AVB needs to stop playing Caulker and Naughton together

[kendoddsdadsdogsdead]

Not sure about Caulker. He's quite flat footed and he doesnt need much encouragement to take the easy option and kick it out when under the smallest pressure. Just my opinion but dont think he has it in him to be a top player.

what's wtf about that? Care to explain? you don't think he's flat footed and lacks composure?

 

[lillywhites61]

For those saying naughton should never be played, if it was for him and to be fair to the guy he was very good in some of the earlier games this season we would be screwed as we were running out of alternatives.

As for Caulker he needs to be brought in slowly as AVB is doing, I think the whole squad is being managed and rotated really well. Will hopefully avoid burn out

 

[balalasaurus]

In the short term, both would surely benifit from playing next to more experienced players .Then when they improve you could play them together, not now at such a vital part of our season...

but our entire season is vital wouldn't you say. lets be honest the premier league has never been so competitive for us as it has this season. that means that every single point counts. there are no 'small' matches anymore meaning there are no other opportunities for such an idea

 

[steve]

It's one of the only gripes I have with AVB steve, and one I don't understand at all. In his last 3 games he's started 2 at LB and 1 at RB and been subbed in all 3. Can't ever remember seeing a full back subbed so many times.

When Bale plays left he's happy with the solid support Naughton gives him - he gets the ball and passes it pretty well after all and he's pretty composed, definitely one of his strengths. Once he shifts the likes of Dempsey there I think AVB prefers a genuine lefty to get down the left and get crosses in especially when we're chasing a goal....

Is it possible Bear that your assessment of Naughton is a little harsh? That ok he's not brilliant but he's not as bad as you make out?

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Bear what do you think about AVB picking him then? Lets say we agree with you (which most of us obviously don't) - what does this say about AVB playing him if KN is 'fucking shit'? Is AVB shit also for picking him? He could've played Benny or Verts there or even recalled Rose in January...KN doesn't pick himself after all - so is AVB fucking blind? Or stupid? Or both?

Personally I think he suffers from FB blindness Steve. Because he keeps picking the other clown too.

It's one of the only gripes I have with AVB steve, and one I don't understand at all. In his last 3 games he's started 2 at LB and 1 at RB and been subbed in all 3. Can't ever remember seeing a full back subbed so many times.

Jol used to sub full backs every time we weren't winning games.

Any **** can see that the two lb subs were clearly tactical. Ekotto would have started if he hadn't played in the week and the first time he was coming back from a long lay off. And let's be honest, it's not like Ekotto's the most diligent defender is it.

The rb switch Walker was brought on, presumably to provide some extra pace, but what your diatribe against Naughton omits is that Walker was no better after coming on than Naughton had been. Amazing considering Naughton is so shit, that Walker wouldn't positively shine in comparison ?

No one is saying Naughton's great, but at least he can control a football, and he can actually pass the ball. Walker makes his own position look difficult every game, fuck knows what he'd be looking like if played at LB.

 

[steve]

Personally I think he suffers from FB blindness Steve. Because he keeps picking the other clown too.



Jol used to sub full backs every time we weren't winning games.

Any **** can see that the two lb subs were clearly tactical. Ekotto would have started if he hadn't played in the week and the first time he was coming back from a long lay off. And let's be honest, it's not like Ekotto's the most diligent defender is it.

The rb switch Walker was brought on, presumably to provide some extra pace, but what your diatribe against Naughton omits is that Walker was no better after coming on than Naughton had been. Amazing considering Naughton is so shit, that Walker wouldn't positively shine in comparison ?

No one is saying Naughton's great, but at least he can control a football, and he can actually pass the ball. Walker makes his own position look difficult every game, fuck knows what he'd be looking like if played at LB.

Watch the first thing Benny does after coming on. He tracks Sissoko down the line towards the corner flag and then stands a yard off him - as Sissoko shapes up to cross the ball Benny actually turns his body side on to avoid being hit by the ball instead of blocking the cross!!!

 

[worcestersauce]

There seems to be a few of threads weaving through this one, should these two be played together, should they ever be played and are they good enough.
My input has been simple, I don't think Naughton is or will be good enough for us, he isn't shit and of course he should be played this season when appropriate, to rest BAE or unless we need our top team out, but ultimately he is short of the quality we will need and that isn't because of his inexperience because he isn't inexperienced and he has played left back for years so the argument that he is out of position is a bit of a thin one; he played left back to Kyle Walker's right back at the blades even though he's two years older. I could be wrong(there's always a first time ) but ultimately I believe he will move on.
Caulker, on the other hand, is inexperienced but will be good enough for us, he will be an excellent centre back, nuff sed.

