Centre Backs will make the difference

[Professor]

Only saw the QPR game on TV but once again Yoshida did a great impression of a statue as the QPR strikers went around him. It was just good that our midfield and forward players played so well that our CBs weren't tested too often.

 

Seems to me that Yoshida was something of a desparate buy, and a cheap one, right at the end of the transfer window whereas earlier in the summer Adkins had highlighted the need for TWO new CBs. Did this happen because better quality CBs were not available, or was it a decision oif the transfer committee to buy forward players instead? If quality CBs could not be attracted here in the summer they may not in January either but it seems to me that without a better back four we will struggle to get out/stay out of the bottom three.

[Saint_clark]

Apart from one mistake I thought Yoshida looked much better actually.

[Alain Perrin]

Either Sky or BBC (can't remember which) commented on what a good game he had - and he made team of the week in one of the reports I read.

 

Fonte is the one who scares me. He is prone to one major mistake a game and this year we are getting punished for it more than last season.

 

I wonder though whether our centre backs are too similar (in the Claus mould) and they both really need a Svenson style partner to see the best of them.

[Saint Martini]

The Guardian had Yoshida as their MOTM for the QPR game. i thought he had a good game as well, he was very agressive in his marking of Cisse which meant he hardly ever got the ball. He's had a few stinkers as well but not as bad as you are making him out to be. His biggest asset must be his pace which enables us to defend higher up the pitch, can't really do that which Jos in the PL.

 

But one thing you are right about, we needed two CBs in the summer and only got one late on. Your conclusion that Yoshida was a bit of a panic buy might not be far off.

[RobM]

Apart from one mistake I thought Yoshida looked much better actually.

 

Agreed. Calm and measured, did the simple things right and looked good.

[farawaysaint]

We panic bought one of Japan's stand out performers and captains? It's not like he was a no-namer who we overpaid for, I still think he'll prove to be a bargain at twice the price.

[hutch]

On the other hand, he could be the captain of the 24th ranked international team in the world, who is still acclimatising to the PL and living in a new country. As long as he continues to improve we might give him some slack

[Lord Duckhunter]

Only saw the QPR game on TV but once again Yoshida did a great impression of a statue as the QPR strikers went around him. It was just good that our midfield and forward players played so well that our CBs weren't tested too often.

 

.

 

I guess you didn't see the bit when one of our midfielders stood like a statue insted of tracking Holliet's run for their only goal. But then I guess slating Adam lallana for poor defensive work is not on. Much easier to have a pop at the new bloke.

[farawaysaint]

Wait, do I have unlimited osts now?

[farawaysaint]

I can post as much as I want? When did this happen?

[Saint Martini]

We panic bought one of Japan's stand out performers and captains? It's not like he was a no-namer who we overpaid for, I still think he'll prove to be a bargain at twice the price.

 

A panic buy can turn out rather good, their not always doomed to fail. Besides, the fact that he is the captain of the No.24 of the world and played at the Olympics makes him a more likely candidate to be a panic buy. Players with merits that are not actuall football quality (i.e. caps, being captain, having played for a big team once, etc.) are more likely to become a panic buy.

 

Panic buy just means you didn't scout a player as thoroughly as you would have liked to. I can see that being the case with Yoshida.

[Millbrook Saint]

Personally think Yoshida is pretty good, I can see him getting better and better too. Last season our defence wasn't all that, it's just mistakes weren't always punished in the championship as they are in the premier. Remember commenting a few times that we were lucky the other team were ****e last year

[Saint Garrett]

Very good reader of the game and will only get better and better.

[Avenue Saint]

Yoshida IS a good buy, with time, I have no doubts will prove to be a very shrewd and beneficial purchase.

[Smirking_Saint]

This has started well.

 

Fwiw I think he looks a good player, he wasnt helped by playing full back. I think he will end up our best CB if im honest.

[Professor]

I guess you didn't see the bit when one of our midfielders stood like a statue insted of tracking Holliet's run for their only goal. But then I guess slating Adam lallana for poor defensive work is not on. Much easier to have a pop at the new bloke.

