We look a stronger side when Tarka is on the pitch.

ablueclaret · Post by **ablueclaret** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 9:31 am

Many scoff at the idea of Tarka playing the holding role but despite not being a natural midfield player he adds that vital quality of strength both to our defensive and offensive capability.
A midfield of Defour Hendrick and Marney is in my opinion still too lightweight a unit particularly away from home, at its heart we need some steel, Tarka can provide that.

So for me the side I would have liked to have seen on Monday the one which might have surprised West Brom would have been

Heaton

Lowton Keane Mee Flanagan

Tarkowski

Defour Hendrick

Gudmundsson

Gray Barnes.

MrTopTier · Post by **MrTopTier** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 9:36 am

I ordered a Chicken Tarka in the curry house the other night.
It's like a Chicken Tikka just otter.

minnieclaret · Post by **minnieclaret** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 10:18 am

They out muscled us the other night, which I expected.
They out ran us, which I did not.
For muscle we should have started Tarks and Barnes but we are all genii with hindsight.

claretabroad · Post by **claretabroad** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 10:20 am

Didn't you make the same argument about David Edgar?

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 10:25 am

claretabroad wrote:Didn't you make the same argument about David Edgar?

Yes he did - time and time again

Papabendi · Post by **Papabendi** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 10:29 am

usual story - players out of the team look like world beaters after a heavy defeat.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 10:32 am

Papabendi wrote:usual story - players out of the team look like world beaters after a heavy defeat.

I've noticed that on here, too. There must be a good 5-6 players that have improved this season with hardly kicking a ball.

ablueclaret · Post by **ablueclaret** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 10:36 am

Edgar helped save SD's first season playing in the holding role.
This side needs resilience and the ability to break fast, Tarka Gray and Barnes can all help to provide that.

Adrianthepostman · Post by **Adrianthepostman** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 10:48 am

Tarkowski hopefully will start a game in his recognised position soon, he looks comfortable with the ball and may improve our playing out from the back to the likes of Defour and JBG.
Also his longer distribution and passinfg in general looks good, an improvement on just trying to hit Vokes all the time.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 10:57 am

ablueclaret wrote:Edgar helped save SD's first season playing in the holding role.
.

Surprising that Dyche let him go then....

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 10:58 am

Adrianthepostman wrote:Tarkowski hopefully will start a game in his recognised position soon,

In defence or in his new recognised position that abc has moved him too?

Darthlaw · Post by **Darthlaw** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 10:59 am

Sidney1st wrote:Surprising that Dyche let him go then....

In fairness, Sidney, Dyche's first season with us was in the Championship thus ABC's assessment is based on guesswork having never actually seen how the team played.

P.s. Ironically, considering the fixture this weekend, whats Kev McDonald up to these days

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 11:04 am

Papabendi wrote:usual story - players out of the team look like world beaters after a heavy defeat.

Graham Branch lived on that for a good few years

Pearcey · Post by **Pearcey** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 11:06 am

Why anyone would consider dropping Marney is beyond me.

Darthlaw · Post by **Darthlaw** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 11:07 am

Papabendi wrote:usual story - players out of the team look like world beaters after a heavy defeat.

Whasn't this affliction named Chris McCann syndrome?

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 11:12 am

ablueclaret wrote:Edgar helped save SD's first season playing in the holding role.

Edgar started 11 of the 33 games Dyche was in charge that season so that could hardly be a player who saved the season. Yes, he scored that late equaliser against Cardiff but he'd come on as a late sub in that game. Only started one of the last nine games that season so I'm sorry he didn't save anything.

You might also be interested to know that Edgar started just five games in the following season. We won 93 points that season but won only once, at relegated Doncaster, when Edgar started.

He saved nothing I'm afraid - that's in your imagination.

Papabendi · Post by **Papabendi** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 11:14 am

Also good to see that Edgar's career continues on that upward trajectory

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 11:19 am

Tarky does deserve his chance at CH but he will get caught out in midfield the same way Andre Bikey did in his brief spell there in 2010. They are both big lads that takes a second to get their frame moving, in midfield you don't get the extra time needed to read the game like you do in the back line.

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 11:24 am

Not in Ablue's world.................

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmHlG9QPOGI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Although.......' the more I find out the less I know' .....is about right.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 11:35 am

I would assume that Tarkowski, like Bikey, would look world class in midfield compared to Edgar

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 11:51 am

ClaretTony wrote:I would assume that Tarkowski, like Bikey, would look world class in midfield compared to Edgar

Claret Tony on top form! Brilliant

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 11:59 am

Cruel but fair!

claretdom · Post by **claretdom** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 12:01 pm

Heaton

Trippier Keane Shackell Easton

Tarkowski Edgar

Hendrick Smith(rene) Boyd

Agyei

gandhisflipflop · Post by **gandhisflipflop** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 12:03 pm

Put Edgar in defensive mid
Put Bikey in defensive mid
Put Elliott in centre mid
Put Darikwa on the wing
Put Trippier on the wing

What is the obsession with putting square pegs in round holes with some fans?

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 12:18 pm

They've seen it work with Gareth Bale I suppose and Lahm.

gandhisflipflop · Post by **gandhisflipflop** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 12:22 pm

Both world class players and there are exceptions however in a side not full of world beaters you need specialist players.

willsclarets · Post by **willsclarets** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 12:40 pm

Aside from the fact he's not a holding midfielder by trade, there's no way he's played enough to say we're stronger or otherwise when he's on the pitch. Would we have more than 14 points if he had played every game this season? I'd venture to suggest that isn't the case.

