ARTICLE: Ekdal goes out on loan

[boyyanno]

Well the current Bayern Munich manager went for Ekdal not Worrall and he seemed a decent judge of player.
Their careers aren't really relevant, Ekdal is younger and started in a more obscure league.

Worral is a decent player too but he had the fortune of being able to stick with his boyhood club as they got promoted to the Premier League so there was less disturbance in his career from a young age.

That's got to be one of the most ridiculous arguments I've ever heard.

Kompany also signed Delcroix and Obefami, should we get them back in to start for us?

Their careers ARE relevant. Did Worral just get in the team of the year at this level because it was his boyhood club?

[ClaretTony]

Not seen anything from Worrall or Egan that would get them ahead of a fully fit Ekdal.

His injuries have screwed his chances with us, but when fully fit, he is a top defender. Reads the game so well.

I've seen plenty of Worrall and Egan playing for Forest and Sheff U - I'd have them way ahead of Ekdal.

[Goliath]

Worrall was starting regular games in the Premier League after captaining his team to promotion the season before, when Ekdal signed for us - bizarre comparison.

Ekdal was statting regularly in one of the best teams to ever get promoted from this level. Captain is irrelevant, Ekdal wasn't going to captain us after a month of being here. Kompanyndecided he wasn't quick enough for what he wanted which is fine, he would have had the same issue with Worrall

[Goliath]

That's got to be one of the most ridiculous arguments I've ever heard.

Kompany also signed Delcroix and Obefami, should we get them back in to start for us?

Their careers ARE relevant. Did Worral just get in the team of the year at this level because it was his boyhood club?

If you'd bothered to read the whole conversation you'd see I was responding to the previous posters comment suggesting because Parker chose Worrall it means he's a better player along with some other very debatable points.

I definitely don't think there's been much in Worrals career to prove he's a better player. As for someone's comment about Delcroix, I think he's a decent player as well that hasn't had much opportunity.

Him and Obafemi however were clearly bought in as opportunity buys where we able to get them in positions of need for really cheap so they weren't big risks. Not comparable.

[NL Claret]

Some like a random comparison on here, not sure why, maybe just for entertainment.

A fact here, Ekdal has 9 Championship appearances. Those were made in a team that had effectively already been promoted.

That makes any comparison to 2 very experienced players impossible. Then again it might be the case that some posters dislike Worrall and Egan as they didn’t play in the unreal Championship season of 22/23.

[boyyanno]

If you'd bothered to read the whole conversation you'd see I was responding to the previous posters comment suggesting because Parker chose Worrall it means he's a better player along with some other very debatable points.

I definitely don't think there's been much in Worrals career to prove he's a better player. As for someone's comment about Delcroix, I think he's a decent player as well that hasn't had much opportunity.

Him and Obafemi however were clearly bought in as opportunity buys where we able to get them in positions of need for really cheap so they weren't big risks. Not comparable.

Have you actually looked at Worralls career?

[Goliath]

Have you actually looked at Worralls career?

Yes which bit is it that suddenly makes him so much better?
As I say, I think he's a decent, limited but solid player and that's it.

[boyyanno]

Yes which bit is it that suddenly makes him so much better?
As I say, I think he's a decent, limited but solid player and that's it.

Been in the team of the year when gaining promotion at this level previously.

Started and captained his team in the PL (they stayed up)

Played and featured regularly in the top two decisions of English football.

Was signed and immediately came in to the team in a higher squad position than Ekdal.

Ekdal has played less than 20 games at a decent standard, been quickly replaced and punted out on loan to a team below our standard. I'll ask again, what suggests he's anywhere near as good as Worrall?

[ksrclaret]

I always liked Ekdal. I think he’s a very classy player but his lack of pace can make him appear quite clunky at times. I suspect he’s more suited to football on the continent than in England, but I’d have loved to see him get a loan to another Championship club just to see whether his body could get him through.

