What's new

Kyle Walker

RuskyM

Well-Known Member
Jul 9, 2011
6,921
22,729
The thread on Lennon got me thinking about other players we could improve on, and whilst I'm not advocating giving up on Walker, this season was a big disappointment for him.

He's very good at making up for his mistakes, but he often causes them. He's so immensely frustrating because it's clear the talent is there but he makes too many silly decisions, gets burned too easily and then a better defender like SuperJan has to come out of position to help him and then we get fucked.

What's your onions?
 

RuskyM

Well-Known Member
Jul 9, 2011
6,921
22,729
LB is the problem not gonna ger better than walker at spurs

He's not a high priority, just me suggesting players who could stand to be upgraded on.

And there's plenty of talented right backs about, hell I'd say the one we sold to fit Walker in was better.
 

Booney

Well-Known Member
Dec 2, 2004
2,837
3,481
Most defenders learn to cut out the errors as they mature and gain experience. He's still only young. I personally don't think he's that far off being one of the top young full-backs out there. Hope the management and fans show some faith in him as that can only help.
 

thinktank

Hmmm...
Sep 28, 2004
45,893
68,893
Needs proper serious competition asap. Naughton is not an option. Need a new RB that can push him enough to keep him level headed and concentrated.

We CANNOT have the kind of blunders and lapses of concentration that he has had in that position. He needs to focus on his zoning/positioning and needs to have better anticipation and not have to panic-react as much.

He gets caught on the wrong side of a player way too much; he watches the ball way too much.

I don't know if this guy has the right temperament to make it at the very top in that position.

He's just an ants-in-your-pants kind of character who seems to find it hard to focus, will be interesting to see if AVB can hone him more and refine his game and bring some finesse to it instead of seeing him have to scramble back all the time due to shite positioning.

Needs to work on his trade.

We need a proper back-up and would be surprised if Naughton isn't sold and someone brought in.
 

Misfit

President of The Niles Crane Fanclub
May 7, 2006
21,014
34,214
He's got another 2 yrs. I think he'll have his Road to Damascus moment in that time. He's a very serviceable RB in the meantime. If he doesn't get it together in the next couple of seasons though, he's in real danger of leaving the club, nevermind the spot. He's a young defender still and it can all suddenly click. If it does, we'll have a hell of a weapon (no giggling) on our hands. If not then the kind of lapses he is prone to can't be tolerated from a defender in his mid-20's.

I think he'll come good though. He's already made good progress. 3 seasons ago he was just a background face. He's had a difficult se3cond album with us as a starter but I kind of expected that. I think he'll push on next season. More experienced and hopefully as part of a settled back 5.
 

Knarf44

Well-Known Member
Jun 30, 2008
691
289
We already have a replacement on our books in Adam Smith. He may not have Walker's natural speed but I'd argue he's more intelligent going forward with better crossing and certainly no worse defensively.

Hope to him rotated regularly with Walker next season.
 

dagraham

Well-Known Member
Sep 20, 2005
19,115
46,080
Not his biggest fan but in fairness to him he has played alot better since his brain fart at Anfield.

I think his defending will improve with experience but my biggest problem with him is that he's poor going forward (other than being able to run fast in a straight line). In terms of productive, attacking full back play (good overlapping runs, consistent dangerous crosses into the box etc) and general footballing intelligence he's lacking IMO and i'm not certain that's something which experience will improve.

That being said, left back is more of a priority.
 

PeeEyeEmPee

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
1,925
3,125
I don't know whether the problem is lack of proper coaching with him or whether he's destined to be one of those full-backs (like Glen Johnson for example) that start brightly, think they've made it, and spend the rest of their career never really improving. either way, this season has concerned me, and there needs to be an improvement next season, or we'll need to look at moving him on in a year or two's time.
 

chrissivad

Staff
May 20, 2005
51,646
58,072
I dont think the high line has helped this season.

Both of our fullbacks like to get forward and create some width for us. Unfortunately this will cause huge gaps that the opposition can exploit.

While there has been some big errors from him this season, there is a lot of unjust criticism of him as well.
The CM's havent helped much either. When one of our fullbacks or even Jan make a run forward someone needs to drop back to cover. This doesnt always happen and we get out numbered on the attack.
 

jonnyp

Well-Known Member
Jun 11, 2006
7,149
9,628
I dont think the high line has helped this season.

Both of our fullbacks like to get forward and create some width for us. Unfortunately this will cause huge gaps that the opposition can exploit.

While there has been some big errors from him this season, there is a lot of unjust criticism of him as well.
The CM's havent helped much either. When one of our fullbacks or even Jan make a run forward someone needs to drop back to cover. This doesnt always happen and we get out numbered on the attack.

