Zokora's Contribution

[hughy]

If we want a good squad next season, we need strength in depth. In my opinion, players like Zokora on our bench mean strength in depth. Look at Chelsea's selection of CM's; Ballack, Lampard, Essien, Mikel and Deco. Now look at United's; Scholes, Anderson, Carrick, Hargreaves and Fletcher. The one thing that those 10 players have in common, is the fact that individually, they're all quality players. That is exactly what we need, a selection of 5 or 6 class CM's, and I think with Palacios, Modric, Jenas, Zokora and Huddlestone, we're almost there. We'd be stupid to sell any of those players in the summer, because we'll just end up regretting it when the fixtures start to pile up again next season.

 

[lukespurs7]

He did quite well but still gives the ball away wastefully in advanced positions,I know he's a DM,but when we broke that time all he needed to do was take a better touch and slide a simple pass left or right,instead he ran into the player,to be fair aside from that he had a decent game but still needs work in certain areas. Do appreciate his work-rate and energy though.

 

[nightgoat]

Zokora played well yesterday and we should definitely keep him, but to say his passing is better than Palacios is a bit odd. Yesterday Zokora passed very well, even with a couple of long passes, but that is the exception I'm afraid. Palacios actually brings the ball forward and find intelligent passes.

It's not. His short passing is as accurate as anyone and so it should be. I can pass a ball five yards, so why not a pro? But he often spreads play. It's a complete myth his long range passing is poor. It's not. He plays the ball short and simple for his club. For his country he is far more expansive in his passing.

On the whole, I'm delighted with this thread. :wink:

The trouble with Palacios is that he gives the ball away attempting really simple passes... A number of times during the Arsenal and Bolton games he had really easy passes on but passed to absolutely no one... Zokora generally takes the easy, short pass option, but if it's a case of keeping the ball, then that's fine. I'd rather Zokora passed it short and sideways to Huddlestone, or Modric etc who will then play a more creative pass...

I still think as a team we've been playing and functioning better with the Palacios/Jenas combination, but Zokora will always do a job for us...

 

[southgatespur40]

Anyone got the games won vs games lost stats for when Zokora is playing?

It seems whenever he begins to start games, we stop winning.

I love his attitude and running, but I still don't think he's a Prem class player.

can i have some of what ever you are smoking?

 

[milkman]

The game Zokora was playing last night was probably in bed, which is guess we don't want to know about!

 

[THOWIG]

Do you know what I hope we sell Jenas and Zokora not cause I don't rate them, but so we can start discussing some other players in our squad.

 

[RussellYid]

Do you know what I hope we sell Jenas and Zokora not cause I don't rate them, but so we can start discussing some other players in our squad.

:grin:

Need to sell Huddlestone too.

 

[THOWIG]

:grin:

Need to sell Huddlestone too.

Ah that's where we differ mate.

 

[bubble07]

not good enough to start but certainly good enough for our first team squad

 

[THOWIG]

Bubble I do like your team. I think a couple more could go though.

 

[AngerManagement]

I am not the biggest fan of Zokora, I like his attitude and see him as something of a cult player. It's not that I don't like him (I do) its just that in general I think we need a higher calibre of player then him.

Although I do believe he is a very decent squad player to have.

That being said, I thought yesterday he was excellent. He never put a foot wrong (aside his poor shot and failure to find a team mate when we had a good attacking postion late on) his reading of the game was superb and he intercepted the ball well (a big part of our controlling the game).

I was inpressed with him yesterday and hope he can maintain this level of performance.

 

[spurslenny]

well i'm a big fan of Zokora.

Great utility man, can play emergency RB, CB amd LB(at a push).
Love the lung bursting forward runs he makes. Who cares if they come to nothing, they get the crowd buzzing!
I've lost count of the amount of times he's saved our skins when we've been caught on the break, chasing back to put in a last ditch tackle. Fantastic IMO.

For me, he's a cult hero in the mould of Freund, Taricco and any others you care to recall.

