Gilberto- what was the point?

[philbcn]

If we were correctly informed that only Hutton was unavailable for selection, then I have to ask, what was the point of the Gilberto signing as he coudn´t even make the bench yesterday?

When he was signed in the Jan window BAE and Bale were out, granted but we had (and still have) Lee plus O´Hara as backup so just what were we thinking?.....Why? Any ideas?

Then again what were we thinking with some other signings.....KPB anyone,

 

[Kendall]

I got the feeling that when we signed him we didn't realise what bad shape he was in. At the time Bale and BAE were out for the season and we needed a LB, as it happened he hardly played until the last month of the season when he actually looked decent.

 

[SpurOfGlory]

So you acknowledge he signed when we had a lack of left back cover and yesterday he couldn't make the bench due Bale and Assou-Ekotto covering that position and your puzzled why we signed him.
Whats the point in having players that don't make the bench,well they are part of the squad and offer cover thats his point.

 

[philbcn]

So you acknowledge he signed when we had a lack of left back cover and yesterday he couldn't make the bench due Bale and Assou-Ekotto covering that position and your puzzled why we signed him.
Whats the point in having players that don't make the bench,well they are part of the squad and offer cover thats his point.

So he´s better than Lee then, who also plays LB and was fit at the time of the signing?
Had O´Hara for cover, and Gunter. Are they not adequate cover?
And knowing Bale and BAE were coming back, what was the point of buying a player who was 31 in April to cover for such a small period of time?

Not neccesary and could be argued that it foolish as he was unfit and injured when signed.

 

[900triumph]

If we were correctly informed that only Hutton was unavailable for selection, then I have to ask, what was the point of the Gilberto signing as he coudn´t even make the bench yesterday?

When he was signed in the Jan window BAE and Bale were out, granted but we had (and still have) Lee plus O´Hara as backup so just what were we thinking?.....Why? Any ideas?

Then again what were we thinking with some other signings.....KPB anyone,

Huh? You do know that there is a limit of 7 on the bench? Lee is out anyway, sooner or later. Gilberto is arguably better than O'Hara in that position. In other games Bale could start LM with BAE at LB, Gilberto on bench - any number of other opportunities according to injuries, form or tactics.

 

[DC_Boy]

I'm not convinced by gilberto - in fact I'm not convinced by any of our LBs - people keep telling me not to worry - fair enough - I'll stop worrying when I see a decent LB out there

yes Bale might be the answer - but I want to see it before I believe it

 

[TheVoiceofReason]

I dont get it. I would have considered Asou Ekotto as our 4th best LB, but for some reason he starts??

 

[900triumph]

So he´s better than Lee then, who also plays LB

Ramos obviously thinks so, and his opinion trumps yours. Or mine.

 

[philbcn]

Huh? You do know that there is a limit of 7 on the bench? Lee is out anyway, sooner or later. Gilberto is arguably better than O'Hara in that position. In other games Bale could start LM with BAE at LB, Gilberto on bench - any number of other opportunities according to injuries, form or tactics.

I do know of the limit which is 7 now, but it´s not relevant.
I am talking about the wisdom of the purchase in January, in the past, when BAE and and Bale weren´t available but we knew they would be coming back soon so why buy an old, unfit player for a position that is and was already covered. He´s now what 3rd, 4th,5th choice and 31.

 

[900triumph]

I'm not convinced by gilberto - in fact I'm not convinced by any of our LBs - people keep telling me not to worry - fair enough - I'll stop worrying when I see a decent LB out there

yes Bale might be the answer - but I want to see it before I believe it

Bale might well be the answer, but whoever gets a go needs to play in a settled back four, which won't happen unless Ledley is fit or we replace him. Daws seemingly only performs adequately with Ledders, and Hutton's comeback will be significant, when it happens. Somewhat obvious, but we'd all be happy to see Hutton Woodgate Ledley Bale given a run together, which might solve the LB iffyness.

 

[philbcn]

Ramos obviously thinks so, and his opinion trumps yours. Or mine.

That´s obviously true but on yesterdays evidence BAE and Bale are rated higher and he knew they were coming back.
Why buy him as cover when the position was covered.
Anyway I´m repeating myself now...... Let´s see if he does play at all this season and maybe it´ll prove to be a master signing.