As for Worrall, he’s a good old fashioned warrior of a defender, the sort Dyche would have as the first name on his team sheet at this level. He’s not got the passing range of Egan-Riley or the pace of Esteve, but he’s a real luxury as third choice, possibly even fourth choice at this level. He and Egan will be more valuable as we try to get over the promotion line than what Ekdal offers.

[morninbob]

If ekdal was fit at the start of the season I would have loved to have seen him partner esteve, Egan Rileys form means that this might never happen.

[Goliath]

Been in the team of the year when gaining promotion at this level previously.

Started and captained his team in the PL (they stayed up)

Played and featured regularly in the top two decisions of English football.

Was signed and immediately came in to the team in a higher squad position than Ekdal.

Ekdal has played less than 20 games at a decent standard, been quickly replaced and punted out on loan to a team below our standard. I'll ask again, what suggests he's anywhere near as good as Worrall?

You're aware Ekdal has been injured for the majority of his time here. There in lies the problem, you can't rely on a centre back who doesn't stay fit for prolonged periods.
If he'd been fit for pre season it might have been a different story but again he was injured and missed his chance. His injury along with Worrall's has actually been the making of Egan-Rileys career.

If Egan Riley hadn't got that chance he might have been down in league one or back in Scotland, sat on the bench waiting for a chance there. A lot of it is about opportunity and Ekdal hasn't had much of that where as Worrall had it easier in the sense he didn't need to move.

Your use of arbitrary evidence like 'he was in team of the season' Is laughable along with his PL record. He never made it at that level, hence him being shipped out for a pretty low fee. If hed have been much use to them i'd have thought theyd want to keep someone who by sll accounts has an excellent character and has come through their own system.

My own eyes tell me he is as good as Worrall (better actually imo) and that's all that really matters, it's subjective. We also don't know what toll the injuries have taken on his body.

[boyyanno]

You're aware Ekdal has been injured for the majority of his time here. There in lies the problem, you can't rely on a centre back who doesn't stay fit for prolonged periods.
If he'd been fit for pre season it might have been a different story but again he was injured and missed his chance. His injury along with Worrall's has actually been the making of Egan-Rileys career.

If Egan Riley hadn't got that chance he might have been down in league one or back in Scotland, sat on the bench waiting for a chance there. A lot of it is about opportunity and Ekdal hasn't had much of that where as Worrall had it easier in the sense he didn't need to move.

Your use of arbitrary evidence like 'he was in team of the season' Is laughable along with his PL record. He never made it at that level, hence him being shipped out for a pretty low fee. If hed have been much use to them i'd have thought theyd want to keep someone who by sll accounts has an excellent character and has come through their own system.

My own eyes tell me he is as good as Worrall (better actually imo) and that's all that really matters, it's subjective. We also don't know what toll the injuries have taken on his body.

In a debate about who is the better player I've pointed out an individual accolade that Worral has won- you've stated it is arbitrary evidence and is laughable.

Given its not arbitrary evidence or even close I can only assume you don't know what it means.

Be sure to ask your teacher tomorrow.

The only laughable comments on here were yours about how Ekdal must be better because Kompany signed him.

[Conroy92]

You're aware Ekdal has been injured for the majority of his time here. There in lies the problem, you can't rely on a centre back who doesn't stay fit for prolonged periods.
If he'd been fit for pre season it might have been a different story but again he was injured and missed his chance. His injury along with Worrall's has actually been the making of Egan-Rileys career.

If Egan Riley hadn't got that chance he might have been down in league one or back in Scotland, sat on the bench waiting for a chance there. A lot of it is about opportunity and Ekdal hasn't had much of that where as Worrall had it easier in the sense he didn't need to move.

Your use of arbitrary evidence like 'he was in team of the season' Is laughable along with his PL record. He never made it at that level, hence him being shipped out for a pretty low fee. If hed have been much use to them i'd have thought theyd want to keep someone who by sll accounts has an excellent character and has come through their own system.

My own eyes tell me he is as good as Worrall (better actually imo) and that's all that really matters, it's subjective. We also don't know what toll the injuries have taken on his body.

