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Wilfred Zaha - Crystal Palace (linked in The Sun)


Matthew Le God

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I agree with the poster who said he's got a bit of a reputation, but when he turns it on he's VERY good.

 

There's certainly no shortage of wing talent in the championship with us talking about Zaha / Ince / Phillips / Adomah / Snodgrass in the past.

 

That guy on the Palace forum was also ''ITK'' regarding the Fonte deal all those years back, remember the name.

 

Interesting. My 1st thought was whether it was the chap who'd posted about the Aaron Martin deal long before it was done (but it wasn't him).

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Didn't he cause Man Utd loads of problems in the league cup?

 

Probably but one good cup match against a big boy team doesn't make a player.....more to the point is the championship games he played in last season and how he performed.

 

Wiki (I know) have him down as 40 league games 6 goals and 2 assits last season as a winger I'd of expected a few more assits. I know the boy has some skills but I just seem to remember him looking pretty poor against us and reverting to diving, fouling and generally whinging at the ref.

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Yes. LOTS.

 

Would love to get a Palace perspective on how he matches up against Victor Moses at his age.

 

From a Palace supporting mate.

 

Moses has always been a lot more direct and a physical kind of striker… he has a great ability to get past/onto the shoulder and uses his low centre of gravity and strength to bustle past them.

 

Zaha is taller, more lightweight but faster across the ground, he's a box of tricks but doesnt have as much end product at the moment… much less direct but brilliant in his build up play.

 

tbh Zaha is most dangerous when he stops arsing about with the ball and actually runs at the man but that is coming as he gets older and learns his trade more.

 

In terms of ability? I think Zaha will go further.

Edited by wireframebox
Misunderstood what I was told!
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Word on the street is that Moses probably is Zaha's age, it's not known.

 

From a Palace supporting mate.

 

Sounds promising. I think Adkins could get the best out of Zaha and taking him away from the goldfish bowl of South London would probably help the player focus. Apart from cameos by Theo/Dyer and also Marian was very exciting before injuries struck as a striker, we've not had a really express pace wide player that runs at defenders since Danny Wallace. The excitement it generates is immense and also it will help Saints stretch the game more away from home when teams press up.

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Sounds promising. I think Adkins could get the best out of Zaha and taking him away from the goldfish bowl of South London would probably help the player focus. Apart from cameos by Theo/Dyer and also Marian was very exciting before injuries struck as a striker, we've not had a really express pace wide player that runs at defenders since Danny Wallace. The excitement it generates is immense and also it will help Saints stretch the game more away from home when teams press up.

 

Edit - seen the other thread and forgot about Ox-C! Even so, it feels like a generation since we had Saints fans experience the excitement of a good quality express winger taking on a full back and skinning him for pace. I suppose another one with pace was Heaney but sadly most of his end product endangered the streets next to the Dell.

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A skillful player ...with a bit of a **** attitude (IMO) seemed to spend to much time diving,fouling and moaning, in between bouts of good ball skills, every time I saw him play last season.

got the **** kicked out of him in several games (such as the Cardiff game on the box) so I had some sympathy for him. Might get more protection in the Prem. Besides, did a young Ronaldo do much the same?

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No better than Shteeeeeve, has a chance of improving but if the price is anywhere near the same as Rodriguez its going to be 2 amazing signings and some almighty flops this summer.

 

No better than Steve?? It wont' take much to be more influential than him. One of our most underwhelming signings from last year, and that's why the RM position is a priority to fix.

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No better than Shteeeeeve, has a chance of improving but if the price is anywhere near the same as Rodriguez its going to be 2 amazing signings and some almighty flops this summer.

 

HOW DO YOU KNOW?

 

Seriously, have you watched both Zaha and De Ridder week in week out, every week? How many times have you see both play? Are you a scout and able to make a detailed assessment of a player's ability?

 

FFS. This forum drives me insane.

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apart from hooiveld....and fox.....oh, and tadanari lee....dont forget Buttner (if he signs).....steve davis is N.Irish too.......

steve de ridder can't play for England...

 

 

apart from that, yeah, the southampton way and all that

 

 

Really, you don't think that the future of saints is young English players? How can you not see a preference for that, what with the comments of a 50% academy side, and interest in buckland, jayrod and now zaha. I suppose we will have to disagree but I can do it with a lot more class than some

 

,,|,,

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Really, you don't think that the future of saints is young English players? How can you not see a preference for that, what with the comments of a 50% academy side, and interest in buckland, jayrod and now zaha. I suppose we will have to disagree but I can do it with a lot more class than some

 

,,|,,

I think the future of saints is the best players within our transfer budget to be honest. if they happen to be English, then so be it.

but to suggest Young English players is the "Southampton Way"...then I would like to know how you came to that conclusion...we when sign more non english players

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HOW DO YOU KNOW?

