Taff is a leader. It was not long ago that most us couldn't bare the thought of life without him. He is right up there with the best in the league on his day.
At this point I am expecting Morley and Taylor to go, while Humphreys and Kodua stay. Though Ipswich may be scuffling, it seems their defence is more of an issue than their attack.
@Shev You said he was ‘a rock’ I was just clarifying that rock is candy not granite.
@Glenactico dead right, re avoiding being beaten by a ball in behind ‘not sure Taf is able to do that…..’ as has been said in the past “I’ve seen milk turn quicker”! But he’s less of a liability than Hartridge I’ll give him that
This is the take I agree with the most. Tactically, we are so far away from what suits Tafazolli now. That left channel doesn’t get much support at all. Harvie marauds on. Scowen plays on the other side. We progress the ball out of the back. Taf is a fantastic old-school defender, but his agility leaves so much to be desired. And he can’t stay fit for more than four or five games.
I wonder if our new funding group choose to reach for their credit card, or if their youth-focused credentials leave us with Skura to see out the season.
Lonwijk for a transfer fee would be a fantastic option, but how willing to sell will Wolves be considering they are facing a large threat of relegation? Lonwijk might be a suitable Championship defender for them. There aren’t many defenders that are as adaptable as him.
It’s certainly not time to panic, but Taylor leaving would be a big dent in any promotion hopes - and I can’t believe I’m saying that! Shows how far we’ve come.
I know that the loaning clubs will be keeping an eye on their players, but I doubt any of them are in such dire straits that their fringe players coming back will save them. I could be terribly wrong, but if they need cover I think they in turn will be looking to borrow from fellow Championship/well stocked Premier League teams rather than recalling players doing well in League One.
As it is, I think Taylor is an excellent ball playing centre back and if it means we have to score three goals a game to cover for defensive frailties, I can live with that.
Taff is also an excellent player and we've been lucky to have him. He throws himself in to a tackle and I fear a couple of hard games and he'll be out again though.
And I reckon Der Management definitely have contingency plans in place or Swiss/Maldives bank account wire transfers ready to fill any gaps.
This may only interest me, but here are Taff's league starts since 21/22 and where he ranks over the three completed seasons within the squad:
21/22: 33 starts (8th)
22/23: 23 starts (joint 12th)
23/24: 26 starts (9th)
Obviously this season has not been good, but it's not like he is only making 10 starts a year. Bear in mind some of his absences have also been healthy, as part of a rotation with Mawson, Lonwijk etc.
By comparison, here are the numbers for Chris Forino, who so many were upset to see leave:
21/22: 13 starts (15th)
22/23: 26 starts (joint 10th)
23/24: 19 starts (12th)
It might be harsh to include 21/22, as I believe that was the "breakout" season for Big Chris, but even if you take the past two seasons, Taff had 49 starts to Forino's 45, yet it seemed everyone was desperate to keep Forino.
Not doubting Chris Forino as an exceptional defender, but it definitely seems a bit of a double standard when he was available even less than Taff!
This will all be part of a wider white paper that will be published in various academic journals in Q2 2025. 'Taff And Forino - A Tale Of Two Shattered Glasses'.
Comments
Taff is a leader. It was not long ago that most us couldn't bare the thought of life without him. He is right up there with the best in the league on his day.
Big Nige has had a tricky start to the league, might fancy a return.
At this point I am expecting Morley and Taylor to go, while Humphreys and Kodua stay. Though Ipswich may be scuffling, it seems their defence is more of an issue than their attack.
@Shev You said he was ‘a rock’ I was just clarifying that rock is candy not granite.
@Glenactico dead right, re avoiding being beaten by a ball in behind ‘not sure Taf is able to do that…..’ as has been said in the past “I’ve seen milk turn quicker”! But he’s less of a liability than Hartridge I’ll give him that
Miss post sorry folks.
Imo Taylor is better than Taff.
This is the take I agree with the most. Tactically, we are so far away from what suits Tafazolli now. That left channel doesn’t get much support at all. Harvie marauds on. Scowen plays on the other side. We progress the ball out of the back. Taf is a fantastic old-school defender, but his agility leaves so much to be desired. And he can’t stay fit for more than four or five games.
I wonder if our new funding group choose to reach for their credit card, or if their youth-focused credentials leave us with Skura to see out the season.
Lonwijk for a transfer fee would be a fantastic option, but how willing to sell will Wolves be considering they are facing a large threat of relegation? Lonwijk might be a suitable Championship defender for them. There aren’t many defenders that are as adaptable as him.
It’s certainly not time to panic, but Taylor leaving would be a big dent in any promotion hopes - and I can’t believe I’m saying that! Shows how far we’ve come.
I doubt we need to use credit cards now!
I know that the loaning clubs will be keeping an eye on their players, but I doubt any of them are in such dire straits that their fringe players coming back will save them. I could be terribly wrong, but if they need cover I think they in turn will be looking to borrow from fellow Championship/well stocked Premier League teams rather than recalling players doing well in League One.
As it is, I think Taylor is an excellent ball playing centre back and if it means we have to score three goals a game to cover for defensive frailties, I can live with that.
Taff is also an excellent player and we've been lucky to have him. He throws himself in to a tackle and I fear a couple of hard games and he'll be out again though.
And I reckon Der Management definitely have contingency plans in place or Swiss/Maldives bank account wire transfers ready to fill any gaps.
But what a position to be in. Exciting times.
This may only interest me, but here are Taff's league starts since 21/22 and where he ranks over the three completed seasons within the squad:
21/22: 33 starts (8th)
22/23: 23 starts (joint 12th)
23/24: 26 starts (9th)
Obviously this season has not been good, but it's not like he is only making 10 starts a year. Bear in mind some of his absences have also been healthy, as part of a rotation with Mawson, Lonwijk etc.
By comparison, here are the numbers for Chris Forino, who so many were upset to see leave:
21/22: 13 starts (15th)
22/23: 26 starts (joint 10th)
23/24: 19 starts (12th)
It might be harsh to include 21/22, as I believe that was the "breakout" season for Big Chris, but even if you take the past two seasons, Taff had 49 starts to Forino's 45, yet it seemed everyone was desperate to keep Forino.
Not doubting Chris Forino as an exceptional defender, but it definitely seems a bit of a double standard when he was available even less than Taff!
It's a lot of starts, but doesn't show how many times he disintegrated by half time.
Please don't make me look at actual minutes played, good doctor! 😂
Can you also do some analysis on Taf v Forino for injuries.
And if you have spare time analyse the critics of Taf versus their comments on Forino.
As perception is that Forino was allowed an even worse record due to being what micra might call a yoof.
Neither player has played enough over the past couple of seasons.
This will all be part of a wider white paper that will be published in various academic journals in Q2 2025. 'Taff And Forino - A Tale Of Two Shattered Glasses'.
And whilst you’re about it could you access Taf and Big C’s wages and do a ROI : minutes played vs salary drawn, ie ‘£ per minute’?
Oh and if you have the time index goals scored vs goals conceded as a graphic.