I am trying not to worry about these things until they happen. I would imagine all scenarios are being played out amongst the management team to replace any of the loans that get a recall. You never know West Brom might decide to try and get a 'quality' loan from the Prem or a Championship experienced defender to shore up their defence rather than call a player back from League 1?
I agree tbh. A very solid player and I would want to keep him if possible... but he's not irreplaceable. Also Taffazoli will be hopefully fit and raring to get his place back.
I am not worried either - we could be down to a starting XI of Ravs, Grimmer, Low, Taffs, Leahy, Scowen, Butcher, Bakinson, Sadlier, Gmac and Kone...and that would be almost the exact team (minus Bakinson) who finished last season so strongly!
I couldn’t disagree more. Caleb Taylor has transformed our defence. He’s played nine matches, we’ve won eight and drawn one of them.
There’s a marked difference between our performances in the games played before his arrival and afterwards.
He has a calming presence and has helped lift the performances of those around him, most notably Dan Harvie and Joe Low.
He’s also a real threat at attacking set-pieces (although let’s just forget the sitter he missed at Barnsley!)
I’m really surprised how many are willing to place their faith in Ryan Tafazolli. His ability is irrelevant because his fitness record is appalling and he can’t be relied upon.
I really hope we have a suitable replacement lined up for January.
Taff is not a like for like with Taylor. Slower, less athletic, older, much more injury prone. Possibly reads the game as well and has whiter teeth but that’s about it.
I think Taylor is a good player and an excellent compliment to Joe Low and I will be sad to see him go...but let's not all bow our heads for the loss of a player who hasn't left just yet.
We have conceded 7 goals in Taylor's 7 league games, which is exactly a goal per game. We conceded 8 goals in Taff's last 7 league games at the end of 23/24 - 4 coming in one game (2-4 home to Barnsley) where Ravs could have done much better, so not all on the defence.
Obviously a lot of other variables, but the idea that Taff is any kind of significant step down from Taylor is simply not true. Taylor is great, and "the shiny new thing" but Taff is a rock - when healthy.
Nar I'm not having it. Taylor is solid like I said... but our defence has still looked skakey.... yes we score.... but yes we concede.
For me Taff's in an excellent CB. I don't believe Taylor has helped or hindered us any more than Taffs if he starts in his place. That's just my opinion though 🤷
Also, I would not think for a minute that the club don't have replacements lined up already for any of our loanees. If we were to make an effort to keep any of them, I'd like Morley to stay. I think he is absolutely key in what we do.
Let’s not forget Skura, an excellent prospect who already looks very comfortable in our back four, plus Hartridge who has improved after a difficult start. We are pretty well stocked in defence as indeed in other areas of the squad.
Another positive is that we are surely garnering a reputation for excellent development of loanees. Potts, Kodua, Phillips, Dale Taylor, Caleb Taylor, Humphreys and Morley (I am probably forgetting others) have all been given significant opportunities by us within the past season and a half.
Considering how many loanees struggle to break into the first team regularly at other clubs, having that reputation could really help us if we really do need a bit of a reload in January.
Sorry @Shev but Taff is as brittle as a stick of Blackpool Rock.
Sorry @glasshalfempty Hartridge had a mere on Saturday - their first goal his fault, was nutmegged right in front of me in the second half, desperately slowed distribution down throughout. Fifth best at best. But agreed re Skura a real prospect.
He’s better than average. Way better. But he’s currently not as good as Low, not as good as a fit Taffazoli, and is not in the same league as Nige. And with Skura in the wings I’m happy with that position. And I also think WBA will want more than a rookie to solve their issues.
Not sure where I denied Taff is injury prone? I was simply pointing out he is every bit as good as Taylor as a defender.
As far as the injuries, Forino was/is every bit as injury prone, and yet many on here were desperate to keep him. So clearly being injury prone did not affect the common appreciation of his talents. For some reason Taff has become a bad defender because he is injury prone.
Low and Taylor have formed a great partnership because they gobble up most long balls and crosses. But they are also athletic enough to hold a relatively high line and back themselves not to be beaten by a ball in behind. I'm not sure Taf is able to do that quite as well.
Taylor has also been brilliant at stepping out of defence with the ball and breaking the first line when teams sit back.
All these features have been a big part of allowing us to perform to such a high level.
Comments
I think it’s fair to say January 2025 has the potential to be rather painful.
I don’t think Taylor is irreplaceable to be honest. He’s been OK but certainly not much better than that.
Longwijk (spelling?) was on another level
I am trying not to worry about these things until they happen. I would imagine all scenarios are being played out amongst the management team to replace any of the loans that get a recall. You never know West Brom might decide to try and get a 'quality' loan from the Prem or a Championship experienced defender to shore up their defence rather than call a player back from League 1?
