Does he go straight back into the starting eleven when fit, personally I don't think he should, Petiers has been superb in these last few game's he's played.

Nope, 4 clean sheets in the last 6, with only 2 goals conceeded is a fantastic record for any team in the league, never ming one that was rock bottom, even more so when you look at the teams we have played.

Erik has had some world class players up against him and has performed extremely well.

To coin a Dyche phrase, it's now his shirt to lose for me.

Agree. Been superb. Puts Charlie under pressure to perform

I think Charlie Taylor has been one of our better performers this season but you don’t change a winning side and Pieters has been playing well.

Charlie has a big year ahead - Pieters can’t be dropped at the moment, but injuries etc may change things - he’s also got the ‘spectre’ of his upcoming wedding

Charlie will probably get his chance, but I hope he doesn't because that'll
mean Pieters will still be doing the business.

Deffo keep EP in for the foreseeable.

Taylor was my player of the season up to his injury, but no way you can drop Eric now. 2 in 6 is phenomenal and whilst that form continues, and he’s playing well, he stays in the team.

Taylor is the better player but Pieters gives 100% every time and no, you can’t change a winning team. That said, I must say I’m looking forward to Taylor getting back in and having his and Roberts’ energy down both flanks.

Charlie seems to take a couple of games to get up to full speed, so it's now or never...

Eric has been a superb signing. Can't recall exactly how much he cost, but it wasn't much in today's daft fees.
As mentioned up the thread, how can you drop someone who's recently played so well against such world class players.
And as much as he wants to play, I reckon Charlie realises he'll likely have to wait a bit.

ElectroClaret wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 26, 2022 9:07 am

Deffo keep EP in for the foreseeable

EP = 'Extended Player'

It's a great "problem" for SD to have.

Charlie is my favourite player but I think he would even admit, Pieters deserves the shirt. You simply should not change the back four at present.

Perhaps give Charlie 25 mins 2nd half , though EP been fantastic

A tough one for me because I regard Charlie Taylor as one of our best players, particularly in the first half of this season where he was often the only player who looked to be leaving everything on the field. He's just as good defensively as Pieters, but far superior going forward.

Pieters has been very good though, especially against Salah who couldn't get a proper kick all game, and it'd be dangerous to change the team after such an impressive few performances and results.

I guess it comes down to whether Dyche rates Taylor alongside Tarkowski who was straight back in.

Some people were asking the same question about Tarks getting straight back in to replace Collins and then JT had his best game of the season

This one a bit more difficult and as much as I rate Charlie, Eric would have to get the shirt

ksrclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 26, 2022 10:35 am

A tough one for me because I regard Charlie Taylor as one of our best players, particularly in the first half of this season where he was often the only player who looked to be leaving everything on the field. He's just as good defensively as Pieters, but far superior going forward.

Pieters has been very good though, especially against Salah who couldn't get a proper kick all game, and it'd be dangerous to change the team after such an impressive few performances and results.

I guess it comes down to whether Dyche rates Taylor alongside Tarkowski who was straight back in.

I think the difference here is that Erik has not just played a single game… he has now had a good run in the side and there is no doubt, our performances have improved significantly at the back during his time in the XI.

Do I think Taylor is a better player? I absolutely do, but Pieters is one of the biggest wage earners at our club and he himself believes that he should be first choice left back. It’s brilliant competition and when he has earned the shirt in the way he has, then he should keep it for the time being.

It was exactly the same a few years ago, when Bardsley got in the side, following a poor in a form from Lowton. As a result, things improved and we went on a decent run.

Pieters has done really well over these last six games and I thought he had his best game yet against Spurs. I'd be surprised if he's left out the minute Taylor is back fit.

jdrobbo wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 26, 2022 11:35 am

I think the difference here is that Erik has not just played a single game… he has now had a good run in the side and there is no doubt, our performances have improved significantly at the back during his time in the XI.

Do I think Taylor is a better player? I absolutely do, but Pieters is one of the biggest wage earners at our club and he himself believes that he should be first choice left back. It’s brilliant competition and when he has earned the shirt in the way he has, then he should keep it for the time being.

It was exactly the same a few years ago, when Bardsley got in the side, following a poor in a form from Lowton. As a result, things improved and we went on a decent run.

Didn't realise Pieters is one of our top wage earners, interesting. Agree that he should keep his place

Pieters is our best lb, so composed on the ball and adds another dimension that we have been missing.

If only he was a few years younger

I would keep CT back and use him later in the game as a defensive midfielder if the score warrants it,

Can't change the defence right now unless injuries permit, so therefore Charlie will have to bide his time for me.

CT & Westy available today, according to Sky.
Less than 2 hours and we’ll all know SDs thinking.

Newcastleclaret93 wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 26, 2022 11:44 am

Pieters is our best lb, so composed on the ball and adds another dimension that we have been missing.

