05 Aug 2019 08:55:31
Ok it's only one game, but a lot of posters on here were writing Ben White off before he had had a competitive game with us.
Granted in the past our scouting has produced some turkeys, but last Jan we were onto James before anyone else, picked up Bogusz and Casilla, ok 2 out of 3 ain't bad!
We are obviously identifying some good talent and White fits the Bielsa playbook so well. I'm not saying he's the answer to all our problems after one game, but let's give these recruits a chance before we slag them off, they might just surprise us!
05 Aug 2019 09:13:22
Nobody was writing him off - a lot including myself were saying it is a huge risk as he is untried at this level. I don't think we can say 1 game is a good gauge of a player either but he did really well so I'm a little less nervous than I was. However, what we don't yet know is if he has the capability like Cooper does of making stupid mistakes in crucial moments and that remains to be seen. I also worry about how he will cope with more physical teams. However, credit where it is due the lead did brilliantly and long may it continue.
05 Aug 2019 09:30:29
Spanish, to be fair I don't think anyone slagged off White. I think they were more concerned with the fact we had lost a giant international centre back and have looked to replace him with a smaller player who has only played up to league one standard so far.
We supporters are all anxious to see our team is moving forwards and improving. Hence the over emphasis on the perceived player swap.
Personally I am torn. I have been brought up on the big lumps of centre half. How they dominate their space. However, Biesla is of a different cloth. Size isn't a priority to him.
Name a huge South American centre back or centre forward. now name 10 S. A. smaller ball playing centre backs and 10 S. A. smaller goalscoring forwards. The latter list is easier, and those bugg3rs win World Cups all the time!
I just have to adjust my viewpoint. We are obviously going to keep possession and not allow corners or free kicks to be a problem. If the ball is in the opponents half then they can't normally score
Btw, I am still rating Casilla. He is a reasonably good keeper but will develop in to an excellent 11th outfield player.
More so than BPF could. More so than Blackman could have. More so than the bit I remember about Darlow. We just don't breed the passing ability in to our keepers over here.
05 Aug 2019 10:36:22
2002 since last south American world cup winner but I get your point!
05 Aug 2019 11:20:15
Spanish No-one wrote him off. It was cover for him and Cooper we sought.
05 Aug 2019 15:31:36
Pretty sure some did say he was on the short side and we need two 6ft 3 CBS!
05 Aug 2019 15:57:48
Never saw anyone say White was no good. I myself said i rated the lad and said he was class. My concern was cover for CB and how they would do against the big physical strikers in this division. Was always confident White could do a job for us its the fact we only have the two of them that worries me.
05 Aug 2019 17:08:41
I didn't hear anyone say White was no good but queried his ability in the air based on pre season appearances and league 1.
05 Aug 2019 22:58:06
I think Spanish is referring to the many comments questioning his ability to replace Pontus, rather than just writing him off. After Pablo, he was #2 MOTM for me, and he’s only going to get better. On the Pontus front, I can see him having loads of tantrums, and being flogged for less than we sold him by next summer. He doesn’t look happy at all!