Nir Bitton

Is Balde a better example?

 

Don't even know why we are talking about loyalty here. He isn't good enough end of. There's a reason he doesn't get picked.

 

Aye definitely, mate.

Bitton's loyalty can be debated but he's a player I'm not overly fussed about either way. Can come in and do a job and seems fairly professional. If he was sold or left I wouldn't be upset, but I think it's useful to have squad players who are settled and happy in their current role, which he clearly is.

 

I used to agree with this point, probably isn't too far back in this thread, so I do understand it.

My contention is he can no longer be reasonably expected to come in and do the 'squad player' job. He's been abysmal at it for some time now. If someone thinks he will start playing well as a squad player then okay, I guess we'll see.

However, some people are arguing he's being made a scape goat, which is obviously ridiculous. From what I can work out, it's because he's been tagged as 'loyal' and therefore any criticism of him or his place in the squad is scapegoating. I would've thought everyone can agree recent performances from him have been abysmal and well below the standard expected of an experienced squad player coming in. If we think he will improve then fine, but current criticism is not scapegoating.

Far and away top of the list of expectations of a squad player, who by definition comes in when the squad is thin, is: 'No stupid red cards'.

 

I'd agree that he isn't a scapegoat. Even when he was playing regularly, people had questions over his weaknesses.

 

* with Israel window open to Thursday a thought he was away!

 

If Bitton can shut down play and screen the CB's effectively from CDM position, either he, Soro or McCarthy might well play at the base with CalMac moving forward in his preferred CM (8) position in future.
Hoops have three DM's on their books that they're paying wages to, besides CalMac as it stands.

 

It does look like we've brought in Shaw and we're not going to play him, but hopefully he's just bedding in and he's good enough to be brought into the first team fold soon enough.

I'm absolutely not arguing for Bitton to brought in by the way. Just pointing out that we're light in midfield. If McCarthy is fit and Shaw can make the step up, that helps.

Someone said about the pressing system and Bitton not fitting into it. I agree, and I'd also argue that Turnbull and Rogic don't really fit into it either.

So the question is, is there space in this kind of system for a DM whose job is to screen the defence, and a 10 whose job is to create - neither of whom really fit the system? I really don't know the answer to that.

 

He’ll be going nowhere unfortunately so don’t get your hopes up

 

The thing is though Bitton used to be a DCM but since he had that run of serious injuries he’s not played there for Israel or us, he has only been used as a Centre Back. Even when he has played DCM for us in the last Rodgers replaced him as he slows down build up play as always wants time on the ball.

Israel play a back 3 with Bitton often as RCB a big physical CB to win headers then Elhamed or another on the LCB role. This seems to suit Bitton as he is poor in the air for his height and struggles against physical opponents. He has more a role of making interceptions, bringing the ball out, passing out from the back and when he applies himself he has a decent passing range.

We don’t play a back 3 and with Julien out don’t really have a physical CB to compensate for his lack of aerial ability. Also in recent performances against Hearts and Midjtylland his passing was woeful. The main argument for having him back there as someone to start attacks was totally mitigated as he kept giving the ball away.

He also lacks the natural CB instincts and is rash, see Rangers last year and Midjtylland this again getting sent off and a booking respectively in those games by getting too tight, getting turned and hauling the player down. In a 3 with Israel he will unlikely be the last line of defence where as in a 2 in the way Ange has us playing he is.

 

Everyone of his tackles today was a foul

 

Yep, just comes on and pushes straight through the back..

An utter * who's stole a wage for year's..

 

Given the choice, I would start him ahead of MccARTHY.

 

Really not sure why he was brought on at CB. Sick of seeing him there.

I am starting to question why he never seems to have a shot at CDM anymore. It suits him better and a long long time ago he put in some good performances in that position.

We're desperately poor in midfield right now and even when McGregor is back I really want him pushed into one of the CM slots.

 

Why the * was he even brought on? Seriously?

I originally thought when I saw him coming on maybe Ange was gonna stick him to CB with Welsh and throw CCV upfron to help out unsettling their defence, but naw just makes a pointless sub.

Baffling.

 

* knows. For his building from the back?

That's a laugh though. He's so * and slow it's painful..

I despise him with a passion..

 

That Ange is one crazy Aussie *, he must've said to dumb and dumber, is there anyone on the bench that can come on and waste more time and do idiotic things and they came up with him.

All he ever does at the back is give away stupid fouls and gives the glaikit look to the ref asking what he's done.

No more players from Israel please, they ain't all that good.

 

Pretty much sums him up.. should of been punted or binned years ago

 

well that’s bullshit. Abada is class.

 

I can't believe he's still here never mind getting a game