt play. he wont get the goals, but he will make chances for others. and his aerial ability hopefully will cover for drogba both offensively and defensively. drogba will be missed in our own box as much as he will in the oppositions box.
callista Posted July 27, 2007 Posted July 27, 2007 ive got big hopes for pizarro. i think he`ll do well in the prem when drogba doesnt play. he wont get the goals, but he will make chances for others. and his aerial ability hopefully will cover for drogba both offensively and defensively. drogba will be missed in our own box as much as he will in the oppositions box. Spot on, I'm amazed at how many times he heads those balls away from the danger areas, he's fantastic at that and the commentators notice too. So ironically vital in both boxes!
Makelele Posted July 27, 2007 Posted July 27, 2007 Jose knows of this danger...didn't he say he was working on a deal with the african teams so that he could bring players back early and have them leave later or something like that????? can anyone shed some light on my bonehead theory??
callista Posted July 28, 2007 Posted July 28, 2007 During the trip to Ghana at the start of the summer he mentioned it but I think he knows in his heart that it's a no go. These are top players were are talking about who are naturally very proud to play for their country, Jose knows he cannot stop them going unless they are genuinely injured.
Ro Posted July 28, 2007 Posted July 28, 2007 So our only hope is to have Ivory Coast kicked out of the competition at an earlier stage
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