Virgil van Dijk - move back on? (Not presently)

[Jimmy Grimble]

I imagine top 6 would be along the lines of: Vicente, CMS, PIG, Dobbie, Lopez/Bruno and Bridge

Probably about right. Although not so sure on Lopez, and wouldn't include Bridge as he's not a permanent player. When Greer first signed he was probably in the top 3 earners, if he had a promotion rise and a yearly rise then he might still find himself in the top 6.


And I'd like to point out I'm not criticising Greer. He's done well again this year - if I had to rate his season so far I'd give him a 7/10. It's just hypothetical speculation. There's always room for progression.

 

[Marshy]

In my opinion its more likely El-Abd would make way over Greer, we need 2 centre halfs who can pass the ball not 1.

 

[JBizzle]

Virgil van Dijk - FC Groningen - YouTube

Including a header, a screamer and a flair deflection.

Are we sure this chap is a defender?! He looks lethal!

 

[supaseagull]

Probably about right. Although not so sure on Lopez, and wouldn't include Bridge as he's not a permanent player. When Greer first signed he was probably in the top 3 earners, if he had a promotion rise and a yearly rise then he might still find himself in the top 6.


And I'd like to point out I'm not criticising Greer. He's done well again this year - if I had to rate his season so far I'd give him a 7/10. It's just hypothetical speculation. There's always room for progression.

I'm bored of this "our defence is strong because we don't concede many goals" argument.

Our Centrebacks have been the weakest link in our defence all season I'm afraid and this is proven by the fact that we concede so many late goals, many of which are in areas which should be picked by by the central defenders.

The reason why we don't concede that many goals during is because many opposition attacks are broken down in midfield by Bridcutt and recently Hammond before they get the chance to put the ball into the area. When teams DO get the ball in the air around the penalty spot, they often score. Saturday was proof of this and so was Palace, Derby, Millwall & Bolton...On Saturday, two unchallenged headers where a decent centre back would have been (Forget about Kusczak's mistake, Vigic had a clean header on goal).

Both Greer and El-Abd are great players for us for 70 minutes in a game and I would always have the latter in my squad, but overall if we want to get promotion, then we need to look for better defenders as neither of these are not good enough for a top end of the Championship/bottom of the Premier League team. Dunk, hopefully will be one day once he hasn't got anything hanging over his head I'm convinced of it.

 

[Silk]

Re: Bizarre Transfer Speculation - Virgil van Dijk

I'm bored of this "our defence is strong because we don't concede many goals" argument.

Our Centrebacks have been the weakest link in our defence all season I'm afraid and this is proven by the fact that we concede so many late goals, many of which are in areas which should be picked by by the central defenders.

The reason why we don't concede that many goals during is because many opposition attacks are broken down in midfield by Bridcutt and recently Hammond before they get the chance to put the ball into the area. When teams DO get the ball in the air around the penalty spot, they often score. Saturday was proof of this and so was Palace, Derby, Millwall & Bolton...On Saturday, two unchallenged headers where a decent centre back would have been (Forget about Kusczak's mistake, Vigic had a clean header on goal).

Both Greer and El-Abd are great players for us for 70 minutes in a game and I would always have the latter in my squad, but overall if we want to get promotion, then we need to look for better defenders as neither of these are not good enough for a top end of the Championship/bottom of the Premier League team. Dunk, hopefully will be one day once he hasn't got anything hanging over his head I'm convinced of it.

Agree about Dunk, has always looked very promising to me.

 

[JBizzle]

In my opinion its more likely El-Abd would make way over Greer, we need 2 centre halfs who can pass the ball not 1.

To be honest, I think it would be a warning shot for both defenders that they need to be right at the top of their game to keep their place. Greer is the obvious target I guess because they're similar players and our defence badly needs the more agricultural graft that El Abd brings. Sometimes you need someone in defence who's not afraid to be kicked in the face.

 

[shaolinpunk]

After a goalscorer I would have said a centreback is our priority - one who has a bit of pace and can carry the ball out from the back. Whether or not we get this guy remains to be seen, but trying to sign a Dutch defender (having already spent £2m this window) who is considered likely to become an integral part of their national team in the future is a huge statement of intent on our part.

 

[severnside gull]

In my opinion its more likely El-Abd would make way over Greer, we need 2 centre halfs who can pass the ball not 1.

It would be interesting to see the stats but my guess would be that Adam has made at least double the number of passes and probably an even higher pass completion than Gordon albeit the average length of passes for AeA is no more than 15' while GG specialises in the hail mary potential killer pass.

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

I'm bored of this "our defence is strong because we don't concede many goals" argument.

Our Centrebacks have been the weakest link in our defence all season I'm afraid and this is proven by the fact that we concede so many late goals, many of which are in areas which should be picked by by the central defenders.

