Antolin Alcaraz

[L4Everton]

Couldn't find fault again today, squad game, great. Calm and composed on the ball and that counts for loads. Wouldn't want to play him three times a week (but that goes for Jagielka and Distin tbf) we'll be grateful that we have players that can step in and cover injuries and suspensions and hell, lets say it, midweek games involving travelling. We are unlikely to get 3 sets of 90 minutes weekly from the likes of Alco Osman and Eto'o, but having them available grants the manager some margin to work with. Imagine being forced to play the same eleven like in the bad old bad old days. Few sides can keep a first choice international eleven benched to cover their first team, so we have to be pragmatic.

(A lot of my concern stems from the derby last year, but with the injured players that started that game, its entirely possible he like they were thrown in goosed and were setup to fail).

Having so many internationals around Stones is a great thing, it'd be great to get another long term cb accuisition in and have them slowly step up to being first choice cb pairing. Looking around the league it seems almost every side is looking for a cb or three.

 

[bluestevon]

Yep. He'd be annihilated by a striker with great mobility.

We need a cb, but I have no faith in Everton coughing up for one in January.

Same mate, test city for a loan of nastatic, blood browning in eufa if we qualify for the knockouts early, even the young lad from chelsea who started against the rs - have to send atsu back for that though, just need one more to go with jags and stobes when fit again

 

[daz4matty]

You cannot rely on anton with his injury record but looked ok after a shaky start yesterday

 

[Ashtonluke]

He did well second half after some shaky moments in the first. He is decent on the ball, much better than Distan. Whilst Stones is out, I would have no problem with him and Jags being first choice pairing. Distan looks to have a lost a bit of physical side of his game this year and he is very average with the ball.

 

[davids]

More than a few posters seem to be overlooking the strange attempt at a clearance early in the second half, that a better striker than Jutkiewicz would have punished us for with maybe a game changing effect?

 

[EverBlue86]

More than a few posters seem to be overlooking the strange attempt at a clearance early in the second half, that a better striker than Jutkiewicz would have punished us for with maybe a game changing effect?

Well said, against swansea and west ham I think we need to play distin as much as hate to say it, that sakho looks a beast in the air as is bony I don't fancy alcaraz against either

 

[BNJ1878]

Couldn't find fault again today, squad game, great. Calm and composed on the ball and that counts for loads. Wouldn't want to play him three times a week (but that goes for Jagielka and Distin tbf) we'll be grateful that we have players that can step in and cover injuries and suspensions and hell, lets say it, midweek games involving travelling. We are unlikely to get 3 sets of 90 minutes weekly from the likes of Alco Osman and Eto'o, but having them available grants the manager some margin to work with. Imagine being forced to play the same eleven like in the bad old bad old days. Few sides can keep a first choice international eleven benched to cover their first team, so we have to be pragmatic.

(A lot of my concern stems from the derby last year, but with the injured players that started that game, its entirely possible he like they were thrown in goosed and were setup to fail).

Having so many internationals around Stones is a great thing, it'd be great to get another long term cb accuisition in and have them slowly step up to being first choice cb pairing. Looking around the league it seems almost every side is looking for a cb or three.

It's funny, Stones brings the ball out from the back and many posters here get a semi on. Alcaraz does it he's an 'accident waiting to happen.'

He's the closest in style of play to Stones of our senior Centre Backs and I'm delighted he's in and around the squad.

 

[daz4matty]

Well said, against swansea and west ham I think we need to play distin as much as hate to say it, that sakho looks a beast in the air as is bony I don't fancy alcaraz against either

I agree and it puts jags back to the right side of the pairing.

 

[sageyefc]

Well said, against swansea and west ham I think we need to play distin as much as hate to say it, that sakho looks a beast in the air as is bony I don't fancy alcaraz against either

Id be inclined to agree with you usually but this season distin has even looked crap physically , quite a few times he misses headers, gets his jumps wrong.

Swansea at home we'll be alright with jags and alcaraz against bony, against west ham as they play two maybe bring distin in then for the game

 

[MikeH72]

Well said, against swansea and west ham I think we need to play distin as much as hate to say it, that sakho looks a beast in the air as is bony I don't fancy alcaraz against either

But Distin is absolute hoop in the air

 

[AaronTheBlue]

so people are wanting distin back.. who has been apart of the defence that condeded 16 goals, instead of alcaraz who has conceded one, because they're nervous about a mistake that hasn't happened yet.

Right, okay.

Nah i think i'm happy with a winning team / defence. Keep it up Antolin.

As for 'better strikers' err, distin gets done by nearly every striker with decent pace / turning circle. Suarez is prime example.

And i don't know if anyones notices, Distins pace = gone.

We need at least one 'passer' at cb and Alcaraz is that, him and Jags do well together and will improve as a 'team' with matches.

 

[Steve Wigan]

More than a few posters seem to be overlooking the strange attempt at a clearance early in the second half, that a better striker than Jutkiewicz would have punished us for with maybe a game changing effect?

Just one poster, namely you, seems to be overlooking the horrible swirling wind on Sunday, which made judging a high ball very very difficult, particularly for a player who has played very little football for more than 12 months.

 

[MikeH72]

so people are wanting distin back.. who has been apart of the defence that condeded 16 goals, instead of alcaraz who has conceded one, because they're nervous about a mistake that hasn't happened yet.

Right, okay.

Nah i think i'm happy with a winning team / defence. Keep it up Antolin.

As for 'better strikers' err, distin gets done by nearly every striker with decent pace / turning circle. Suarez is prime example.

And i don't know if anyones notices, Distins pace = gone.

We need at least one 'passer' at cb and Alcaraz is that, him and Jags do well together and will improve as a 'team' with matches.

*Stands and applauds*

 

[davids]

Just one poster, namely you, seems to be overlooking the horrible swirling wind on Sunday, which made judging a high ball very very difficult, particularly for a player who has played very little football for more than 12 months.

Everblue seems to have as well.I also didn't miss how easily Hutton muscled him off the ball last week either,but him or Distan as a choice doesn't fill me with confidence.Get well soon John Stones.

 

[streeky]

I agree and it puts jags back to the right side of the pairing.

Distan is a car crash at the minute, The manager knows what he is doing ,and moving jags to left side so alcaraz can play his favoured right side is great management again. leave as is until stonsey gets back.