Balogun - How Good?

[devilman]

He's a very good player. He's got all you could ask from a defender - good position, good pace and confident on the ball.

 

[gersandproud]

I feel safe when he plays
I'm not going to say he's better or worse than others - mostly because there's probably not that much between them to be fair
But with Balogun he definitely does all the simple things well & he brings a solidness to our shape that helps all those around him
I trust him & that's why he makes me feel safe
Isn't it great we've sorted out the centre back positions with quality options
It's not that long ago we were really weak in this area

 

[Kilsyth Unionist]

How long is his contract?
Hopefully we have him for 2-3 seasons.

 

[Govan Ger]

3 consistently good central defenders this season with 2 slots up for grabs, keeps them on their toes, which is nice.

 

[Ünnëcëssärÿ Ümläüts]

How long is his contract?
Hopefully we have him for 2-3 seasons.

One year with an option on a second.

 

[Kilsyth Unionist]

One year with an option on a second.

Give him the second year tomorrow.

 

[stein and johnston]

You were excellent mate
Kidding aside, I have a lot of sympathy for the big fella as he could lose his position again to Helander on Sunday. But on the other hand it’s unbelievable for us that we have 3 outstanding centre halfs.

 

[Kilsyth Unionist]

One year with an option on a second.

Katic may need a loan move for fitness/ first team football next season.
Pre injury , he aint a patch on the 3 centre halves we have at the moment.

 

[Madjid Moments]

I think the fact that we can play Balogun in these games and and rest arguably our best defender and not look weakened and a massive bonus.

I can see him getting an extended contract and Edmundson leaving us once Katic is back.

 

[Thommo2006]

No idea why he reminds me of bougherra getting the ball bringing it out. Just need a 60 yard run and 20 yard finish now lol

 

[TQ3]

He has slotted in to the team like he has played there for years. A great addition to the team. Both him and Jon in goal look so settled despite just being in the door. Kudos to Ross, he seems to know his onions.

 

[Balogun1]

He has slotted in to the team like he has played there for years. A great addition to the team. Both him and Jon in goal look so settled despite just being in the door. Kudos to Ross, he seems to know his onions.

Long may it continue.

 

[stewarty]

He’s looked excellent and he’s played 8 and had 7 clean sheets I think. The numbers don’t lie.

 

[Govan Ger]

He's very comfortable running 20/30 yards up the pitch and making passes, a great asset to have in the team.

 

[Grigo Yossarian]

He has a tendency to step out and get caught but he also tends to recover extremely well.

He’s the quickest of all of our CDs Zapp.

 

[JMTrangers]

I’d like to see that soon as feel part of the issues we’ve had previous seasons is that we flogged him and Tav. I think in the next few weeks we need to see them two plus Kent have a bit of a rest. Keep them fresh and firing the way they have been.

Goldson and Tavernier get a rest every international break. They're two of our most important players, so I'd rather see them rested in cup games, or brought off in games we're leading by 2+ with 20 mins or so to go.

 

[St Andrews Bear]

Great centre half, looks like he’s been a Rangers player for years.

 

[47blue]

How long is his contract?
Hopefully we have him for 2-3 seasons.

Agreed, get him signed up. Like to see Goldson, Kamara and Tav extend too.

 

[Big X]

I’d play him on Sunday, I don’t think Helander’s too keen on the plastic pitches.

 

[Hammer Time]

He looks an absolute steal at the moment.

 

[Captain_Buns]

Strange that we haven't seen Balogun and Helander together to give Goldson a rest don't you think?

Not when Goldson is one of Mr Gerrard’s trusted lieutenants, who gets a rest during international breaks.

 

[brain]

Absolute rubbish.

Ooft. Don’t like like an opposing opinion do you.

 

[Artful Dodger]

Makes the game look easy.I think he deserves to stay in the team.

 

[Euro Scooter]

Not when Goldson is one of Mr Gerrard’s trusted lieutenants, who gets a rest during international breaks.

There are also some players who just don't seem to benefit from a rest, they need the consistent stream of games to stay at their best. Tav is another obvious one and I suspect Kent is developing into another.

On-topic, Balogun has been a great signing. I love our ability to find these gems in the lower leagues.

 

[Calderwoodbear]

Feel confident when he plays, another superb game last night, should never have been booked.

 

[Graemelins]

Good, but not quite as good as Helander.

 

[Barbarossa]

Good player, but a little behind Goldson and Helander for me.

 

[thenorthseabear]

I’d play him on Sunday against Killie, his aerial ability will be needed against that lot.
Keep Hellander for Benfica away.

 

[KGR98]

Goldson and Helander us still my preferred duo at the back but don't have any qualms about Balogun stepping in for either of them

 

[Damsidebear]

A smooth operator, very calm and composed at the back.

 

[Ranger90]

His composure and first touch to take some of them balls out of the air while under a bit of pressure was great to watch

 

[MrFahrenheit]

I love him

 

[Avengers]

I think he’s terrific and reads the game very well, he also covered well for Bassey last week in Liege. He’s a classy player, I do think Helander is the best centre back we have, but it’s tremendous the strength we have at the back now.

 

[Tailwind]

Thought he played well, got caught out of position for his booking, but I thought recovered and won the ball fairly. I like him but Helander makes me feel more assured, his positioning and reading of the game is usually spot on

I didn’t think his “booking” was even a foul. The referee was a bit all over the place with a few of his calls, although none gamechanging

 

[Tailwind]

I feel safe when he plays
I'm not going to say he's better or worse than others - mostly because there's probably not that much between them to be fair
But with Balogun he definitely does all the simple things well & he brings a solidness to our shape that helps all those around him
I trust him & that's why he makes me feel safe
Isn't it great we've sorted out the centre back positions with quality options
It's not that long ago we were really weak in this area

Great post.

Your second line for me is key. Not sure why some are trying to assert their favourite is light years ahead of any other.

Goldson, Helander and Balogun are all excellent centrebacks at our level. One will be a little better in a specific attribute than the others. But there is little between the 3 based on what they have done this season.

Goldson is clearly the gaffer’s number 1, but any 2 from 3 is a solid partnership and would make me confident.

 

[Louch]

Strange that we haven't seen Balogun and Helander together to give Goldson a rest don't you think?

I’d like to see this for the Hamilton game a week on Sunday. Prepare for worst case in Goldson getting a knock at some point and also give him a rest.

 

[sherbrook_loyal]

What a brilliant signing he's been.

We get him and the scum get Duffy LOL.

Comfortable with any of our three main CBs in any game now – and I also love Katić!

 

[Thebearman]

He looks a quality addition

 

[SasaPapacLoyal54]

It just shows that there are bargains to be had if you look for them.

Look at what the tims paid and are paying for that Duffy diddy and compare it with what we did for Balogan.

Who is easily the better defender.

 

[Timardim]

Good but nowhere near as good as Helander.

that's like something you would say about an opposition player....ffs