ZOKORA - Chalk n Cheese

[southlondonyiddo]

His performances since Ramos has pushed him further back have been excellent and for me he's twice the player in deeper roles than in a central midfield 4.
Reads the game fantastically and cuts out danger very well.

Could we be seeing the imergance of a world class central defender/sweeper?

 

[Legend10]

A WORLD CLASS central defender


WTF?

 

[MattyP]

If he plays as a central defender against the likes of Man Yoo, Liverpool, Chavski, the Goons, plays well then perhaps he could start to deserve being called a good defender.

At the moment, he's done a good job for us. But world class is a term best saved for people that have done it at a higher level than against a Pompey side who have struggled to score at home.

 

[Krafty]

I think Ramos is given players better direction, a better description of what he wants each player/position to do. Zokora has improved his game, although I am not sure whether he is a long term centre back

 

[Bobishism]

Worth the speculated 8 million?

 

[PT]

On the other hand, is Dawson due an annual review? The timing of today's performance may be more than coincidental

 

[AnotherSpursFan]

Hooray for Zokora, his non presence in the midfield is really a big boost for the team.
For the first time in 2 years, our centre midfielders show creativity, decisiveness, fluidity of movement, positioning and vision.
Jenas looks so much better when not paired with a sprinter.

 

[Yid-ol]

On the other hand, is Dawson due an annual review? The timing of today's performance may be more than coincidental

i think the midfield might also have played a big hand in how the defence played today, still afew bits to iron out but a hgue improvment, just dont think Zokora and Kaboul are the real answer for the back

 

[justfookinhitit]

Worth the speculated 8 million?

8 million EUROS .................

Just thought I should clarify that bit.

 

[joey55]

8 million EUROS .................

Just thought I should clarify that bit.

What makes you say that?

 

[DC_Boy]

glad to see so many people on various threads appreciating JJ's work - as I've been saying (and others too) week in week in out for month upon month, he's our best CM - simple as

 

[Spursking]

A lot of people have been sceptical to Zokora's ability, and I cannot understand that at all?

I have never doubted him at all, and when you see what a passion and commitment he has to Tottenham Hotspur FC, I cannot understand that a lot of people have been so negative. He plays for Tottenham like a captain, and really want to do well for us. He played in defence at Genk, so he is used to that positon aswell.

A lot of people seemed to be sceptical about the backfour today, but the backfour today is probably the most exciting we have had in ages.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

No. What you have seen is how much Dawson has cost us for 2+ years. Even a midfielder who many have called shit and a CB 3 years younger having his first season in a foriegn (tougher league) are better at defending.

 

[SpurSince57]

A lot of people have been sceptical to Zokora's ability, and I cannot understand that at all?

I have never doubted him at all, and when you see what a passion and commitment he has to Tottenham Hotspur FC, I cannot understand that a lot of people have been so negative. He plays for Tottenham like a captain, and really want to do well for us. He played in defence at Genk, so he is used to that positon aswell.

A lot of people seemed to be sceptical about the backfour today, but the backfour today is probably the most exciting we have had in ages.

To be honest, the back four over the past season-and-a-half has been altogether too exciting, for entirely the wrong reasons.

 

[chileanspursfan]

A lot of people have been sceptical to Zokora's ability, and I cannot understand that at all?

I have never doubted him at all, and when you see what a passion and commitment he has to Tottenham Hotspur FC, I cannot understand that a lot of people have been so negative. He plays for Tottenham like a captain, and really want to do well for us. He played in defence at Genk, so he is used to that positon aswell.

A lot of people seemed to be sceptical about the backfour today, but the backfour today is probably the most exciting we have had in ages.

I can't understand your blindness towards this player, Spursking. As a midfielder he lacks quality, positioning, teamwork and offensive weapons. In defense, he seems a little bit more comfortable but far away from being good or world class as someone said. Pompey really struggled up front and Zokora is just not tall or strong at all to make an impact in that position.

On his favor, I have to admit he has a big heart, but that's just not good enough to have him starting every single match. There are at least 3 better options in midfield in the squad and 2 or 3 defenders on ahead of him in Rocha, King and Chimbonda/Dawson when confident. I wouldn't pay more than 2 million pounds for him, no way. Plus, he has malaria and is usually bound for mid-season action with Ivory Coast.

 

[Black]

In DM he does his job and does it well

 

[HildoSpur]

Since Ramos came in he has really raised his game and also shown his versitility. He's starting to prove his worth.

 

[AngerManagement]

He has played better of late, I do appreciate his effort and commitment (his willingness to move postion for the good of the team). I would also suggest he has proved he isnt as bad as he has often looked and as people have suggested.

However he is far from world class in either role and and still has to improve a great deal if he is ever to be good enough to be at a level which is required for top premiership midfields. I suspect we may well bring in a better standard of player before we see him reach such a level.

Im sure he will stay around as a utlilty and squad player, for one we would never recoup the outlay on him.

I also agree that it is Dawson who has been costing us defencivily for some time, he just wasnt ready to be the main man at the back and was forced to be at his and our determent. Wheter he is good enough to be in our team at all is open to debate, I certainly wouldnt be opposed if he was replaced by a returning King and one of Kaboul, Dervitte, Rocha or a new signing even.

 

[General Levy]

A WORLD CLASS central defender


WTF?

:rofl:

Zokora will never, ever be world class at anything.

 

[spurs4europe]

is it me or is JJ becoming the player he hoped zokora would be?

he's been absolutely outstanding (JJ, that is) in his last 2/3 games in a slightly more withdrawn role, taking on a lot more defensive responsibility, and then correctly choosing when to burst through the middle to support the attack.

zokora has also improved in a more withdrawn role (where his passing is not as important, or rather he's not in a position where the team depends on his passing to keep the team ticking), but i'm still not convinced. certainly a good utility player, but we have better players than him in both the CM and CB positions.

but what the heck, he plays with heart.....