The Shin Guardian: Michael Bradley is struggling with game speed

[dave.woodhall]

Are you sure you're watching the right team and player?  He makes Stewart Downing look like Vinnie Jones.

Looks like you're in the minority there.

Does it, why?  Some people rate him, and that's fine.  He may well turn into a useful player for us.  I've watched every game he's played though, and one thing he certainly isn't is handy in the tackle.

Because more people seem to like the look of him (the majority) than not (the minority).

Which would be for his passing rather than his ball winning I'd imagine.

You can imagine whatever you like.

Thanks.  Think I'll give "Makoun the ball winning midfield enforcer" a go, it seems to be working for you.

Some things take less effort than others.

[hawkeye]

Makoun is a bit of a Carrick, not great at tackling, decent short passing, every now and then mskes a decent pass. Decent but not exciting. We have not had a pass and move midfield player like him in the team. Until we know the sort of system we are intending to play its difficult to make a judgement.

[Caiphus]

How many ligue 1 players settle in straight away without a pre-season behind them?  Makoun has shown more quality than not so far, just sometimes looks like he is trying too hard to rise to the speed/physicality of the game.  I'm 100% certain he will have a eureka moment and he will just feel comfortable and play his natural game without giving away the ball/silly fouls.  Bradley I wouldn't write off just yet, having so much less time on the ball then in the bundesliga or eredivisie would make it especially hard for a midfielder to adjust, but I still think there is a chance for him to do something impressive before the end of the season.

[Mister E]

  Bradley I wouldn't write off just yet, having so much less time on the ball then in the bundesliga or eredivisie would make it especially hard for a midfielder to adjust, but I still think there is a chance for him to do something impressive before the end of the season.

Back on the Bradley thread, it's all about the valuation that Borussia put on him; that's the decision on whether to keep or not. If he has 50 international caps he must have something that can add value to the squad.

[SoccerHQ]

Am I missing this great surplus of central midfielders we've got?

I can't see Bradley being signed permanently if he isn't even making the bench, NRC I think will leave, Pires hopefully aswell and a few on here want Petrov moved on aswell (although I think we should keep him as a squad for another year).

So that would leave us with Makoun and two promising kids in Delph and Bannan, one still slowly getting back from a bad injury.

As well as pratically a new defence, we're going to have to sign a central midfield player or two this summer.

[SoccerHQ]

Was impressed with Makoun in the Man U and Fulham matches.

Fulham in particular, he looked like he was quite comfortable to get on the ball as much as possible and was always one move ahead, not just playing the obvious pass. He does have a bit of bite to his game as well, but he needs to time his challenges better.

Since the Fulham match he's been more miss than hit though. A few nice touches, but you often don't notice him unless he's giving the ball away. There is talent there, and I hope we get the full benefit of it. I do wonder how a possible change of manager in the summer might impact on him though. It'll impact on all players, but as a foreigner still looking to adapt Makoun might feel it more than most.

Me too but he has declined a fair bit since then.

I too think he'll be consistantly very good next season but he needs to watch his tackling otherwise he'll miss half the games through suspension.

[Villa'Zawg]

I've seen enough to suggest Makoun might be a cracking PL player. He needs to become more dominant in games but that may be more to do with our poor formations and tactics this season.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Think Makoun has got a big future with us.

Bradley can piss off, not good enough.

[nadz3488]

I've only seen him play for us thrice. As a sub, that Man City game, and the reserves game. And so far, I'm still not sure. I thought he was great against Pool. But yeah, he's a wee bit slow and loses the ball very easily when he's played for the first team. Can't fault him though because not everyone can come into the PL and instantly turn into a star. Though I'm not entirely made up on him yet as he hasn't played that many games for us. And in the current relegation fight, its not exactly helping his chances either. Its a bit harsh on him I think.

At the end of the day, I'm not too fazed whether he stays or not by the end of the season. If he stays, then ok, we can blood him into becoming a great player. He's still young and he's got a great attitude. But if he leaves, then whatever. We tried. I'm confident Houllier can get us another one that's just as good as Bradley or better.

I still hope we get to see more of him this season in the first team. Just to come to a final conclusion.

[Clark W Griswold]

Makoun - definately got a future with the club, how big remains to be seen. I think he'll definately improve to some extent, and he's not bad at the moment.
Bradley - Only seen a few bits but oh dear. Not been involved since, doesn't look good.

We still need a nasty type in the middle with plenty of legs. A Viera type. I would partner that player with Makoun, Delph or Bannan long term. Thats the only problem, we have a lot of similar players in that position. If we go 3 in the middle like Barca, each one will get more game time. Reo Coker should be kept as another option.
Would love Milner back mind if we go with 3 in the middle.

Be nice next season playing 3 in the middle, and the options as Viera type, Milner, ReoCoker, Makoun, Delph, Bannan.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Watched Bradley in the reserves against Liverpool and even the kids were making him look slow. Get rid not a prem player .......

[madirishvillain]

i had actually forgot about him, like im trying to do with this season

Makoun is a 33 year old 27 year old - another Kanu, Milla, Sodje's (all of them) - looked amazing on his debut for 45 minutes then his age caught up on him, 2nd game similar but not that amazing etc etc

[Monty]

i had actually forgot about him, like im trying to do with this season

Makoun is a 33 year old 27 year old - another Kanu, Milla, Sodje's (all of them) - looked amazing on his debut for 45 minutes then his age caught up on him, 2nd game similar but not that amazing etc etc

He's Cameroonian, not Nigerian. Players from Cameroon have no recent history of age falsification while playing in Europe. What you have done, in a fairly racist fashion, is conflated the whole of Africa to one stereotype. Well done.

Also, the Sodje family is from London, of Nigerian descent. Pretty hard to falsify a British passport as a professional footballer, you'd think. But please, don't let facts and logic get in the way of your mindless bigotry.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Watched Bradley in the reserves against Liverpool and even the kids were making him look slow. Get rid not a prem player .......

Mate of mine saw him and said he was embarrasing.

[Risso]

Watched Bradley in the reserves against Liverpool and even the kids were making him look slow. Get rid not a prem player .......

Mate of mine saw him and said he was embarrasing.

I can't see there's any chance of us keeping him.  He hasn't impressed, and central midfield is one area where we're not desperately short on numbers.  I expect he'd cost a fair bit as well.