Second time I've heard this, since when does El Abd go forward?!
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Welcome back Adam El-Abd
- Thread starter Lush
- Start date
Second time I've heard this, since when does El Abd go forward?!
The Grockle
Formally Croydon Seagull
Love it when a player proves his doubters wrong, a couple of years ago not many on here would expect to see him at the Amex and I reckon Adam himself was expecting to move on….in comes Lord Poyet and he manages to completely turn him around!
Within 5 games, Poyet had declared him the best defender at the club (at the time).
He hasn't looked back. Great to have him back - competition at the back is a necessity.
The Grockle
Formally Croydon Seagull
Just shows what good coaching and man management can do i'd say. At times El Abd looked absolutely shite under Adams and Slade, thankfully Gus saw his worth.
The Large One
Who's Next?
I always think that this is so harsh on El-Abd.
He was often pilloried for one howler of an error per match - sometimes one that cost us. OK, you might say, fair enough. But that stigma stuck with him even when he put in exemplary performances - even under Adams and Slade.
In other words, El-Abd had sorted his game out before Gus turned up; Gus has since improved him further. All Poyet did was to inform US, the supporters, of his qualities, and that he was a good player. We listened, and his appreciation levels went through the roof - quite deservedly, I'd say.
El-Abd has been a decent player for more than Gus' two years here - and in most cases has been very far from 'absolutely shite'.
It is, of course, fantastic to know he's back. Look forward to hopefully seeing him play on Saturday.
Herne Hill Seagull
Well-known member
With El-Abd back in the side (and getting booked!), Barnes back in the side and Ankergren back to his old self (oh, and an away win), it felt like putting on an old pair of comfortable slippers last night, after weeks of discomfort in a horrid new pair.
I'm surprised at this. IMO, El Abd was utter gash under Adams in particular. His trade mark was to back off and back off and back off and back off until he'd chaperoned the onrushing forward into the penalty area
albion534
Well-known member
It wouldn't be a game without a booking after a few mins
deletebeepbeepbeep
Well-known member
- May 12, 2009
- 21,806
So good to see El Abd back, as someone else said it feels like we're Brighton again.
It's going to be hard for Gus to decide between Dunk and Abd but the amount of yellows we keep picking up might make this easier as he'll have to swap them out.
It's going to be hard for Gus to decide between Dunk and Abd but the amount of yellows we keep picking up might make this easier as he'll have to swap them out.
Pbseagull
New member
Welcome back Adam .... Oh! how We've missed you.
The Grockle
Formally Croydon Seagull
Perhaps my assessment of Adam pre Gus is a little unfair but I can recall occasions where he was very poor and perhaps even a bit of a weak link in our defense.
I do agree with your point about Gus’ praise for him which almost overnight changed peoples opinion of him. Before Gus’ arrival Adam was often used as a scapegoat for the team’s collective short comings, well that’s the way it always seemed to me anyway.
Anyway whether he WAS ‘absolute shite’, being let down by his team mates or simply undervalued by our fans he certainly proved his worth for us last year and I wouldn’t bet against him doing the same again this year.
The Large One
Who's Next?
In comparative terms, EVERYONE was utter gash under Adams.
My point is, while El-Abd could - and did - become prone to the odd dropsy, he was still putting in a shift, his head never dropped, and he was always improving.
Common as Mook
Not Posh as Fook
- Jul 26, 2004
- 5,642
It's no co-incidence that El-Abd grew as a player when he was played in his natural position, centre-half. Being played left wing by Adams did nothing for anyone involved
Gritt23
New member
Excellent to have him back!
skipper734
Registered ruffian
NMH
Banned
More like the facts Al.
Many try to attest that he was rubbish until Gus came in, but this is drivel.
Gus just noticed what he did and made mention of it - and rightly gave a lifting boost to his confidence, and reputation with others.
Of the 'howlers' that got pinned on him, often he was the only one back (Elphick trying to get a glory goal, caught out of position completely), and facing an onslaught alone in front of the keeper....who occasionally didn't communicate well with his defense.
It's a big field when you are outnumbered by onrushing opposing players and have neither to commit a tackle or retreat to your goal-line!
I've seen awful passes from his team-mates that were guaranteed to cause problems, Virgo guilty but AeA the last one seen nearest the ball so blame Adam.
Management was part of the issue of course, but el-Abd consistently turned up and took and gave knocks for the team. Not a dirty player, but he will upset opposing players because they cannot enjoy someone marshalling them out of a match altogether when they are the big noise in their jungle.
Personally, I told AeA that he's been my favourite player 4 seasons ago, and told him he'd be captain some day - which he has since been.
As for going forward .....I don't think he's a good front player to be honest. Midfield brilliant, defending excellent, forward.....not really. He might get the occasional shot in when he lurks outside the box for a loose ball when we are attacking. The nearest equivalent for his impression on the game, that I can remember, was Brian Horton....though perhaps also Cullip in his prime.
Adam is the stalwart club rock, probably will not get headhunted out and would be reluctant to split anyway. He is what every team needs but not all have, and is worth his weight in blue and white striped gold to us.
I just don't think it's a coincidence that the sprinklings of foreign names have not guaranteed wins - but the return of el-Abd (even just to the training field!) has seen us get some results again. We just NEED a reliable bloke that gives us a solid presence on the field. Bridcutt can run around the middle all he likes, CMS can jitterbug across the middle and pop up in every blade of grass, Nooney can bamboozle and slice with passes, KLL keep posession and strike at will, and so on - but as long as a player like Adam el-Abd is on the field they can do these things with confidence that he's putting in a shift and taking some of the attention off them.
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