Quite happy to join you in having a pop at Lallana. I didn't notice the defensive failure you mention but I have thought for some time that Adam is not fulfilling his true potential. He is a good asset to the bteam but can't help feeling he could do more, especially with his shots on goal.

[Turkish]

Quite happy to join you in having a pop at Lallana. I didn't notice the defensive failure you mention but I have thought for some time that Adam is not fulfilling his true potential. He is a good asset to the bteam but can't help feeling he could do more, especially with his shots on goal.

 

It's not easy to miss, just watch thier goal again.

 

The problem with Lallana is we were told all summer he was having a new central role, then we signed Ramirez who seems to be playing there instead. Lallana isn't suited to playing wide, he's not quick enough, his tracking and defending isn't good enough, cant tackle and he isnt a captain. We could get away with it in the championships but not in the premier league. Dare I say this n here but maybe he is one the many players that are quality in the championship but not quite up to top flight.

[SNSUN]

Yoshida did seem like a panic buy, akin to Jakobsson in the last Premier League season, and we all know what happened then. Still, as long as we don't sign Davenport in January, we have a better chance of staying up.

[alpine_saint]

Yoshida was a panic buy as our "committee" treated CB transfers as an afterthought and the ones they reckoned they close went tits up.

 

Having said that, hes a panic buy that is going pretty well.

[Barry Sanchez]

On the other hand, he could be the captain of the 24th ranked international team in the world, who is still acclimatising to the PL and living in a new country. As long as he continues to improve we might give him some slack

Makoto Hasebe is the captain of Japan or so I thought, Yoshida was captian for one game.

[melmacian_saint]

To be honest I think in January a LB and a back-up to Fonte/Yoshida (a la Davis with Cork/Schneiderlin) are probably the only things we should get.

 

They are striking a good partnership and seem to be fully up to the task. After all the mess that's been on at the back, I think we ought to be conservative about our approach to the market.

[Saint_clark]

To be honest I think in January a LB and a back-up to Fonte/Yoshida (a la Davis with Cork/Schneiderlin) are probably the only things we should get.

 

They are striking a good partnership and seem to be fully up to the task. After all the mess that's been on at the back, I think we ought to be conservative about our approach to the market.

 

I hope we don't have to see Davis in DM again this season, Ward-Prowse is the back up there. Davis is an attacking midfielder without doubt.

[saint_sinner]

I think Yoshida is a shrewd signing in that we are shifting a lot of shirts in Japan and have attracted a great deal of media coverage over there.

Also I noticed our advertising hoardings had ads translated into Japanese.

I like yoshida but I think he's not good enough at this level. His clearing header yesterday that didnt go out nearly presented Newcastle with a gift

[Colinjb]

I like yoshida but I think he's not good enough at this level. His clearing header yesterday that didnt go out nearly presented Newcastle with a gift

 

I dissagree. I really think he is growing into his role as a first choice premier league centre back.

 

His reading of the game and reactions are improving, the only real serious error for me yesterday was Anita being played onside by Jose Fonte. Yoshida's pace at the back as well as his commitment and reading of the game have been critical in our improving form.

[Smirking_Saint]

Thought he had a decent game yesterday, not bad with the ball at his feet, has a bit of pace and positions himself well.

 

I suppose the fans have a new whipping boy now Fox and Guly have gone ?

[Saint Garrett]

Thought him and Fonte dealt with Cisse and Ba very very well yesterday.

[Saint_clark]

I think Yoshida is a shrewd signing in that we are shifting a lot of shirts in Japan and have attracted a great deal of media coverage over there.

Also I noticed our advertising hoardings had ads translated into Japanese.

I like yoshida but I think he's not good enough at this level. His clearing header yesterday that didnt go out nearly presented Newcastle with a gift

 

His signing and Tadanari Lees, coupled with the ads in Japanese like you mentioned, has made me wonder if the shirt switch to red is similar to Cardiffs attempts to appeal to the Asian market.