 

[nidge]

But why 22? Naughton isn't 22.

he's 24 isn't he?

 

[EastLondonYid]

but our entire season is vital wouldn't you say. lets be honest the premier league has never been so competitive for us as it has this season. that means that every single point counts. there are no 'small' matches anymore meaning there are no other opportunities for such an idea

Ok then let me put it another way then.... i don't trust them both in the same team,well not to get us CL football.

 

[Spurs_Bear]

Is it possible Bear that your assessment of Naughton is a little harsh? That ok he's not brilliant but he's not as bad as you make out?

In pure footballing terms steve, possibly.

In terms of the ratio of vitriolic abuse that our other more talented players receive on this forum? Not harsh enough.

 

[Spurs_Bear]

The rb switch Walker was brought on, presumably to provide some extra pace, but what your diatribe against Naughton omits is that Walker was no better after coming on than Naughton had been. Amazing considering Naughton is so shit, that Walker wouldn't positively shine in comparison ?

No one is saying Naughton's great, but at least he can control a football, and he can actually pass the ball. Walker makes his own position look difficult every game, fuck knows what he'd be looking like if played at LB.

Ohhhhh. Is that how it works Beecie? So when Dembele came on for Huddletron in that game and didn't 'positively shine in comparison', what does that say?

Stop it.

 

[wishkah]

Ohhhhh. Is that how it works Beecie? So when Dembele came on for Huddletron in that game and didn't 'positively shine in comparison', what does that say?

Stop it.

That they should have been using Pantene pro-v for lifeless hair?

 

[Spurs_Bear]

That they should have been using Pantene pro-v for lifeless hair?

He probably went with Head & Shoulders. Always an error.

 

[nicdic]

For what it's worth I thought Walker was as much at fault for the goal if not more than Naughton.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

For what it's worth I thought Walker was as much at fault for the goal if not more than Naughton.

Of course, the guy Walker was supposed to be marking had all the time in the world to control the ball, turn and shoot while Walker just stood watching him.

 

[Ionman34]

So far, the players in question have been integral parts of our undefeated run and, to date, relatively successful season.

I'm absolutely dumbfounded that they get dug out again and again for errors when their positive contributions are overlooked completely by all bar a handful.

Every win they are part of will see them increase in confidence, FFS they are kids in reality, years away from their prime and doing a pretty stand out job in the most competitive league on the planet.

But some on here expect WC performances every week and whine when you don't get them.

Fuck me there's some drop kicks on here

 

[eViL]

lol have we ever actually seen Naughton play in his preferred position?

Fuck it, lets just sign Dani Alves.

 

[Riandor]

Let's see...

Who else should play? Honest question.
If Ekotto was being rested due to mid week game, then who else can play in the full back positions other than Naughton and Walker?

Vertonghen needs time off as well. It is about squad rotation and frankly we just don't have the options.

Walker was considered a revelation last season, but this season he has gone right off the boil, but so did Bale. He might simply be having an off season, or adjusting to new instructions or got caught up in his own hype.

Naughton has just broken into the team and is being given time to prove himself.

We won. We played with several players rested and we STILL won. Can we do better player wise? sure, but we have to manage with what we have and you cannot show players looking to break through that no matter what you aren't going to give them game time.

Naughton and Caulker have both benefited from AVB willing to give them that game time and other players coming through will see that.

It's important to the squad as a whole and allows AVB to know who he can rely on and keeps other senior players on their toes in terms of fighting for their place.

Not against criticising performances or players, but at the moment I do not think AVB is doing hardly anything wrong in terms of how he utilises the squad.

 

[sidford]

Cisse got in between caulker & Kyle several times yesterday including the header that just went wide. They didn't communicate, caulker should know where the oppositions only CF is but Kyle was not switched on. He should have been screaming at caulker to pick him up and if not he should have moved in to mark him himself.
Hopefully this won't be a pairing we play too often, we can't have two inexperienced players beside each other.

 

[SteveH]

Its a building process for me.

The fullback situation will be interesting. Walker/Smith Benny/Rose is for me the future...
Rose may not play ball though. If not would like to see a replacement bought in maybe cheeky bid for young Shaw (too expensive?)

Kyle N. sadly is not a top four full back.