Good afternoon.
The excellent PhysioRoom.com has Kyle Naughton due back on the 20th of this month.The reason I share this piece of fascinating piece of information is that it might prove to be of sudden relevance dependent upon what happens when England play Poland tonight.
From today’s Mirror:
Hodgson has taken Walker to Poland, despite him having a scan on his calf. The Spurs star missed training here on Monday and is unlikely to be involved against Poland. Hodgson added: “Walker has a very slight calf strain. He’s got a tender spot.”
With the Chelsea game looming it is of course another reason to make a reticent grunting noise when asked if you know the England game is on tonight.
Taking Walker to Poland like this really is putting club before country and makes you wonder what communication system is in place between the player’s employers and the FA when it comes to situations such as this?
Thinking ahead – as the boy clearly needs to achieve match fitness and so it might be ambitious to suggest him for this weekend – but is it time to see if Naughton can do a job at right back in place of Walker?
The boss knows best he is the guy who makes the assessments in training. But if Naughton were showing some positive signs then it would be interesting to see what he might offer defensively.
I’ve been banging my ‘lack of confidence’ drum about Walker for some time. As I’ve said on the podcast, this ‘he’s good going forward’ line is largely an urban myth. He doesn’t really achieve much with his runs and as a defender all I see is him getting skinned endlessly. As an athlete he’s great, but is he anywhere near as good defensively? I think the answer is a firm ‘no.’
ODM tells me, ‘You don’t like him!’ which implies there’s something personal or irrational in my critique. This isn’t the case. Any issues with players positive or negative stem solely from their game play. Walker’s a defender who doesn’t do that job very well and his attacking play is hit and miss.
What’s after the Blue Racists? The Bubbles Part2 then a trip to Southampton. Perfect. I’d like to see Kyle Naughton given a go for that one.
Don’t understand everyone saying what an amazing season Walker had last year. Did he? Perhaps his shortcomings and lapses have been a bit more frequent so far this season but I basically see the same player – can run fast which can either get him into or out of trouble depending on how quickly his braincells are working to keep up with his feet.
I hear he ‘combined brilliantly with Lennon’ but did he? I always thought that Corluka understood Lennon’s game a lot better and he ran as if through quick-dry cement.
I don’t think he had an amazing season last year, I think he showed promise. But he needs a lot of coaching, even at this stage of his career.
Yes, he’s thrills and spills and can light up a game. Look at him against the Gooners last year. But he is only young and footballers strangely enough can be taught to stay in position. If he’s injured why is he going tonight? Will Lennon start tonight, as Walcote is sick? Why all this crap in the newspapers about Ashley Cole? WHy is the media obsessed with this t**t?
HH, how long have you been doing this blog thing. Up until last season I always thought you had great judgement on players. Now it’s just unrealistic balls. Walker is being tracked by most top European clubs. Roughly valued at 20million, he is by far the best right back this club has had during the premiership years. He’s recovering from serious injury this summer and needs AVB to give him time. His speed, crossing, dribbling and shooting are exceptional. Personally I wouldn’t swap him for any right back in the EPL. Saying that one player I don’t think is a world beater is Sigusson. I see he’s handy, good technique but I really would have liked to see him compete with Rafa. Also looking forward to our retro skipper Mr Parker throw himself back into action.
£20M? Are you the Greek Minister Of Finance, sir?!
More like George ‘i’m good at maths, really’ Osborne.
In latin you pweasant..wheres da wabbit
Or are you arry?
HH given that:
“Walker is being tracked by most top European clubs. Roughly valued at 20million, he is by far the best right back this club has had during the premiership years. He’s recovering from serious injury this summer and needs AVB to give him time. His speed, crossing, dribbling and shooting are exceptional. Personally I wouldn’t swap him for any right back in the EPL.”
….was just typed, you were far too kind by recgnising the ridiculous valuation alone…. You’re getting soft HH (I’d be happy to take that credit, bamboozling you with my witty retorts and astounding factual bias)…..!
I agree, his crossing that I’ve seen is excellent.
Sig has dissapointed and not settled well, but he was the best player on the pitch against us last year and controlled the game. I think he might be a bit like when we signed Anderton and Sheringham in ’92. They were both sh*t for the first 6 months, seemed lost with the pressure, attention, and scrutiny of playing for a big club. That was also a team with 5 or 6 new players. I have faith he’ll come good.
Walker is a top top player :daumen: :daumen: :daumen: :daumen: :daumen: :daumen:
He’s trying to live up to the hype and accolades players who’ve ‘arrived’ go through-We no longer have good or average players-they’re either World Class or rubbish-Walker is going through a phase all players go through in their early years, and winning Young Player of the year and an England call up, indicates a dearth of talent as opposed to the arrival of a World Class prospect. AVB will know when to drop him but for now he’s beginning to show signs of a lack of confidence and that’s a worry, Lennon goes through these phases and comes good, so there’s no reason why Walker can’t either?
What a load of bollocks this article is. Walker hasn’t hit the heights of last year yet but come on, drop him? Fickle stupid article
Does Naughton not deserve his chance?