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Kyle Walker - opinion poll

What is your opinion of the Kyle Walker transfer?

  • Selling first team players to rivals has consequences, this is a bad idea regardless of the fee

    Votes: 156 28.3%
  • Outrageous money for what they're getting. It's the right time to sell. Levy's done it again

    Votes: 243 44.0%
  • On the fence

    Votes: 153 27.7%

  • Total voters
    552
  • Poll closed .

aliyid

Well-Known Member
Dec 28, 2004
6,944
19,929
Always liked Walker and it's a shame to see him 'want' to leave but I think we've handled it really well and extracted maximum value.

However, I don't think he'll improve City as much as everybody is making out. He caught their eye as he's excellent at driving forward and overlapping the midfield. This is something that City already do very well.

The one thing they need to improve is stability at the back... having Walker next to Stones is a car crash waiting to happen and I'm not sure that Walker will get the support from the squad at City that he had with us
 

lukespurs7

Well-Known Member
Feb 21, 2006
4,833
4,259
Always liked Walker and it's a shame to see him 'want' to leave but I think we've handled it really well and extracted maximum value.

However, I don't think he'll improve City as much as everybody is making out. He caught their eye as he's excellent at driving forward and overlapping the midfield. This is something that City already do very well.

The one thing they need to improve is stability at the back... having Walker next to Stones is a car crash waiting to happen and I'm not sure that Walker will get the support from the squad at City that he had with us
I think walkers pace will be a huge asset to them, when they get caught on the break and when they break quickly. I think he'll do extremely well for them.
 

Donki

Has a "Massive Member" Member
May 14, 2007
14,451
18,966
I think walkers pace will be a huge asset to them, when they get caught on the break and when they break quickly. I think he'll do extremely well for them.

City don't lack pace up front or in midfield, what they lack is a solid back four. Walker's attacking ability is much better than his defensive qualitys, highlighted by his much improved performances this season as a WB rather than a RB.
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
104,143
City don't lack pace up front or in midfield, what they lack is a solid back four. Walker's attacking ability is much better than his defensive qualitys, highlighted by his much improved performances this season as a WB rather than a RB.

You sure about that?
 

Locotoro

Prince of Zamunda
Sep 2, 2004
9,327
13,915
The long and short of this boils down to one thing...if Poch had wanted to keep Walker there is absolutely zero chance he would have been sold.

For whatever reason Poch decided he didn't need Walker, maybe because he's past it, or because he caused an issue or because he sees better alternatives elsewhere, regardless Poch didn't want to keep him that much is evident to me.
 

aliyid

Well-Known Member
Dec 28, 2004
6,944
19,929
I think walkers pace will be a huge asset to them, when they get caught on the break and when they break quickly. I think he'll do extremely well for them.
His attacking forays forward with us had the safety blanket of Toby, Jan and one of Dier or Wanyama dropping to cover him. I just get the feeling that when he makes the same runs for City that players in the same area of the field (Toure/Fernandinho) won't be covering behind leaving Stones & Otamendi/Kompany exposed.

He fits their strengths without doubt I just don't think that he helps fix their weaknesses (y)
 

EastLondonYid

Well-Known Member
Jan 26, 2010
7,837
16,145
IF we had just bought Walker from another rival we would be creaming...well i would.


We let him go too easily imo...and the crazy transfer market today makes the fee decent rather than omg wow.

Keane of Burnley , a nobody, went for 30m.....

i think its a big fuck off mistake...i hope i'm wrong.
 

Flashspur

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2012
6,882
9,068
On the fence for me. Don't want a player who doesn't get on with Poch. But I also don't think KWP is an able standby to Tripps. If we don't get another RB I will be pissed off.
 

Ionman34

SC Supporter
Jun 1, 2011
7,182
16,793
On the fence for me. Don't want a player who doesn't get on with Poch. But I also don't think KWP is an able standby to Tripps. If we don't get another RB I will be pissed off.
What makes you think he won't be able?

I haven't seen much of KWP myself, so I really only have the word of those who have watched him for our youngsters as a yardstick. Are you one of those guys?

The only real feedback I've seen on him, from a competitive Football perspective, is from the U20 World Cup where he played on the other flank. By all accounts he was outstanding in the role. Granted this is not top flight so it isn't a true yardstick on his capabilities.

We've had other youngsters come in and perform above and beyond, Kane, Alli and Winks being perhaps the best examples. Is there something you've seen to make you believe KWP won't repeat that kind of performance?
 

lukespurs7

Well-Known Member
Feb 21, 2006
4,833
4,259
City don't lack pace up front or in midfield, what they lack is a solid back four. Walker's attacking ability is much better than his defensive qualitys, highlighted by his much improved performances this season as a WB rather than a RB.
They lacked pace in defence mate which is why they signed him.
 

Flashspur

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2012
6,882
9,068
What makes you think he won't be able?

I haven't seen much of KWP myself, so I really only have the word of those who have watched him for our youngsters as a yardstick. Are you one of those guys?

The only real feedback I've seen on him, from a competitive Football perspective, is from the U20 World Cup where he played on the other flank. By all accounts he was outstanding in the role. Granted this is not top flight so it isn't a true yardstick on his capabilities.

We've had other youngsters come in and perform above and beyond, Kane, Alli and Winks being perhaps the best examples. Is there something you've seen to make you believe KWP won't repeat that kind of performance?

I've seen KWP play live about four times and the rest on TV. I saw him play in the WC as well. I don't think he is physically ready for what is a pretty demanding role. Poch' s FB's are required to do a lot more then most FB's. I think KWP is a smart player but I think he is another 12-16 months away from being a PL regular.
 

spids

Well-Known Member
Jul 19, 2015
6,647
27,841
I have been impressed with how Walker carried himself after the season ended. Stayed out of the limelight, kept schtum, and waited for Levy to accept a bid. Compared to Bale, Berbatov, Modric etc. he showed us respect.
 