 

Seriously, have you watched both Zaha and De Ridder week in week out, every week? How many times have you see both play? Are you a scout and able to make a detailed assessment of a player's ability?

 

FFS. This forum drives me insane.

no Saints fan has watched Steve de Ridder week in, week out, as Nigel clearly doesn't trust him, so hardly ever plays him.
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no Saints fan has watched Steve de Ridder week in, week out, as Nigel clearly doesn't trust him, so hardly ever plays him.

 

He played a part in 32 Championship games last season. Yes, the vast majority were as sub for relatively short periods, but it still shows a fair degree of "trust" from Adkins. I quite like De Ridder and think he could be quite useful next season. Most of his game is good and he has a lot going for him, just needs to work on the final ball.

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HOW DO YOU KNOW?

 

Seriously, have you watched both Zaha and De Ridder week in week out, every week? How many times have you see both play? Are you a scout and able to make a detailed assessment of a player's ability?

 

FFS. This forum drives me insane.

 

Think you need to chill it's a football forum for opinions...you don't have to be a football scout to have an opinion...though granted being one might give you a more informed opinion. If we're only going to allow Football scouts to post we might as well shut this place down FFS

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Think you need to chill it's a football forum for opinions...you don't have to be a football scout to have an opinion...though granted being one might give you a more informed opinion. If we're only going to allow Football scouts to post we might as well shut this place down FFS

 

+ 1

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Think you need to chill it's a football forum for opinions...you don't have to be a football scout to have an opinion...though granted being one might give you a more informed opinion. If we're only going to allow Football scouts to post we might as well shut this place down FFS

 

Player opinions are pointless, subjective conjecture on the internet. You all think you're right, that's the problem. It's boring!

 

How about being happy when he's signed (if he signs and we'll know when it's on the official website) and seeing how he does.

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My mate is a season ticket holder at Palace and rates Zaha very highly and from what I've seen of him he looks quality. Granted he wasn't all that against us at Selhurst this season but Palace had nothing to play for and barely showed any interest in the game.

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Player opinions are pointless, subjective conjecture on the internet. You all think you're right, that's the problem. It's boring!

 

How about being happy when he's signed (if he signs and we'll know when it's on the official website) and seeing how he does.

I think you might be missing the point of an internet message board?

 

They're entirely designed for pointless, subjective conjecture.

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I think the future of saints is the best players within our transfer budget to be honest. if they happen to be English, then so be it.

but to suggest Young English players is the "Southampton Way"...then I would like to know how you came to that conclusion...we when sign more non english players

 

Becuase you only have to look at the players we are investing in for the future. Davis is a stop gap, but players like cork, lallana, zaha, jayrod, butland etc and we are establishing a squad of young and english players. Yes we have Jos and Fonte etc but they are filling the gaps that will predominantly be english that we can't aford yet.

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I think you might be missing the point of an internet message board?

 

They're entirely designed for pointless, subjective conjecture.

 

This one isnt, this is for serious football talk only. Remember Krackers, pointless comments incur an infraction point.

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don't know if anyone has highlighted this in the earlier posts, but Zaha (born in Ivory Coast 1992) is still only 20 and has spent 3 years with Palace.

That would qualify him to be " home-grown ", and need not be in a Prem. " 25 squad " - (not this season at least).

 

ALSO, having played for England at U21 doesn't mean that he can't (eventually) be capped by his country of birth...

He may progress well in the Prem. (if the deal comes off), but it seems unlikely that he'll get capped by England, (too much competition) ..BUT he may turn up in the Ivory Coast squad for WC2014. (provided they qualify).

Edited by david in sweden
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Just what we need, raw talent with a bit of passion.

 

I know he's got a bit of a reputation...but Adkins has worked wonders with improving the technique and attitude of every player in the squad. Morgan can tackle as well as pass, Lambert is leaner, fitter and smarter as well as powerful and a good finisher etc.etc.

 

If there's ever been a Saints manager who I'd trust taking a gamble on a talent, it'd be Adkins, as for Zaha, he's got a lot of potential.

 

I'd give the credit for Lambert to Pardew, not Adkins. You're being overly generous to Adkins who I credit with 2 back to back promotions but don't conveniently forget that Pardew set all the foundations.

