Ameen Al-Dakhil

[Vegas Claret]

This boy is special, got the lot

[Taffy on the wing]

He's a good defender...no doubt.
Harwood-Bellis on the other hand.......not sure we'll be seeing him next season.

[Lancasterclaret]

Had a good game but I'm not sure about his challenge on Weimann for their goal!

[CoolClaret]

Agreed. Doesn’t seem to be phased by anything.

Only 21 and in a brand new country playing centre half in a notoriously difficult league for young defenders.

What a buy!

[Flying Without Ings]

Love him. Plays some brilliant through balls - Foster should have scored from one today.

Only going to get better too.

[Im_not_Robbie_Blake]

A Rolls Royce of a player. Makes difficult challenges look simple.

[Quickenthetempo]

He's a good defender...no doubt.
Harwood-Bellis on the other hand.......not sure we'll be seeing him next season.

Harwood Bellis stood out a mile when he first came as we had never seen this type of defender before.

Not sure he stands out anymore with the other 3 outstanding CHs we have brought in.

All so comfortable on the ball.

[mdd2]

And can play next season and not be one of the 25

[RVclaret]

THB still getting up to speed since his injury. 3 months out. Done okay but not at his pre-injury levels yet. I hope he’s back next season.

As for Al-Dakhil, it’s his pace and agility which really stand out for me. Technical ability is there too so you’d have to say what a very high ceiling he seems to have. Looking forward to seeing him in the Prem.

[Ric_C]

Thought both centre halves played very well today

[Rileybobs]

A bit disappointing for the goal but not helped by THB. Also think he was caught out of position for Weimann’s disallowed effort. But he looks a real good ‘un. Pace, agility and good aggression for someone who looks quite slight.

[Taffy on the wing]

Harwood Bellis stood out a mile when he first came as we had never seen this type of defender before.

Not sure he stands out anymore with the other 3 outstanding CHs we have brought in.

All so comfortable on the ball.

I'm not sure he's good at defending.

[Royboyclaret]

A bit disappointing for the goal but not helped by THB. Also think he was caught out of position for Weimann’s disallowed effort. But he looks a real good ‘un. Pace, agility and good aggression for someone who looks quite slight.

First class, without doubt.....but behind THB and Beyer in the starting line-up next season.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Must admit I’ve been thinking the same about THB. He came in really well but I’m just not sure he’s standing out like he did, I think a lot of that is due to the other CBs upping there game quite considerably.

I think our best 2 cbs are Ekdal and Beyer. I think they compliment each other so well. However Al Dakhil is progressing very quickly.

Kompany has got an interesting dilemma next season.

[Royboyclaret]

Must admit I’ve been thinking the same about THB. He came in really well but I’m just not sure he’s standing out like he did, I think a lot of that is due to the other CBs upping there game quite considerably.

I think our best 2 cbs are Ekdal and Beyer. I think they compliment each other so well. However Al Dakhil is progressing very quickly.

Kompany has got an interesting dilemma next season.

No dilemma, THB and Beyer will be first choice.....but two exceptional back-up players.

[Rileybobs]

First class, without doubt.....but behind THB and Beyer in the starting line-up next season.

That may be true, assuming we re-sign THB.

[Royboyclaret]

That may be true, assuming we re-sign THB.

First priority on VK's wishlist.

[Rileybobs]

First priority on VK's wishlist.

I would say he’s not even the first priority of our loanee centre backs.

[Royboyclaret]

I would say he’s not even the first priority of our loanee centre backs.

Trust me, THB is top of that list.

[ksrclaret]

I've liked THB a lot this season, but it'll be Al Dakhil with either Beyer or Ekdal on the opening day of next season.

[Rileybobs]

Trust me, THB is top of that list.

Give me Beyer any day of the week.

[Royboyclaret]

I've liked THB a lot this season, but it'll be Al Dakhil with either Beyer or Ekdal on the opening day of next season.

The prospect of those four players on our books at the start of next season is simply mouth-watering.

But just think what THB and Beyer have contributed over the course of the season.....they are two special players.

[Spiral]

He's worth buying for his ability alone, but THB is also worth bringing in for the 'English premium' clubs will pay when it comes to his sell-on a few years down the line. The four we have all provide excellent competition for one another, and I'm sure we're looking at keeping this as settled as possible next season.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Give me Beyer any day of the week.

I agree Beyer is defo our best CB.

[Royboyclaret]

Give me Beyer any day of the week.

Don't think we're too far apart on this, Rileybobs.

[Ampth7]

This lad is a player! Totally unphased, good on the ball, I’m the air and quick. What’s not to like?

[Royboyclaret]

We start with.......Muric, Roberts, THB, Beyer & Maatsen.....and we're looking at top seven.

[AlargeClaret]

Beyer and THB would be superb with ED as backup .

[Vegas Claret]

Beyer HAS to be the first signing

[Rileybobs]

Beyer and THB would be superb with ED as backup .

Eric Dier would be out of our range but I wouldn’t fancy him in any case.

[JimmyRobbo]

Looks a good player.

Occasionally, he takes bad angles. Today's goal was poor by him. Slightly lacks power in the air. He's young. Lots of potential. An excellent buy.