That's not been Walker's problem this season IMO. His problem has been his terrible passing and over-elaborating and losing possession in dangerous areas. If he just tries to keep it simple, he'll do well for us.
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
16,985
30,494
He's got better as the season has gone on.

Agree with Misfit and others, it will depend on his next season or 2. Also, like Lennon, I think he could do with some genuine competition
 

CowInAComa

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
7,293
18,237
he is as fast in the foot as he is slow in the brain. Straddles the fine line between genius and stupid.

That said, if AvB talks slowly and uses big bright sounding words I think he may grasp enough understanding of his tactical/positional requirements to be a diamond rightback.
 

Maske2g

SC Supporter
Feb 1, 2005
4,257
1,726
He's got better defensively since the Liverpool game. Attacking he is atrocious. Thick, ponderous, nervy, won't put a cross in, scared to run at players, gets in Lennons way because he won't make decisive runs off the ball, he will just drag a second defender into the Space and then be scared to go further.
 

freeeki

Arsehole.
Aug 5, 2008
11,836
69,426
I think young defenders in general are never going to be the best available - that said, they're worth the wait when they come good.

Remember Younes Kaboul? And Gareth Bale? Walker is, for me, far better than Kaboul was when he first joined us, and look at him now - when he's fit, he's the best defender we have by a mile.

Gareth obviously flourished slightly younger as he's less than a year older, but Kyle's still only 22. There are elements of his game which need improvement, sure, but given the right coaching and nurturing he could become a serious force within a year or two. Potentially the best English RB since Gary Neville.
 

rpate1

Active Member
Apr 4, 2005
164
115
He cost us top four with his back pass at Liverpool.
Just can not see him improving unless he gets some form of challenge for that spot.
 

thinktank

Hmmm...
Sep 28, 2004
45,893
68,893
Not his biggest fan but in fairness to him he has played alot better since his brain fart at Anfield.

I think his defending will improve with experience but my biggest problem with him is that he's poor going forward (other than being able to run fast in a straight line). In terms of productive, attacking full back play (good overlapping runs, consistent dangerous crosses into the box etc) and general footballing intelligence he's lacking IMO and i'm not certain that's something which experience will improve.

That being said, left back is more of a priority.

I actually think both LB/RB are hot issues for us. We've lost a lot of goals from lapses on both sides. Though Walker appears to be the more solid and competent of the two sides, it doesn't discount that his area of the field has been a weak spot on many occasions.

Think AVB really needs to address this next season and go balls-to-the-floor in honing his game, or he may just concede that Walker is just very fast and that's it.

I also don't buy this 'very young' business, the guy is an England international and been playing prem. football for 3 years now (If that's correct), he knows what's required, but I'm not sure if he'll ever have the composure required.

Hope he cracks this aspect of himself this season. If he does then he could be a RB Ashley Cole.

Maybe he'll benefit from playing next to Kaboul next season as well, as him and Dawson on that side is not a good option - liability corner.

he is as fast in the foot as he is slow in the brain. Straddles the fine line between genius and stupid.

That said, if AvB talks slowly and uses big bright sounding words I think he may grasp enough understanding of his tactical/positional requirements to be a diamond rightback.

Well said.
 

tobi

Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose
Jun 10, 2003
17,445
11,564
That's not been Walker's problem this season IMO. His problem has been his terrible passing and over-elaborating and losing possession in dangerous areas. If he just tries to keep it simple, he'll do well for us.

Also his decision making is poor and whenever an opposition player stands off him and baits him he looks confused and doesn't know how to get past him.
 

dagraham

Well-Known Member
Sep 20, 2005
19,115
46,080
I actually think both LB/RB are hot issues for us. We've lost a lot of goal form lapses on both sides. Though Walker appears to be the more solid and competent of the two sides, it doesn't discount that his area of the field has been a weak spot on many occasions.

Think AVB really needs to address this next season and go balls-to-the-floor in honing his game, orhe may just concede that Walker is just very fast and that's it.

I also don't buy this very young business, the guy is an England international and been playing prem. football for 3 years now (If that's correct), he knows what's required, but I'm not sure if he'll ever have the composure required.

Hope he cracks this aspect of himself this season. If he does then he could be a RB Ashley Cole.

Maybe he'll benefit from playing next to Kaboul next season as well, as him and Dawson on that side is not a good option - liability corner.



Well said.

I hear this said a lot but Ashely Cole was always quality going forward (although obviously a bit raw). Then he learnt how to defend and became the complete full back. I just don't see that attacking play in Walker, just a player running around like a headless chicken.
 
Top