Nigel Reo Coker and his limitations/attributes

[Dave]

If Reo-Coker is happy to sign a continuation of his current contract and understand that he's not going to play every game then I'm quite happy for him to stick around.

In the meantime we can have Makoun, Delph and AN other in our central midfield with Nige as a useful backup.

[hartman_1982]

No, I have read the post, it states he couldn't get into the top 6 so why do people think he is great.

You are right, he wouldn't get in the top 6

Man U - Park plays in his position - for me Park has been player of the season and deserved it far more than Parker

Chelsea have Essien

Man City have Yaya Toure - who is so good he was the mainstay of the Barca side

Arsenal - well they actually lack a player and I even think NRC is better than their defensive midfielders

Spurs - Modric - who is now wanted by Man U - enough said



So, because NRC is not as good as maybe the top 5 players in the world in that position - you don't think we should appreciate him ?.

Bit of a coincidence that under MON , Gerard or even between the two , and McAllister - our best results have come in when he is in the side  - bit wierd don't you think ?

I am not saying he is Lionel Messi - but neither is Sun-Ji Park - but you take Park out the Man U side and see what happens.

NRC is a very very very good player in what he does, and what he does is not found very often, and those players who do it well, cost a bloody fortune.

Is it me or have you just listed random players from different positions here?
Park plays out wide for Man Utd, not in his position.
Toure plays as their attacking midfielder.
Modric is their ball player, not a ball winner.

For what its worth, I think every team needs a NRC. He does the horrible stuff and he definitely has the right mental attributes. He is a winner, a leader and is a very intelligent and grounded bloke. People talk about him not being worth 50k a week (which I agree with), but to replace him would cost £6-8mill transfer fee plus 40k a week anyway. I would prefer us to keep him!

[john e]

I said I was not going to post again, but will add one last sentence before I go in the bath !

You say he is not Mark Draper never mind others - can I add

"in your opinion" coz I tell you what, there are 1000's out there who don't think the same as you, including me.

NRC in team - 3 fantastic years
NRC out team - seem to lose, go backwards fast
NRC back in team - lose 1 in 9

Seems a pattern to me

Goodnight all - early night for me !

i knew i could make you post again

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

I said I was not going to post again, but will add one last sentence before I go in the bath !

You say he is not Mark Draper never mind others - can I add

"in your opinion" coz I tell you what, there are 1000's out there who don't think the same as you, including me.

NRC in team - 3 fantastic years
NRC out team - seem to lose, go backwards fast
NRC back in team - lose 1 in 9

Seems a pattern to me

Goodnight all - early night for me !

i knew i could make you post again

Love it John e. Some of Pauls comparisons justified an "early bath" ............

[Chris Smith]

NRC in team - 3 fantastic years

Petrov and Barry then Petrov and Milner - 3 good years.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

I hope Coker stays.
He should being feeling well settled in the midlands and all contretemps are a distant memory.
Having just turned 27, he is coming into his prime and I could see next season being far and away the best of his career.

[brian green]

He is an improving player.   I thought his game last Sunday was the best I have seen him play.   If you buy a replacement for him it could be another Sidwell.  He is worth keeping to offer the manager the option of bringing him on to lock in the points when we are leading but tiring.   Would he make the top six teams?   Depends who the top six are, their suspensions, their injuries, their games, their travelling, their tactics.  Odd question.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

NRC in team - 3 fantastic years

Petrov and Barry then Petrov and Milner - 3 good years.

Indeed. He only started 6 league games last season, all in 2009.

[DrGonzo]

He is showing the benefit of a run of games in the 1st team.  He isn't a complete midfielder, his game is lacking in some areas.  What he does well is very good and paired with: 1. a more visionary distribitor, and: 2. someone comfortable as a linkman, he could be a good buffer for the CBs and someone to hassle the opposition CM.  As others have said it will be cheaper to keep a player who's capabilities/frailtieswe know than take a punt on an unknown quantity.  There will be many changes over the summer, some stability would be nice.

[TheSandman]

Man United - Fletcher and Anderson
Chelsea - Essien and Mikel
Man City - De Jong and Barry
Arsenal - Song and Diaby
Tottenham - Sandro and Pallacios
Liverpool - Lucas

Most of these guys are defensively minded and seldom play a killer pass preferring to break up play. Most of them are also seen as important parts of their team. Whilst most of them are better than NRC they play the same role and have similar limitations. Last season even Barcelona had a player who did that role in Yaya Toure (Until his surprise deployment as an attacking mid at Man City) and to an extent Busquetes does that for them now. Having a Reo Coker (or maybe someone better than him) allows us to play more footballers as he can be like the kid in the playground who protects the little kids from the bullies. Like I said you don't want a team of Reo Cokers but you do need one.

[Dave]

Like I said you don't want a team of Reo Cokers but you do need one.

I don't think anybody is saying we shouldn't play with a defensive midfielder.

It's whether or not that midfielder should be Reo-Coker or not.

[Matt Collins]

He's not a world beater but he has improved a lot. We won't get any fee for him, petrov looks a bit spent, delph and makoun unproven. It's the play it safe option. With maximum stability this summer I think we're well set for next year. I don't want a whole load more upheaval

[hawkeye]

He has been pissed around more than most players at VP. Havent heard him wingeing to the press, he tried to lump MON so another mark in his favour. After the top few teams he is the best at what he does, better than Mikel for example. When given a run in the team he has been pretty consistant. If we lose him we are going to have to spend a lot of money to replace him. Every team needs a NRC type player I hope he stays because there is going to be a lot of changes and having a senior pro who knows the club and  effective in his position will help the re-building process.

[ozzjim]

Cheaper to give him 50k a week and keep him for 3 years than let him leave and sign someone of equal ability for 6-8 million and pay them the same amount. He is effective, and while there are technically better players out there, there are few more effective and passionate. He is a good leader on the field, and IMO is integral to the way we are trying to play, despite being the most limited on the ball.

[Ian.]

I have been undecided until the last few weeks, what with his form and when you see Ozzjim's post above it makes perfect sense to keep him. Unless we have loads of money to spend and more to offer on a European front I can't see us getting anyone better than him. He seems happy here and gives us his all. Sign him up.