I don’t think anyone is saying (or at least shouldn’t be) that Dunk is a bad player, just that he’s lost a step from where he was, which I think is accurate
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[Albion] Dunk - are we better without him?
- Thread starter Guinness Boy
- Start date
portslade seagull
Well-known member
Actually said that to my son lastnight. A fit Webster with JpVH just looks stronger
- Sep 3, 2010
- 6,262
There was one point last night where Palmer went to run into space but JPVH and Webster blocked his path because they were close enough together to do so. Too many times this season we've given forwards the freedom to make that kind of run. Part of that is because we were narrower at times and defended as a unit especially in the first half but it was refreshing to see the opposition have 8 men in front of them and 2 CHs in the same post code rather than us for a change. I suppose my point is that is you defend as a team with or without Dunk we will look better.
Watching last night made our Kamikaze tactics at Forest all the more puzzling. They've clearly had a plan the past couple of weeks rather than the appearance of a team that have been told to go out there and run about a bit. The seemingly undroppable Pedro has been dropped. All we need to do now is score from a corner.
Watching last night made our Kamikaze tactics at Forest all the more puzzling. They've clearly had a plan the past couple of weeks rather than the appearance of a team that have been told to go out there and run about a bit. The seemingly undroppable Pedro has been dropped. All we need to do now is score from a corner.
……and no consistent midfield formation in front of them. Let’s hope Jack and Carlos get a decent run of games
brighton_tom
Well-known member
- Jul 23, 2008
- 6,054
Dunk has had a mix of a good, average, great, and bad performances this season. Sweeping statements saying he's just outright been terrible are wide of the mark, and lack any understanding towards towards a 33 year old player who has played a lot of football for us, where age/injuries may inevitably be catching up with him & has had to play alongside a rotation of left backs this season. He may well be slowing down, it comes to them all, but a bit of class please towards our captain rather than any 'he's finished/terrible' scapegoat type comments.
That's how it has felt for me.
- Oct 12, 2022
- 2,994
We’ll all be Team Webster until he either:
a) makes one of his “every 8th game” rickets
Or
b) gets another niggling injury that means he’s not playing anyway.
Dunk (to me) has looked increasingly uncomfortable with the pace our game is played at. Very few players get faster as they age, I fear it is reaching the point of being a problem. This season in particular, a lot of what he does has had the feel of stretching him well outside of his comfort zone. It’s visible in his face quite often if you watch him.
Webster plays well frequently, but historically has been prone to the two scenarios above.
Dunk is a fantastic member of the squad, has captained the side for years, and has a secure legacy with us. I’d still personally rather he was used more sparingly going forward.
I’m not sure Webster’s availability is solid enough to be considered the de facto replacement.
Igor was in a good run of form until his injury, and we haven’t seen Cashin. I don’t doubt the guvnor’s formula for finding players, but I am a bit surprised that pace hasn’t been one of the criteria we’ve included in our algorithm for CBs. I know that the best CBs don’t necessarily need pace because they’re usually positioned in the right place to start with, but pace gives them a fighting chance of recovering if a mistake is made. It probably also adds millions to their value.
Is it easier to coach a slow CB to run faster, or a quick CB to defend better?
a) makes one of his “every 8th game” rickets
Or
b) gets another niggling injury that means he’s not playing anyway.
Dunk (to me) has looked increasingly uncomfortable with the pace our game is played at. Very few players get faster as they age, I fear it is reaching the point of being a problem. This season in particular, a lot of what he does has had the feel of stretching him well outside of his comfort zone. It’s visible in his face quite often if you watch him.
Webster plays well frequently, but historically has been prone to the two scenarios above.
Dunk is a fantastic member of the squad, has captained the side for years, and has a secure legacy with us. I’d still personally rather he was used more sparingly going forward.
I’m not sure Webster’s availability is solid enough to be considered the de facto replacement.
Igor was in a good run of form until his injury, and we haven’t seen Cashin. I don’t doubt the guvnor’s formula for finding players, but I am a bit surprised that pace hasn’t been one of the criteria we’ve included in our algorithm for CBs. I know that the best CBs don’t necessarily need pace because they’re usually positioned in the right place to start with, but pace gives them a fighting chance of recovering if a mistake is made. It probably also adds millions to their value.
Is it easier to coach a slow CB to run faster, or a quick CB to defend better?
Da Man Clay
T'Blades
- Dec 16, 2004
- 16,303
Dropped for the Leicester game then injured not long after.
Frankie
Put him in the curry
No,we're a squad capable of beating and losing to anyone with or without him,but i know i'd want him in that match day squad until he's unable to compete at the level required,he's a long way off being ready for the NSC knackers yard.
i didn’t read it as a negative post - more about us improving and evolving as a team.
Standard discussion on a football message board.
But I guess if you go looking for negativity you’ll find it eventually.
willalbion
Well-known member
We won’t score from a corner. Ever. It’s our (bad) cross to bear
Super Steve Earle
Well-known member
Like the opposition forwards these days.
Uh_huh_him
Well-known member
- Sep 28, 2011
- 13,062
We hads 30% of possession yesterday.
I think that sort of game suits Webster better.
He marshalled the defence admirably.
In games where our centre backs will be having very large chunks of possession, Dunk is probably going to look a bit better, as he's more likely to spot and execute an atacking pass.
I think that sort of game suits Webster better.
He marshalled the defence admirably.
In games where our centre backs will be having very large chunks of possession, Dunk is probably going to look a bit better, as he's more likely to spot and execute an atacking pass.
Wardy's twin
Well-known member
- Oct 21, 2014
- 9,094
JPVH is a better player when Dunk is not there, takes ownership rather than doing the sideways pass so The ball is moved forward a lot quicker in his absence.
brighton_tom
Well-known member
- Jul 23, 2008
- 6,054
Correct. Different games, different opposition, different tactics will suit either of the better. No point in us permanently relegating Dunk to the bench based on a few games. No doubt Dunk is feeling his age a bit more, so maybe a break while we utilise Webster, will see him well rested to come back with some top performances in the last 10 of the season.
willalbion
Well-known member
That’s a good point. However dropping Adam after that performance would be a mistake in my opinion,
Kalimantan Gull
Well-known member
I think the thing few are considering here is that he's the captain, and has been captain for over 5 seasons now. What a captain brings to a team and a squad is way more than his 90 minutes on the pitch, you can't just judge him on the most recent game. Leaving the captain out of the first team is a big big decision for the manager to make, especially a new, young, inexperienced manager, and it isn't something done lightly based on a couple of good performances by his replacement when injured.