States Ekdal has been injured for the majority of his time here, states his own eyes tell him Ekdal is as good as Worral.

Let's have it right by your admission you've seen very little of Ekdal to make this this assumption. I would say career stats ect are about the only thing you can judge it on.
But it dosnt fit your narrative of Ekdal being a better player I get it.

Finally. Ekdal and Worral have both been injured. Who has Parker kept for the run in?

[boyyanno]

States Ekdal has been injured for the majority of his time here, states his own eyes tell him Ekdal is as good as Worral.

Let's have it right by your admission you've seen very little of Ekdal to make this this assumption. I would say career stats ect are about the only thing you can judge it on.
But it dosnt fit your narrative of Ekdal being a better player I get it.

Finally. Ekdal and Worral have both been injured. Who has Parker kept for the run in?

I wouldn't bother.

Apparently career stats, personal accolades and achievements can't be mentioned because they're arbitrary. But you can say he's better because he was signed by another manager.

It's amazing what people come up with.

[Goliath]

States Ekdal has been injured for the majority of his time here, states his own eyes tell him Ekdal is as good as Worral.

Let's have it right by your admission you've seen very little of Ekdal to make this this assumption. I would say career stats ect are about the only thing you can judge it on.
But it dosnt fit your narrative of Ekdal being a better player I get it.

Finally. Ekdal and Worral have both been injured. Who has Parker kept for the run in?

Do you know Ekdals career history? He worked his way up to one of the best clubs in Sweden by 23 and then managed to impress one of the best centre backs in Premier League history enough to sign him for a decent fee when we werent flush with cash. He then came in and impressed straight away without any settling in period before injuries hit and Kompany decided he wanted more pace in his back line for the Premier league, to play what turned out to be a bit of a suicidal high line.

It's an impressive career path he's had, a pretty quick rise through the ranks before being halted by injury. You can't judge a player on their career stats when one is younger, came from a foreign country and has had more injuries. All you can do is judge off what you see and I've seen every Ekdal performance for us as well as Worrall's.

Also don't forget his 7 international caps for a nation who probably have one of the better teams in Europe at the moment. People act like he's had caps for San Marino not Sweden.

[fidelcastro]

Sweden are one of the best teams in Europe now?

Okay then!

[Goliath]

Sweden are one of the best teams in Europe now?

Okay then!

Their current starting 11 is fantastic. They'd be in the top 10 at the moment

[fidelcastro]

Their current starting 11 is fantastic. They'd be in the top 10 at the moment

Given the dross that England are forced to play in qualifiers, that's not actually that much of an achievement.

[Der_Groninger_Claret]

Ekdal made his debut for Groningen today, playing the full 90 minutes. Although Groningen lost 1-0 and missed a penalty (just like our Clarets, Groningen have trouble scoring...), he probably was our best man today, making some smart interceptions and coaching the back line. With one of the regular CBs out for a couple of weeks, I expect Ekdal to be in the Groningen starting XI from now on. It's getting tight in the league table, however, and Groningen really need to start picking up some points...

[ksrclaret]

Ekdal made his debut for Groningen today, playing the full 90 minutes. Although Groningen lost 1-0 and missed a penalty (just like our Clarets, Groningen have trouble scoring...), he probably was our best man today, making some smart interceptions and coaching the back line. With one of the regular CBs out for a couple of weeks, I expect Ekdal to be in the Groningen starting XI from now on. It's getting tight in the league table, however, and Groningen really need to start picking up some points...

That's great to hear, thanks for the summary, but sorry about the result.

Ekdal is a very classy defender. I just hope he gets a run of games without injury because that's been his biggest issue at Burnley.

[Holtyclaret]

Their current starting 11 is fantastic. They'd be in the top 10 at the moment

Not quite top 10

[Goliath]

Not quite top 10

Oh God. You must be the only person to actually use those rankings as some sort of meaningful assessment.

