Berra: The View from Ipswich Town Terraces

[Deodato]

JKB, 
 
A good friend and season ticket holder took a minute to reflect on Berra's time at the club. Eye's down on the wording 'a bit of a steal' and 'never been dropped' - that's captain material right there. He was happy for me to share his thoughts here on JKB, so here they are. 

 

Happy Friday. 
 
Deodato 
 
------------------------------- 
 
So, what can I say about Christoph Berra?
 
For a start, I think you?ve got a bit of a steal. I don?t think he?ll have cost you much, if anything (he came to us on a free too), but will be good for at least a couple of seasons, I reckon. McCarthy wanted to keep him and we had an option to extend his agreement for a season, but he has a young family in Scotland and wanted to go home, so we let him go.
 
He was our player of the year a couple of seasons ago (so, 2014-15, when we got into the play-offs) and it?s true that he has not been quite as good since, as he has added the years and slowed down a little.
 
He?s a strong, robust centre half, not the fastest, and his positioning is okay, but he will throw himself in the way of anything to stop a goal or a goal opportunity. He?s a warrior and has been the mainstay of our defence this past season and has never been dropped, that I can remember. He?s a bit of a grappler though, so he?s had to watch himself since they?ve tightened the rules on holding in the box.
 
So, without wishing to malign Scottish football, he?s certainly good enough for the Championship still, so should be perfectly fine in Scottish football.
 
I?d be happy, if I were a Hearts fan.

 

 

[Gav M]

sounds pretty much what we expected, but it's good to get an honest view from an Ipswich fan to back it up.

[Maroon Sailor]

He's definitely a grappler, just hope he gets away with it more often than not, like he would if he was playing in hoops or blue.

[Dusk_Till_Dawn]

I've seen him a few times in the Championship this season. Definitely good enough for that level

[i8hibsh]

A "warrior" is music to my ****ing ears!!

 

That previous crop of shite could not fight ****ing sleep.

[Bull's-eye]

A "warrior" is music to my ******* ears!!

 

That previous crop of shite could not fight ******* sleep.

 

Pretty rich coming from the 1st one to throw the towel in........every week.

[i wish jj was my dad]

Good to hear and no surprises. I'm not worried if he's lost a bit of pace. He will make that up with the experience he's gained. If I had one criticism when he was with us before it was that he was too nice. I don't think that can be levelled at him now

[Lord Beni of Gorgie]

A "warrior" is music to my ******* ears!!

 

That previous crop of shite could not fight ******* sleep.

Not often it happens, but today I'm with you

[rudi must stay]

Good to hear and no surprises. I'm not worried if he's lost a bit of pace. He will make that up with the experience he's gained. If I had one criticism when he was with us before it was that he was too nice. I don't think that can be levelled at him now

Totally agree. Doesn't sound like it now, but I think he will have most strikers in his back pocket anyway. 35 caps for your country is impressive these days for any national team

[Bazzas right boot]

Pretty rich coming from the 1st one to throw the towel in........every week.

Ooft, harsh, yet true and s little funny!

[i8hibsh]

Pretty rich coming from the 1st one to throw the towel in........every week.

 

 

Yup, I do (most weeks) but I am not paid by the club.  I don't call myself a professional.

 

I'm just a ****ed off fan who will always bleed maroon.

[iantjambo]

Pretty rich coming from the 1st one to throw the towel in........every week.

He's pretty spot on with that post,to be fair.

[Harry Potter]

Looking forward to see him in the maroon again, will still do a great job for us.

[Morgan]

A "warrior" is music to my ******* ears!!

That previous crop of shite could not fight ******* sleep.

[Rudy T]

A real captain...maybe the first one since (sorry I have to mention his name) Pressley!

[Kirky Jambo]

I remember Berra being pretty pacey by SPL standards so am sure that won't be an issue. Webster ran in treacle but was still a good CB at this level.

[Section Q]

Spent his career playing for two coaches. Not a journeyman so he's a rarity. And of course he's coming home. Saw him turn out for a testimonial at Penicuik last year. Nice to see some values. Nice touch.

[i8hibsh]

I'm a big fan but I seem to remember his heading.  Was he brilliant in the air or shite in the air?  I just have his heading standing out in my mind.  It doesn't look like Hughes is up to much in the air so we need soemone to command and clear high balls.

[HMFC86]

I'm a big fan but I seem to remember his heading. Was he brilliant in the air or shite in the air? I just have his heading standing out in my mind. It doesn't look like Hughes is up to much in the air so we need soemone to command and clear high balls.

Pretty strong in the air. Exactly what we need.

[i8hibsh]

Pretty strong in the air. Exactly what we need.

 

 

Fantastic, cheers.

[Tazio]

Pretty strong in the air. Exactly what we need.

Also at offensive corners he doesn't always just attempt to go for goal but heads it back across goal into dangerous areas. Very aware.

[amadjambo]

A real captain...maybe the first one since (sorry I have to mention his name) Pressley!

Zaliukas was a good captain too.

[Don Dan]

We need a few more like him (slightly younger) but willing to take one for the team.

[Lucille's Thirsty]

Zaliukas was a good captain too.