Ionman34

SC Supporter
Jun 1, 2011
7,182
16,793
I've seen KWP play live about four times and the rest on TV. I saw him play in the WC as well. I don't think he is physically ready for what is a pretty demanding role. Poch' s FB's are required to do a lot more then most FB's. I think KWP is a smart player but I think he is another 12-16 months away from being a PL regular.

You are likely correct on your assessment, are we talking about him being a PL regular though if he is to be Trippier's backup?

I would expect Trippier to start the vast majority of PL games, with KWP on the bench but starting in domestic cup games.
The worry is if Trippier were to be injured for a time. I guess this is why the club are looking at Perreira, as KWP would still get cup time and a bench place were injury to occur.

It would be nice if KWP proved you wrong though hey?
 

davidmatzdorf

Front Page Gadfly
Jun 7, 2004
18,106
45,030
Here's part of a post I put on another Walker thread. It might be of use here.

I decided to check the accuracy of the perception that Trippier was being preferred to Walker at the end of last season [which someone else had posted]. According to the match report "stat centres" on the OS, of our last 12 league matches (which covers March to May), Walker started 6 (Everton, Southampton, Swansea, Bournemouth, Palace and West Ham), Trippier started 5 (Burnley, Watford, Arsenal, Man Utd and Hull) and Sissoko started as right wing back once (Leicester). If you include Trippier's start in the FA Cup defeat against Chelsea, it was strict rotation for the last 12 matches of the season, except for Sissoko replacing Walker in the penultimate match.

It's also interesting to compare the results during that phase.​
  • Of the 12 league matches, we won 5 and lost 1 of Walker's starts (13 goals scored, 5 conceded).
  • We won all 5 of Trippier's starts (17 goals scored, 2 conceded). If you include the FA Cup loss, Trippier's record is 5 wins, 1 loss (19 goals scored, 6 conceded).
  • Sissoko's lone start ended in a 6-1 win.
It's a small sample, but it does suggest that we score more goals with Trippier in the side, without suffering defensively.​

And, from the same post:

Early last season, Walker went through a phase where it looked as if he had really started to develop his attacking play. He'd get himself to the byeline and put in crosses or he'd fly up the touchline and take a man (or two) with him. He got a few assists as a direct result. Then he just ... stopped. He went back to doing the same thing every time he'd advance with the ball, which was to make ground quickly until he reached the final third, then slow down to look for options, then cut inside at about a 40º-60º angle, continuing to slow down as he went, ending with a half-hearted attempted through ball that bounced off a defender, or an inaccurate deep cross, or a blast of a shot off target. I think Pochettino saw this regression and realised that, especially when we play with 3 centre-backs, Trippier's attacking style and crossing ability are more productive than Walker's vigour and pace.​
 
Last edited:

Locotoro

Prince of Zamunda
Sep 2, 2004
9,327
13,915
His attacking forays forward with us had the safety blanket of Toby, Jan and one of Dier or Wanyama dropping to cover him. I just get the feeling that when he makes the same runs for City that players in the same area of the field (Toure/Fernandinho) won't be covering behind leaving Stones & Otamendi/Kompany exposed.

He fits their strengths without doubt I just don't think that he helps fix their weaknesses (y)

Also If you consider us playing 3 at the back with Walker at RWB what really does he offer more so than Trippier aside from pace. His delivery isn't as good and he doesn't really go past players when advanced.

So it begs the question what use is that pace when he's not able to fully use the ball when he gets there.
 

Locotoro

Prince of Zamunda
Sep 2, 2004
9,327
13,915
Here's part of a post I put on another Walker thread. It might be of use here.

I decided to check the accuracy of the perception that Trippier was being preferred to Walker at the end of last season [which someone else had posted]. According to the match report "stat centres" on the OS, of our last 12 league matches (which covers March to May), Walker started 6 (Everton, Southampton, Swansea, Bournemouth, Palace and West Ham), Trippier started 5 (Burnley, Watford, Arsenal, Man Utd and Hull) and Sissoko started as right wing back once (Leicester). If you include Trippier's start in the FA Cup defeat against Chelsea, it was strict rotation for the last 12 matches of the season, except for Sissoko replacing Walker in the penultimate match.

It's also interesting to compare the results during that phase.​
  • Of the 12 league matches, we won 5 and lost 1 of Walker's starts (13 goals scored, 5 conceded).
  • We won all 5 of Trippier's starts (17 goals scored, 2 conceded). If you include the FA Cup loss, Trippier's record is 5 wins, 1 loss (19 goals scored, 6 conceded).
  • Sissoko's lone start ended in a 6-1 win.
It's a small sample, but it does suggest that we score more goals with Trippier in the side, without suffering defensively.​

And, from the same post:

Early last season, Walker went through a phase where it looked as if he had really started to develop his attacking play. He'd get himself to the byeline and put in crosses or he'd fly up the touchline and take a man (or two) with him. He got a few assists as a direct result. Then he just ... stopped. He went back to doing the same thing every time he'd advance with the ball, which was to make ground quickly until he reached the final third, then slow down to look for options, then cut inside at about a 40º-60º angle, continuing to slow down as he went, ending with a half-hearted attempted through ball that bounced off a defender, or an inaccurate deep cross, or a blast of a shot off target. I think Pochettino saw this regression and realised that, especially when we play with 3 centre-backs, Trippier's attacking style and crossing ability are more productive than Walker's vigour and pace.​
You beat me to it
 
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