Only Basham...

[Stretch]

I think he's been great - he's my wife's favourite player as well because of the sheer effort and determination he puts in. He's also very versatile and can do a job just about anywhere on the park.

For all this though I have to say I think he's probably one of the least technically able players in the squad and there are times when he does absolutely brainless things with the ball. I think he is potentially the weakest link in that side, despite making a huge contribution to it over the years, and I think he will be one of the ones who will be phased out/replaced next season with someone of a far higher standard. But hopefully he'll remain at the club and be extremely valuable as back-up.

He has an ungainly look about him, but I think this is misleading, and actually disguises a much better technique than he gets credit for. We've certainly seen a few 'tekkers' from him over the years. I think his gait wrongfoots opposition players occasionally too, as he seems to get the better of many of them, especially going forward. He isn't quick, so a lot of this must be down to skill and quick thinking

He does have a mistake in him, but personally I think these have become fewer over time.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

He has an ungainly look about him, but I think this is misleading, and actually disguises a much better technique than he gets credit for. We've certainly seen a few 'tekkers' from him over the years. I think his gait wrongfoots opposition players occasionally too, as he seems to get the better of many of them, especially going forward. He isn't quick, so a lot of this must be down to skill and quick thinking

He does have a mistake in him, but personally I think these have become fewer over time.

Fair points although he is quick isn’t he? I thought he was the fastest or one of the fastest players at sprinting?

 

[Speedracer]

For all this though I have to say I think he's probably one of the least technically able players in the squad

I know you have already answered one posters reply to the above comment, but you just cannot do the things Bash does without technique. For example, look at golfer Jim Furik's swing, it is awful to watch & is assembled from different movements rather than the more natural all in one swing, but the point is that when he gets the club head to the ball it is in exactly the right position. Same with Bash, his movements look odd at times but that is just his body mechanics getting into the right position, & when they do his technique is great.

 

[Stretch]

Fair points although he is quick isn’t he? I thought he was the fastest or one of the fastest players at sprinting?

Hmmm, you might have got me there...? I remember him being very high on those stat charts that were knocking around, but thought his were more stamina related. Probably wrong though.

 

[Bladesman]

 

[Mumbo]

I think he's been great - he's my wife's favourite player as well because of the sheer effort and determination he puts in. He's also very versatile and can do a job just about anywhere on the park.

For all this though I have to say I think he's probably one of the least technically able players in the squad and there are times when he does absolutely brainless things with the ball. I think he is potentially the weakest link in that side, despite making a huge contribution to it over the years, and I think he will be one of the ones who will be phased out/replaced next season with someone of a far higher standard. But hopefully he'll remain at the club and be extremely valuable as back-up.

The Basham I’ve been watching is capable of great technique.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

The Basham I’ve been watching is capable of great technique.

On occasions, absolutely! But I think he admits himself that he's not the most technically gifted player, I admire that about him actually, he knows his strengths and he makes the most of them.

When he scored that winner at Leeds last season it came after a similar but more woeful effort in the first half. I remember the interview with him after the match and he said he was disappointed with his first effort, but he found himself through on goal with a shooting chance and I think his words were something like, 'the lads were saying to me why didn't you just have a shot?' and he said, 'that's not really what I do', but when a chance game again in the second half he just hit it and it went in the bottom corner! He sort of stumbled and hit it, but the rest is history as they say!

Put it this way, if we had a player clean through on goal with the ball at his feet, I'd prefer it not to be Bash, but that's taking nothing away from what he gives to the team.

 

[Houston_Blade]

I know you have already answered one posters reply to the above comment, but you just cannot do the things Bash does without technique. For example, look at golfer Jim Furik's swing, it is awful to watch & is assembled from different movements rather than the more natural all in one swing, but the point is that when he gets the club head to the ball it is in exactly the right position. Same with Bash, his movements look odd at times but that is just his body mechanics getting into the right position, & when they do his technique is great.

He’s like a white Paulo Wanchope playing in defence.

 

[Houston_Blade]

On occasions, absolutely! But I think he admits himself that he's not the most technically gifted player, I admire that about him actually, he knows his strengths and he makes the most of them.

When he scored that winner at Leeds last season it came after a similar but more woeful effort in the first half. I remember the interview with him after the match and he said he was disappointed with his first effort, but he found himself through on goal with a shooting chance and I think his words were something like, 'the lads were saying to me why didn't you just have a shot?' and he said, 'that's not really what I do', but when a chance game again in the second half he just hit it and it went in the bottom corner! He sort of stumbled and hit it, but the rest is history as they say!

Put it this way, if we had a player clean through on goal with the ball at his feet, I'd prefer it not to be Bash, but that's taking nothing away from what he gives to the team.

He can pass a ball, he can time a tackle, he can win headers, he can cross a ball, he can take players on, he’s set a goal up with a back heel and scored from the edge of the box. What more ‘technical’ attributes does a centre half need?!

Would a Brazilian nationality, Sideshow Bob style perm and a gait like a waddling duck make him more technically gifted? If so I prefer him as he is.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

He can pass a ball, he can time a tackle, he can win headers, he can cross a ball, he can take players on, he’s set a goal up with a back heel and scored from the edge of the box. What more ‘technical’ attributes does a centre half need?!

Would a Brazilian nationality, Sideshow Bob style perm and a gait like a waddling duck make him more technically gifted? If so I prefer him as he is.

No one is doubting any of that. The comparison is versus the rest of the squad, not versus other centre half's. I much prefer him to the alternative you describe!

 

[Houston_Blade]

No one is doubting any of that. The comparison is versus the rest of the squad, not versus other centre half's. I much prefer him to the alternative you describe!

Yep, I bet Liverpool fans moan about VVD not being as technically gifted as Firmino and Salah all the time

 

[mancunianblade]

Read/heard a few comments from players indicating Bash is the fittest in the squad.