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On a previous thread of mine on another matter, someone raised the subject of missing Dominic Ball’s tenacity in midfield ( I raised the same with Yoann and his composure and comfort on the ball notwithstanding his propensity to drop clangers in dangerous areas.
About two years ago I got talking to a fellow in Westfield bar who introduced himself as Dom’s uncle. He said DB who was approaching 28 and soon to be out of contract was concerned he would not get a new offer. I had had the same feeling as the club were not falling over themselves to get in early. I told his uncle that I always worried about DB getting an early yellow and then treading eggshells whilst the opposition wound him up. I remember one on 6 mins and an early unnecessary one away at Fulham. Interestingly, his uncle said that in fact such an early would serve to focus his mind to watch it thereafter and to be fair I can’t remember a red though I cam remember often being nervous. Apparently, letting his opponent know ‘ he is around’ early is an important part psychologically of is M.O, though I can’ t believe opponents are not fully aware of how he operates.
I wonder if people feel the potential card jeopardy of his(and his ilk) style is worth the risk of more physicality in midfield?
About two years ago I got talking to a fellow in Westfield bar who introduced himself as Dom’s uncle. He said DB who was approaching 28 and soon to be out of contract was concerned he would not get a new offer. I had had the same feeling as the club were not falling over themselves to get in early. I told his uncle that I always worried about DB getting an early yellow and then treading eggshells whilst the opposition wound him up. I remember one on 6 mins and an early unnecessary one away at Fulham. Interestingly, his uncle said that in fact such an early would serve to focus his mind to watch it thereafter and to be fair I can’t remember a red though I cam remember often being nervous. Apparently, letting his opponent know ‘ he is around’ early is an important part psychologically of is M.O, though I can’ t believe opponents are not fully aware of how he operates.
I wonder if people feel the potential card jeopardy of his(and his ilk) style is worth the risk of more physicality in midfield?
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