ProfessionalMackem
Striker
I agree with the OP. I think broadly he is the best we are going to get, and given our precarious position i'd rather have someone who is very solid defensively even if we do have to put up with some of his weaknesses. I do agree he too often lumps the ball up the field and too infrequently overlaps.
I think blaming Bardsley for our failings is incredibly naive. The fault in our team lies in the notion that we are four seperate teams playing in the four seperate positions. A lot of passes are between the defenders, and between the midfielders but theres nothing incisive, nothing direct. I think the main weakness is in the central midfield (as many on here have noted). The criticism of Colback and McClean is deserved. However Colback is at his best when he is actively seeking the ball from the centre backs, turning then looking to play it forward. We need a Gary Neville or a Paul Scholes type player to really grab the game by the neck. Its why we look so weak when Cattermole doesnt play.
Sort this out, then move on to the other areas of weakness.
Well that's complete bollocks isn't it? I mean anyone who is defensively solid wouldn't be at fault for two of our three goals yesterday.
I've said in the past that he's a squad player at best, I'm now thinking that's not even true.
He's shit and should be no where near the 1st team.
If Bardsley is a good, solid, mid-table Premier League full back then I take it Danny Rose is captain and the greatest full back ever for Universe XI?
We have a young kid on loan from a team that finished 4th last season, who has been a winger for a lot of his career and has only recently been converted to left back, that is 10 times the player that Bardsley is.
Phil Bardsley is Championship standard through and through.
He can't pass. He can't go forward. His crosses go higher than they go far. His positioning is terrible, it's either stand on the central defenders' toes and leave a gaping hole at right back or ball watch and leave his man at the back post. He is always too tight or giving the opposition too much space. He gives the ball away consistently with aimless hoofs as he shits his pants under and kind of remote pressure.
There is no doubt that he committed and likes a sliding tackle and fist pump but, ha'way, honestly, he is terrible.
Well said that man.