Dawson...

[olly27]

Lets hope our rock is back soon as possible as we will need big time in the weeks ahead. Hopefully Ledley will be back soon, as Kaboul and Walker are both cup tied for the semi final and Corluka may not be back for that either.

On another note if Dawson is not taken to the world cup its a total travesty. They guy has been immense and I still dont think Capello is convinced, unbelievable really as he did seem to be picking players on form. But Dawson has developed into a fantastic CB...its no fluke, or a purple patch. For me he should be going ahead of Upson, most definitely. Furthermore Upson is playing for a side that has lost 6 on the bounce, not all his fault of course, and Dawson has been imperious all season and in a side that has won 5 on the bounce and now has the joint second best defence in the league (with Chelsea on 29 goals conceded). There must be a stark contrast in the two players mentality and confidence levels as well.

Capello should also look at Huddlestone, he's had a wonderful season. There are many players with massive reputations who have been extremely mediocre this season.

The Hudd would also give England a different dimension when up against technically better sides who hold the ball well. He would enable England to hold the ball better, I have no doubt about that.

But I am sure the same old mistakes will happen...trying to cram in all the big names ala square pegs and round holes...its as certain as death and taxes.

I would have Huddlestone over Barry, but I appreciate Barry's versatitilty from Capello's point of view.

Gerrad has been woeful this season but obviously you would hope a WC would inspire him back to form.

There is always a late call up or surprise inclusion...lets hope one of them gets it. I would take them both.

[TURKISH]

I like listening to Thomo on soccer saturday and he rates Dawson very highly. He said a couple of weeks back that he thinks he is better than Lescott. I think Dawson is very underrated, ok he does lump the ball forward but he does get given the ball in stupid situations. Is Dawson international class? I'm not sure, but on form he deserves to be in the squad. If it wasn't for him I'm not sure if we would be in fourth place right now.

Dawson plays with a smile, with passion and wears his heart on his sleeve. He reminds me of a Tony Adams/Gary Mabbutt, he deserves the call up but I'm not sure if he will.

In 20 years time I will be telling my son that England never had the opportunity to play one of there best natural defenders that they ever produced. Ledley King. A fit Ledley King is one of the best defenders around imo, what a footballer and what a shame.

Hudd would be a triffic option for the World Cup and you know what? I believe he is ready. They shoud start bleeding him in right now, he should have a great career ahead of him if he carries on developing like he is.

Fingers Crossed for Aaron also.

[olly27]

Yeah Azza will go for sure, unless he has a real cruel set back with his rehabilitation.

But Huddlestone would be a fantastic option and I just have a sneaky feeling that he will be a surprise call up. Certainly if anything happens to Barry, Carrick etc injury wise from now to the end of the season I would be amazed if he wasn't called up.

I think the Hudd would help England retain possession against better sides, he's class at spreading the play and switching it quickly...it basically means the better players..ala Rooney etc see more of the ball.

[choda]

I'm not convinced either to be honest. Good club player and developing all the time.

It's not so long ago Dawson was an utter disaster. Harry has done wonders for the lad.

But this has to be considered when you are comparing to Upson and people like that. I have no doubt that Upson would be excellent under Harry and probably better than Dawson imo.

I see Daws and Bassong as great prospects, but a touch suspect positionally and in decision making (on OCCASSION) playing in a well drilled defence, in front of the most underrated keeper in europe and behind a very hard working midfield with one of the best ball winners in europe. It's no coincidence that everywhere Gomes goes clean sheet records follow. He's a phenomonal keeper.

We have very good centre halfs, it's a great pity Woody and King aren't fitter, because for me they are simply as good as any pair in the world.

Daws and Bassong have a bit to go for me to be considered in the bracket of the top players, but good players.

Daws has a shout ahead of Lescott. But I think Upson is better positionally, not as prone to being rash and has as much presence. Terry and Rio are the clear best players available imo.

Daws is compared to Terry but Terry's positioning is superb, different level for me.

If they can take Ledders they should do all they can because when fit he's the best in the world, along with Lucio (who's in unreal form these days).

[TURKISH]

I'm not convinced either to be honest. Good club player and developing all the time.

It's not so long ago Dawson was an utter disaster. Harry has done wonders for the lad.

But this has to be considered when you are comparing to Upson and people like that. I have no doubt that Upson would be excellent under Harry and probably better than Dawson imo.