I remember one game in midfield he played he was brilliant once he became captain he sort of grew on me to say the least.

[HMFC86]

Also at offensive corners he doesn't always just attempt to go for goal but heads it back across goal into dangerous areas. Very aware.

Yeah this is very true. He will probably be the player with the most awareness in the team.

 

I think this is often overlooked as an attribute. How many times don't pass when they should or shoot from impossible angles or head towards goal. At the other end of the pitch too, he'll know when to boot it into the shiny new stand and when to pass it.

 

Massive signing for us.

[Rudolf's Mate]

He was a grappler with us before leaving. Liked to get all over attacking players. Some would call that imposing. Think he'll do well however another huge aspect is we've got someone who really gives a **** about the club.

[4marsbars]

A real captain...maybe the first one since (sorry I have to mention his name) Pressley!

No apology necessary. What wouldn't we give for another like Pressley? Exactly what we need.

[4marsbars]

A real captain...maybe the first one since (sorry I have to mention his name) Pressley!

No apology necessary. What wouldn't we give for another like Pressley? Exactly what we need.

[communist]

No apology necessary. What wouldn't we give for another like Pressley? Exactly what we need.

Agreed - minus the forked tongue preferably though.

[Howdy Doody Jambo]

He will improve players around him, he will bond the dressing room,team spirit will shoot through the roof, he will save Cathro's job

[airdriejambo3]

Also at offensive corners he doesn't always just attempt to go for goal but heads it back across goal into dangerous areas. Very aware.

this is something I really noticed on even the short championship highlights on C5, most weeks you heard his name being mentioned winning the ball at set pieces. Also looking at his stats 8 yellow cards in 46 games from a player described by OP's friend as being a warrior is nothing but positive too and add that to 370 clearances which is 40 higher than the best premier league defender and stays injury free it all looks positive for me.

[Garrincha]

He was a really good young player with us, but he now has the opportunity to come back and make himself a club legend. I can see the appeal for him. Great signing and a real boost for the club.

[i wish jj was my dad]

I'm a big fan but I seem to remember his heading. Was he brilliant in the air or shite in the air? I just have his heading standing out in my mind. It doesn't look like Hughes is up to much in the air so we need soemone to command and clear high balls.

He is terrific in the air. I can't see any strikers getting the better of him.

[graygo]

No idea why folk on here think that Ipswich supporters would know whether he is any good or not.

 

He's shite and if he signed for Hibs he would be 6th choice for centre half. (? weeteam.net)

[Watt-Zeefuik]

Having missed most of his prior spell at Hearts, if we play a back three, do we imagine he'll be in the middle, tracking other clubs' target men?

 

Or would he play to one side or the other?

 

I am assuming Hughes, Souttar, and Berra will be our default back line next season FWIW but not on any ITK info.

[maroonlegions]

Nap he scores against the vermin. FTH.

[HMFC86]

Having missed most of his prior spell at Hearts, if we play a back three, do we imagine he'll be in the middle, tracking other clubs' target men?

 

Or would he play to one side or the other?

 

I am assuming Hughes, Souttar, and Berra will be our default back line next season FWIW but not on any ITK info.

Would think left side. Natural left footer, which is hard to find in a CB.

[Jamboelite]

Would think left side. Natural left footer, which is hard to find in a CB.

Yup this is where he would go.

[i wish jj was my dad]

Yip. He will be on the left I think. Souttar in the middle if it's a back three

[i wish jj was my dad]

Yip. He will be on the left I think. Souttar in the middle if it's a back three

[Rudy T]

Would think left side. Natural left footer, which is hard to find in a CB.

Hughes centre as the initial ball winner with Berra and Souttar dropping in. Berra reads the game very well as does Souttar so it's an encouraging start.

[Lucille's Thirsty]

I take it we must be going with three at the back then

[Fraggle1990]

I'm a big fan but I seem to remember his heading.  Was he brilliant in the air or shite in the air?  I just have his heading standing out in my mind.  It doesn't look like Hughes is up to much in the air so we need soemone to command and clear high balls.

So you dont remember his heading then?

[colinmaroon]

Pretty rich coming from the 1st one to throw the towel in........every week.

 

 

Chuckle!

[Turkishcap]

Wouldn't worry re maligning the Scottish game last time I checked there were a que of people stretching from the north of England right through Europe and beyond all desperate to have a pop.

[Section Q]

Hughes centre as the initial ball winner with Berra and Souttar dropping in. Berra reads the game very well as does Souttar so it's an encouraging start.

Probably our most encouraging back line since the days of MacPherson & Levein.

[SM Sheffield]

http://www.twtd.co.uk/forum/405477/berra-has-confirmed-he-is-leaving/

 

Some Ipswich views

[HMFC86]

http://www.twtd.co.uk/forum/405477/berra-has-confirmed-he-is-leaving/

 

Some Ipswich views

Seems to have been held in pretty high regard, good to see.

[Clerry Jambo]

http://www.greenun24.co.uk/ipswich-town/home-is-where-the-hearts-is-christophe-berra-opens-up-over-ipswich-town-exit-1-5036899

[Fort Vallance]

Exactly what we need. I just hope that people have a bit of realism. We're signing a journeyman not Maldini