The reason why we don't concede that many goals during is because many opposition attacks are broken down in midfield by Bridcutt and recently Hammond before they get the chance to put the ball into the area. When teams DO get the ball in the air around the penalty spot, they often score. Saturday was proof of this and so was Palace, Derby, Millwall & Bolton...On Saturday, two unchallenged headers where a decent centre back would have been (Forget about Kusczak's mistake, Vigic had a clean header on goal).

Both Greer and El-Abd are great players for us for 70 minutes in a game and I would always have the latter in my squad, but overall if we want to get promotion, then we need to look for better defenders as neither of these are not good enough for a top end of the Championship/bottom of the Premier League team. Dunk, hopefully will be one day once he hasn't got anything hanging over his head I'm convinced of it.

For the most part I agree with you, although I think you might be being a little harsh. Both are good players, it's just not ideal that both of their weakest defensive attribute is heading.

I was thinking the exact same thing about conceding late goals. IMO, Greer should shoulder some of the blame for it, even if the goals haven't been directly his fault (although Wolves away was). Most experienced player in the squad, centre half and captain, he should be responsible for leading the team in those final nervy minutes when we're only a goal ahead.

 

[JBizzle]

In my opinion its more likely El-Abd would make way over Greer, we need 2 centre halfs who can pass the ball not 1.

To be honest, I think it would be a warning shot for both defenders that they need to be right at the top of their game to keep their place. Greer is the obvious target I guess because they're similar players and our defence badly needs the more agricultural graft that El Abd brings. Sometimes you need someone in defence who's not afraid to be kicked in the face.

 

[pishhead]

I think the fact we're interested in him shows how Gus is looking to push us on to the next level, with FFP due next season I think teams are going to have to think prudently with regards to signings. Progressive teams will now look towards signing younger players who will have a chance to have a significant resale price.
Also it is quite notable that Gus is looking for us to be a much sterner physical presence.

 

[fleet]

In my opinion its more likely El-Abd would make way over Greer, we need 2 centre halfs who can pass the ball not 1.

In general El Abd has passed better than GG recently - not always, but I would say more often than not.

 

[8ace]

It would be interesting to see the stats but my guess would be that Adam has made at least double the number of passes and probably an even higher pass completion than Gordon albeit the average length of passes for AeA is no more than 15' while GG specialises in the hail mary potential killer pass.

AeA only passes it to GG or TK most of the time.

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

I think the fact we're interested in him shows how Gus is looking to push us on to the next level, with FFP due next season I think teams are going to have to think prudently with regards to signings. Progressive teams will now look towards signing younger players who will have a chance to have a significant resale price.
Also it is quite notable that Gus is looking for us to be a much sterner physical presence.

This.

However we have over 30 clubs above us that can offer better financial packages, its down to TB to get as close as possible without busting the bank and Gus to sell the dream

 

[BrickTamland]

Translated a view tweets from what seem to be Gronigen fans. They are all gutted he might be leaving and are very surprised he isn't going to the prem. a couple even goes as far as saying he is already good enough for national side, although they would probably be bias

 

[BrickTamland]

He was also MoM in their most recent match against Utrecht which is promising

 

[supaseagull]

If we do sign Virgil, then I really hope our final signing (if there is one) is Liam Trotter.

 

[Ninja Elephant]

In general El Abd has passed better than GG recently - not always, but I would say more often than not.

Total fabrication.

I like Adam El-Abd. I think he's the DON. But I think we're a top 6 Championsip club and I think there's room for improvement. I think Greer is better on the ground and positionally, and I think he'd compliment Virgil better. Virgil looks like the cavalier, attack EVERYTHING kind of guy, which is what El-Abd currently does. For the balance, I would pick Greer. For defensive ability, I'd pick Greer and for attacking passing ability, I'd pick Greer.

In summary, Greer and Virgil for me.

 

[GingerBeerMan]

Translated a view tweets from what seem to be Gronigen fans. They are all gutted he might be leaving and are very surprised he isn't going to the prem. a couple even goes as far as saying he is already good enough for national side, although they would probably be bias

To be fair, there have been threads on here in the past about Bridcutt being the 'best English CDM around', so I wouldn't read too much into that. Still promising though.

 

[Marshy]

In general El Abd has passed better than GG recently - not always, but I would say more often than not.

El-Abd cannot pass forward, and also takes an absolute age in moving the ball quickly.

The reason he has twice as many passes as Greer is because teams are happy for El-Abd to have the ball as they know he cannot use it anywhere near as well as Greer.

We look a much better side with Dunk and Greer at home in my opinion, El-Abd definately comes into his own on away fixtures however.

Greer hasnt had a great couple of games recently, but lets be honest he has been superb for us in general since we signed him.