IWOODLOVETT · Post by **IWOODLOVETT** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 12:55 pm

We looked mighty strong when he started the game at Accy. - if only SD had had the sense to play him in mid-field it would have been a different story.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 12:56 pm

willsclarets wrote:Aside from the fact he's not a holding midfielder by trade, there's no way he's played enough to say we're stronger or otherwise when he's on the pitch. Would we have more than 14 points if he had played every game this season? I'd venture to suggest that isn't the case.

If abc states that Tarkowski can play midfield then I'm happy enough to go with it.

minnieclaret · Post by **minnieclaret** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 12:57 pm

Our weakest position, since Christmas, has been the widemen. Fine working backwards, way short at carrying the ball, beating a man , crossing and goals.
Back 3 will be the way to go. 5 midfield, 2 up top. One of the back 3 should be Tarks. He deserves it.

jlup1980 · Post by **jlup1980** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 1:06 pm

We need a change away from home. Three at the back and three in midfield might be the option, with Flanagan and Ward at wing backs? I don't know... we need to try something else away though!!

................Heaton
.......Keane Tarkowski Mee
Flanagan....................Ward
.....Hendrick Defour Marney
..................JBG.............
................Barnes...........

Bordeauxclaret · Post by **Bordeauxclaret** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 1:18 pm

Wasn't he calling for Ben Mee to play the holding role at one point?

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 1:26 pm

Bordeauxclaret wrote:Wasn't he calling for Ben Mee to play the holding role at one point?

And why not, Ben Mee is perfectly capable of that role

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 1:26 pm

I don't recall that one, but wouldn't be overly surprised if he was.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 1:28 pm

Just when you think the thread cannot deteriorate - someone mentions Easton

KRBFC · Post by **KRBFC** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 1:41 pm

I think we need a change of approach away from home whatever that may be. I definitely see Tarkowski similar to Eric Dier who uses the ball well, Dier plays midfield more than he does centre half these days so it might sound a strange suggestion but not as crazy as some will make out because it was posted by ablue.

ablueclaret · Post by **ablueclaret** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 1:47 pm

The problem is none of our managers will buy a holding midfielder so we have been unable to change shape or tactics, therefore to do so you have to make do with a square peg in a round hole, however Tarka is by far the best option and he does add strength to a side that in midfield at least looks a little lightweight.

Jambo · Post by **Jambo** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 1:52 pm

I can't see how anyone can draw the conclusion abc has from Tarkowski's time on the pitch, which has almost all been spent in losing causes or short cameos to close games out.

There's no evidence whatsoever that replacing Marney with Tarkowski at the back of the midfield would improve the team.

scamander · Post by **scamander** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 2:06 pm

*sigh*

obviously it would only work with Driver and Riordan in the team as well.

ablueclaret · Post by **ablueclaret** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 6:12 pm

Worth remembering the last few games in SD's first season here.

Tarka may not be the ideal holding midfielder but neither was Alexander, yet it was his move to that position that kick started our path to the Premier League.

At present even with three central midfielders we look weak away from home. Tarka can add that steel.

Mind you it certainly appears the case that our plethora of internationals come back less than ready for action and the disjointedness in the first game after the break is there to see.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 6:42 pm

You haven't seen anything, or enough, of Tarkowski to make you think he's suitable for midfield....

I'm being literal too.

TheFamilyCat · Post by **TheFamilyCat** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 6:50 pm

minnieclaret wrote:Our weakest position, since Christmas, has been the widemen.

Tarka is the answer to that too. Left or right wing, doesn't matter; he'll be equally devastating on either flank.

lakesclaret · Post by **lakesclaret** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 7:31 pm

Tarks will get his chance when we sell Keane or Mee gets dropped etc at CH of course. As for the rest you wonder how many players could get a gig with another prem club? Keane /Heaton ,maybe Defour/Gray

As ever though il be putting my faith in SD to make the best of the squad and return to his throne when we beat citeh.

CnBtruntru · Post by **CnBtruntru** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 7:41 pm

ablueclaret wrote:Many scoff at the idea of Tarka playing the holding role but despite not being a natural midfield player he adds that vital quality of strength both to our defensive and offensive capability.
A midfield of Defour Hendrick and Marney is in my opinion still too lightweight a unit particularly away from home, at its heart we need some steel, Tarka can provide that.

So for me the side I would have liked to have seen on Monday the one which might have surprised West Brom would have been

Heaton

Lowton Keane Mee Flanagan

Tarkowski

Defour Hendrick

Gudmundsson

Gray Barnes.

I just had to reply to this post

You seen him play less than I have and thats saying a lot

NRC · Post by **NRC** » Wed Nov 23, 2016 7:52 pm

And yet someone posted Barnes as our lone forward further up the thread. Lord give me strength.....

ablueclaret · Post by **ablueclaret** » Sat Nov 26, 2016 4:02 pm

I still think so.

ablueclaret · Post by **ablueclaret** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 9:07 am

People gradually coming around.

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 9:27 am

M.O.M. and playing "out of position" too!

Bordeauxclaret · Post by **Bordeauxclaret** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 9:38 am

Who knew this holding midfielder would look good at centre back.

Darthlaw · Post by **Darthlaw** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 9:51 am

ablueclaret wrote:People gradually coming around.

Coming around to agreeing that Tarks is a good centre back and fantastic competition for Mee and Keane? Maybe.

Coming around to agreeing that you're still clueless and adept at telling us how wonderful players you have never seen play are? Definitely.

How's Renny Smith doing btw?