I agree tbh. A very solid player and I would want to keep him if possible... but he's not irreplaceable. Also Taffazoli will be hopefully fit and raring to get his place back.
I am not worried either - we could be down to a starting XI of Ravs, Grimmer, Low, Taffs, Leahy, Scowen, Butcher, Bakinson, Sadlier, Gmac and Kone...and that would be almost the exact team (minus Bakinson) who finished last season so strongly!
The amount of goals that we are shipping suggests that the defence could be improved.
Or rather delightful!
I couldn’t disagree more. Caleb Taylor has transformed our defence. He’s played nine matches, we’ve won eight and drawn one of them.
There’s a marked difference between our performances in the games played before his arrival and afterwards.
He has a calming presence and has helped lift the performances of those around him, most notably Dan Harvie and Joe Low.
He’s also a real threat at attacking set-pieces (although let’s just forget the sitter he missed at Barnsley!)
I’m really surprised how many are willing to place their faith in Ryan Tafazolli. His ability is irrelevant because his fitness record is appalling and he can’t be relied upon.
I really hope we have a suitable replacement lined up for January.
Taff is not a like for like with Taylor. Slower, less athletic, older, much more injury prone. Possibly reads the game as well and has whiter teeth but that’s about it.
I think Taylor is a good player and an excellent compliment to Joe Low and I will be sad to see him go...but let's not all bow our heads for the loss of a player who hasn't left just yet.
We have conceded 7 goals in Taylor's 7 league games, which is exactly a goal per game. We conceded 8 goals in Taff's last 7 league games at the end of 23/24 - 4 coming in one game (2-4 home to Barnsley) where Ravs could have done much better, so not all on the defence.
Obviously a lot of other variables, but the idea that Taff is any kind of significant step down from Taylor is simply not true. Taylor is great, and "the shiny new thing" but Taff is a rock - when healthy.
He’s an excellent player. He’s not ready for the Championship. WBA would be better off signing Joe Low, he’s much better.
He's considerably more brittle than a rock.
I'm sorry, but the 'if,' in 'Taff will be a great replacement if he stays fit,' is doing an awful lot of work.
I’m sure we have replacements lined up in January in the event of players being recalled.
I expect us to strengthen and not weaken in January.
Always the risk with quality loanees but let's enjoy him for 2months for now.
Nar I'm not having it. Taylor is solid like I said... but our defence has still looked skakey.... yes we score.... but yes we concede.
For me Taff's in an excellent CB. I don't believe Taylor has helped or hindered us any more than Taffs if he starts in his place. That's just my opinion though 🤷
Agree with @Shev
I think a fit Taff gets into most League One sidesm and some Championship sides. Fit being the key word
Also, I would not think for a minute that the club don't have replacements lined up already for any of our loanees. If we were to make an effort to keep any of them, I'd like Morley to stay. I think he is absolutely key in what we do.
Agree 💯 with all of your comments
Let’s not forget Skura, an excellent prospect who already looks very comfortable in our back four, plus Hartridge who has improved after a difficult start. We are pretty well stocked in defence as indeed in other areas of the squad.
Another positive is that we are surely garnering a reputation for excellent development of loanees. Potts, Kodua, Phillips, Dale Taylor, Caleb Taylor, Humphreys and Morley (I am probably forgetting others) have all been given significant opportunities by us within the past season and a half.
Considering how many loanees struggle to break into the first team regularly at other clubs, having that reputation could really help us if we really do need a bit of a reload in January.
Sorry @Shev but Taff is as brittle as a stick of Blackpool Rock.
Sorry @glasshalfempty Hartridge had a mere on Saturday - their first goal his fault, was nutmegged right in front of me in the second half, desperately slowed distribution down throughout. Fifth best at best. But agreed re Skura a real prospect.
Sorry @Shev Taff is as brittle as a stick of Blackpool rock.
Taylor has been absolutely superb and forming a formidable partnership with Low. Really surprised to see some average reports.
He’s better than average. Way better. But he’s currently not as good as Low, not as good as a fit Taffazoli, and is not in the same league as Nige. And with Skura in the wings I’m happy with that position. And I also think WBA will want more than a rookie to solve their issues.
Not sure where I denied Taff is injury prone? I was simply pointing out he is every bit as good as Taylor as a defender.
As far as the injuries, Forino was/is every bit as injury prone, and yet many on here were desperate to keep him. So clearly being injury prone did not affect the common appreciation of his talents. For some reason Taff has become a bad defender because he is injury prone.
Low and Taylor have formed a great partnership because they gobble up most long balls and crosses. But they are also athletic enough to hold a relatively high line and back themselves not to be beaten by a ball in behind. I'm not sure Taf is able to do that quite as well.
Taylor has also been brilliant at stepping out of defence with the ball and breaking the first line when teams sit back.
All these features have been a big part of allowing us to perform to such a high level.
He'd be a big loss I think.