Tarkowski

[Elder statesman]

I'd play all 3 of them at Arsenal, with Lowton and ward as wing backs.

I like the idea. A lot of teams are playing this format and we have the players to adapt to this system.

[BleedingClaret]

To have a player of his quality not starting games says it all about our current situation.

What a fantastic position we are in as a club. Tarky will be a Hell of a player, it means we can afford to wave Keano off into the Champions League for £25-30 million at the end of this season and genuinely not fear for how to replace him (in my opinion).

We are going to miss Keanes flat pace
Tarks looks amazing but the test will be Aguero/Sanchez types trying to run him.

[Cooperclaret]

Awesome performance by Tarky. Cracking lad too met him in the sponsors lounge and he spoke very well. Blood was pouring from his knee but I don't think he even noticed he was on such a high.

Best thing for me is that I firmly believe we have the best 3 young ENGLISH centre backs in the country. All 3 are better than Stones for instance !!

Great time to be a Claret.

[DCWat]

Mee has done enough to expect a place - on the whole. Unfortunately, he's madea number of errors that have resulted in goals this season and no one could say his distribution is good enough.

If Tarkowski is better (and I genuinely think he is) he should be in the team. No room for sentiment or to think that we can't improve on any position, as harsh as that may be on Mee.

[nil_desperandum]

Mee has played superbly, but he has also made quite a lot of mistakes, in fact he usually throws one in per game, and he also seems to "slip a lot".
Tarkowski is currently rated as better than Mee by many because he hasn't started any league games and therefore hasn't been exposed to the tough challenge of 90 minutes plus of a PL football match on a regular basis. The longer Tarkowski stays on the bench the more his stature will grow in some people's eyes.
I think Mee's place is safe until either he throws in a real stinker of a performance, or we start shipping goals and losing matches.
It is only if / when Mee or Kean are dropped, injured or suspended, and Tarkowski gets a run in the team, that we will really be able to judge him against them.
Having said all that, I think he could turn out to be the best of the 3.

[Vegas Claret]

but can he do it on a cold Tuesday night at Turf Moor ?

[Garnerssoap]

Bossed it like an over sized kid in the playground

[mickleoverclaret]

Was great tonight and I've no doubt he will slot in when Keane goes but worth stressing the point he was up against an absolutely pathetic Sunderland frontline tonight. I daresay they would have made Leon Cort look good.

[bartons baggage]

One word,Baller.

[ecc]

"He's probably entitled to feel aggrieved about his lack of action, because judging from the few times we've seen him he's looked absolute quality.

The most pleasing thing though is he's obviously bought into the group just as the regular starters have and can come in and play like that when required. I really hope we see more of him very soon."

Hi ksrclaret. Fully agree. A player who's "happy" about not playing should = something not right. What do you say to a journo when asked "How do you feel about not playing?" ?

I said this the other day but if anybody knows how the lad feels, it's his manager. And, in my humble opinion, that's why SD now regularly brings Tarky on for the last ten minutes or so (with additional time built in) to do a genuine job albeit not what the lad was bought for. The last thing you could describe SD as is "stupid". I would be very surprised if he hasn't had fairly regular discussions with James. He, SD, knows he's got a good player there who's still relatively young. In today's ridiculous market a fair few clubs would lash out the best part of £10m for a player with his profile.

[Colburn_Claret]

All these wonderful comments, great reading by the way, just further the case for playing him in front of the back four, specifically in away matches. Our midfield are forced to play deeper away from home which leaves the forward/forwards isolated. Tarks in there would allow the midfield to keep a higher line. It's a no-brainer IMO.

UTC

[andyh]

Absolutely wonderful. A real headache for Sean to fit him in. Has to play.

[Shore claret]

Great time to be a claret, we have some really good player's that are great to watch.
What a dilemma for Mr dyche, he has assembled a great squad.

[ashtonlongsider]

Difficult to add to all the glossy compliments already stated. I think Tarks made statement last night and has given SD a dilemma.

[kaptin1]

All these wonderful comments, great reading by the way, just further the case for playing him in front of the back four, specifically in away matches. Our midfield are forced to play deeper away from home which leaves the forward/forwards isolated. Tarks in there would allow the midfield to keep a higher line. It's a no-brainer IMO.

UTC

We now have Barton to play the holding midfield role, which he is excellent at

[vinrogue]

History tells you that Keane had to wait his time behind Shackell and Duff. I firmly believe that during that time on the training ground Keane matured and learnt a lot from the experience of Shackell and Duff. It follows that we have been doing exactly the same with Tarks, who will also be benefitting from the Keane progression route. We don't want an injury or a red card but we are safe in the knowledge that we have a lad pushing for a CB shirt and less of a summer fear of cashing in on Keane £25 Million+. UTC

[IndigoLake]

Keane and Tarkowski will be England's centre back pairing in a year or two

[Newcastleclaret93]

He reminded me of the saints defender at the weekend.

Big physical defender but classy on the ball

[cblantfanclub]

Maybe Keane should be looking over his shoulder.