I have been saying for ages he is our best defender and when fit should be starting he has played in Italy where they know how to defend a lot go on about his lack of pace but he doesn’t get caught out because of his positional sense btw Davie weir never had pace neither did Terry Butcher two of our best ever defenders he has had one bad game away to Benfica and has hardly had a look in since. Balogun is decent but 33 now and a career total of just over 100 games tells a story he is a journey man back up playerAnd no this isn't a reaction to 2 dropped points today. I said pre match that I felt we were a better side with Helander in the team and I still stand by that.
It's not a pressing issue considering our defence has generally been formidable with either Helander or Balogun in the side, but it doesn't change the fact that I feel we just look a little bit better with Helander in there.
People will point to the fact that Helander was in the team that conceded 3 to Benfica as justification for him being behind Balogun in the pecking order - but quite simply we don't play teams like Benfica in this league. I don't think it makes sense to use that game as a yardstick between the two, especially when it comes the teams we face domestically.
Domestically Helander has absolutely strolled it - we've never lost a league game that he's played in, while Balogun was in the team that conceded 3 to St Mirren, yet it doesn't seem to be held against him in the same way the Benfica game is held against Helander. I feel that one poor game from Helander in Europe has made the gaffers mind up that Balogun should be our first choice.
Balogun is a better defender??????Balogun is a better defender, Helander is better at playing out from the back. It's a balancing act as to who is better for any individual game.
As does the manager apparently.Balogun is a better defender??????
I suppose it’s all about opinions but I just don’t know why you think that! Helander is by far a better defender
Both are excellent defenders but Balogun has a bit more pace to get back when the whole team has pushed up and there’s a long ball counter attack for a speedy runner to chase.I think Helander is the better defender, but the way we play leaves lots of space in behind and Helander is not suited to that type of game.
Motherwell had two pacy players in Cole and Seedorf, I think that is why Balogun played.
I am just happy to have two players who can slot in and do the job required with minimum fuss.
Both are excellent defenders but Balogun has a bit more pace to get back when the whole team has pushed up and there’s a long ball counter attack for a speedy runner to chase.
And no this isn't a reaction to 2 dropped points today. I said pre match that I felt we were a better side with Helander in the team and I still stand by that.
It's not a pressing issue considering our defence has generally been formidable with either Helander or Balogun in the side, but it doesn't change the fact that I feel we just look a little bit better with Helander in there.
People will point to the fact that Helander was in the team that conceded 3 to Benfica as justification for him being behind Balogun in the pecking order - but quite simply we don't play teams like Benfica in this league. I don't think it makes sense to use that game as a yardstick between the two, especially when it comes the teams we face domestically.
Domestically Helander has absolutely strolled it - we've never lost a league game that he's played in, while Balogun was in the team that conceded 3 to St Mirren, yet it doesn't seem to be held against him in the same way the Benfica game is held against Helander. I feel that one poor game from Helander in Europe has made the gaffers mind up that Balogun should be our first choice.
Couldn’t agree more, helander reads the game better and is so dominant in the air, but at the same time we are fortunate to have the choice.And no this isn't a reaction to 2 dropped points today. I said pre match that I felt we were a better side with Helander in the team and I still stand by that.
It's not a pressing issue considering our defence has generally been formidable with either Helander or Balogun in the side, but it doesn't change the fact that I feel we just look a little bit better with Helander in there.
People will point to the fact that Helander was in the team that conceded 3 to Benfica as justification for him being behind Balogun in the pecking order - but quite simply we don't play teams like Benfica in this league. I don't think it makes sense to use that game as a yardstick between the two, especially when it comes the teams we face domestically.
Domestically Helander has absolutely strolled it - we've never lost a league game that he's played in, while Balogun was in the team that conceded 3 to St Mirren, yet it doesn't seem to be held against him in the same way the Benfica game is held against Helander. I feel that one poor game from Helander in Europe has made the gaffers mind up that Balogun should be our first choice.
The striker did get passed Goldson that’s fair but balogun has to be a yard deeper. He needs to read the game better in that situation. This is his key weakness.I can’t understand the criticism of Balogun. Goldson was the one who cost us a goal today. Balogun has been solid for us
No. We dropped 2 points today, someones head must roll.I think the fact we have lost 7 goals in the league all season would indicate that the management are getting this right.
The fact we are 20 points cLear would suggest the management team are getting to majority of decisions right so I think we need to trust them.
Balogun wasn't on the park for st mirrens 3rd. We only had 1 centre half to defend that corner.And no this isn't a reaction to 2 dropped points today. I said pre match that I felt we were a better side with Helander in the team and I still stand by that.
It's not a pressing issue considering our defence has generally been formidable with either Helander or Balogun in the side, but it doesn't change the fact that I feel we just look a little bit better with Helander in there.
