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Cork & Defour
Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 10:50 pm
by Steve1956
We have never had a better midfield combination in all my 40 odd years of watching us,anyone disagree and if so who are they?
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 10:51 pm
by CFS
However cork defour and hendrick in the same team just doesn't work.
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 10:52 pm
by KRBFC
James O'Connor and Chris McCann
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 10:52 pm
by Pearcey
Cook and Mellon all day long!

Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 10:53 pm
by cricketfieldclarets
Ball and Cook closest ive seen. But at a level below.
Marney and Jones. Then lower down Deary and Randall.
But Cork and Defour are unbelievably good. They read each others game so well.
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 10:53 pm
by Steve1956
Hendrick had a shocker tonight mate,what would you say to a Shelvey/Cork/Defour midfield,he had a good game tonight and pulled all their strings I know his temperament is suspect but Dyche would sort him
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 10:54 pm
by Steve1956
KRBFC wrote:James O'Connor and Chris McCann
Not Dyche bashing tonight mate,be serious please.
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 10:58 pm
by Stalbansclaret
Agree...absolutely tremendous. Just said on another thread that I enjoy watching them play so much I kind of forget we don't have much end product ! Good times.
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 11:00 pm
by cricketfieldclarets
Shelvey is brilliant. Would complement them massively.
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 11:01 pm
by KRBFC
cricketfieldclarets wrote:Shelvey is brilliant. Would complement them massively.
Best English central midfielder imo
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 11:17 pm
by Leisure
KRBFC wrote:Best English central midfielder imo
Bet you wouldn't think that if he played for us!

Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 11:19 pm
by addisclaret
Leisure wrote:Bet you wouldn't think that if he played for us!

True; in that case he would be a poor mans Richard Chaplow
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 11:42 pm
by KRBFC
Leisure wrote:Bet you wouldn't think that if he played for us!

Why wouldn't I? He's technically superb like Defour.
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 11:44 pm
by Steve-Harpers-perm
Can only dream of what our midfield would be like had Rune Vindheim been born a decade later.
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 11:51 pm
by chorleyhere
Thought Shelvey flattered to deceive -was on the ball a lot but fortunately couldn't find the killer pass or shot. I think he would say he could do better.
Rather disappointed with Hendrick (goal apart) did an awful lot of turning and passing back rather than driving forward which I think is one of his better skills. Defour should have been taking more corners and free kicks ,we couldn't seem to beat the first man. Cork always gives of his best even though some of his creativity was a bit lacking tonight- they really are a step up on our midfield from last year though UTC
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 11:51 pm
by accy sue
Really noticed them tonight - they have absolutely clicked! Some magical moments! Love them!
Had to seriously restrain myself tonight when somebody behind me was dissing Defour! "Defour you are lazy". "Defour what do you do?" How I stopped myself from turning round and saying "apart from everything?", I shall never know! Luckily, they just took seats that regular ST holders weren't in! The thought of having them behind me every week... Ugh!
Thought we played much better tonight. Please don't go...
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 11:59 pm
by tybfc
Leisure wrote:Bet you wouldn't think that if he played for us!

Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 12:06 am
by Blackrod
Cork and Defour definitely sing on the same hymn sheet. Need to rethink the Hendrick position though.
Shelvey was their best player and impressed imo.
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 12:12 am
by Funkydrummer
Everything they did, admittedly not much, went through him. Great player and wish he
was in with Cork and Defour - just imagine that.
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 12:13 am
by Ric_C
Number 10 link player and a wide man with pace and we'd have a serious team
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 12:18 am
by DCWat
accy sue wrote:Really noticed them tonight - they have absolutely clicked! Some magical moments! Love them!
Had to seriously restrain myself tonight when somebody behind me was dissing Defour! "Defour you are lazy". "Defour what do you do?" How I stopped myself from turning round and saying "apart from everything?", I shall never know! Luckily, they just took seats that regular ST holders weren't in! The thought of having them behind me every week... Ugh!
Thought we played much better tonight. Please don't go...
Stevie Wonder in a darkened room wearing a blindfold would have seen Defour was anything but lazy, tonight. Oozed class and his work rate was fantastic.
If you see them again, do turn round and tell ‘em to **** right off

Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 12:18 am
by mdd2
hope Defour is OK. I think he was holing his groin when he was subbed-don't think it was tactical
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 12:21 am
by BleedingClaret
Marney & Marney
Yes Cork and Defour are very very good
Cork is better than he was previously for us
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 12:21 am
by Funkydrummer
Holing his groin ? Blimey, that doesn't sound too promising for Saturday ! !
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 1:24 am
by Dazzler
In my opinion we have never replaced John Deary

Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 6:00 am
by Woodleyclaret
Hendrick was mom and scored a good goal supporting Ashley very well.Did the ugly stuff when needed .another good game in a season of many good games.and yes current cm duo is the best in many a long year.
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 7:11 am
by Cleveleys_claret
Defour is playing like a warrior this season. The belief SD has instilled in him in preseason has been a key factor. His tracking back has been a joy to watch this season. He tracked back last season but often didnt make the tacle. Last night there were two massive moments which showed this new growth in his game. The tackle which led to the goal and one on the edge of our box which at the time was vital.
Hats off to both SD for offering him another chance and Defour himself for being mature enough to be open to advice and embrace what will of been constructive criticismand advice on how to improve his game.
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 9:10 am
by TheFamilyCat
Two very good players; we keep possession now better than at any time I can remember.
However, one small gripe. I would like to see them further up the pitch more often where they can do some damage. Possession of the ball is all very well but you don't score goals by knocking it about in your own half.
It was noticeable that in the 5 - 10 minutes before the goal yesterday they pushed on more and we started causing Newcastle more problems. maybe it's a tactic to keep it tight early and for them to push on later in the game but it's risky counting on scoring in the last 20 minutes of games.
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 10:45 am
by Chester Perry
Funkydrummer wrote:Holing his groin ? Blimey, that doesn't sound too promising for Saturday ! !
In the press conference SD said Defour felt a hamstring and that is why he came off - he hoped the made that decision before any pull was made and said the call was Defour's
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 1:21 pm
by claretspice
I thought they were both good last night, and they're a superb combination, but as a team we were guilty of moving the ball to slowly last night and being a bit "safe" in our passing - looking for balls to feet to stationary teammates rather than feeding it forward, into the path of a runner. Both Cork and Defour, but especially Defour as he's our playmaker, have to take some responsibility for that. Defour in particular needs to force us to keep the tempo high at home.
There was one occasion in the second half when Defour rolled a couple of square passes, and then tried to feed it into Hendrick, who wanted it played into his run. The pass was underhit and seemingly intended as a safe pass into feet - it got nowhere near Hendrick as a result and was intercepted. The crowd appeared to grumble at Hendrick but in truth he was given no chance by the pass. Just a good example of what I'm saying above.
Not a criticism per se - but its worth adding a bit of balance because I do think its one reason our wide and advanced players (especially Hendrick) don't always seem as effective as they might be.
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 4:01 pm
by jrgbfc
Not a patch on Mark Ford and Mike Williams.
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 5:11 pm
by Top Claret
Cork and Defour have been class this season and last night outstanding.
Cork has improved leaps and bounds since he left us 6 years ago and Defour is a different animal this season, now he is fitter
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 5:33 pm
by Diesel
With respect, they did cost us the fat end of £18m.
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 5:55 pm
by Rileybobs
Both excellent players and a joy to watch. I would like to see a little more adventure from both of them though. Both are very reluctant to move forward off the ball and find space in between the lines which at times means we’ve got 2 centre backs and 2 midfielders almost in a line. I can understand Defour dropping off into space to dictate play but I’d like Cork to look to split the opposition and collect the ball in a more advanced position.
As for Hendrick, I thought he was diabolical last night and was calling for him to be dragged off - but then he scored the winner! He doesn’t look comfortable in that position though and it’s something I think Dyche really needs to re-think.
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 6:04 pm
by HatfieldClaret
Diesel wrote:With respect, they did cost us the fat end of £18m.
And by todays prices that was rather good value; and by tomorrows prices even better value.
Good time to be a Claret.
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 6:06 pm
by HendricksHair
Diesel wrote:With respect, they did cost us the fat end of £18m.
Which is nothing in this day and age.
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 6:08 pm
by Pstotto
Dillinger wrote a song about it, didn't he? The bottle of Cork and the knife of Defour, that's the way to spell total war.
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 6:17 pm
by Transpennine
Woodleyclaret wrote:Hendrick was mom and scored a good goal supporting Ashley very well.Did the ugly stuff when needed .another good game in a season of many good games.and yes current cm duo is the best in many a long year.
Interesting that Hendrick was singled out by Gary Neville in the post match analysis as being "a seriously good player"
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 6:56 pm
by Steve1956
Diesel wrote:With respect, they did cost us the fat end of £18m.
We will never spend a better 18 million though!
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 7:12 pm
by Diesel
Steve1956 wrote:We will never spend a better 18 million though!
Never?
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 10:35 pm
by Steve1956
Diesel wrote:Never?
Dyche is off to Everton apparently, the decline will be rapid!
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 10:53 pm
by Burnleyareback2
I just wonder what Hendrick and Cork would be like at the defensive role with Defour supporting the striker/ wingers.
Re: Cork & Defour
Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 8:35 pm
by NRC
Would like to see Defour in the middle of the three in a 4231, but that would be harsh on Hendrick