Tal Ben Who? Seriously though, classy touch, decent passing and plenty of experience alongside Bauer bringing the power and pace and that's a partnership most teams would love to have. Sarr is going to have wait a fair old while for a first team league chance on this kind of form!
In terms of footballing ability he's probably one of the best, if not the best in the league. How many other Championship players have or will play in a world cup final? And how many have or will captain a top international side? Sure he's past his best, but his class is clear for all to see.
Absolute class, we are lucky to have him. Probably our best player this season so far in my eyes. Him and Bauer at the back are superb and give us such a good platform. Feel slightly sorry for Sarr but his time will come.
Would Gomez get into our central defence if he had stayed this season.
Brian Clough signed Dave Mackay for Derby when he was nearly 34 and probably seen as well past his prime (34 y/old players back then were nowehere near as fit and durable as they are today). That was an inspired signing,and I'm beginning to think Diarra might be our equivalent.
His relative lack of success in the UK to date might work in our favour - I wonder whether he'd like one more season in the Prem to show what he can do. Certainly seems to have the desire, no way is he just here for the pay packet.
Brian Clough signed Dave Mackay for Derby when he was nearly 34 and probably seen as well past his prime (34 y/old players back then were nowehere near as fit and durable as they are today). That was an inspired signing,and I'm beginning to think Diarra might be our equivalent.
His relative lack of success in the UK to date might work in our favour - I wonder whether he'd like one more season in the Prem to show what he can do. Certainly seems to have the desire, no way is he just here for the pay packet.
Brian Clough signed Dave Mackay for Derby when he was nearly 34 and probably seen as well past his prime (34 y/old players back then were nowehere near as fit and durable as they are today). That was an inspired signing,and I'm beginning to think Diarra might be our equivalent.
His relative lack of success in the UK to date might work in our favour - I wonder whether he'd like one more season in the Prem to show what he can do. Certainly seems to have the desire, no way is he just here for the pay packet.
If you're right, we'll win the league this season and The Prem next season
Brian Clough signed Dave Mackay for Derby when he was nearly 34 and probably seen as well past his prime (34 y/old players back then were nowehere near as fit and durable as they are today). That was an inspired signing,and I'm beginning to think Diarra might be our equivalent.
His relative lack of success in the UK to date might work in our favour - I wonder whether he'd like one more season in the Prem to show what he can do. Certainly seems to have the desire, no way is he just here for the pay packet.
If you're right, we'll win the league this season and The Prem next season
Right. Yesterday's performance was Diarra's best for us. But I have my reservations. At 34, we all seem to be in agreement that he's probably past his best, and I think that it might show in ways that are currently easily overlooked cos we're undefeated and conceding relatively few goals.
He seems to take a quarter or half second too long to make a decision - on occasion. If a nippy striker was up for it, there MIGHT be a game-changing mistake induced. Like I said though, obviously hasn't happened yet. His passing for me, while broadly alright, isn't always optimal. I also think he can get caught in possession a couple of times. I actually don't think his technique is great, but to be fair - not fucked that up yet (touch wood).
As for the positives - many of them. Good in the air, assured partner to the younger Bauer, gets blocks in and positionally plays pretty well. Maybe I carry an inherent bias from when I saw his less-than-stellar pre-season performances at Welling and Dag & Red, but I'd rather temper things than have all of us be shouting from the rooftops for all our players.
While I obviously don't want things to go off the rails, it might be worth nipping any potential problems in the bud.
Alou swung me round a lot yesterday, but I still need a few more games before I'd be completely happy to admit I'm wrong.
Right. Yesterday's performance was Diarra's best for us. But I have my reservations. At 34, we all seem to be in agreement that he's probably past his best, and I think that it might show in ways that are currently easily overlooked cos we're undefeated and conceding relatively few goals.
He seems to take a quarter or half second too long to make a decision - on occasion. If a nippy striker was up for it, there MIGHT be a game-changing mistake induced. Like I said though, obviously hasn't happened yet. His passing for me, while broadly alright, isn't always optimal. I also think he can get caught in possession a couple of times. I actually don't think his technique is great, but to be fair - not fucked that up yet (touch wood).
As for the positives - many of them. Good in the air, assured partner to the younger Bauer, gets blocks in and positionally plays pretty well. Maybe I carry an inherent bias from when I saw his less-than-stellar pre-season performances at Welling and Dag & Red, but I'd rather temper things than have all of us be shouting from the rooftops for all our players.
While I obviously don't want things to go off the rails, it might be worth nipping any potential problems in the bud.
Alou swung me round a lot yesterday, but I still need a few more games before I'd be completely happy to admit I'm wrong.