Sweden have a forward line of Elanga, Isak, Gykores and Kulesevski which isn't too bad along with some good players behind them

[Der_Groninger_Claret]

That's great to hear, thanks for the summary, but sorry about the result.

Ekdal is a very classy defender. I just hope he gets a run of games without injury because that's been his biggest issue at Burnley.

Thank you. I also hope he can just have an uninterrupted run and show his qualities. The ease with how he slotted into the team today, coaching it and demanding the ball, I have far more confidence in Groningen staying up when Ekdal is playing.

[Holtyclaret]

Oh God. You must be the only person to actually use those rankings as some sort of meaningful assessment.

Sweden have a forward line of Elanga, Isak, Gykores and Kulesevski which isn't too bad along with some good players behind them

What rankings should folk use? The ones in your head?

Wasn’t digging you out, I thought they were higher than that….. but they aren’t.

[taio]

Oh God. You must be the only person to actually use those rankings as some sort of meaningful assessment.

Sweden have a forward line of Elanga, Isak, Gykores and Kulesevski which isn't too bad along with some good players behind them

Do you disagree with the current top 10?

Argentina
France
Spain
England
Brazil
Portugal
Holland
Belgium
Italy
Germany

And if you do, who do you think Sweden are better than?

[Goliath]

What rankings should folk use? The ones in your head?

Wasn’t digging you out, I thought they were higher than that….. but they aren’t.

I don't think there really is a real ranking system that can be relied upon other than tables for Euros/world cup qualifying and finals. There's too much variability too really judge international football by rankings like that IMO. For example Sweden obviously lack the depth of the top nations so it depends on who is available as to whether they can be a top team, similar but less extreme scenario as when Wales relied on Bale and Ramsey.

Sweden sort of feel like Belgium about 10 years ago when they came into a 'golden generation'.

[Goliath]

Do you disagree with the current top 10?

Argentina
France
Spain
England
Brazil
Portugal
Holland
Belgium
Italy
Germany

And if you do, who do you think Sweden are better than?

When did Argentina and Brazil move to Europe?

[taio]

When did Argentina and Brazil move to Europe?

Fair point - would help if I'd read it properly! However, not convinced that Sweden can currently be judged better than say Switzerland, Croatia and Denmark.

[Goliath]

Ekdal made his debut for Groningen today, playing the full 90 minutes. Although Groningen lost 1-0 and missed a penalty (just like our Clarets, Groningen have trouble scoring...), he probably was our best man today, making some smart interceptions and coaching the back line. With one of the regular CBs out for a couple of weeks, I expect Ekdal to be in the Groningen starting XI from now on. It's getting tight in the league table, however, and Groningen really need to start picking up some points...

How's he getting on? Looks like results have been good

[Hipper]

Looking on the BBC website Ekdal has played all the recent games, that's three matches, one lost, two won. They've moved from 14th to 8th, 21 points (4 points above the third from bottom) to 27 points (7 points above third from bottom). However there are only three points between 15th and 8th position.

[Stonehouse]

Always thought he could be our Tony Adams but things just didn’t turn out ,I would have loved to see him Zaroury and Tella combined with the present team ,we’ve have ****** it .

[Der_Groninger_Claret]

How's he getting on? Looks like results have been good

Hi Goliath, he's been class and the Groningen fans really rate him. Groningen tweeted an appreciation post last weekend with "Hjaldini" as caption. The last two matches have indeed resulted in wins and we jumped up seven places in the league table, partly due to the Groningen coach tweaking the starting XI a bit, but mostly due to the contribution of Kwakman (another loanee, from AZ) and Hjaldini. He's coaching the backline (e.g., pushing the team to be further up the pitch, which helps with our tactic of a high press), and he brings a lot of calmness and intelligence which also helps the other, young CB to be more confident. But what's even more beneficial is that Ekdal often passes the ball forward instead of sideways, which results in more chances being created (which we massively struggled with before Ekdal's arrival). The only kinda negative thing I can think of is that he is a bit slow, but the Groningen coach already noted that Ekdal is "two, three steps ahead of most". I will keep you updated (if I won't forget )!

