2025/26 James Tarkowski

[GoldenToffee]

Seems to get bullied an awful lot at set pieces this season.

 

[Clarky cat]

Annoying how often he hoofs it long when he's got options close to him, surrenders possession.

I wish he’d have hoofed it long instead of playing a ridiculous hospital ball to Tim for the first goal

 

[arch stanton]

along with most others, had a 'mare today

 

[Tennessee Blue Mike]

Gifted first goal sadly.

 

[Lanolin]

He’s just not that good. Absolutely fine for a bog standard team like we have been but ultimately he’s a very very average centre half and he always has been. It’s not even a criticism, he’s done the job we needed from him but that’s all he can do.

 

[dannyboy]

He’s just not that good. Absolutely fine for a bog standard team like we have been but ultimately he’s a very very average centre half and he always has been. It’s not even a criticism, he’s done the job we needed from him but that’s all he can do.

Good at defending the 18 yard box. He's made a whole career out of it. Finds it so difficult when the team plays more on the front foot and he hasn't got the protection from the midfield.

Always an accident waiting to happen with the ball at his feet too. His passing into midfield is terrible and it shows in games like today.

 

[Verbal Kint]

Keane has, in the mainstay, been good this season and definitely the stronger of the two, so I will give him the benefit of the doubt about today.

On the other hand, Tarkowski doesn't have much or any in the bank because he's been below par all season. He doesn't have the legs for it...

... with O'Brien or Branthwaite making up for it.

Keane has been better than him this season. Don't care what the stats say.

 

[MACCA75]

Needs to concentrate on keeping a clean sheet rather than starting a fight with someone.

 

[Rita_Poon]

shocking clearance that for their first. Bad!

 

[Carlito]

What's going on with him this season? More crap games than good. Not like him at all. Was the worst of the lot of them today too. He's been brilliant for us, but he's not earning his place lately.

I think it's as simple as that he's a relegation battler to his core.

The more we try to move away from nonstop desperate defending, the more exposed he'll be.

 

[davids]

Good at defending the 18 yard box. He's made a whole career out of it. Finds it so difficult when the team plays more on the front foot and he hasn't got the protection from the midfield.

Always an accident waiting to happen with the ball at his feet too. His passing into midfield is terrible and it shows in games like today.

Brilliant against Forest dire yesterday. Maybe Moyse might work out that with our back four taking into account their limitations playing the system we employed against Forest home as well as away is the sensible option?

 

[dannyboy]

Brilliant against Forest dire yesterday. Maybe Moyse might work out that with our back four taking into account their limitations playing the system we employed against Forest home as well as away is the sensible option?

Was the system that different or did we just get an early goal which changed the complexion of the game?

 

[davids]

Was the system that different or did we just get an early goal which changed the complexion of the game?

Think it's that the back four Moyse prefers is more suited to playing deeper. Once they are asked to play on the front foot they tend to flounder. Most of our better performances since Moyse returned have been away from home.

 

[kenada_blue]

Seems to get bullied an awful lot at set pieces this season.

Think the whole team is at set pieces. Definitely how they've been set up/coached on them because under Dyche the same players were solid

 

[Rita_Poon]

shocking clearance that for their first. Bad!

I want to correct this, it was not a clearance, it was a very tame pass towards a player that didn't want it that was swamped with their players surrounding him. It took JT out of position and their winger couldn't pounce with a thanks very much wicked ball fast enough. Was a very good cross, there was no stopping it besides not gifting possession away so soft in the first place.
This league punishes poor decisions. This was a very poor decision.

When in doubt, put it in the Mersey. A bit of this attitude would have helped applied to a few of their players as well. Time to wake up and smell the coffee.