I see Daws and Bassong as great prospects, but a touch suspect positionally and in decision making suspect (on OCCASSION) playing in a well drilled defence, in front of the most underrated keeper in europe and behind a very hard working midfield with one of the best ball winners in europe. It's no coincidence that everywhere Gomes goes clean sheet records follow. He's a phenomonal keeper.

We have very good centre halfs, it's a great pity Woody and King aren't fitter, because for me they are simply as good as any pair in the world.

Daws and Bassong have a bit to go for me to be considered in the bracket of the top players, but good players.

Daws has a shout ahead of Lescott. But I think Upson is better positionally, not as prone to being rash and has as much presence. Terry and Rio are the clear best players available imo.

Daws is compared to Terry but Terry's positioning is superb, different level for me.

If they can take Ledders they should do all they can because when fit he's the best in the world, along with Lucio (who's in unreal form these days).

Upson has improved over the years and Dawson is a better defender than Upson was when he was his age. Hopefully Dawson keeps improving, but I've been impressed the guy isn't a liaility as he once was for a long period.

[olly27]

I'm not convinced either to be honest. Good club player and developing all the time.

It's not so long ago Dawson was an utter disaster. Harry has done wonders for the lad.

But this has to be considered when you are comparing to Upson and people like that. I have no doubt that Upson would be excellent under Harry and probably better than Dawson imo.

I see Daws and Bassong as great prospects, but a touch suspect positionally and in decision making (on OCCASSION) playing in a well drilled defence, in front of the most underrated keeper in europe and behind a very hard working midfield with one of the best ball winners in europe. It's no coincidence that everywhere Gomes goes clean sheet records follow. He's a phenomonal keeper.

We have very good centre halfs, it's a great pity Woody and King aren't fitter, because for me they are simply as good as any pair in the world.

Daws and Bassong have a bit to go for me to be considered in the bracket of the top players, but good players.

Daws has a shout ahead of Lescott. But I think Upson is better positionally, not as prone to being rash and has as much presence. Terry and Rio are the clear best players available imo.

Daws is compared to Terry but Terry's positioning is superb, different level for me.

If they can take Ledders they should do all they can because when fit he's the best in the world, along with Lucio (who's in unreal form these days).

I have watched Upson quite closely on quite a few occassions this season and I havn't been impressed with him at all. Positionally he's been poor and has been caught out quite a lot. Now I know he is in a struggling side but if your comparing season for season, Dawson has had a better one - no doubt about it. For England as well Upson has been pretty shabby. I think he's prone to lapses in concentration although on his day he is very capable - problem being I dont think he has had that many of them this season. Against Wolves the other night Doyle ran him ragged, and for their third goal he was absolutely shambolic positionally - dreadful defending. Not to mention Fuller's goal on Saturday - turning his back to him, dreadful again.

We are talking about a squad place here for Dawson not a starting place obviously. I would put him ahead of Upson and Lescott personally, the latter being out for considerable time as well.

However Upson has the experience at this level which will see him go ahead of him at the end of day, but on form, sorry Dawson playing way better than him at the moment.

[choda]

I have watched Upson quite closely on quite a few occassions this season and I havn't been impressed with him at all. Positionally he's been poor and has been caught out quite a lot. Now I know he is in a struggling side but if your comparing season for season, Dawson has had a better one - no doubt about it. For England as well Upson has been pretty shabby. I think he's prone to lapses in concentration although on his day he is very capable - problem being I dont think he has had that many of them this season. Against Wolves the other night Doyle ran him ragged, and for their third goal he was absolutely shambolic positionally - dreadful defending. Not to mention Fuller's goal on Saturday - turning his back to him, dreadful again.

We are talking about a squad place here for Dawson not a starting place obviously. I would put him ahead of Upson and Lescott personally, the latter being out for considerable time as well.

However Upson has the experience at this level which will see him go ahead of him at the end of day, but on form, sorry Dawson playing way better than him at the moment.

What are you sorry about? :tongue: I wasn't being aggressive, just stating my opinion. :handkiss:

I actually haven't seen much of Upson this year. But he's impressed me over the years. He has had some bad games, no doubt. Maybe he's finished, maybe he's in an awful setup, maybe he's suffering from a lack of confidence too.

