Player watch: Toby Alderweireld

[worcestersauce]

I reckon we'll drop any and all interest in him if Saints sell us Morgan Schneiderlin then they might be able to get him, won't that be a coincidence

 

[millsey]

Are they? There seems to be some doubt as to whether we're pursuing him or not...?

The doubt in here is that he's not good enough

 

[millsey]

Seems a waste of our transfer budget... Rather just keep one of the duds as the fourth choice behind Vertonghen, Dier and Wimmer.

As others have said, test Everton with similar money offer plus Lennon. Stones will be one of the best defenders in the world IMO, ridiculously composed already.

So with last years terrible defence and shocking defensive record, we just bring in a young lad wimmer and hope that helps? We need a CB starter to come in

 

[TEESSIDE1]

The doubt in here is that he's not good enough

1) a starter for the 2nd best International team in world football, albeit at RB

2) was excellent for Southampton last season

3) Southampton conceded over 20 goals less than us

4) clubs like Chelsea want to sign him

Yet he's not good enough, Christ

Edit:

Yes, I clearly see how pointing out some of the positives about a decent defender = a d'oh. I don't know who you think we can attract to the club that is better than highly sort after Toby... some of you are looking through blinkered glasses.

 

[thebenjamin]

Toby would be a great signing, can't believe people don't want/rate him?

if we can get him in early it'll be a massive boost.

He's extremely slow. For us to have a balanced group of centre backs we need someone with pace.

 

[rawhide]

According to the BBC rumours page, the Mirror suggests he'll cost £18m, so I don't think we would pay that...

 

[Xeeleeyid]

He's extremely slow. For us to have a balanced group of centre backs we need someone with pace.

Is he? He's faster than Fonte!

 

[Shanks]

He's extremely slow. For us to have a balanced group of centre backs we need someone with pace.

Yet Chelsea seem to get on fine with Terry....

 

[Deleted member 29102]

Toby would be a great signing, can't believe people don't want/rate him?

if we can get him in early it'll be a massive boost.

I don't think anyone's said they don't rate him but question the fact that we now have atleast 4 CBs who can/will play in the first team in Verts, Fazio, Dier and Wimmer(Not including Chiriches and Kaboul obviously).

 

[Deleted member 29102]

He's extremely slow. For us to have a balanced group of centre backs we need someone with pace.

Why do we need more pace? Vertoghen and Dier are considered fast in regards to centre backs...

 

[jedimonkey]

According to the BBC rumours page, the Mirror suggests he'll cost £18m, so I don't think we would pay that...

Saints fan I work with has said to me today that he has heard Saints are breaking their transfer record by signing TA for £18.5M as Madrid have paid the money to get rid of the clause they had with Saints to sell him to them for £6M.

 

[SpartanSpur]

If Saints are triple keen on TA then hopefully we can try and use it as leverage for Schneiderlin. I'd happily see TA at Spurs (if anything to hopefully get Verts happy and back on top form) but that kind of money has to be invested in CM and WF/ST first, especially when we have Dier and Wimmer (and potentially Milos) to develop.

 

[ebzrascal]

Our big problem in defence is the lack of a shielding midfielder imo.

Individual errors, positioning, awareness and tactics have played a part also. Our defensive unit does not seem drilled like some other team. We need a leader at the back and better concentration and reading of the game can't just rely on the high press!

 

[Spurslove]

Alderwiereld would be a major upgrade on what we have already, so fingers crossed...

All our defenders and half our midfield have been at fault this past season for some truly terrible defending, and I'm afraid, that has to include, to an extent, our goalkeeper. Individually, I'm sure they are all fine players, but if a goalkeeper is unable to organise his defence, and as Team Captain, is unable to organise those who should be helping the defenders, then I reckon we have some very serious problems which must be addressed before another season starts.

I love Hugo. I think he's one of the world's best GK's and I thank God he's playing for us but I also reckon he must be pulling his hair out at the lack of protection he's been getting from his team-mates. His fault is perhaps not being able to get his ideas across to his team mates, and theirs is perhaps that they're either incapable of doing what he tells them, or else they're just not good enough.

We're never going to be a top four club if we can't get our pathetic defending sorted out.

 

[EnfieldYiddo]

So with last years terrible defence and shocking defensive record, we just bring in a young lad wimmer and hope that helps? We need a CB starter to come in

What and bench Dier? No thanks.

 

[WalkerboyUK]

He's extremely slow. For us to have a balanced group of centre backs we need someone with pace.

Or we slightly change the system so our defensive line isn't pushed so high up the pitch.
Need to play to the strengths that our defenders have, even if that means not going more than 10 yards up the pitch than the penalty area.

 

[WiganSpur]

So with last years terrible defence and shocking defensive record, we just bring in a young lad wimmer and hope that helps? We need a CB starter to come in

Dier and Vertonghen are CB starters, and perfectly good ones at that.

It's further down on our list of priorities than ST, winger and CM.

Let's see how Wimmer gets on before we start stockpiling centre backs.

 

[Blackcanary]

Or we slightly change the system so our defensive line isn't pushed so high up the pitch.
Need to play to the strengths that our defenders have, even if that means not going more than 10 yards up the pitch than the penalty area.

If last season taught us anything, it's that Poch will still be playing the same system come the end of days. There will be no tweaks, or allowances given.

 

[leonspurs]

That won't be anywhere near enough for Stones. Change it to 22mil plus Lennon and you'll be close to what Everton will want for him.

Add another 10 mill and you might get close, stones wont go for less than Rio did to man utd, prob break the record for British defender when he does.

 

[Berbatonghen]

I remember watching saints at arsenal and TA had a beast of a game. Literally no one passed him and was the focal point in winning everything either in the air or ground.

He then went off injured and arsenal ended up scoring last min to win 1-0.

But from what I see a few times of him playing he was very very good. Without a doubt will improve our defence if he was to sign.

And I also think the £18m price tag on him is way off the mark. If we were to bid for him I can see it being in between £8-11m or maybe with add ons (levy special)

I am in the yes camp for this player. And I feel if we were interested we will have a good chance in getting him.