Ashley Williams

[BlueToff]

For one I'm talking about Williams, other peoples mistakes had zero impact on him in that instance.

As for your other point its a game of opinions. Mine is he's a very average stopper and that's it. It's reflected in his career, there's a reason he was at Swansea and never made the jump. Not good enough and we should be aiming much higher.

He's been good for us this season. He's come into one of the league's leakiest defences and helped it become the joint-fifth best.

He's made mistakes. I'm not saying he hasn't.

But there's some utterly ridiculous comments going on in here.

 

[BlueToff]

What the hell has been going on in this thread? Williams was a waste of money? The kneejerking is strong here.

It's weird

 

[MickA]

He's been good for us this season. He's come into one of the league's leakiest defences and helped it become the joint-fifth best.

He's made mistakes. I'm not saying he hasn't.

But there's some utterly ridiculous comments going on in here.

Well I think we can agree on the comments bit, people tend to go to extremes!

 

[dannyboy]

He's been good for us this season. He's come into one of the league's leakiest defences and helped it become the joint-fifth best.

He's made mistakes. I'm not saying he hasn't.

But there's some utterly ridiculous comments going on in here.

I just expected so much more because he was always a cut above for Swansea. Given his age this is probably as good as it gets and it's been bang average.

Maybe I was spoiled by the Jagielka and Lescott partnership but that's the standard I go with for centre halves and he's not in that class.

 

[BlueToff]

I just expected so much more because he was always a cut above for Swansea. Given his age this is probably as good as it gets and it's been bang average.

Maybe I was spoiled by the Jagielka and Lescott partnership but that's the standard I go with for centre halves and he's not in that class.

I think he's looked his best in back three with Holgate (the ball-playing CB) one side and Mori (a bit hap-hazard, but steady enough once he's settled into games) the other.

Ultimately we won't be able to see that again.

Him and Jags don't compliment each other because they both lack any pace or ability on the ball.

I just think the over-reactions in here are stupid though.

 

[dannyboy]

I think he's looked his best in back three with Holgate (the ball-playing CB) one side and Mori (a bit hap-hazard, but steady enough once he's settled into games) the other.

Ultimately we won't be able to see that again.

Him and Jags don't compliment each other because they both lack any pace or ability on the ball.

I just think the over-reactions in here are stupid though.

I think it's just frustration after losing a derby and together with the fact he hasn't been excellent. If a new signing isn't a revelation then they're an easy target.

I'm guilty of it myself, I just thought he'd be much better than he is and have been left disappointed.

 

[longers]

What the hell has been going on in this thread? Williams was a waste of money? The kneejerking is strong here.

He's been pretty bad at times this season to be fair, certainly has never looked like he did at times during Swansea.

Would definitely class it as a bit of a meh transfer so far.

 

[MickA]

A stopgap defender to fill the gap when Stones left but not been up to the job unfortunately.

I think people need to remember that. Koulibaly was dragging on and Stones left quite late.

I'm sure summer will see us get 2 or maybe 3 CBs for the longer term.

 

[BigDuncis Blue]

He's been pretty bad at times this season to be fair, certainly has never looked like he did at times during Swansea.

Would definitely class it as a bit of a meh transfer so far.

Correct. It is baffling how some Blues see him as any better than just below average. We need much better

 

[Lanolin]

He's been good for us this season. He's come into one of the league's leakiest defences and helped it become the joint-fifth best.

He's made mistakes. I'm not saying he hasn't.

But there's some utterly ridiculous comments going on in here.

I don't disagree with you about overreactions but I think our defensive improvement has been much more to do with better tactics and midfield performances than anything to do with Williams.

He's looked exactly as I expected him to before we signed him. Decent but well short of top quality. Anyone who'd seen him play for Swansea should have known what we were getting but for some reason some people seemed convinced he was one of the best in the league. Laughable really.

 

[maccavennie]

I think he's looked his best in back three with Holgate (the ball-playing CB) one side and Mori (a bit hap-hazard, but steady enough once he's settled into games) the other.

Ultimately we won't be able to see that again.

Him and Jags don't compliment each other because they both lack any pace or ability on the ball.

I just think the over-reactions in here are stupid though.

not wrong there BT, there is no chemistry between Jags and Williams for whatever reason which I've been surprised about.

 

[BlueToff]

I don't disagree with you about overreactions but I think our defensive improvement has been much more to do with better tactics and midfield performances than anything to do with Williams.

He's looked exactly as I expected him to before we signed him. Decent but well short of top quality. Anyone who'd seen him play for Swansea should have known what we were getting but for some reason some people seemed convinced he was one of the best in the league. Laughable really.

I think the same, though he has helped.

Yep, he's a good defender and organiser. He's made mistakes but tbh I don't think he's been helped at times by the players around him.

And that's not a dig at the manager or the other players, it's just we don't really have the player in the squad who would compliment Williams in an ideal world. Ironically enough, the player Williams replaced was probably just that.

I think you add in Keane to our squad and Williams suddenly has a partner who he can play with perfectly in a 2 or a 3 at the back, without having to worry about Holgate's inexperience, Jags' lack of pace/energy and Funes' all-round clumsiness.

That being said, I do think we need to be looking at bringing in two CBs this summer, and having the option to rotate three quality options.

In an ideal world, VVD, Keane and Virjil would be nice... But we can dream...

 

[TrixyStevens]

That's utter horse manure though. Simple as that really.

More than likely he will be replaced in the summer with no comeback on the 12million the club spent on him.

 

[BlueToff]

not wrong there BT, there is no chemistry between Jags and Williams for whatever reason which I've been surprised about.

Think it's just that they're both lacking in the same areas mate.

Neither are great on the ball. Jags has now lost his pace which means we naturally have to sit deeper etc.

When we've got Schneiderlin there, it doesn't matter as much, as he can drop back in and pick up the ball and start our attacks.

Without him we're very one-dimensional IMO when playing out from the back.

Holgate changes that when he's played in a three, but due to the injuries that plan has kind of being scuppered as well now.

 

[BlueToff]

More than likely he will be replaced in the summer with no comeback on the 12million the club spent on him.

Why are you arsed?

12mil is nothing relatively speaking.

He's done well for us. He won't be replaced.

He'll be used as part of a squad, rotated through the games we have (which should be an awful lot if we finish seventh).