The only one who comes close is Gomes, and that’s on thin evidence at this moment in time . TBF that says more about how good Baleba is as a dynamic machine, than anything else.
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[Albion] Matt O Riley [26/08/24 - sings on a 5-year deal]
- Thread starter Seasider78
- Start date
Change at Barnham
Well-known member
Rutter, Buonanotte and also Gruda are vying for the number 10 spot.
....and Enciso
Blues Guitarist
Well-known member
Yalcouye is far too lightweight (physically) to play the Baleba role. Would need to spend time in the gym.
singing4seagulls
Well-known member
- Apr 2, 2017
- 168
Based on the fact Tony Bloom paid a load of cash for him!
Tony is a very shrewd and tight business man that doesn't do things based on a hunch. He'd of had reems of data, plus scouts and direct reports from very knowledgeable people he trusts. He definitely knows more than us, to convince him spunk millions of his own money on the guy.
Now I'm not saying we get all signings right, but when a guy has played approximately 5 mins for us - which involved scoring, a horrendous injury, and f*** all minutes since - it only feels right to reserve judgement and be positive and optimistic.
It's easy to be negative, but much nicer to assume the positive.
My assumption, is:
- Tony is a likely a better judge of a player he's spent millions on, than we can be after watching him play for minutes.
- Tony is probably aware of the quality of Scottish football
If so let's have some faith
- Jul 6, 2011
- 2,533
We will have none of this sensible logic please. This is a football forum to talk nonsense based on rumour, hearsay and the constant repetition of theories which then become officially accepted NSC facts. Any hint of trusting the club to do everything right will land you in hot water and possibly a ban.Based on the fact Tony Bloom paid a load of cash for him!
Tony is a very shrewd and tight business man that doesn't do things based on a hunch. He'd of had reems of data, plus scouts and direct reports from very knowledgeable people he trusts. He definitely knows more than us, to convince him spunk millions of his own money on the guy.
Now I'm not saying we get all signings right, but when a guy has played approximately 5 mins for us - which involved scoring, a horrendous injury, and f*** all minutes since - it only feels right to reserve judgement and be positive and optimistic.
It's easy to be negative, but much nicer to assume the positive.
My assumption, is:
Hopefully neither of those two statements are controversial?
- Tony is a likely a better judge of a player he's spent millions on, than we can be after watching him play for minutes.
- Tony is probably aware of the quality of Scottish football
If so let's have some faith
Kindly correct your thinking immediately. Thank you.
I've not seen any evidence for that. To me he looks like a young Caicedo: quick, great in the tackle, two footed, and a great reader of the game. 7 Champions League starts and in the 99th percentile for tackles, interceptions and blocks in the competition so far (according to Opta). He's only just 19...
He may not be built like Baleba, but I'd argue that we don't really employ Baleba as primarily a defensive slugger, instead his role is about retaining possession and progressing the ball, something he's wonderful at and we really showcase his ability on the ball rather than rely on him to be a thug breaking up play.
Where there is a clear difference is in arial ability. Malick is not tall, and not the strongest in the air currently. A year in a squad with Baleba may improve that.
Will playing alongside Carlos stretch him?
He's a strong lad our Carlos. If anyone can stretch a player out, he can.
In seriousness, I think playing in the Premier League next to players of real quality is the way for young players to jump to the next level. Yalcouye is a similar height to Ayari and I think he has improved to such an extent that you wouldn't think of him as weak in the air. That comes through playing at this level and rising to the task.
When we signed Caicedo, a few tactical nerds on the internet got very excited about the idea of Bissouma and Caicedo playing alongside each other. I've got a feeling that we might have a similar dynamic next season with Malick and Carlos in the middle. Exciting times.
All of which pushes the subject of this thread further down the pecking order and nearer to a Championship loan or a sale.
Blues Guitarist
Well-known member
My comments were based on how he played at Salzburg last Sunday. Perhaps he had a bad game.
LocadiaBased on the fact Tony Bloom paid a load of cash for him!
Tony is a very shrewd and tight business man that doesn't do things based on a hunch. He'd of had reems of data, plus scouts and direct reports from very knowledgeable people he trusts. He definitely knows more than us, to convince him spunk millions of his own money on the guy.
Now I'm not saying we get all signings right, but when a guy has played approximately 5 mins for us - which involved scoring, a horrendous injury, and f*** all minutes since - it only feels right to reserve judgement and be positive and optimistic.
It's easy to be negative, but much nicer to assume the positive.
My assumption, is:
Hopefully neither of those two statements are controversial?
- Tony is a likely a better judge of a player he's spent millions on, than we can be after watching him play for minutes.
- Tony is probably aware of the quality of Scottish football
If so let's have some faith
Jakhanbash
We don’t get everything right as you say.
There is literally no evidence so far at PL level to back up your original claim of ‘clearly good’.
He was at a lower level though, as were the two I quoted above.
I agree it’s too early to judge him but If he’s still here post summer, next season is a big season for him.
- Jun 20, 2021
- 4,218
Virtually every player we buy comes from a lower league.
The PL players we have got have mainly come as free agents. (Lamptey and Gilmour being the exceptions I can think of)
And Veltman and Van Heckle came from the same Dutch league as the two failures above.
Yes and what?
The original point I’m contesting is that O’Riley ‘is clearly good’, when at this level IMO he has yet to prove that, and actually in the short time he’s been on, has struggled City apart.
Just think it’s early days to confirm either way.
- Jun 20, 2021
- 4,218
Yes, I agree on that as well.
Unfortunately, his injury meant that he became "The Great White Hope" for many, despite not playing, followed by his goal against Man City.
This has led to unrealistic expectations which have yet to be fulfilled.
In the other hand , I do think from what I saw at Celtic, that there is a good player there who shouldn't be written off just yet.
For him, Weiffer and Gomez, I suspect it will be next season when we find out if they are good enough or not.
portslade seagull
Well-known member
Think he was unlucky with his injury after that thugs tackle. Just needs to build up a bit and get a bit more physical.
Yes, though I wouldn’t use Celtic as a benchmark as the level is so variable
- Jun 27, 2012
- 15,121
last season he started or featured in all of Celtics 6 CL games with assists in the games v Feyenoord, Athletico Madrid and Lazio.But Celtic rarely qualify through the group?
phoenix
Well-known member
- May 18, 2009
- 2,901
Jakhanbash, that was nearly 4 years ago are we always going to mention these 2. If so it seems that we are getting even better at dodging the crappy signings.
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