How many centre backs in this division can cope with strikers with pace? I think Alou is doing just fine
I said in another thread somewhere that he will be one of our key players this season. Because of his ability he is a top class player. He would start for premier league teams, if he was at say Norwich or Bournemouth he would play every week without a doubt.
He has captained the French national side FFS this is a player that we are very lucky to have. I think he is a class act myself.
Must admit I thought he would be a fringe player but on present form i'd recommend we enjoy watching a truly exceptional footballer. Imperious in the air, calm and assured on the ball.
Similar to Jorge Costa - these players don't come along that often
I'll admit I really wasn't keen on the idea of playing an aging centre mid as our starting centre back, it was more of a case of needs must with our lack of CB's.
4 games in...I'll let Luzon have this one.
We've now got what seems like one of the best centre back pairings in the division.
He was a very very good player during a pretty forgettable time of our recent past
Scored an excellent flick on for us at the den to when we were down to 10 men
First 79 minutes of that game is all I remember for some reason...
But yes was a very classy footballer who read the game brilliantly, think he'll make a great coach.
I wish I could only remember the first 79 minutes... 🤦🏻♂️ Charlton fans went from orgasmic delight to utter despair on that Good Friday(bad Friday) It's on a loop in my mind about bruises sustained after Alou Diarra's goal and being knocked into the row in front followed by the two goal comeback as the 10 men tired in that last 11 minutes or so. Chris being Solly for the red card.
Being kept back and when finally reaching East Croydon, 5 guys (food for thought !) did the feral circling as my son and I were obviously being targeted for a mugging as we were about to leave George St and turn towards the College. Amazingly they suddenly dispersed and I told my son they realized I was one angry man willing to take on the lot of them. My son said, ,"I don't think so" as a police van arrived from the direction of the station.
My Therapist said I need to move on but I still see Joe Gomez desperately trying to mark two men as the winner went in and I fell into a pit of despair.
Alou Diarra came to Charlton after a long time injury out the game but he still had class.
The following season we lost 3-1 and rained upon on way out 🤦🏻♂️😤
Superb player. A real shame we weren't able to pair him with Ahmed Kashi in 2015. No way we would get relegated with those two playing regularly in midfield.
I hope he does well at QPR and who knows, we might see him back working at Charlton in some capacity one day.
Comments
Would Gomez get into our central defence if he had stayed this season.
His relative lack of success in the UK to date might work in our favour - I wonder whether he'd like one more season in the Prem to show what he can do. Certainly seems to have the desire, no way is he just here for the pay packet.
He seems to take a quarter or half second too long to make a decision - on occasion. If a nippy striker was up for it, there MIGHT be a game-changing mistake induced. Like I said though, obviously hasn't happened yet. His passing for me, while broadly alright, isn't always optimal. I also think he can get caught in possession a couple of times. I actually don't think his technique is great, but to be fair - not fucked that up yet (touch wood).
As for the positives - many of them. Good in the air, assured partner to the younger Bauer, gets blocks in and positionally plays pretty well. Maybe I carry an inherent bias from when I saw his less-than-stellar pre-season performances at Welling and Dag & Red, but I'd rather temper things than have all of us be shouting from the rooftops for all our players.
While I obviously don't want things to go off the rails, it might be worth nipping any potential problems in the bud.
Alou swung me round a lot yesterday, but I still need a few more games before I'd be completely happy to admit I'm wrong.
He has captained the French national side FFS this is a player that we are very lucky to have. I think he is a class act myself.
Similar to Jorge Costa - these players don't come along that often
4 games in...I'll let Luzon have this one.
We've now got what seems like one of the best centre back pairings in the division.
Confirmed
First 79 minutes of that game is all I remember for some reason...
But yes was a very classy footballer who read the game brilliantly, think he'll make a great coach.
I wish I could only remember the first 79 minutes... 🤦🏻♂️
Charlton fans went from orgasmic delight to utter despair on that Good Friday(bad Friday)
It's on a loop in my mind about bruises sustained after Alou Diarra's goal and being knocked into the row in front followed by the two goal comeback as the 10 men tired in that last 11 minutes or so. Chris being Solly for the red card.
Being kept back and when finally reaching East Croydon, 5 guys (food for thought !) did the feral circling as my son and I were obviously being targeted for a mugging as we were about to leave George St and turn towards the College. Amazingly they suddenly dispersed and I told my son they realized I was one angry man willing to take on the lot of them.
My son said, ,"I don't think so" as a police van arrived from the direction of the station.
My Therapist said I need to move on but I still see Joe Gomez desperately trying to mark two men as the winner went in and I fell into a pit of despair.
Alou Diarra came to Charlton after a long time injury out the game but he still had class.
The following season we lost 3-1 and rained upon on way out 🤦🏻♂️😤
I hope he does well at QPR and who knows, we might see him back working at Charlton in some capacity one day.