Bassong?

[bigv]

what is the story with Bassong? Has he fallen down the pecking order or does just Harry just not rate him or both.

I always thought that he was a solid enough if uncomplicated sort of defender, nothing drastic nothing spectacular sort of player but it seems that with the likes of woody,king and dawson all out injured harry still chooses to play kaboul and gallas and somtimes even the hudd in defence when surely bassong based on his performances (Except a shaky inter milan and heskey moment) would be a regular at cb given the current injury list.

To be honest i think redknapp hasnt a clue who he wants at cb and for me thats slightly worrying. Add that to the uncertainty over our best striking line-up and you have more than a little cause for concern.

[bigv]

wtf is all this size stuff infiltrating my posts of late??

[Biggs]

  i have no idea mate.

Try clicking this > < button before you start typing next time

[millers-tach]

You got a problem with size BigV? I think there is helplines for that kind of thing.
 
Back on topic I think Bassong's reading of a game is terrible. That may well be as a result of getting just the odd game here and there and probably always with a different defensive partner.
 
He played well in a lot of games last season when called upon but he just doesnt inspire confidence, a bit like Kaboul in his first stint when he used to switch off or go crazy in possesion.
 
I dont know what the answer is but he is part of the squad and hopefully he just keeps doing his best everytime called up to the team.
 
Gallas really hasnt done anything that makes me think he is the better option but i hope a run of games helps, starting with a huge game tomorrow.

[taimedowne]

As I've posted elsewhere I think Ledley is holding us back defensively. With him being in and out every other game we can never have a stable back 4. Defenders need to know what their partners are likely to do, it takes time to build the understanding and anticipation necessary to become a strong unit. All this chopping and changing is bad for the team as a whole. Don't get me wrong Ledley is great when he is fit and has been brilliant for us over the years. I just feel if we are to achieve our potential we need to have a settled back 4 playing week in week out.

[Gareth Keown]

Bassong has made a few errors more this seaso already, and Arry may be giving some time on 'gardening-leave) to improve.... also Arry may think Kaboul is too good to be kept on the bench..

[SomersetYiddo]

Our whole central defence situation at the moment is very worrying, especially with the massive game against United tomorrow. Like taimedown said theres no consistent 2 there that have time to gather an understanding for each other, to much chopping and changing but i suppose the changing has to be done because of the injury situation. Gallas has done absolutely nothing so far this season for me to have any confidence in him as the same with Bassong. Kaboul is fairly solid and King has been his usual self, one game every bloody 3 weeks it seems! I do feel sorry for him though its very unfortunate, Dawson is our biggest loss so far this season i think along with Defoe. So thats King, Woodgate, Dawson, Corluka, Huddlestone, Defoe, O Hara ALL out.  I think if it is not sorted by January then if bringing defenders in is a must then so it be.

[Metalanimal]

Bassong was looking the likley future solid partner of Dawson not so long ago, maybe his confidence is low or sumin of the pitch is having an impact.

I think the comment that King is holding us back in the defence area ia spot on as he cant be relied upon due to his condition but when fit must play, I think we have to write Woody off if we are to move forward.

For me Kaboul at CB doesnt install confidence and when partnering Gallas our only hope is we score more than we conceed.

This season should have been Bassong and Daws at the centre of our defence with King stepping up when needed for specific games.  Its all gone tits up really there and up front amazing we are in teh position we are in the league, imagine when it all gets sorted 

[ugs]

I thought that Bassong was bought to cover Ledley at the beginning of last season to play alongside Dawson when Ledley wasn't able to make the side. Due to the loss of Woodgate, Dawson and Kaboul we have signed Gallas who IMHO has been poor at best and now Ledley seems to manage a game (just) and then he's injured again or has to rest for 7-10 days before being available. I agree that unfortunately Ledley is now holding us back but 'Arry has to make a desicion and pick his preferred pair and stick with them and if that means buying a CB then fine, I personally would go with Dawson and Kaboul when both are fit and stick with it for a run of games. Kaboul is a quick and powerful athlete a bit like Ledley and if given time with a regular partner I think could develop into a very good CB, and Dawson for all his failings (which in my opinion are very few indeed) will give you his all and make a very good captain too !! Bassong would be my backup for the new pairing and I would personally let Gallas go as he seems to only be here for a final payoff, and when he plays he looks like he's gonna cry or he's got the s**ts or something !!!!
 
 

[Metalanimal]

Seriously you would pick Kaboul over Bassong?

Kaboul goes astray too much and likes to get forward but then cant track back quick enough, granted with more games and expereince he has potential for a back up but for me first choise would be Bassong and Dawson.

When he first came to us Kaboul looked a great buy then got found out and caught out, he hasnt really improved that much infact he doesnt get the goals he used too lol

[bootbooth]

Bassong to  inconsistant and not ggod against stronger opposition.  they are all inferior to the  ones on the sideline, king, woodgate, dawson.   we shall see what gallas will bring and the new guy from south africa