It could be just like Dunne last year. People said he was useless/finished and it was rubbish. Sometimes leaders at the back try to put out other people's fires in a shambles and stand out as looking bad.

Daws is a good player and could easily go to the world cup. I just think people overestimate him at times due to be a great lad.

Having a great attitude is important and indicates more determination to make it and improve. And he will always give 100%. But I still think he could be out of his depth if put in a world cup against Torres etc.

Possibly deserves to go, but only really because 3 excellent centre halfs in King, Woody and Carragher are all unavailable (probably).

[olly27]

What are you sorry about? :tongue: I wasn't being aggressive, just stating my opinion. :handkiss:

I actually haven't seen much of Upson this year. But he's impressed me over the years. He has had some bad games, no doubt. Maybe he's finished, maybe he's in an awful setup, maybe he's suffering from a lack of confidence too.

It could be just like Dunne last year. People said he was useless/finished and it was rubbish. Sometimes leaders at the back try to put out other people's fires in a shambles and stand out as looking bad.

Daws is a good player and could easily go to the world cup. I just think people overestimate him at times due to be a great lad.

Having a great attitude is important and indicates more determination to make it and improve. And he will always give 100%. But I still think he could be out of his depth if put in a world cup against Torres etc.

Possibly deserves to go, but only really because 3 excellent centre halfs in King, Woody and Carragher are all unavailable (probably).

Was just the way I phrased it lol. To be honest I always rated Dunne above Upson. Dunne had a sticky patch for sure, but season after season he won City's player of the season. A better CB than Upson for me.

Infact I am absolutely convinced had City Kept Dunne they would be at least 5 points better of now. Not to mention Given and Dunne's understanding from playing for Ireland. Bringing in Toure for 14 million and selling Dunne for a snip was really poor judgement by Hughes. Having said that hindsight is a wonderful thing, but still poor judgement IMO.

[Rojoknapp]

For years Dunne has been an absolute mountain for Ireland and City, and now Villa, but his season last year was as calamitous as any I've ever seen from one player. Fair play for turning it round so spectacularly though, him and Collins have been fantastic. Dunne must have been one of the most underrated players in the world before this season, now everyone realises he's immense. Definitely one of the best in the league, surely one of the best in Europe?

[Gino Ginelli]

Awesome Dawson... he had a wobbly season during his development, he's nevertheless become a hero, fully comitted and thoroughly decent young professional, like all good North Yorkshiremen!

Terry doesn't do anything different to what Dawson does, and Daws does it all with smile and decency, as opposed to the thuggish twunt that somehow became Engalnd captain.

Daws can be a captain of Spurs and England if you ask me.

[deadleyledley]

he has improved massively, due to harry's man management.

i think he should be included into the england squad and so should hudd. it would be brilliant for them both if they could play at the world cup, it would help us massively as a club to have some international experience that we can use to help us push the club forward.

if daws and hudd can perform against the top 3 we have left then they will have a massive shout to get into the squad.

[choda]

Was just the way I phrased it lol. To be honest I always rated Dunne above Upson. Dunne had a sticky patch for sure, but season after season he won City's player of the season. A better CB than Upson for me.

Infact I am absolutely convinced had City Kept Dunne they would be at least 5 points better of now. Not to mention Given and Dunne's understanding from playing for Ireland. Bringing in Toure for 14 million and selling Dunne for a snip was really poor judgement by Hughes. Having said that hindsight is a wonderful thing, but still poor judgement IMO.

No, you're right.

I've said to loads of people this year too that Wenger was a clod for not signing Given and Dunne. He had so many opportunities to get top quality players of the type needed for nothing. If you win the league with Almunia and those centre halfs you've actually performed a minor miracle.

He's a huge contradiction, a genius coach but his tactics are often limited and his transfer policy is odd to say the least. He goes on about lack of funds, but it's horseshit. They'd have won the league this year in a canter if he signed properly. The players were there for him at times for little expense, and being at a club with cl stature and title challengers they'd have come.

But he'll never win in europe no matter how good his team is because they have a one dimensional game plan of what is essentially counter attack from midfield or when deep and very narrow. European teams hold the ball, don't give it away cheaply in bad areas and figure them out very easily.