People will point to the fact that Helander was in the team that conceded 3 to Benfica as justification for him being behind Balogun in the pecking order - but quite simply we don't play teams like Benfica in this league. I don't think it makes sense to use that game as a yardstick between the two, especially when it comes the teams we face domestically.
Domestically Helander has absolutely strolled it - we've never lost a league game that he's played in, while Balogun was in the team that conceded 3 to St Mirren, yet it doesn't seem to be held against him in the same way the Benfica game is held against Helander. I feel that one poor game from Helander in Europe has made the gaffers mind up that Balogun should be our first choice.
Helander was in the team that conceded 3 to Benfica
Balogun was in the team that conceded 3 to St Mirren,
Mental analysisIf you think of most of the goals we’ve conceded in the league they have (recently) come from crosses which the first man doesn’t deal with.
in the last game vs Motherwell and today’s. Actually throw in a two goals from Standard Liege at Ibrox as well.
Balogun is a great CB and has many assets. Blocking crosses at the front post is not one of them and it’s cost us goals.
For me, Helander goes back into the XI for now.
I can't believe you're getting flack for this, it's spot on.If you think of most of the goals we’ve conceded in the league they have (recently) come from crosses which the first man doesn’t deal with.
in the last game vs Motherwell and today’s. Actually throw in a two goals from Standard Liege at Ibrox as well.
Balogun is a great CB and has many assets. Blocking crosses at the front post is not one of them and it’s cost us goals.
For me, Helander goes back into the XI for now.
I get the comment that Helander has better positioning. But I disagree he is better playing out from the back. If anything I think Balogun's use of the ball from defence is better, whether driving into midfield or playing it to a more advanced playerBalogun is a better defender, Helander is better at playing out from the back. It's a balancing act as to who is better for any individual game.
What does Balogun do that's better than Helander? He's faster that's the only attribute he has over Helander imo. People say he's got great pace to make recovery blocks and tackles completely missing the fact that he has to use it to cover up from his mistakes of poor positioning or diving in.Mental analysis
Mate, come on.I have been saying for ages he is our best defender and when fit should be starting he has played in Italy where they know how to defend a lot go on about his lack of pace but he doesn’t get caught out because of his positional sense btw Davie weir never had pace neither did Terry Butcher two of our best ever defenders he has had one bad game away to Benfica and has hardly had a look in since. Balogun is decent but 33 now and a career total of just over 100 games tells a story he is a journey man back up player
Because those who don't favour him look for any reason to get him outI can’t understand the criticism of Balogun. Goldson was the one who cost us a goal today. Balogun has been solid for us
The reason I said mental analysis today, the post you quoted, is that people are using the goal today to blame Balogun when there were 2 or 3 players earlier in the play who could have stopped the cross coming over, so then to blame the guy who was a ball hair from cutting it out at the end and the only one who got anywhere near the cross at any point seems like people trying to justify the selection they want rather than assessing the individual bit of play on its individual merit.What does Balogun do that's better than Helander? He's faster that's the only attribute he has over Helander imo. People say he's got great pace to make recovery blocks and tackles completely missing the fact that he has to use it to cover up from his mistakes of poor positioning or diving in.
He was MOM for me against St. Mirren.Helander hasn't played much since he had Covid. I can't help thinking his selection problem is something to do with that.
Bit impatient mateLaughing likes isn't really an argument.
Should've read full thread. I'm just talking on what I've watched over the course of this season. He makes quite a lot of last ditch tackles and blocks for me after his positional mistakes and I think he tends to dive in prematurely as well. Not saying he's shit better than Katic has been 2 previous seasons. I just think Helander is far superior all round defender.The reason I said mental analysis today, the post you quoted, is that people are using the goal today to blame Balogun when there were 2 or 3 players earlier in the play who could have stopped the cross coming over, so then to blame the guy who was a ball hair from cutting it out at the end and the only one who got anywhere near the cross at any point seems like people trying to justify the selection they want rather than assessing the individual bit of play on its individual merit.
The reason I said mental analysis today, the post you quoted, is that people are using the goal today to blame Balogun when there were 2 or 3 players earlier in the play who could have stopped the cross coming over, so then to blame the guy who was a ball hair from cutting it out at the end and the only one who got anywhere near the cross at any point seems like people trying to justify the selection they want rather than assessing the individual bit of play on its individual merit.
DisagreeA fair point if we were only talking about the goal today, but as people have pointed out it’s been noticeable in a few goals we’ve conceded this season. Perhaps being pernickety, given we’ve hardly concede goals in the league at all, but it’s happened often enough that it’s a noticeable weakness in Balogun’s game.
Thats because you're judging the individual passage of play and not just using it to support a predetermined narrative that your preferred player should be in the teamHelander would have had no impact on goal we conceded today imo.
Similar to a few other goals this season, came down to goldson and tav not communicating and goldson being stuck out wide needing to cut out the cross.