Mike Williamson (now managing MK Dons)

[JH]

He has a great ability of being able to make crucial tackles... even if he did give away a dangerous foul trying to stop a player going past him today.

 

 

One particular moment in the first half where he had to stretch a leg out but he stopped a Man U attack through on goal. A piece of superb defending.

 

Always rated him and he's not disappointing.

[ChrisMcQuillan]

He has a great ability of being able to make crucial tackles... even if he did give away a dangerous foul trying to stop a player going past him today.

 

 

One particular moment in the first half where he had to stretch a leg out but he stopped a Man U attack through on goal. A piece of superb defending.

 

Always rated him and he's not disappointing.

 

This.

[TRon]

He has a great ability of being able to make crucial tackles... even if he did give away a dangerous foul trying to stop a player going past him today.

 

 

One particular moment in the first half where he had to stretch a leg out but he stopped a Man U attack through on goal. A piece of superb defending.

 

Always rated him and he's not disappointing.

 

He isn't flash but he understands his own game and plays it very well for the team. That's probably why he's in the team ahead of other twats who like to wave their arms about and make spectacular goalkeeper saves on the penalty line. Get the basics right first.

[JH]

Yup. Spot on.

 

He knows he's not the best player in the world and he doesn't try to play like it. He keeps it simple yet effective.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

He has a great ability of being able to make crucial tackles... even if he did give away a dangerous foul trying to stop a player going past him today.

 

 

One particular moment in the first half where he had to stretch a leg out but he stopped a Man U attack through on goal. A piece of superb defending.

 

Always rated him and he's not disappointing.

 

He isn't flash but he understands his own game and plays it very well for the team. That's probably why he's in the team ahead of other twats who like to wave their arms about and make spectacular goalkeeper saves on the penalty line. Get the basics right first.

 

Thinking of anyone in particular?

 

Central defence is basically quite a simple position though, it takes a tidy and physically capable player to do it well... which Williamson is.

[Pilko]

He's a good defender. No frills.

[WarrenBartonCentrePartin]

Wins it.  Gets rid.  Not necessarily pretty, but simple.

[wormy]

Wins it.  Gets rid.  Not necessarily pretty, but simple.

 

And a perfect foil for a ball-playing defender like Colo. FM-tastic, but it works.

[Guest toonlass]

Wins it.  Gets rid.  Not necessarily pretty, but simple.

 

And keeps Taylor out of the side too!

[Anderson]

I really like him, seems a very under rated defender.

 

Aye, I've noticed he's very under rated on FM as well. 

[Zero]

Made lots of crucial tackle, great lad. That's why he's the best partner for Collocini.

 

On the other hand, Saylor

[Ishmael]

I see a lot of little things that are wrong, which isn't really a problem aside from coming up against world class players, but then I always remember that he is keeping Saylor out of the team.  Actually love Mike as a player

[Dave]

Taylor isn't half as bad as some make out. Williamson is a much better partner for Coloccini at this point in time though.

 

I think Pardew meddled too much previously thinking he knew better than Hughton but it's a relief he seems to have realised what our best pairing is.

[Colocho]

Is he the kind of player that you'd want in a side competing for a top six place?

[NG32]

Williamson looks like a 1950s uniformed copper 

[Ishmael]

Is he the kind of player that you'd want in a side competing for a top six place?

 

No.

[Punk77]

He's improving by each game. Solid in air, and as already mentioned, he has made some pretty good interceptions lately..

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Is he the kind of player that you'd want in a side competing for a top six place?

 

He could be, there are equal if not worse defenders operating in top 4 sides, especially Arsenal and Liverpool.

[oldtype]

Is he the kind of player that you'd want in a side competing for a top six place?

 

No.

 

A. We're not competing for top six

 

B. Is he that much worse than Bolton, Everton, or Aston Villa's second best central defenders?

[Dave]

Is he the kind of player that you'd want in a side competing for a top six place?

 

That doesn't really make sense, if we get to a position were we're competing for top six then he's clearly good enough. If we're not and he's repeatedly being found out then you could say he needs replacing. We're hardly a million miles from 6th, we're in with a bunch of teams that could push on next season with a couple of good additions.

 

Despite being the 5th top scorers in the league, personally I don't think it's the defence that has prevented us being up around there this year. Without Carroll (and to a certain extent Ben Arfa) we've basically been riding our luck in terms of goal threat.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Our defence has been the best for years this season... they all deserve mad props.

[Punk77]

It's also important to remember that this is Williamson's first season in PL. An impressive debut imo. He'll be even better next year. Continuity is the key. Why disrupt a stopper-pair that obviously is doing well.

[Colocho]

Is he the kind of player that you'd want in a side competing for a top six place?

 

No.

 

A. We're not competing for top six

 

B. Is he that much worse than Bolton, Everton, or Aston Villa's second best central defenders?

 

A. That is the long-term aspiration of Mike Ashley. So yes, we should begin to compete for a top-six position next season.

 

B. Jagielka, Heitinga and Distin are all much better players than him. Gary Cahill is much better, Willi's on a similar level to Zat Knight (guarantee the average Bolton fan would say Knight is a much better player though). As we saw against Villa, Collins and Dunne are also more effective defenders (the former is at similar level tbh).

 

Is he the kind of player that you'd want in a side competing for a top six place?

 

That doesn't really make sense, if we get to a position were we're competing for top six then he's clearly good enough. If we're not and he's repeatedly being found out then you could say he needs replacing. We're hardly a million miles from 6th, we're in with a bunch of teams that could push on next season with a couple of good additions.

 

Despite being the 5th top scorers in the league, personally I don't think it's the defence that has prevented us being up around there this year. Without Carroll (and to a certain extent Ben Arfa) we've basically been riding our luck in terms of goal threat.

 

Our position in the league can never solely be an indication of a single players quality. I think he and Simpson are the weaknesses in our defence.

 

Ideally, we'd keep Enrique and Coloccini - and sign a better CB and RB to play with them. Not paramount this summer.

[ScottishMagpie]

Big fan of Williamson's..... gives me more confidence than Taylor does.

 

if I was being critical I'd like to see him not get a nose-bleed everytime he crosses into the opposition's half with the ball.

[Punk77]

Not fair-play Colocho: You're comparing Williamson against cb with years of PL-experience. Jagielka didn't go directly into the Everton team. Gary Cahill was not given a chance in VIlla, but was given time to develop in Bolton. And now we're observing the results. And Distin? He's played in the PL for a decade! You're comparing those cb against Williamson who has has not finished his FIRST season in PL. It's logical that they're better than Williamson. But if we're willing to let Williamson develop, I'm pretty sure he'll improve further.