Anyway, I'm meandering. Not like me. :tongue:

[choda]

For years Dunne has been an absolute mountain for Ireland and City, and now Villa, but his season last year was as calamitous as any I've ever seen from one player. Fair play for turning it round so spectacularly though, him and Collins have been fantastic. Dunne must have been one of the most underrated players in the world before this season, now everyone realises he's immense. Definitely one of the best in the league, surely one of the best in Europe?

Well, I said at the time I thought it was calamitous because he was trying to put out numerous fires in front and beside him and looking the worst for it. But on closer inspection other players were actually far worse, most notably Micah Richards. All were suffering from very bad organisation and a system that offered them no protection.

Dunne is a fantastic player, but sometimes people are made to look bad. Every factor has to be considered in judgement. Granted it did raise questions about whether he was finished, but most just hammered him and said he was gone. I had huge doubts about that, particularly when I saw him still being immense for the national team.

Duff has had a good season too. Though he has lost some pace he's still a very fine footballer. Himself and Zamora are my worries when ever we play Fulham. They never believe us when we say they are doing well for the national team and when we alert them that they probably aren't finished. :tongue:

[choda]

Awesome Dawson... he had a wobbly season during his development, he's nevertheless become a hero, fully comitted and thoroughly decent young professional, like all good North Yorkshiremen!

Terry doesn't do anything different to what Dawson does, and Daws does it all with smile and decency, as opposed to the thuggish twunt that somehow became Engalnd captain.

Daws can be a captain of Spurs and England if you ask me.

I think he has a lot of work to do to be as good positionally as Terry. Different levels for me, as much as it pains me to say it.

Terry has little pace but his positioning is Bobby Moore like. He's not as good a footballer or tackler, but he is 100% just like Daws.

I think Daws needs to become an exceptional positional player like Terry due to a lack of pace to become a really top class player and captain of big sides.

I'm sure you'll agree the best of the lot in Europe right now is King, which is frustrating for everyone. He's just got it all. Maybe Lucio might have something to say about that, he's become an exceptional player.

[Antilokhos]

I'm sure you'll agree the best of the lot in Europe right now is King, which is frustrating for everyone. He's just got it all. Maybe Lucio might have something to say about that, he's become an exceptional player.

Become an exceptional player? Clearly you don't watch much of the Bundesliga. He's been phenomenal for quite some time.

[choda]

Become an exceptional player? Clearly you don't watch much of the Bundesliga. He's been phenomenal for quite some time.

No, I don't. But I saw a few poor performances in the cl for Bayern, which is why I didn't rate him so highly before. Not many had him in the top five defenders before this year. Now, many have him at the top, and deservedly so.

[Gino Ginelli]

I think he has a lot of work to do to be as good positionally as Terry. Different levels for me, as much as it pains me to say it.

Terry has little pace but his positioning is Bobby Moore like. He's not as good a footballer or tackler, but he is 100% just like Daws.

I think Daws needs to become an exceptional positional player like Terry due to a lack of pace to become a really top class player and captain of big sides.

I'm sure you'll agree the best of the lot in Europe right now is King, which is frustrating for everyone. He's just got it all. Maybe Lucio might have something to say about that, he's become an exceptional player.

Please don't tarnish the name of Bobby Moore by mentioning it in the same breath as that BNP thug.

King could have been one of the best in Europe, had he been 100% fit and was playing regularly. However he is, and has been for some time now, a lost cause and will never scale those giddy heights anymore. It's a desperate shame but it's a reality we have to face now.

[Antilokhos]

No, I don't. But I saw a few poor performances in the cl for Bayern, which is why I didn't rate him so highly before. Not many had him in the top five defenders before this year. Now, many have him at the top, and deservedly so.
That entire Bayern team can be inconsistent. They seem to have the transfer policy of ManCity lately. They have the money and they buy whoever they want, without stopping to think of what type of team they want to have. They've been collecting players instead of building a team and it shows in their results the last couple of years. They can get away with it against a lot of the teams in the Bundesliga, but it really shows against the higher quality teams.

[choda]

Please don't tarnish the name of Bobby Moore by mentioning it in the same breath as that BNP thug.

King could have been one of the best in Europe, had he been 100% fit and was playing regularly. However he is, and has been for some time now, a lost cause and will never scale those giddy heights anymore. It's a desperate shame but it's a reality we have to face now.

When fit obviously. :001_rolleyes: