Can you see Zokora getting back in the team?

[worcestersauce]

He has been better this season than last, not surprising as he hasn't had malaria his year, but his versatility means I am not certain what his "job" is.
We know what Jenas' job is and what he can do, we know what Tanio can do and what his job is , same for Hudd same for Lennon and same for Steed but it's not easy to do that for Didi.
He is a good player but does he fit a specific roll that nobody else does? if not then he's probably going to be a squad player.

 

[thetallaghttiger]

It all depend on his physical state and how worn out he is after the ACN.

If he's in good condition, he'll come back in straight away.

Otherwise, he'll be held back a bit before being thrown back into things.

Zokora was one of our best players under Ramos in his first few weeks in charge. Whether he played RB, CB or in midfield, Didier's performances really improved.

With a midfield of Lennon-Jenas-Zokora-Malbranque, we'll have great mobility and the ability to posssibly counter-attack even better than we have in our most recent games.

We have JJ, Zoko, Hudd, Prince, Teemu, O'Hara for the 2 CM positions.

You'd imagine we'll try and look for a player in the summer who is a 'class above' the current crop so that probably means cheerio for 1 or 2 of our players I'd say.

(Just Teemu? Or possibly the Prince as well? - despite his young age and promise)

 

[nidge]

Time will tell, i know what i think, from the selection policy of successive coaches I know what they think and then I know what the majority of the forum think. I'm happy to be on the expert's side of the argument :wink:

Oh come on Sloth tell us what you think. Don't be shy.

 

[phil]

Depeds really, Juande seems happy to rotate Jenas' partner almost every game. I was surprised to see Hudd today, as I expected Tainio to come back into the midfield after his performance against Arsenal.

Wasn't Tainio picked to play but then had to go into hospital to have his tonsils removed? Sure that was in an interview.

Thought Huddlestone had a really good game yesterday but my first choice pair would be TT and JJ.

I think that Zokora will be a fringe player from now on. I've been one of his biggest critics but he has improved this season. IMO he is not disciplined enough to play DM on a regular basis. Not been following the ACN but hasn't he been playing at the back for Ivory Coast? With our new signings, I cannot see him featuring at the back for us.

 

[Bulletspur]

Zokora has improved under Ramos and I think will continue to do so. My predictions is that Ramos will get the midfielder out of him, the one we should have got when we purchased him last season.

IMO he like the other midfielders will be rotated and have until the end of this season to prove themselves. We should also remember that we are still in Europe and with King seemingly not fit, he will be needed for covering CB if further injuries etc occur.

 

[sloth]

Oh come on Sloth tell us what you think. Don't be shy.

:grin:

 

[Stoof]

I'm gonna go for "no".

Unless we need an attacking-centre-back; of which, I dare say, he is the world's greatest.

 

[AngerManagement]

I dont see him becoming a mainstay in our first team unless he rapidly improves on what little he has shown so far in our colours. I cant even say that he has really shown the potential to suggest he is capable of being a top draw midfielder (which is what we need and frankly what we should expect for the amount we paid for him)

If Ramos and co can somehow fashion him into a something he has not looked like being (quality) then perhaps he will become a first team player in the long term, but I would suggest unless this transformation occurs by the end of the season he could well be replaced and moved on.

Who knows, maybe the ANC will be the cocoon that sees Zokora metamorphosise from footballing caterpilla and remerge as a beautiful butterfly (footballing methaphor for the midfield maestro spursking has promised us Zokora is/will be)

 

[Mullers]

I'm gonna go for "no".

Unless we need an attacking-centre-back; of which, I dare say, he is the world's greatest.

Well Hud could do that job better from what I've seen. Zoko can't shoot and none of Zokos random rampaging forward bursts actually come to anything.

 

[yanno]

I'm gonna go for "no".

Unless we need an attacking-centre-back; of which, I dare say, he is the world's greatest.

I see Zoko is playing as an attacking CB for Ivory Coast in today's ANC QF. Looks like the Cote Ivoire coach has the same sense of Zoko's strengths as Juande...

 

[Black]

Hes playin on bbc3 now, think hes playin CB got a new hair cut as well

 

[Chaplain]

He's been playing CB (on the right side, now that debate has come up with Woodgate and Dawson) the entire ACN, from what I've seen.

 

[SpurSince57]

I see Zoko is playing as an attacking CB for Ivory Coast in today's ANC QF. Looks like the Cote Ivoire coach has the same sense of Zoko's strengths as Juande...

He's not really had much to do at all. I've just watched the first half and it's been a moderately entertaining mess, with IC slightly less shambolic than Guinea.

 

[Chaplain]

Correction, he's been playing CB the last two or so games, the first two he was in midfield. Still.

 

[Chaplain]

On that note, I really do like how he celebrates when the team scores - especially noticable now in this game as he'd be one of the first persons up with the goal scorer without fail...he even jumped up on drogba and they shared a whispering session.

He also had a good stop for an attack, otherwise he did nothing. Not too fond of his new haircut though, seems he got it with Kalou.

 

[thejames]

There's no knowing with JR pulling the strings. He's grown on me a lot these past few months, but more as a utility player than a mainstay. Between him and TT, we can cover anything in defence or midfield. I expect him to be gradually pushed further and further away from the first XI though as Ramos puts his stamp on it.

Spurs must be an absolute nightmare to play against just now... how do you prepare your players/tactics against a JR side?!

 

[the_westander]

Hope we stick to Tainio or Huddlestone.
Zokora hasn't justified his price tag - he is too inconsistent and will probably move on in the summer.

 

[yiddotilidie]

Ramos is a firm believer in playing the right players for different games. There will be games when his energy is required, and there will be games when the passing and vision of The Hudd is required. He isnt in our best XI anymore, but he will play a part.

 

[AngerManagement]

Ramos is a firm believer in playing the right players for different games. There will be games when his energy is required, and there will be games when the passing and vision of The Hudd is required. He isnt in our best XI anymore, but he will play a part.

I think come the summer that unless Zokora shows alot more then he has to date Ramos will bring someone else in that can forfill his role during the games where he may currently be required.

I could easily see him ending up at a club like Bolton or a newly promoted team by the start of next term

 

[DC_Boy]

it's a squad game - if we're to progress in UEFA Cup stay clear of the drop zone and win Carling - we'll need a strong squad