Calve

[CopenhagenBlade]

How would those who saw Calve yesterday rate him on a level against the 2 Kyles?
Good to hear the reports on Britton and that Speed actually played him in his best position. (Why did KB never play players in their best positin and why when it is obvious that Speed can see these things did he not tell KB?)
Looking forward to a midfield 3 of Britton, Ertl & Williamson as it sounds as though we are missing the attacking aspect to our midfield.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

I thought he looked more 'Borbokis' than either of the Kyles. Good player.

 

[TheSwollengland]

I made the Borbokis call at the game too ,very similar

I was in Greece when we signed Borbokis and was told by a Greek that he was "like a Greek train,goes up the line really quickly but comes back down slowly" which turned out to be a pretty accurate description of Vas

Didnt really see enough of Calve to tell whether he can get up and down with equal pace but in looks and style he is definitely a Vas Borbokis and like Vas, Calve marked his debut with a steamer

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Just seen the goal. What a belter!

 

[Blade58]

Very comfortable on the ball. Skillful and a good crosser of the ball. Seems to have good awareness.

I have a little concern that his defenive capabilities are slightly lacking. Lightweight and yet to make a serious challange.

What a scorcher of a goal. Apparantly, his first in top flight football at the tender age of 26

He gave warning of his intention with the other screamer that went over the bar and I said at the time (to myself as friends had bogged off for the weekend ) "just lean forward another 6" and the next one will be under the bar. He has a cracking shot on him I'll give him that and I'm astonished he's never found the net before yesteday.

 

[marko1889]

first ever goal.. keep them coming kid lol UTB

 

[lenners]

He was steady, offered little in terms of a real threat going forward until his goal and looks a bit lightweight as a defender.
Not in the same class as either Walker or Naughton.

 

[shreds1975]

He was steady, offered little in terms of a real threat going forward until his goal and looks a bit lightweight as a defender.
Not in the same class as either Walker or Naughton.

Different type of full back to Naughton or Walker Len. As stated earlier, more a Borbokis than an athletic Kyle.

He did get forward quite a bit in first half, putting several crosses in from outside 18 yard box. Interesting that he often came inside on to his left foot to do it.

Were you actually there Len?

 

[shorehamview]

He was steady, offered little in terms of a real threat going forward until his goal and looks a bit lightweight as a defender.
Not in the same class as either Walker or Naughton.

After all of 74 minutes it's a bit premature to say whether he'll match or exceed Walker or Naughton. Still, let's jump to as many conclusions as we can. Bugger giving him time.

 

[lenners]

Different type of full back to Naughton or Walker Len. As stated earlier, more a Borbokis than an athletic Kyle.

He did get forward quite a bit in first half, putting several crosses in from outside 18 yard box. Interesting that he often came inside on to his left foot to do it.

Were you actually there Len?

Yup and he put in a steady performance.
It's obvious to me that we've become such a poor side than fans now think anyone who can do the basics is verging on being a worldbeater.
He's a 26-year-old player, with a career drifting nowhere who finds himself on loan with a very average Championship side.
If he turns out to be a player who's worthy of more, great.
But nothing yesterday (beyond a freakish strike) or in his career record suggests it.

 

[DazBlade88]

After all of 74 minutes it's a bit premature to say whether he'll match or exceed Walker or Naughton. Still, let's jump to as many conclusions as we can. Bugger giving him time.

Not to mention the fact that this league is a completely new experience for him, and isn't really settled in England yet.

I think he looks a good player, his technical ability is better than alot of our players and I can see him getting better and better as he adapts to life in England.

 

[Deadbat]

I actually am with Len on this one. I felt Calve had a very ordinary game up to the goal.

Defensively he looked a bit frail and looked weak in the challenge. He looks a but lightweight for the Championship. He also gave the ball away more than most and seemed one of the few who went long all too quickly.

What I did like is he tried to get forward but most of his crosses unfortunately sailed behind or over the bar (at least 5 or 6) but it was good to see a full back advance and try to support the attack.

I need to see a lot more of him before I can make a proper opinion.

I felt Jordan had an excellent game and was our best defender. I was surprised by this as I had not been convinced by him when he played for City and Burnley but he showed a lot of attributes I did not think he possessed (height, strength and decent on the ball whislt always keeping to a solid position). Maybe after seeing Taylor for so long just seeing something that resembled a proper full back has me more pleased than I should have been!

 

[shorehamview]

I actually am with Len on this one. I felt Calve had a very ordinary game up to the goal.

He wasn't fantastic, he wasn't terrible. He played quite well, and may well get better.

I need to see a lot more of him before I can make a proper opinion.

Not with lenners all the way then - he saw in 74 minutes what would take the rest of the world quite a bit more. No wonder McCabe consults with him on everything football related. He foresees everything. I bet he could pick next week's lottery numbers, as he's foreseen everything else.