For all his faults, i still love him and would be gutted if he was shipped out at any time in the future

 

[yidio]

agreed - really hope the guy stays. i've always liked him, but did get a bit fed up with lacklustre passing and hopeless attacking play. however, when he turns it on, he can pass as good as anyone (better than palacios - that man gives away the ball far too much, albeit that he then rugby tackles the opposition to win it back) and can bomb it through the middle and actually set something up (a la Pav goal vs Wigan, FA Cup, January). and whoever raised the point of how we NEED zokora for the amount of times wilson will be suspended - too right that man is.

also a great player to have for cup/european games, particularly the latter. he'll stay i think, he loves spurs and so long as harry makes him feel wanted, he'll remain with us!

 

[Pringle]

some of his passing was top drawer - he made 3 or 4 50 yards balls which switched play and were bang on target!! Dont think he is good enough to be a regular starter but is an excellent understudy for Palacios imo

 

[AngerManagement]

Yes he is an excellent squad player and well worthy of his cult status. His passion/commitment and versatility ensures that.

I too am of the opinon that he is not good enough to be a first team starter on a regular basis. Who knows maybe training on a regular basis with Palacos will greatly sharpen up and improve his game.

 

[SirHenryPercy]

Lenny, the problem with Zokora is that he is a jack of all trades and a master of none.

Wilson Palacious has brought that touch of class and reassurance we have missed in central midfield for years.

Zokora tried right back against villa and was roasted so badly by Ashley Young that he was off in 20 mins.

He tries his hardest, I agree, but if we're going anywhere in the next few years, it will be with better players than Zokora.

 

[Kendall]

Zokora was excellent at RB against Ronaldo and Downing though. I know he had an awful game against Ashley Young but so do most full backs in the league (look at Hibbert AND Jacobsen yesterday!)

He is a good midfield player who covers a lot of ground and breaks up play. No he's not as good as Palacios, no he's not as good as Jenas, but he as he showed yesterday and in the cup final he can do a job. He is vital if Palacios is going to continue to get suspended 3 times a season.

You can't have like for like sat on the bench, it doesn't work, I don't understand why people think we can have top class on the bench.

 

[SirHenryPercy]

Yes, he can do a job and while we're on the topic, Jenas has been given more than enough chances, I'd love to see him go in the summer for someone truly international class, ie, in Gerrard or Lampard class, not Stylian Petrov or Mikel Arteta.

My own view is that while Zokora can be a useful squad player until the squad strength improves, he will be remembered as a modern day Steffen Freund, an amusement and a limited one at that rather than someone who can help get us to the next level. His control is garbage, he has no goal threat and he does not dominate central midfield like a Vieira or a Keane in the way that Palacious looks like he will.

 

[lishiyo]

Yes, he can do a job and while we're on the topic, Jenas has been given more than enough chances, I'd love to see him go in the summer for someone truly international class, ie, in Gerrard or Lampard class, not Stylian Petrov or Mikel Arteta.

My own view is that while Zokora can be a useful squad player until the squad strength improves, he will be remembered as a modern day Steffen Freund, an amusement and a limited one at that rather than someone who can help get us to the next level. His control is garbage, he has no goal threat and he does not dominate central midfield like a Vieira or a Keane in the way that Palacious looks like he will.

....And where will we buy this Gerrard/Lampard? We don't have Man City riches, and it's not like truly top-class players will go to a non-CL club. Arteta and Petrov would both strengthen our midfield but it is highly unlikely we could even get players of their caliber much less top-4 material. We could try to buy less well-known players or prospects from other leagues who would see us as a 'stepping stone', but they will be a gamble.

 

[Bulletspur]

Zokora is an excellent DM. He's too good to be a sub, IMO, and susepct he'll leave for regular football if sub is his role.

I like Zokora and have always supported him even when aothers berated him and wanted him gone.

But I have to say that while he deserves the occasional start in the first eleven, his place is on the bench to cover, when all the midfield players are available. Even with this, like Dawson I consider him a very valued team member for the cause.