El Abd

[Deleted member 2719]

Dare i say i have always rated him i just wonder if too many people go down the path of great footballers have to have long flowing hair and a latin sounding name to get rated, he does the simple things and does them well just like Oatway did and when you have more creative players in the team it will always suit them.
I wonder how much influence of Oatway has help him progress.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

I've always liked El-Abd. He is a real team player and a hard worker. I remember reading that he was putting in all sorts of extra training when he was deployed as a left back to improve on his left foot distribution.

Poyet was laughed at by many on here by suggesting El-Abd was the best defender at the club. Who is laughing now? Many on here would have binned him years ago, despite many managers rating him and keeping him at the club. It might go some way to suggest why we are not living the dream of being a football manager (althouh they are not infallible).

 

[Zebedee]

A top class display by Adam last night; and one which he can be rightly proud of. Well done that man.

 

[dougdeep]

He always insisted he was a central defender and not a left back. Perhaps if former managers had listened he would have hit this form earlier.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

Which game does he miss for his ban?

 

[Comedy Steve]

He always insisted he was a central defender and not a left back. Perhaps if former managers had listened he would have hit this form earlier.

To be fair Adam is not the sort of player - or person - to go around telling managers his best position. He has *always* been a team player, happy to play where he was told to. The difference IMO is that Gus understands his players well enough to know exactly how and where they will flourish. I don't think he would have come good like this under any other manager.

Adam was the first person to have his contract extended under Gus if I recall correctly - this is just further evidence how aware our manager is of exactly how he needs to manage our squad.

 

[upthealbion1970]

Bennett owes him one after that.



Gus said last season that El Abd was the best defender at the club. I thought he was mad but after watching him this season he might just be right. Tackling has become a dying art in recent seasons but tonight I saw it executed to perfection on numerous occasions. He has taken some stick over the years has our Adam but tonight he can feel exceptionally proud of himself after that superb display.

thought it was bridcutt?

 

[B.W.]

Well done Adam.. I am definitely eating humble pie on this one, and long may it continue... as said above, the big difference is he has cut out the silly mistakes that blighted his performances for a long time, but a long time ago (in footie terms)... he is playing to his strengths now, making the right decisions, no panic, play the simple ball...

That said, and this has NOTHING to do with Adam, Gus should NOT have offered him a contract ahead of the rest of squad IMHO... he was going nowhere, nothing gained, and unrest in the camp ensued... Gus has learned his lesson, I am sure...

 

[Simster]

Poyet and Tarricco have transformed him from an honest trier who used to divide fan's opinion, to an accomplished centre-half who looks way, way too good for this division.

So massive respect to Adam El-Abd, but equal respect to the management team. There were a lot of raised eyebrows when Poyet proclaimed El Abd as the best defender at the club.

 

[NS Herald]

I'm pleased Gus singled him out for praise as he was absolutely outstanding.

His reading of the game and awareness of situations was terrific and the timing of his tackles brilliant. At times I could honestly say that some of this play was 'almost' Moore - esq.

I didn't hear who got the official MOM award but he was head and shoulders our best player and the fact Poyet has already said he will be straight back in the team shows how much he is appreciated and needed

 

[The Large One]

I'm pleased Gus singled him out for praise as he was absolutely outstanding.

His reading of the game and awareness of situations was terrific and the timing of his tackles brilliant. At times I could honestly say that some of this play was 'almost' Moore - esq.

I didn't hear who got the official MOM award but he was head and shoulders our best player and the fact Poyet has already said he will be straight back in the team shows how much he is appreciated and needed

'Twas indeed Bomber.

 

[Scotty Mac]

He always insisted he was a central defender and not a left back. Perhaps if former managers had listened he would have hit this form earlier.

makes a mockery of those who claimed he was better off in central midfield as well

 

[New Carpet?]

I wonder how much influence of Oatway has help him progress.

Oddly enough, this came up in conversation where I was last night - compared to this time last year, just how well do El Abd and Elphick read the game now?

Agreed, a lot of that can be put down to Charlie Oatway's influence, but also Gus, and arugably most of all, from defensive expert Taricco.

 

[clarkey]

One of the best CB displays I've ever seen live (lets bear in mind Im only 20)

His ability in the air is quite extraordinary given his relatively small stature.

 

[the hitman]

Gus said last season that El Abd was the best defender at the club.

That's right, and most on here thought he was talking crap, myself included. But Gus really does know what he is talking about

 

[Dave the OAP]

I will hold my hand up here, I have been El Abd's biggest critic as I regarded him as 3rd/4th Division at the best, however the change in him since the defensive team has got hold of him is nothing short of brilliant.

Excellent game last night.

 

[Scoffers]

From memory what Gus said about Adam was that he always did what he was instructed to do, if Gus asked him to play a particular way, he'd do it. This is one of the primary reasons that he has improved under Gus. It sound simple enough, but I guess too many players improvise, which is fine, but make it harder to be trained and might not fit in to a game plan for a specific match.

 

[The Large One]

Bit crap being suspended for five yellows so quickly into the season, I must say I hadn't realised he had that many. Today was a splendidly tactical foul however, and a necessary one.

Are you sure he's suspended?

The stats pages on Soccerbase and Seagulls website both say he is on four yellow cards.

 

[Sheebo]

Are you sure he's suspended?

The stats pages on Soccerbase and Seagulls website both say he is on four yellow cards.

He is I think. He was booked on Sat and the beeb had it down as Kish - They've prob gone on that...

 

[Acker79]

I say we play el abd on saturday and blame it on confusion. We won't be punished.