 

I for one am realistic without being overly pessimistic but I have reserved judgement for Adkins in the top flight. I think he's a bright manager & a good player motivator, he's so positive, but let's see how he reacts with world class opposition & pitting hos wits against the PL managerial hierarchy. Tactically I think we may be in for one or 2 disappointments but it's early days & we have a lot to readjust to. I always thought relegation was a blessing in disguise because sometimes you need to hit rock bottom to reassemble & cast out all remnants of the past, namely the idiots board & egotists that run our club into the ground using it as an egotists play thing.

 

However, times have changed & we have a well run club for which I am grateful. To Markus, his family & Cortese despite some elements lacking the empathy & good will towards others a community club should really possess if we lived in an ideal world. Sadly we don't & business is ruthless but that's life in football & sport has its ugly side as much as it does it banking & economics. The facade flatters to deceive.

 

Digressing slightly, I am pleased with the squad we have & the policies we have employed which I truly believe is the way to run a football club. It pleases me to finally have confidence in our club & the management. However, we are still a little way short but you can't blame a fan for wanting Nirvana. Like Federer & his successful dominance & incredible mastery of tennis as a sport. I share the ambition the club purports but if the words are sincere, we have a way to go to become reestablished as a PL team. Defence & wide play. Davis seems a good addition. Free too as was the wise scouting & successful addition of Tadanari Lee. It's reassuring to know we've rebuilt our decimated scouting network.

 

The future looks bright & with 1 or 2 more additions, my tone will change. I know little about Zaha's future potential but I trust in our scouts & committee. Besides, it's paper talk but The Sun do seem to get a heads up which perhaps suggests the previous tabloid hissy fight about purchasing club photos was resolved & perhaps Cortese realised the power of the press. It's a simbiotic relationship & strong handed dictatorship doesn't bode well. A bonus from the past in that he seems to learn but these opinions are pure conjecture so not worth too much credit.

 

I prefer a manager having more impetus in transfer dealings but perhaps building a European model as has been discussed is a better structure. Committee & all. As long as a manager's opinion holds greatest influence. Too many cooks spoiling the brothe & all. A manager leaves, the structure remains. Pros & cons.

 

I've waffled on enough but I hope we address defence, wide positions & I am confident we will reestablish ourselves as a respected competitor in the PL. If we settle for too many players of 'potential' & gamble too much, we will turn out to be a visiting club. One or 2 established heads & reputed performers, I feel the foundations are set to keep the momentum (which we have never done before down to Lowe & his inherit lack of ambition) & a healthy future. Clearly, finance dictates this & the Liebherrs will have limitations imposed on Cortese but it is the extents for which we do not know.

 

Still, small steps. The league doesn't start til August & we have time. The core is decent & I hope we rectify the weak areas. Defensively, we looked frail late last season & that fragility will be penalised on the PL stage. The gulf in class is greater than ever but who knows; football's a funny old game!

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Wow! I didn't mean to type that much. Skip - it'll save you time but I like to think there is some sense in that epic monologue.

 

You can't deny Pardew's impact at all, but Adkins ultimately has delivered the back to back promotions and has done a 9.5/10 job since being here.

 

Lambert has improved massively under Adkins, and may well have done under Pardew, but think back to the start of the season when Pardew got sacked...Lambert was well below par, and Adkins has got the best out of him in both L1 and then in CCC to the extend he was player of the year. Not bad.

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You can't deny Pardew's impact at all, but Adkins ultimately has delivered the back to back promotions and has done a 9.5/10 job since being here.

 

Lambert has improved massively under Adkins, and may well have done under Pardew, but think back to the start of the season when Pardew got sacked...Lambert was well below par, and Adkins has got the best out of him in both L1 and then in CCC to the extend he was player of the year. Not bad.

 

I agree with much of your post but when Pardew's cards were marked, I can't help but think he gave up & perhaps left us unprepared with some dejected players, possibly down to Pardew's influence, but that's immaterial as the job he did until the falling out with Cortese is what he should be judged for. He's proven his worth at Newcastle but I am grateful for Adkins, the appointment & the job he has done.

 

Maybe Adkins has got the max out of Lambert, not taking anything away from Adkins team who equally merit much credit. It's subjective. Never the less, it's a nice time to be a Saints fan.

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Sorry, lambert is a miles better player now under Adkins than he ever was under pardew.

 

Adkins took lambert to the level way above where he was when Nigel arrived

Big shout when he scored what, 30 league goals and 6 cup goals in season 2009-10 before Adkins arrived.

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Big shout when he scored what, 30 league goals and 6 cup goals in season 2009-10 before Adkins arrived.

 

Agree. That was in a team set up for lambert

 

Get the ball to him... Quickly and he would shoot on site

 

IMO, he is far better as a player and for the team the way he is now than just being the target man with a great shot

I can't really recall many shots he took outside of the area last season.