If only he was a few years younger

Done a fine job when called upon but Taylor is clear and arguably was our player of the season before this upturn in form.

RVclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 26, 2022 12:23 pm

Done a fine job when called upon but Taylor is clear and arguably was our player of the season before this upturn in form.

I would argue Pieters has arguably been our best player since he started playing. Immense in nearly every game

jdrobbo wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 26, 2022 11:35 am

I think the difference here is that Erik has not just played a single game… he has now had a good run in the side and there is no doubt, our performances have improved significantly at the back during his time in the XI.

Do I think Taylor is a better player? I absolutely do, but Pieters is one of the biggest wage earners at our club and he himself believes that he should be first choice left back. It’s brilliant competition and when he has earned the shirt in the way he has, then he should keep it for the time being.

It was exactly the same a few years ago, when Bardsley got in the side, following a poor in a form from Lowton. As a result, things improved and we went on a decent run.

I'd be amazed if Pieters is one of our top earners, he's a backup full back.

Newcastleclaret93 wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 26, 2022 12:27 pm

I would argue Pieters has arguably been our best player since he started playing. Immense in nearly every game

Nah Brownhill easily been the best (as reflected in man of the match votes on here), while Taylor was up near the top in the same votes prior to injury. Like I said, Pieters does a great job and is defensively very strong but Taylor offers a lot more going forward (actually he had the most touches out of any of our players this season, which shows how good an outlet he is).

Bit of a head scratcher this one?

Charlie back for me. He's been one of our better erformers during the bad times and liks very well with McNeil

Great to have on the bench, as back up to Erik the Colossus.

Stayingup wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 26, 2022 1:10 pm

Charlie back for me. He's been one of our better erformers during the bad times and liks very well with McNeil

I agree Charlie was performing well during our “bad times”, but Eric has been performing well during the better times.

I like Taylor, and he would usually be straight back in for me, but we stick with Pieters imo

wilks_bfc wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 26, 2022 1:17 pm

I agree Charlie was performing well during our “bad times”, but Eric has been performing well during the better times.*

I like Taylor, and he would usually be straight back in for me, but we stick with Pieters imo

I found myself reading this and humming along to ChumbaWumba & "Tubthumping" *

Pieters has been a superb signing.

I'm a big Charlie Taylor fan, but Pieters has been superb.

Bosscat wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 26, 2022 1:20 pm

I found myself reading this and humming along to ChumbaWumba & "Tubthumping" *

Maybe that should be our intro music instead of the Death March they're subjecting us to now.

Stayingup wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 26, 2022 1:30 pm

Maybe that should be our intro music instead of the Death March they're subjecting us to now.

We did walk on to "Tubthumping" a few years ago

Ouch.
Bet he feels that.
Nearly another though, for Spurs

Heck.
Really should have scored then!
Come on, Spurs,

^^^
Wrong thread.

jrgbfc wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 26, 2022 12:31 pm

I'd be amazed if Pieters is one of our top earners, he's a backup full back.

Be amazed them

‘Back up’ he’s first choice currently on merit.

Pieters off injured today, so it'll probably be Charlie starting against Leicester.

Good to get some minutes today, freshness required for Tuesday.

Pieters won’t start the next game after today’s showing against that young lad out wide. Dyches record of returning certain players back into the starting line up is there for all to see and I reckon Taylor is one of those. I’m also ok with that.

There will be changes in the midfield too. Westy will be back for Cork probably. Not getting all three points today will guarantee those changes happen.
It will of course be put down to another reason, and it will be ‘sound’ reasoning like Cork is tired and Taylor will be better against Leicesters wide player.

Taylor hasn’t ‘come on’ as much as I thought he would…. After the first 12 months I was convinced he’d be knocking on England’s door but it just hasn’t happened for him yet. I mean I think he has more potential than we have yet seen, and I also believe he is probably our best option at left back despite pieters playing well and putting a shift in every time he turns out.

Taylor is and should be first choice… and pieters is good back up, but back up non the less.

I reckon Cornet has a good chance of starting, too.

I think we'll need things freshening up for Leicester and Taylor coming back in for Pieters who has taken a knock will contribute to that.

He did really struggle with Olise this afternoon but to be fair Palace keep their wingers right up against the touchline, and our defensive structure doesn't lend itself to dealing with that very easily.

The changes will be made for Tuesday, however, I thought Taylor looked short of match fitness, today. Let's hope that match did the trick!

Charlie will definitely return to the fold on Tuesday now, but he probably would have got the nod anyway due to the short window between games, so that 30 minutes can't do him any harm.

Pieters has been pretty solid, but he struggled with Olise yesterday, and it was no surprise their goal came down that side.

There must be some tired legs out there. I would rest Pieters, Cork and Rodriguez/Lennon and replace them with Taylor, Westwood and Cornet

ElectroClaret wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 26, 2022 5:44 pm

I reckon Cornet has a good chance of starting, too.

Thats if he finds a shirt to wear