Turner & Hooiveld

[CJRV2014]

Does anyone else think these two together is an accident waiting to happen. No pace and Hooiveld got caught out about 3 times against Donaldson today, was the wrong side and just got out paced so easily. Would like to see what Miquel can do.

 

[Andy]

Hooiveld seems to run in slow motion as if he's caught in some sort of temporal vortex.

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

The pace issue is concerning. I said in the last match thread that Hooivelds lack of pace was concerning, and that seeing as Turner isnt a speed merchant we might have to play a deep defensive line

 

[Agent Dale Cooper]

Hooiveld was an embarrassment today. Would've taken him off at half time, put Martin in the middle and brought Whittaker on at right-back. To be fair he was marginally better in the second half, but every area of his game was weak.

 

[Canaryboy]

Carlos Cuellar is the more distinguished player, I suspect we've gone with Hoovield over him because he's still catching up on fitness after having no pre-season. 

Hopefully we'll see Cuellar get another 90 minutes at Shrewsbury. 

Hoovield connected with three corners at the end today but didn't seem to be able to direct the ball anywhere, all I could think was that I wish we had Ryan Bennett on the pitch because he'd have buried one of those or directed one of them back across the goal for a tap in, I'm sure of it. 

 

[Yellowfuture]

Did I see something kick off between him and Jonno today?

 

[Tomasz Blazak]

Carlos Cuellar is the more distinguished player, I suspect we've gone with Hoovield over him because he's still catching up on fitness after having no pre-season. 

Hopefully we'll see Cuellar get another 90 minutes at Shrewsbury. 

Hoovield connected with three corners at the end today but didn't seem to be able to direct the ball anywhere, all I could think was that I wish we had Ryan Bennett on the pitch because he'd have buried one of those or directed one of them back across the goal for a tap in, I'm sure of it. 

Maybe he's been talking to Leon Barnett about attacking Set Pieces - winning headers at corners but directing them everywhere except the net was his speciality!

 

[GJP]

Donaldson is obviously a fairly tricky customer to deal with because he's tall and strong but he's got a bit of pace about him too.

Turner struggled a bit more than he usually does but Hooiveld struggled a lot. 

Couldn't help thinking it was a big shame Bassong wasn't out there.

 

[Boyerboy]

I wish we had had Ryan Bennett on the pitch because he has the best blend of physicality, pace and ball skills of all our centre backs. Both Turner and Hoovield would play better alongside Bennett.

 

[GJP]

I'll say Bennett is a bit quicker than Turner and Hooiveld.

But clearly less physically dominant than Turner and nothing special on the ball.

 

[Din]

He was pretty poor today, but I thought that against Cardiff he was impressive. But as said above, Turner and Hooiveld have about as much pace as an elderly, asthmatic Tortoise. Such a shame Ryan Bennett is out, as his partnership with Turner looked very good before his injury. And although Bennett isn't rapid he's not slow either.

I don't know whether Miquel has much pace, but if he performs well on Tuesday then perhaps he'll be in contention. 

 

[Robert Brompton]

I'll say Bennett is a bit quicker than Turner and Hooiveld.

But clearly less physically dominant than Turner and nothing special on the ball.

Would disagree strongly with that GJP. I would say that Bennett is quite a lot quicker than both T & H and is excellent on the ball.

 

[Yellow Fever]

The defensive partnership will get stronger as Hooiveld and Turner get more game time together. It isn't just about pace, as positioning and reading the game can make slower defenders more effective. It's early days yet. Miquel does have good pace and ball skills, but is not as strong in the heading and physical battles. He is the longer turn option though, I'd say.

 

[splutcho]

Bennett is horrible on the ball. His signature move being bringing it out of defence and passing it straight to the oppositions CM.

 

[Beauseant]

Bennett is horrible on the ball. His signature move being bringing it out of defence and passing it straight to the oppositions CM.

Agree with this. Bennett is that dangerous breed, a centre back who fancies himself as a playmaker. He's potentially very good defensively but his distribution is awful most of the time. Hooiveld was a rock at this level for Southampton and Turner is quite simply our best CB. Its worth remembering that they've only played together three times, so some lapses are inevitable, but I think they'll do pretty well. However, the fact that they have real competition is a good thing.

 

[GazzaTCC]

Just to put our centre back position in context, the last time we played at this level to choice was between Elliott Ward, Leon Barnett and Zak Whitbread. Despite the perceived short comings, we've moved on considerably since those days.

 

[yoraffetto]

Hooiveld was an embarrassment today. Would've taken him off at half time...

Should have.

 

[Dubai Mark]

I must confess that I am a bit puzzled by the playing of such a big unit next to Turner. Turner needs a complimentary smaller or at least quicker more mobile partner next to him, as despite being the best defender at the club in terms of organisation,positioning, reading the game and timely challenges, he is always going to struggle against real pace and needs a quicker man next to him.......hence even though I am of the opinion, like many I believe, that Martin is a better RB, I would even rather see him at CB next to Turner. Now, if Turner is not available, then Hoiveld should start in his place.  Oh, I rated Whitbread...so that just shows how much I know!

 

[Din]

To be fair to Hooiveld, he was very good against Cardiff. Yes he was poor on Saturday, but I think it's a bit unfair to remove him from the team, especially as our only other options at the moment are Miquel and Cuellar, who have barely played at all this season, or Russell Martin who is already proven as someone who isn't great as a centre back. Unless Hooiveld has an absolute howler in the next few games, I would stick with him at the very least until Ryan Bennett comes back. Who I think is our best option apart from Turner. 

 

[Yellow Fever]

Just to put our centre back position in context, the last time we played at this level to choice was between Elliott Ward, Leon Barnett and Zak Whitbread. Despite the perceived short comings, we've moved on considerably since those days.

This is the essence of the situation. People's expectations have raised hugely in recent years. Defensive partnerships take time to develop and constant chopping and changing won't help that. Hooiveld has had 3 games so far and that is not enough to make a judgement. Some fans wanted Turner banished from the team after his first three games, but now sing his praises. Hooiveld and Miquel are the only left-footed CBs we have and to play two right-footed CBs together is, IMO, a knee-jerk reaction that won't work long-term.