[Spiral]

Beyer seems to be a settled deal. We've got a buy option, he wants to stay, we really want him. Should be the simplest deal of the summer for us. I take that one as a forgone conclusion.

[Royboyclaret]

Eric Dier would be out of our range but I wouldn’t fancy him in any case.

So why even mention him ?.....Our four are more than acceptable......with terrific competition for places.

[NewClaret]

Give me Beyer any day of the week.

100% agree.

I’d like us to keep THB and hope he stays but think Beyer has been our best CB by far and I don’t think Ekdal or Al Dakhil have been much behind him, if at all.

I think some of THB’s passing can be poor at times, as lbw it he does attemp passes the others don’t.

[Royboyclaret]

I suspect we're all not that far apart in terms of keeper and back four.

The limited funds available can be concentrated on positions further up the pitch, particularly up-front.

[fatboy47]

I admire your certainties royboy

But can't agree. I can't see us shelling out the fee that THB may command when we've 4 very very good CHs on the books.

Other priorities. Time will tell I guess..

[No Ney Never]

Al Dakhil looks to be a great find, very much looking forward to him progressing next season.
If he's going to compete for the ball against the likes of Harry Kane, he's going to have to develop his physique over the next 12 months.

[Royboyclaret]

I admire your certainties royboy

But can't agree. I can't see us shelling out the fee that THB may command when we've 4 very very good CHs on the books.

Other priorities. Time will tell I guess..

Come on, fatboy.....just an opinion, as you well know.

Whenever the two have been paired together this season, they have been exceptional, and no reason to think they can't be as good next season in the Premier League. Love the way Beyer exploits the spaces ahead as he drives forward and THB's immaculate long forward passes. With Ekdal and Al-Dakhil we have more than sufficient cover.

It's higher up the pitch where we need to focus our attention during the summer months with our limited finances. Simply amazing that we are even able to compete at the top table again and you, of all people, will recognise that.

[jrgbfc]

Harwood Bellis stood out a mile when he first came as we had never seen this type of defender before.

Not sure he stands out anymore with the other 3 outstanding CHs we have brought in.

All so comfortable on the ball.

Personally think people go overboard about THB because he's from City. I don't think he's any better than Ekdal or Al Dakhil.

[boatshed bill]

Al Dakhil... from refugee to the Premier League what a story.
I think he'll go on to great things.

[Commy]

Personally think people go overboard about THB because he's from City. I don't think he's any better than Ekdal or Al Dakhil.

I said exactly the same today.

[Jellybean]

Am I right in thinking none of them would generally play on the left side and they're all right footed? Feel like Beyer has done really well there but will this be an issue in the prem such is much more unforgiving of having to pivot round onto the right foot? Or are we in an age of football where it doesn't matter which foot you prefer to use?

[quoonbeatz]

Beyer is signing. Will be interesting to see what happens with THB but I think as he's been out so long people have forgotten how good he is. Definitely not back to his best yet.

[Darnhill Claret]

I'm not going to rate the 4 centre backs in any order as they are still developing and the fourth best jn any order could be the best in 12 months, so I just want to celebrate the 4 most exciting centre backs that I have seen at the club in my time supporting the Coarets. I'm sure that all 4 will have playing time next season if all 4 are here.
One note on THB is that his diagonal ball to our left hand side is far superior to the forward pass he plays to the number8 position, which is a bit hit and miss. Also I do hope that he is still short of full fitness and that he can cover ground a little bit quicker than he did against QPR. The reason his forward pass is often overhit is that he hits his pass flat and therefore it travels very quickly. For this pass he needs to float it a little more, hit it like a sand wedge.

[chipbutty]

Trust me, THB is top of that list.

Wow.
Are you VK?

[Taffy on the wing]

Al Dakhil looks to be a great find, very much looking forward to him progressing next season.
If he's going to compete for the ball against the likes of Harry Kane, he's going to have to develop his physique over the next 12 months.

He has a good physique .......as seen in the dressing room celebrations.
I was surprised....he's got a big frame & will fill out in no time.

[Socrates]

Just watched yesterday’s goal back again and the root cause of it is Harwood-Bellis coming miles for a header and not winning it.

That’s happened at least a couple of times this season for goals.

[KlyBfc]

We’ve got 4 young centre halves who will only get better (though 2 are on loan). Ekdal aside, in recent weeks they’ve all made a mistake in a goal we’ve conceded THB not wining a header yesterday, Beyers positioning for QPR winner and Al Dakhil header and decision making for the late equaliser away at Rotherham. It’s what happens with young players however without doubt they all have contributed hugely to the season and all are excellent prospects. UTC

[summitclaret]

I know that I keep mentioning this, but I think we may have a slightly different set up next season. Either 3 at the back or Beyer in the Cork role sitting in front of the back 4. Think Rodri role at City and where Fabinio used to play at Liverpool.

[RVclaret]

I know that I keep mentioning this, but I think we may have a slightly different set up next season. Either 3 at the back or Beyer in the Cork role sitting in front of the back 4. Think Rodri role at City and where Fabinio used to play at Liverpool.

Why would we put a centre half (our best one) in midfield when we can just buy an actual defensive midfielder in the summer? How many examples are there of centre halves going and playing successfully in midfield? The last few times I can think of it at Burnley are Bikey and Edgar, both were utterly woeful.