 

[philbcn]

Bale might well be the answer, but whoever gets a go needs to play in a settled back four, which won't happen unless Ledley is fit or we replace him. Daws seemingly only performs adequately with Ledders, and Hutton's comeback will be significant, when it happens. Somewhat obvious, but we'd all be happy to see Hutton Woodgate Ledley Bale given a run together, which might solve the LB iffyness.

Yeah, I´d like to see that back 4, only 1 of which started yesterday and not on his preferred side as he moved to left CB to accomodate Dawson whom always plays right.
Are we likely to see this back four together much though? Hope so but doubt it.

 

[900triumph]

I do know of the limit which is 7 now, but it´s not relevant.
I am talking about the wisdom of the purchase in January, in the past, when BAE and and Bale weren´t available but we knew they would be coming back soon so why buy an old, unfit player for a position that is and was already covered. He´s now what 3rd, 4th,5th choice and 31.

I'd guess 3rd choice after Bale and BAE for the moment, with Gunter pushing hard. 31 is reasonable for experienced versatile backup, and is certainly not old! I'm sure whoever scouted him also hoped he'd add more to the squad than he has done, but at the time they didn't have the benefit of your 20-20 hindsight. Nobody said "He's shit, old and unfit, lets sign him!" and we clearly had a need for cover at the time.

 

[DC_Boy]

Bale might well be the answer, but whoever gets a go needs to play in a settled back four, which won't happen unless Ledley is fit or we replace him. Daws seemingly only performs adequately with Ledders, and Hutton's comeback will be significant, when it happens. Somewhat obvious, but we'd all be happy to see Hutton Woodgate Ledley Bale given a run together, which might solve the LB iffyness.

but the 'mythical' back 4 of AH JW LK GB which I read so much about over the summer and I warned against so much because of doubts over King and Bale's fitness - when wil we see it - how many times will we see it

I think i'm right it never occurred once last season

only one of the four played in defence yesterday

I'll take a lot of convincing before I believe in this mythical combo

 

[philbcn]

I'd guess 3rd choice after Bale and BAE for the moment, with Gunter pushing hard. 31 is reasonable for experienced versatile backup, and is certainly not old! I'm sure whoever scouted him also hoped he'd add more to the squad than he has done, but at the time they didn't have the benefit of your 20-20 hindsight. Nobody said "He's shit, old and unfit, lets sign him!" and we clearly had a need for cover at the time.

Bit antagonistic your tone, no? My hindsight isn´t 20-20 that´s why I´m asking for opinions, anyway I´m doubting the foresight of whoever chose to sign him at the time.
Plus I´m saying it wasn´t clear we needed cover at the time- Did you actually read my posts about who else was available to play that position?

 

[doubledecker]

I dont get it. I would have considered Asou Ekotto as our 4th best LB, but for some reason he starts??

Bale
Lee
Gilberto
Ohara
Ekotto

5th best imo

 

[Spurs_Q8]

it's clear Ramos doesn't rate Lee too much, whether about his height as we conceded too much in set-pieces before Gilberto arrival or it was about individual opinion about him ( although Poyet said something about team work rather than individual when we lost to villa 1-2 in jan. )

Gilberto was due to Bale & Ekotto injuries in that time and Lee was out of favour ( might be to improve our set-peices record ) .. but Gilberto not impressed me enough as LB and i can't trust him in english game. Although Ekotto played poor against Bro and out played by Ashley Young ( Watford A ) and Arsenal in season 2006-2007, but i still trust him more than Gilberto in LB and he just needs time to improve.

But as top 4 aim, i would solid LB option now as backup for Bale now and sent Ekotto on loan or make him 3rd option ( could be 2nd choice if Bale used in LM ). But who is good and available for cheap after Shorey ? :think:

 

[TheBigMatch]

Not sure he will ever recover to repay his blunder that gave the goal away to PSV at White Hart Lane.

Hopefully this season we shall avoid the Steed (v Sevilla), and Gilberto (v PSV) UEFA Cup suicide stunt.

 

[si_yidarmy]

maybe he gives a dressing room atmosphere a boost.

 

[Schoolboys' Own Stuff]

Is he currently Brazil's first choice left back?

Also, from reading a variety of diffrent reviews on our left backs, it always seems to be the case that they are fantastic when breaking forward and supporting attacks, but God awful when it comes to the defensive side of things. I think this was where YP Lee excelled at but clearly isn't too highly thought of my Senor. Ramos.