[Goliath]

Hi Goliath, he's been class and the Groningen fans really rate him. Groningen tweeted an appreciation post last weekend with "Hjaldini" as caption. The last two matches have indeed resulted in wins and we jumped up seven places in the league table, partly due to the Groningen coach tweaking the starting XI a bit, but mostly due to the contribution of Kwakman (another loanee, from AZ) and Hjaldini. He's coaching the backline (e.g., pushing the team to be further up the pitch, which helps with our tactic of a high press), and he brings a lot of calmness and intelligence which also helps the other, young CB to be more confident. But what's even more beneficial is that Ekdal often passes the ball forward instead of sideways, which results in more chances being created (which we massively struggled with before Ekdal's arrival). The only kinda negative thing I can think of is that he is a bit slow, but the Groningen coach already noted that Ekdal is "two, three steps ahead of most". I will keep you updated (if I won't forget )!

Thanks, seems to have shown exactly what he showed here when he first came in. Let's hope Scott Parker is keeping an eye on him!

[jrgbfc]

Good chance we'll need him next season.

[Darnhill Claret]

If he is being shown some love over there, he may not want to come back.

[Winstonswhite]

If we don’t go up this season I think there’s a strong case for cashing in our current CBs and starting next season with Beyer and Ekdal- but then there’s the worry of injuries and no back up I suppose.

[Lakeland Claret]

If we don’t go up this season I think there’s a strong case for cashing in our current CBs and starting next season with Beyer and Ekdal- but then there’s the worry of injuries and no back up I suppose.

What about Worrell and Humphries ? Aren't we committed to buying Humphries and I think Joe will stay

[Der_Groninger_Claret]

Ekdal and Groningen drew against one of the better sides (Twente) in the division today. Twente scored from a very cheap penalty kick, not caused by Ekdal. He did not really stand out, but made no mistakes either. He is playing with a lot of confidence and that's great to see.

I'm happy about Groningen staying in the top half of the league table, but I'm also very gutted about Burnley's exit from the Cup and their lacklustre performance. I can't help to think we would have had a better chance with Ekdal in the starting XI today!

[Bordeauxclaret]

I think Ekdal would lap Worrell on about level 2 of a Bleep Test.

[Vino blanco]

Ekdal is a much better cb than Worrall.

[CoolClaret]

Worrall is perhaps better at pure 'defending' in a low block side, but in terms of reading the game and passing ability? Not even close.... Bet he's one of our highest earners as well.

Pleased to hear that Ekdal is performing well for Gronigen.

[boatshed bill]

What about Worrell and Humphries ? Aren't we committed to buying Humphries

I hope so.

[dermotdermot]

Absolutely daft to let him go out on loan. We only have one fit back up centre back in Worrell and he didn’t look up to it today. And with no decent left back available I’m concerned that our season is going to go pear shaped. Quite alarming to say the least.

[BurnleyFC]

When players have played at one club for a long time and then go to another club and end up being shite - think Vokes going to Stoke or Barnes to Norwich - Worrall looks like he could be one of ‘those’.

He was a good player. He was abysmal today.

[Silkyskills1]

Ekdal is a much better cb than Worrall.

Of course he is. He's a Swedish international defender.

[dermotdermot]

And so why did he get sent out on loan? An extremely bad managerial decision.

[Taffy on the wing]

Is it confirmed that Humphreys is out long term?

[ecc]

Worrall
Worrall
Worrall
Worrall
Worrall

[HurstGrangeClaret]

Always liked the look of Ekdal. He needs bringing back into the squad when his loan spell is over, especially as seems likely we may lose CJ and/or Steve.

[LincsWoldsClaret]

Obviously Worrall is better in the air and they’re probably equally slow on the turn. Worrall is the better leader and his long passing is second only to CJ’s. He didn’t play well today but neither did anyone around him. Ekdal is a classy defender and if he comes back fit will be a good asset.