Walker..

[fortworthspur]

I think he's fast.

 

[Bill_Oddie]

We may as well just shoot him now. In the face. If he has failed to prove himself worthy of our team after two matches he really doesn't deserve to live.

 

[Spurger King]

We may as well just shoot him now. In the face. If he has failed to prove himself worthy of our team after two matches he really doesn't deserve to live.

Rubbish. Torture him first so he has time to think about what he has and hasn't done. Personally I'm disgusted that he hasn't worked harder on being a seasoned 28 year old regular international with a glittering CV of performances and assists under his belt.

I suppose he thinks being 21 and still developing his skills is some kind of excuse does he???

 

[jurgen]

Scares me TBH, I just think he's positioning is bad and he gets caught way to many times - The CM and Defense are helping him out at the moment, but I see us losing goals with Walker at RB - yes he is "better" going forward, but not that good:shrug: to risk leaking goals at the back.

My chice would be a solid defender like Corluka or even Kabul at RB and someone like a Lennon in front of them!

Everything seems to scare you though?

Recent history would suggest (we can't go into it too much as Walker has only had what three and a half games - in which we've not conceded so far) that our defence is significantly more leaky by having a combination of 2 line hugging wingers in midfield, and/or a CB playing out of position.

As he appears to be about as shaky as any of our other options have been on any given day, and we've not conceded with him thus far, is it all in the mind that he's truly dodgy and that actually his pace combined with a holding midfielder is the balance you strike for having a fullback who really enjoys attacking...and Parker's discipline means its now become ideal to mix up our attack/defence balance on the two flanks so we're not so predictable..which helps retain possession which is of course the best means of defence anyway..

 

[leffe186]

Everything seems to scare you though?

Recent history would suggest (we can't go into it too much as Walker has only had what three and a half games - in which we've not conceded so far) that our defence is significantly more leaky by having a combination of 2 line hugging wingers in midfield, and/or a CB playing out of position.

As he appears to be about as shaky as any of our other options have been on any given day, and we've not conceded with him thus far, is it all in the mind that he's truly dodgy and that actually his pace combined with a holding midfielder is the balance you strike for having a fullback who really enjoys attacking...and Parker's discipline means its now become ideal to mix up our attack/defence balance on the two flanks so we're not so predictable..which helps retain possession which is of course the best means of defence anyway..

Exactly. It's kind of like a mirror of a couple of years back, with Bale marauding from LB, Lennon attacking the right wing and a LM tucking in.

 

[Spurs1960]

I was all for Corluka at right back because of his defensive dependability however after seeing Walker in a few games I am happy to stick to him as first choice despite his defensive frailties.

No doubt he has lots to learn but a season of learning will give him better preparation for our run in the Champions League next year.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

Harry has mentioned in a couple of interviews this week that Walker needs to improve his defending and his positioning and that it is something they are working on. It's clear for all to see that he has his weaknesses defensively but there is enough about him to suggest that if he can put in the hard work and learn the fullback position he can become a hell of a player.

He's an interesting case because he started as a forward, then moved to centre back and has now found himself in the right back role. Being a fullback is an art and you can tell that it is not something he has mastered by the amount of work he has to put in on the pitch to recover. Defending at fullback is completely different to centrally as the opposition are very often trying to play the ball in behind you and if you are out of position it is very easy to be turned and cut out of the play. Luckily for him he is blessed with a lot of pace so he is able to recover a lot of the time at least to put off the opponent even if not to prevent the attack.

We are in a fortunate situation that we have the perfect training tool for him in Gareth Bale. Bale may have his limitations and may not be in his best form but there is no doubt that if you get your positioning wrong and give him a 5 yard jump on you then no matter how fast you are you aren't going to catch him.

In fact I'd say that Walker and Bale should be in special training against each other every day. It would be good for Walker as he'd have to get his positioning spot on or he'll be made to look a fool against Bale (just ask Martin Skrtl how it feels to be flatfooted and out of position against him). It would also be good for Bale because he'd have a lot of difficulty trying to do his usual run around the outside of the fullback against someone as quick and strong as Walker and he'd have to do something different and be a little more creative. Get a coach with them that can help them to improve what they are doing wrong and then repeatedly run drills giving different service to Bale (some in front of Walker so he has to dribble past, some in behind Walker so that the defensive positioning of Walker has to be right each time) and ask Bale to try to beat him and get the cross in. Make it competitive, make them try to out do each other and I'm sure it would pay huge dividends.

 

[EastLondonYid]

Rubbish. Torture him first so he has time to think about what he has and hasn't done. Personally I'm disgusted that he hasn't worked harder on being a seasoned 28 year old regular international with a glittering CV of performances and assists under his belt.

I suppose he thinks being 21 and still developing his skills is some kind of excuse does he???

:grin:

 

[dontcallme]

Harry has mentioned in a couple of interviews this week that Walker needs to improve his defending and his positioning and that it is something they are working on. It's clear for all to see that he has his weaknesses defensively but there is enough about him to suggest that if he can put in the hard work and learn the fullback position he can become a hell of a player.