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Agree. That was in a team set up for lambert

 

Get the ball to him... Quickly and he would shoot on site

 

IMO, he is far better as a player and for the team the way he is now than just being the target man with a great shot

I can't really recall many shots he took outside of the area last season.

Not sure I agree he's miles better now, only in that I think he was bloody good anyway. He's maybe just developed his all round game a bit better to fit into a system that Adkins wants to play. He was often completely unplayable in his first season and his confidence was sky high. I agree he maybe does a bit more for the team now, but he was also sensational as a bit of a maverick, playing under Pardew's system. Leyton Orient away a case in point, 2 nil down with 10 minutes or so to go and he thundered in two great goals.

 

I'd say Pardew improved him, got him fitter and playing at the top of his game, NA has maybe just refined him a bit more.

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He played a part in 32 Championship games last season. Yes, the vast majority were as sub for relatively short periods, but it still shows a fair degree of "trust" from Adkins. I quite like De Ridder and think he could be quite useful next season. Most of his game is good and he has a lot going for him, just needs to work on the final ball.

he started 5 games in the league. That says everything.

 

The guy had some very good games coming off the bench, turning a few games completely, but despite this he played almost everyone out their at RM rather than him. The criticism Adkins gave him about tracking back was headed immediately by de Ridder, but Adkins didn't seem to be able to forget it that game. I like him, he has great ability, I don't even think its his final ball that is the issue, it's his decision making. Far too often he just doesn't run at opponents, dithering instead. Another problem is he just is not fed. I've seen him come on have an immediate impact and then not see the ball for half an hour.

Edited by Chez
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My mate is a season ticket holder at Palace and rates Zaha very highly and from what I've seen of him he looks quality. Granted he wasn't all that against us at Selhurst this season but Palace had nothing to play for and barely showed any interest in the game.

 

One of the reasons he didn't shine in that game is we targeted him defensively. I haven't seen Fox and Lallana make such a massive effort to get tight and double up on a player as they did that day. It was clear as day to me that Adkins and the side recognised his threat and they did a job on him. A brilliant job. Fox had his best game in a Saints shirt and Lallana worked his socks off to cover him.

 

The way Adkins made Zaha top priority in that game makes me think its highly likely that we would try to sign him. You don't make that effort if you don't rate him, and if you rate him why wouldn't you go for him. Whether we value him like Palace seem to if a different matter.

 

In my eyes he's a special talent, someone that could go on to great things. I'm concerned about his temperament, but with the right guide at the right club he might grow out of it. We'd be a good choice for him I think.

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Not sure I agree he's miles better now, only in that I think he was bloody good anyway. He's maybe just developed his all round game a bit better to fit into a system that Adkins wants to play. He was often completely unplayable in his first season and his confidence was sky high. I agree he maybe does a bit more for the team now, but he was also sensational as a bit of a maverick, playing under Pardew's system. Leyton Orient away a case in point, 2 nil down with 10 minutes or so to go and he thundered in two great goals.

 

I'd say Pardew improved him, got him fitter and playing at the top of his game, NA has maybe just refined him a bit more.

the hatrick at Milton Keynes is another example. He was scoring goals from all ranges and angles. Not seen that under Adkins. He also completely lost his mojo in the first season with Adkins. Took him 2/3s of a season to find it again. You have to applaud Adkins patience with him though as it paid dividends later. He certainly is fitter and his workrate is much higher, but he's always had that great touch and vision. The fact remains Pardew took the gamble (as all signings are) and brought him here and for that I'm thankful.

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the hatrick at Milton Keynes is another example. He was scoring goals from all ranges and angles. Not seen that under Adkins. He also completely lost his mojo in the first season with Adkins. Took him 2/3s of a season to find it again. You have to applaud Adkins patience with him though as it paid dividends later. He certainly is fitter and his workrate is much higher, but he's always had that great touch and vision. The fact remains Pardew took the gamble (as all signings are) and brought him here and for that I'm thankful.

 

iim sure it was revealed hevwas carrying an injury and was unfit forbthat opening fewbmonths under adkins

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the hatrick at Milton Keynes is another example. He was scoring goals from all ranges and angles. Not seen that under Adkins. He also completely lost his mojo in the first season with Adkins. Took him 2/3s of a season to find it again. You have to applaud Adkins patience with him though as it paid dividends later. He certainly is fitter and his workrate is much higher, but he's always had that great touch and vision. The fact remains Pardew took the gamble (as all signings are) and brought him here and for that I'm thankful.

 

He was injured because Pardew did a **** pre season.

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