Jordan had an excellent game and was our best defender. I was surprised by this as I had not been convinced by him when he played for City and Burnley but he showed a lot of attributes I did not think he possessed (height, strength and decent on the ball whislt always keeping to a solid position). Maybe after seeing Taylor for so long just seeing something that resembled a proper full back has me more pleased than I should have been!

He's not Andy Taylor, which is the biggest bonus. Taylor was signed on a similar premise to Ward - one for the future perhaps, and hoping that they would be able to step up a division. Ward has, Taylor hasn't.

 

[SteelCity Blade]

Totally unfair to judge him after one game. It was his first competitive game in English football and he played quite well. Got forward whenever an opportunity arose and had reasonably good delivery on his crosses. His goal was fantastic.

Give the lad time to bed in and get up to speed with his match sharpness. Looks a good player and very tidy on the ball. If we insist on going 4-3-3, then he might be a very useful player to have at full back. Stephen Jordan looked very competent as well.

 

[moDtheGod]

Apparantly, his first in top flight football at the tender age of 26

Have I missed something?

 

[yorkshirecoast]

He was steady, offered little in terms of a real threat going forward until his goal and looks a bit lightweight as a defender.
Not in the same class as either Walker or Naughton.

I thought Calve was one of the plus points yesterday. It was great to see someone comfortable on the ball. He also got forward well and put several decent crosses in (unfortunately our forwards - who were poor all game - didn't make anything of them). I don't think he was tested too much defensively but he looked solid when called upon. A very promising debut.

 

[Blade58]

Yup and he put in a steady performance.
It's obvious to me that we've become such a poor side than fans now think anyone who can do the basics is verging on being a worldbeater.
He's a 26-year-old player, with a career drifting nowhere who finds himself on loan with a very average Championship side.
If he turns out to be a player who's worthy of more, great.
But nothing yesterday (beyond a freakish strike) or in his career record suggests it.

He has a little bit more to his game than just being able to do the basics, imo at least lenners.

Yes, as I said above, he lacks strength and good anticipation in his defensive duties, but if he had everything, he'd be playing in the prem and not the NPower league

As for his crossing ablity, he can certainly cross a ball, just over hit a few. Line and length will come with games. He may have been a bit ring rusty, as he's not played first team footy for quite a while, as his cramp probably confirmed.

All in all, if we are to be a "footballing side" then he will be an asset imho.

Jordan for me was the sronger defender and in both the two full backs that played, I think we are moving in the right direction.

Right, anyone know where we can get hold of a good finisher? Perhaps someone who doesn't hide, who is prepared to give options to the player on the ball and who is prepared to work his socks off for the good of the team and defend (properly) from the front?

Are you listening Ched? (reading)

 

[DazBlade88]

He has a little bit more to his game than just being able to do the basics, imo at least lenners.

Yes, as I said above, he lacks strength and good anticipation in his defensive duties, but if he had everything, he'd be playing in the prem and not the NPower league

As for his crossing ablity, he can certainly cross a ball, just over hit a few. Line and length will come with games. He may have been a bit ring rusty, as he's not played first team footy for quite a while, as his cramp probably confirmed.

All in all, if we are to be a "footballing side" then he will be an asset imho.

Jordan for me was the sronger defender and in both the two full backs that played, I think we are moving in the right direction.

Right, anyone know where we can get hold of a good finisher? Perhaps someone who doesn't hide, who is prepared to give options to the player on the ball and who is prepared to work his socks off for the good of the team and defend (properly) from the front?

Are you listening Ched? (reading)

Agree with everything up to the last two paragraphs there.

What difference does a finisher make if he doesn't get the service? We need somebody who can create chances first. If he gets them, he'll start scoring. And in fairness to Evans he was the main option most of time out of the front 3 yesterday IMO. Was always looking to get involved and bring others into play. I thought he was better than Ward and Creswell, that's for certain.

Also, if we get a striker who can do all the things you mentioned we need to find about £10m from somewhere I think

 

[Elsecar_Blade]

It was refreshing to see two full backs with half an ounce of footballing ability. Having watched Taylor, Stewart, Nos and A.N.Other playing the full back roles for most of last season, the idea that we can have a footballer on both sides was a nice change. We've not seen it since the half season of Naughton and Naysmith and like is being said, there's a distinct difference in the styles.

Calve looks to get forward, has a good touch and has the ability to cross well. Yeah, he over-cooked a couple - give him time though, he'll be rusty - but there were a couple of beauties that needed more men in the box as well. His goal was special and he was steady defensively but PNE didn't give him much of a test. It'll be interesting to see how he goes when up against a proper left winger.

The goal made Calve stand out but I do think that Jordan was the better of the two. How nice to see a taller full back as well that can compete in the air. Good first touch, composed and again gets forward well.

They wouldn't suit a Blackwell hoof side but - given time for United's improvement in play to keep coming - will suit Speed's side. If we are to be patient and keep the ball, you need a back four who can do that first to build on.

 

[blades1889]

i think we do need to sign him up before someone else snatches him up