Adel just cannot defend

[vblockranger]

great skills but the brain and attitude of a toddler. If he was any good a bigger team (i.e. anyone above us in the prem) would have been in for him by now. One of the best players we have but lets be honest..that aint saying much! :-)

[Geng]

He is 'any good', you just aren't watching. Or are letting the fact he isn't great at wellying the ball into row Z blind you to the fact he's one of the most creative midfielders in the whole league.

[Geng]

He is a vastly talented player,but he is somewhat short of defensive fibres. Hence he should have been played(ideally) almost as a striker.

But he's terrible as a striker. He never makes runs behind the defence, he's the guy who should be providing the passes for others to run on to. Seriously, playing him up front is a massive waste of his vision, passing and dribbling skills.

Can you think of a single other instance of a player like Taarabt playing up front? As opposed to a no10 in a 4231 (like in our promotion season) or out wide.

[loft54]

Adel can only be as affective as the forwards in front of him if they dont make a run he has to pass it back,and as far as tackling goes not one of his best assets as you could see by his yellow card today.

[kingy10]

He doesn't have a position and that is what's killing us at the moment. In midfield you need everyone working, defending and attacking, up front you need pace and strength.

Adel doesn't fit into either. It pains me to say it as I love watching his skills.

[Geng]

When we have possession he's our hardest working player and its not even close. Of course he fits into a team plan. He has way more football brains than Diakite or Mackie, for instance.

[Geng]

I hope the people criticising Adel were happy watching the last half hour today when we had zero movement up front. There's a reason Granero looked slow and ponderous - Mackie, SWP and Cisse decided to mark the defenders.

[acricketer]

Just watch Adel for Wigan's first goal today and then watch Villa's goal last week. Just stands and watches both times.

I know he can be a dangerous player for us, but his total lack of any defensive ability leaves our already crap back four so exposed.

Time for Hoillet to be given a chance.

Got to get Faurlin, Mbia and Granero in the middle. Derry past it and Diakite useless.

He can't defend, he can't cross, he can't pass, he can't retain possession; he can't be a team player; he can't run very fast; he can't head a ball. The boy's a genius.

[Shania]

But he's terrible as a striker. He never makes runs behind the defence, he's the guy who should be providing the passes for others to run on to. Seriously, playing him up front is a massive waste of his vision, passing and dribbling skills.

Can you think of a single other instance of a player like Taarabt playing up front? As opposed to a no10 in a 4231 (like in our promotion season) or out wide.

In the whole behind the strikers then?

[pauldrayton]

I think Adel's become much more of a team player. Harsh to criticise him - he's been v good this season and is the only one looking to create something.

[Shania]

I think Adel's become much more of a team player. Harsh to criticise him - he's been v good this season and is the only one looking to create something.

But what he creates is too complicated for the rest of the team to hack. So what shall we /he do??

[acricketer]

Just watch Adel for Wigan's first goal today and then watch Villa's goal last week. Just stands and watches both times.

I know he can be a dangerous player for us, but his total lack of any defensive ability leaves our already crap back four so exposed.

Time for Hoillet to be given a chance.

Got to get Faurlin, Mbia and Granero in the middle. Derry past it and Diakite useless.

He can't defend, he can't cross, he can't pass, he can't retain possession; he can't be a team player; he can't run very fast; he can't head a ball. The boy's a genius.

[dsqpr]

On their first goal, Adel was looking to break but the ball fell to one of their players instead (who then scored). He didn't have much chance to get back at that point. I'm not sure I want to criticize him for wanting to break out and start a quick counter. And his defensive play has improved immensely.

[vblockranger]

When he up for it he is unplayable but thats not all that many games in a season. If he had pace and intelligence he would be playing for a top four side. He doesnt which is why he plays for us.

[rickyranger]

Continually flatters to deceive, slows the play down undoubtedly has ability but little end product hence the fact he has more successful dribbles than Messi but scores about 100th of the goals. As for his positioning and defending its worst than a 10 year old school boy. Yes he does work harder now even challenges for headers, but by his own admission this harder work leaves him short of energy to hurt teams. Before you all cheer his new found work rate he is meant to be a professional athlete who can do both sides of the game.

If SWP, Cisse, Zamora, Granero or Bosingwa had played like Tarrabt did today loads on here would be slaughtering them but because its Tarrabt he is made to be this world beater which he most definently is not. Anther couple of games and Rednapp won't even have him on the bench, just as no other manager wants him in their team.