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Steven Caulker (Swansea City)

Blake Griffin

Well-Known Member
Oct 3, 2011
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I really like Sigursson and Allen, but clearly neither arre ready for our starting lineup. Wait to see how they develop. Dyer would get a lot of games for me with Lennon's injuries - we really miss his width when he's out, which is all too often these days.

sigurdsson is only on loan though and i doubt they'd be able to afford him. i've always liked joe allen too.
 

not_tenth-again

Well-Known Member
Jun 19, 2009
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Hoffenheim are after about 6m euros apparently. Pretty spectacular dive from player of the season to loaned out six months later.... not sure if there is more to the story but it does seem strange.

Joe Allen and the manager are the only ones we should be thinking about signing from there
 

InOffMeLeftShin

Night watchman
Admin
Jan 14, 2004
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Hoffenheim are after about 6m euros apparently. Pretty spectacular dive from player of the season to loaned out six months later.... not sure if there is more to the story but it does seem strange.

Joe Allen and the manager are the only ones we should be thinking about signing from there

If Caulker was actually a Swansea player he would be the first player we should be after. He's already a better defender than Smalling and Jones (who was pretty awful against us and neither Capello or Ferguson seem to trust him as a centre back).
 

InOffMeLeftShin

Night watchman
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Jan 14, 2004
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Not sure he's better than Smalling. That kid is incedible.

Smalling is good but there is very little in it in terms of ability but Caulker is stronger, faster and seems so mature for such a young kid considering how little top flight experience he's had. Also he is over two years younger than Smalling and if he isn't considered better than him now I think there will be a genuine argument for it in years to come.

He made Crooks' team of the week this weekend, this is what he had to say:

The Swans have had some memorable defensive displays this season. Against Fulham it was Steven Caulker who held the fort and he was largely responsible for the Swans keeping their third consecutive clean sheet. Against an in-form Pavel Pogrebnyak, the centre-back always looked in control. At times it was like he was shelling peas!

Did you know? Of players to have made 10-plus appearances in the Premier League this season, only the Manchester City trio of Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany and Joe Hart have a higher clean-sheet ratio than Caulker (44% - eight from 18 games).

Love the little 'Did you know?' fact. Sounds a lot like things that have been said in the past about another defender on our books, doesn't it?
 

Chinaspur

Well-Known Member
Oct 1, 2005
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I think I've seen enough of Caulker now to believe he should be in our first team squad next season - either as a starter or as first reserve. He is that good. Him and Kaboul as first choice centre back pairing next season would not worry me at all. We need to make him Spurs through and through, not mess him about.
 

not_tenth-again

Well-Known Member
Jun 19, 2009
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I could actually see us going three at the back next season, big step up but it wouldn't surprise me if it was Caulker in middle, Kaboul and Vertongen (providing we get him) on either side by the end of next season
 

InOffMeLeftShin

Night watchman
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Jan 14, 2004
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I could actually see us going three at the back next season, big step up but it wouldn't surprise me if it was Caulker in middle, Kaboul and Vertongen (providing we get him) on either side by the end of next season

He has shone at every level so far. He was a standout in League 1 when he was 17, standout in the Championship at 18 (getting a call up to the England U21's) and now he has been excellent for Swansea in the Premiership which is a huge step up from the Championship. OK Swansea are a very good side but most of their players had no experience at this level and so Caulker didn't have the benefit of being guided into the league but he has stepped up with ease.

I think it's hard to say how we will set up with a new coach next season looking likely but I can't imagine we'll move to 3 at the back. I do think Caulker will be in with a great shout of being in the side.
 

sloth

Well-Known Member
Mar 7, 2005
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I fear a little bit for Swansea. I think this summer they may end up victims of their own success. Which is shit really, because they deserve something to show for what they've done this season.
 

brendanb50

Well-Known Member
Jul 21, 2005
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I fear a little bit for Swansea. I think this summer they may end up victims of their own success. Which is shit really, because they deserve something to show for what they've done this season.

I was thinking similar the other day - bigger paying clubs coming in and taking a few players being one potential problem. They seem to have a good team spirit though which may be able to prevent anyone jumping ship.

Then there's the potential second season syndrome - can/will their style of play be sussed out? I hope not in many ways, they've been a breath of fresh air this season. Some of their goals, for sheer possession play and passing have been exceptional. Great to see teams like them and Norwich playing a bit of football.

The likes of Wigan and Wolves should rightfully be on their way down in place of teams like this.
 

Misfit

President of The Niles Crane Fanclub
May 7, 2006
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I fear a little bit for Swansea. I think this summer they may end up victims of their own success. Which is shit really, because they deserve something to show for what they've done this season.
Yep, it's happened to us often enough. No doubt similar happened in the "good old days" but modern football only highlights the food chain.

Might be us playing the role of the opportunist this summer wrt the Swans.
 

michaelden

Knight of the Fat Fanny
Aug 13, 2004
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I like the way a lot of Swansea fans were saying they missed Caulker at the back whe they played us. Good to hear they rate him :up:
 

InOffMeLeftShin

Night watchman
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Jan 14, 2004
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I like the way a lot of Swansea fans were saying they missed Caulker at the back whe they played us. Good to hear they rate him :up:

They really do rate him. They missed his aerial presence for sure as the other two at the back were pretty small, but mostly they just miss the class he gives them. Swansea are a classy side and pass the ball round nicely and he looks completely at home with that as well as being a great defender. He and Kaboul could be our starting centre backs for years to come.
 

$hoguN

Well-Known Member
Jul 25, 2005
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They really do rate him. They missed his aerial presence for sure as the other two at the back were pretty small, but mostly they just miss the class he gives them. Swansea are a classy side and pass the ball round nicely and he looks completely at home with that as well as being a great defender. He and Kaboul could be our starting centre backs for years to come.

If Rodgers was to join, those years may start next season.
 

Luka Van der Bale

Well-Known Member
Jan 29, 2011
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I really hope he and Kaboul work together. Sometimes centre backs naturally play well together, sometimes it takes more work. If these two develop an instinctive partnership we're in for a treat.
 

Luka Van der Bale

Well-Known Member
Jan 29, 2011
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Williams so far in front of the rest of the defence there. Very overrated defender imo. Very slack positioning at times.
 

CJMurray

****
Aug 3, 2011
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He had 92 passes in the first half, ridiculous. For all Swansea's possession, they don't seem to be able to get in behind the defence enough and can't penetrate them.
 

Misfit

President of The Niles Crane Fanclub
May 7, 2006
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As I said a few pages back on this thread (I think), Williams is bordering on gash. He randomly sprints up the pitch, sometimes it's just 5 yds and others it's nearer 50. Plus, he has no technique at all when it comes to defending. Good athlete but with Williams and a slow Monk at the back, they'd be far closer to the relegation zone.

Caulker and their midfield gives them the defensive strength.
 
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