Mike Williamson (now unemployed)

[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.

[Colocho]

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.

 

Completely agree. I definitely think he deserves to start alongside Colo next season.

[Guest toonlass]

Williamson is a good, honest player. Makes a few mistakes but on the whole is a good partner for Colo. Would rather he was at the back than Taylor.

[sugoinufc]

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.

 

He is good but he would be one of the players who could/should be replaced if we wanted to progress imo. But i really really like him and he has proven he is good enough. he should and i hope he will be here for many years...maybe as backup....but he could still play many games if we are starting to play european competitions after next season.

[steve_69]

Considering it's his first full season in the Premier League I think he's been outstanding.

We've signed a lot worse in the past for a lot more than the £1m we paid for this guy

[thenige]

Think he's a very solid player, not blessed with pace as we're all aware but that classic rough and ready style defender. Just a shame if he plays badly next game the majority of fans will be on his back in a second saying he's crap. Much prefer him in partnership with Colo than anyone else at the club.

[Ishmael]

Please don't take my criticism too harshly, but you can't really argue against Williamson's limitations.  I just don't feel confident when he is confronted by a 'top 6' player (for want of a better description).  I think he has the skill-set to deal with those players, to some degree, but he needs to work hard to do it.  Particularly the mental side of the game, which is by no means an easy thing to do.  And by that I mean building some self confidence, enough to feel confident when confronting the likes of Nani and Rooney.  It's noticeable that he lacks this, and it's something that Colo and Jose ooze.

 

However, he seems to have a level head and always looks motivated.  There is nothing stopping him using the good foundations he has laid to improve into a 'top 6' defender.  But it will be tough, not sure he can do it.

[Colocho]

Please don't take my criticism too harshly, but you can't really argue against Williamson's limitations.  I just don't feel confident when he is confronted by a 'top 6' player (for want of a better description).  I think he has the skill-set to deal with those players, to some degree, but he needs to work hard to do it.  Particularly the mental side of the game, which is by no means an easy thing to do.  And by that I mean building some self confidence, enough to feel confident when confronting the likes of Nani and Rooney.  It's noticeable that he lacks this, and it's something that Colo and Jose ooze.

 

However, he seems to have a level head and always looks motivated.  There is nothing stopping him using the good foundations he has laid to improve into a 'top 6' defender.  But it will be tough, not sure he can do it.

 

Nailed it.

[Ishmael]

Taylor isn't half as bad as some make out.

 

Problem comes with trying to interpret just how bad people are making him out to be and the degree you are away from that level...

 

Anyway, I don't think he's good enough for us as a center back.  I'd be happy if we sold him in the summer (providing we replaced him),  It's just the way he holds himself around the pitch, so naive and yet he's been playing top flight football for long enough to have matured.  He doesn't read the game well, he doesn't position himself well, he doesn't seem to have a competent head on for enough of the time he needs it.  It all leads to me think that he never will mature enough to play CB for us. 

 

I'd like us to convert him to a right back.  Similar to the way Ivanovic plays for Chelsea (except Ivanovic is a considerably better player).  Actually, a Micah Richards comparison would be closer to what I'm getting at.  I think he's capable of doing a better job than Simpson, purely down to his physical presence.