For many years he was a great backup for Hugo, can remember being surprised he joined us at the time as he was building a decent rep as a solid keeper in the Prem. G’luck to the guy.
I think with KWP he just never got the chance to blossom, that’s on Poch I’m afraid. There were two whole years we could’ve given him a loan where he could’ve come back a better player but instead he was kept in reserve behind Tripps and Aurier. When given a rare start he was a mixed bag but then never persisted with beyond it so could never get a rhythm going. He’s starting to realise his potential now that he’s playing every week and good for him, we’ll just bring him back in a year or two
I'll go one stage further: two years where he could've been part of the squad It's worth remembering that the reason we signed Trippier wasn't just so there was some depth at RB, but also to push Kyle Walker to raise his game as there was an able understudy right behind him ready to come in if his performances dropped And that's the thing about when Walker was blatantly tapped-up left, by moving Trippier to first-choice that gave us the opportunity to have KWP in the same position Trippier was in a couple of seasons previously - or, if Poch didn't rate him for that role, we should've brought in someone like Ricardo Pereira to keep Trippier on his toes and/or to replace Trippier a season down the line - but instead we went for Aurier and that meant we had two RBs expecting to start games while also bumping KWP down the pecking order
Strange to see Corluka playing center half for Locomotive Moscow until his(?) hamstring went and he limped off when losing 1-0 to Bayern Munich.
Article about Steven Caulker and his addiction problems, plus his rejuvenated career: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54759336 Alanyaspor are currently top of the table after six games, having won five and drawn one. He's played every minute so far and they've scored 15 and conceded only two, which are both the best in the division. He has one assist and one goal, plus four clean sheets.
There's a podcast link in the Caulker article...was interesting listening to him...seems to be at peace with himself
Unbelievable if it happens. How many people (players or otherwise) get to manage their boyhood club (TM) ??
Today is yet another one of those days where I wish there was a way to mute Barren Dent's ice cold takes...
If he had played like he talks ,he would have been a world beater!!!........instead of a goal hanger!
I used to watch him on the training ground and he was about 3 levels ahead of other players of the same age. So much natural talent it seemed he was destined for a good future at a high level. He was level headed as well and there seemed no risk of him going off the rails like many do. Looking back, I guess he was probably not mentally strong enough to have made it and I know for a fact the money he was on at Spurs was ridiculous for a lad of his age and experience.