I agree with this, but "pedestrian at best" puts him in a starting role for the US at the WC. We looks shakey in the back on the US team.
He's had two loose passes, both of which were posted about here. Not many look more than pedestrian against Chelsea at the Bridge, to be fair. He hasn't been too involved otherwise since his relatively bright start in the first few minutes. I assume the "marking space" part was in regards to the goal, where Odemwingie never should have been beaten from a throw-in. No way that's on him.
Half-time: Geoff has been neither good nor bad. He had a bright start completing his passes but since then has looked only slightly more sure than the rest of Stoke's players. He was also beaten a couple times but mostly recovered well to negate those chances. He had 2 weak passes including one that could have led to a nice breakout. Overall he's been about a 5 or 6 as the goal wasn't his fault, but he hasn't added much of anything, nor been the cause of many ills. This was always going to be a tough day for Stoke though.
Geoff surprisingly off at half. Didn't think he was at fault for much, wonder if it was tactical or due to injury.
They seem to be playing 5 or 6 back. It is confusing back there for him. He had some excellent challenges where one of Chelsea's bright boys thought he could dance through him and gCam stuck a leg out... but then it is hoof it up the pitch. Stoke always play Chelsea tough, but with the goal, they might as well go to 4-4-2 and let the dogs run.
I know his agent tweeted Sciaretta a bit ago that his ankle had been bothering him for some time..but he looked fine that half and like you said probably their best defender so I've got to think tactical or slight knock.
No mention of injury. We'll see. He just wasn't doing much positive. Looked a bit off. He lost a header to Willian at 38' that just looked flat lazy.
He had about 5 or 6 interceptions and his 1 v 1 defending was very good. He didn't look like Phillip Lahm out there but I'd say he was 'solid.' Announcers didn't mention anything of him losing out on a header to Willian.
It must be injury. Everything coming off the right side was the RM/Wingback fault. Geoff was lost out there in there 5 man defense.
No injury I dont think. Not good enough today. Form has dropped off significantly since the heady days of the autumn/winter. Wilkinson is shit, so I'd rather play Geoff, but hes been poor the last few games. Hull did him a couple of times, lucky not to concede
Mayyyybe not the best substitution. 60' and Wilkinson hacks down Hazard for a penalty. Goal for Lampard after his initial penalty is saved by Begovic. Indeed..
Which matches showed a considerable drop in form? Meanwhile, Wilkinson, Cameron's replacement just got called for a penalty..Chelsea goes up 2-0
that was a great stop by Begovic, hes a fantastic keeper. That wasnt a poor PK by lampard by any means
It was an alright penalty, hit with a ton of power but on the replay it was right in the sweet spot for Begovic. About 2 feet off the ground and close but not too close to him. Got down well, though.
I hate Wilkinson. If he wasnt from Stoke, he'd be playing League One football Geoff has been solid since Jan/Feb, but before that he was our best player.I'd say he was only noticeably poor against Hull and Palace off the top of my head. Theres just been a few moments where his defending hasnt been as good this last few months. He's getting caught out of position and losing his man. Hull should have scored twice last week thanks to not picking up his man. Maybe its fatigue, he must have played every game
most of the attacks in that first half came down pieter's side and he was woeful. i have no idea why he stayed on and cam got subbed off. he was at fault for the first goal and whoever replaced cam conceded the penalty for the second. bad sub by hughes and while cam wasn't scorching his side, he was defending at an acceptable level and providing an outlet for his teammates.
3-0 Chelsea in the 73' Willian this time, Stoke just drops off and doesn't even attempt to close him down. Shawcross calls Wilkinson off to track another runner and then fails to step up to the task. Very nicely taken goal by Willian to be fair. Snuck it right into the far post with a curler from about 18 out.
I believe Geoff has gone from solid and relaible to a bit shaky at times as the season has gone on. He has not been poor, just not really good like he was first half of the season. Wilko being shit does not change that IMO. I think his best spot is in in midfield, he is neither a RB or a CB. He is a better Right Back than Center Back but he had a lot of help early in the year with Jon Walters in front of him. I can't stand Jon, but he will defend and is not bad at it. He covers for Geoff's positional weakensses at RB. At CB he has the OMAR ball watching habit that makes me want to choke him.
well that half was a lecture on how valuable Geoff is to them. He wasnt without fault, but Chelsea abused and targeted the right side as soon as he left