Leandro Bacuna - Sold

[Pat McMahon]

... the context he watches the players means he cannot be certain they'll succeed (beyond just the mental aspect you rightly identify).

And most enlightened coaches believe that the mental aspect is most important; it's not 'just' as an afterthought.

That's why the "more misses than hits" comment is such an interesting one to discuss.

I'm not really sure why you've highlighted just in that way, or really what the point of your post is but just in case I'll clarify:

take 100 random people from the street and you may get 1 who has the technical ability or potential to play professional football.  Do the same with 100 14 year olds who all have youth terms with top flight clubs and you're increasing the amount who have the technical skills.  Go further buy players who are playing professionally and are well regarded in their league for having good technical skills and you get much closer to 100% in terms of technical ability.  Only at that point does mental aptitude become important.  So yes, for a professional coach, dealing with professional football players the mental aspect is key, that's because the technical 'filtering' has largely already happened when the players get to them.

Dante: Cost is mostly a combination of the 2, with a bit of reputation thrown in.

My point - commenting on Dante's post - was the one you rehashed: in the context of pro football selection, the mental aspect is key.

I have heard Wenger say a few times that no matter how young you get a player, this is the one quality you cannot coach.

[barrysleftfoot]

 I thought he played well with Sylla in a 4-4-2 last night, take on board that we need a more creative player, possibly 2 in the team, but the basis of a hard working, strong, physical, aggressive midfield was there last night for me.Looks a good buy for £2m.

 Not sure , on saturdays evidence, that Bacuna would'nt have covered Defoes run for their goal, better than Lowton did.

[Summers]

That free kick, goddamn. About time we had someone capable of doing that.

[paul_e]

I'm going to play this out regularly, in the summer I called Bacuna as the new signing that would prove to be the biggest impact this season and I see nothing to suggest I wasn't right in my judgement, his pass for the 1st was very well weighted and the free kick was superb, on top of that he defended really well, they got very little joy down their left all game.  I think he'll become a top drawer centre-mid in a few years, he's got all the attributes to be a very successful player in this league.

[dekko]

I'm going to play this out regularly, in the summer I called Bacuna as the new signing that would prove to be the biggest impact this season and I see nothing to suggest I wasn't right in my judgement, his pass for the 1st was very well weighted and the free kick was superb, on top of that he defended really well, they got very little joy down their left all game.  I think he'll become a top drawer centre-mid in a few years, he's got all the attributes to be a very successful player in this league.

Good shout.  I'll admit, Bacuna was probably the player I was least excited about signing (and i'm normally super optimistic about everyone we bring in) but so far he's been a very pleasant suprise.

[Phil from the upper holte]

He got a lot of stick after Liverpool but I think he did ok that game as well, cracking free kick

[eastie]

He got a lot of stick after Liverpool but I think he did ok that game as well, cracking free kick

Better at right back than in midfield in my opinion.

[Walmley_Villa]

Played well today. Has a fair bit of potential and man of the match for me today closely followed by Fabian and KEA. Luna deserves credit after the stick he has received.

[OCD]

He got a lot of stick after Liverpool but I think he did ok that game as well, cracking free kick

Better at right back than in midfield in my opinion.

Right now, yes but like paul_e I think he will end up being a top central midfielder.

[olaftab]

He got a lot of stick after Liverpool but I think he did ok that game as well, cracking free kick

Better at right back than in midfield in my opinion.

Not sure. His positional pay as fullback is rubbish. He will revery to midfield soon.

[ozzjim]

I think he is a genuine right sided midfield player, but his pace and defending ability makes up for positional efficiency at right back. He does look, after a very lost 45 minutes against Liverpool, like being a really impressive find from Lambert.

[paul_e]

He got a lot of stick after Liverpool but I think he did ok that game as well, cracking free kick

Better at right back than in midfield in my opinion.

Not sure. His positional pay as fullback is rubbish. He will revery to midfield soon.

Like a lot of players from Holland it's going to take him a while to get used to the speed of the game in England, his advantage is that he's versatile enough that we can put him at right back where he'll get more time than he does in midfield.  Give it 6months-1year and I think he'll be established and will be a genuine option centrally.  Whatever happens I think he'll play a lot because his set pieces are very effective.

[villan from luton]

I think centre midfield will be his position, but great to have someone who can play in a few positiions. Has the energy and physique to play centre mid and will probably end up there, am sure he will prove to be another good signing

[Dave Clark Five]

Brilliant player who I think will get even better.

[Dave Clark Five]

Brilliant player who I think will get even better.