He's an interesting case because he started as a forward, then moved to centre back and has now found himself in the right back role. Being a fullback is an art and you can tell that it is not something he has mastered by the amount of work he has to put in on the pitch to recover. Defending at fullback is completely different to centrally as the opposition are very often trying to play the ball in behind you and if you are out of position it is very easy to be turned and cut out of the play. Luckily for him he is blessed with a lot of pace so he is able to recover a lot of the time at least to put off the opponent even if not to prevent the attack.

We are in a fortunate situation that we have the perfect training tool for him in Gareth Bale. Bale may have his limitations and may not be in his best form but there is no doubt that if you get your positioning wrong and give him a 5 yard jump on you then no matter how fast you are you aren't going to catch him.

In fact I'd say that Walker and Bale should be in special training against each other every day. It would be good for Walker as he'd have to get his positioning spot on or he'll be made to look a fool against Bale (just ask Martin Skrtl how it feels to be flatfooted and out of position against him). It would also be good for Bale because he'd have a lot of difficulty trying to do his usual run around the outside of the fullback against someone as quick and strong as Walker and he'd have to do something different and be a little more creative. Get a coach with them that can help them to improve what they are doing wrong and then repeatedly run drills giving different service to Bale (some in front of Walker so he has to dribble past, some in behind Walker so that the defensive positioning of Walker has to be right each time) and ask Bale to try to beat him and get the cross in. Make it competitive, make them try to out do each other and I'm sure it would pay huge dividends.

Interesting. Sounds like he could have some of the early attributes of Ashley Cole. Kyle Walker's success and progression will come down to his dedication and the ability of the coaches around him to make him work on the right areas.

Too early to know but there's potential for a great player here.

 

[jamesc0le]

yh, he's fast
not alot else going on with walker though..
proper defenders for the moment, corluka/kaboul/sandro

 

[Ionman34]

Actually, I think you'll find it's spelt 'buffoon' :wink:

:rofl:

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

I still don't understand this love in with Kaboul. He was awful whenever he was called in to play right back last season. He seems to think playing as a full back actually means play as a marauding winger with no defensive responsibility!

 

[Ionman34]

I still don't understand this love in with Kaboul. He was awful whenever he was called in to play right back last season. He seems to think playing as a full back actually means play as a marauding winger with no defensive responsibility!

Really? I actually thought he was awesome at right back when called upon.

 

[WexfordTownSpur]

We may as well just shoot him now. In the face. If he has failed to prove himself worthy of our team after two matches he really doesn't deserve to live.

To be fair he is a young lad, but he has been around a little more than two games! he is an England under 21 International!

I am not saying he will never be good, but I am afraid he would need to go out on loan (hopefully at a premiership club) for a while - at the moment I think he will cost us goals from the RB position.

I know he needs to learn, but no with a team looking for CL football - sorry we just can not afford the risk.

 

[tooey]

To be fair he is a young lad, but he has been around a little more than two games! he is an England under 21 International!

I am not saying he will never be good, but I am afraid he would need to go out on loan (hopefully at a premiership club) for a while - at the moment I think he will cost us goals from the RB position.

I know he needs to learn, but no with a team looking for CL football - sorry we just can not afford the risk.

Id have to disagree with this. Where else better to learn premier league football than at your own premier league club? He will pick up enough games with us to progress significantly for next year, I remember when people were calling for Gareth Bale to be loaned out. Its always good to have an unknown quantity in your side.

 

[dynamoSpurs]

i think we should just agree that Walker is promising, but is probably our weakest link and while Charlie isn't good enough going forward and often not even good enough defensively, we should look to bolster this position.

 

[Mr Pink]

Walker will continue to get better and better. His attacking game has the potential to be breath taking and his defending will get better through more games, acquiring more experience which will enable him to improve his positioning and decision making.

 

[thekneaf]

I can't believe people are suggesting 'bolstering' our RB options. We are well stocked, Walker will improve and we've kept 4 clean sheets on the bounce. People need to cheer up and not be so needlessly negative. You can afford to break in one young player in an 11 this good. We will need to get used to this or there will never be another Ledley King coming through if we give them no game time.

 

[PT]

To be fair he is a young lad, but he has been around a little more than two games! he is an England under 21 International!

I am not saying he will never be good, but I am afraid he would need to go out on loan (hopefully at a premiership club) for a while - at the moment I think he will cost us goals from the RB position.

I know he needs to learn, but no with a team looking for CL football - sorry we just can not afford the risk.

Two things - Walker put in half a season with Villa last season and earned his England call up from there.

He is best off at Spurs to learn his trade in situ than going out on loan again which would ultimately result in him being sold as he would want to leave beacuase of a lack of prospects.

 

[alex3]

:rofl:

Aaaahhh got a new mate?

what a false pathetic laugh, somes you up. you seem like a real loser.