BIG ECK Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 Really pleased for the lad yesterday as he strolled it. Also good to see so many acknowledge this on the Ratings v Raith match thread👍 Time to give the boy a run of games and then judge him properly. You never know he may be half the solution to the CH position that we crave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunny Munro Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 He really looked good last night, and I've never been a subscriber to the 'he's a bombscare' club. Going by goals conceded per game he's our best CB (even before last night). Needs a run to see if he's going to be worth keeping for next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busby8 Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 His mobility going forward is pretty good and suits our style of play. If he can get the defensive lapses sorted out he will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG ECK Posted January 27, 2021 Author Share Posted January 27, 2021 1 minute ago, Bunny Munro said: He really looked good last night, and I've never been a subscriber to the 'he's a bombscare' club. Going by goals conceded per game he's our best CB (even before last night). Needs a run to see if he's going to be worth keeping for next year. He was aggressive, dominating on the ground as well as in the air, was extremely composed on the ball while displaying a large degree of skill. Whats not to like and encourage in the coming matches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juho_Makela_Goal_Machine Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 In a different league to Berra. As much as I think he is better defensively than Berra, its when we've got the ball that you see the real difference. Teams know that you can leave Berra and he'll never be able to pick a decent pass to anyone in maroon and in all likelihood the ball will end up out the park. Popescu has the confidence and ability to step out with the ball and pick a pass, and teams know this so are forced to come and meet him. Opens up space for Irving in the middle to get on the ball and work his magic, as evidenced by the second half of the game at the weekend and last night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davemclaren Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 2 minutes ago, Busby8 said: His mobility going forward is pretty good and suits our style of play. If he can get the defensive lapses sorted out he will be fine. Yip, very mobile but makes reckless decisions occasionally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruyff Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 On last nights showing alone he looks like our best option at Centerhalf. As said above though. he needs to show that everyweek to justify that. Regardless of how he does, we still need to sign a top notch Centerhalf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Absolute Scenes Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 Ball at his feet, he’s always looking for a the next ground pass unlike Hooftophe Berra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Natural Order Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 I remember a time on here when Big Zal was a "bombscare". Turned out not bad at all. There's a player in Popescu and if he can settle he'll be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG ECK Posted January 27, 2021 Author Share Posted January 27, 2021 5 minutes ago, Cruyff said: On last nights showing alone he looks like our best option at Centerhalf. As said above though. he needs to show that everyweek to justify that. Regardless of how he does, we still need to sign a top notch Centerhalf. Totally agree a new CB is a must but maybe just maybe Popescu may be his sidekick? With a little confidence who knows eh!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manaliveits105 Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 God bless the Pope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maroonblood Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 When he beat the 2 men and then played the chipped pass it certainly showed awareness and ability, as others have said it is maybe decision making that can let him down a little. However as the team get used to playing with him, the full back or defensive midfielder should drop to cover him when he does that. Reminiscent of Big Slim's forward gallops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NANOJAMBO Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 I thought he did well last night but a couple of things stick in my mind (aside from the fact he didn't have much to do defensively last night) - Good - one example in the first half when he showed great skill on the half way line, beat two players , played a forward pass and we nearly scored. Two passes. A good chance created. Bad - first half, a nothing ball was played from Raith's right side diagonally over the CBs - him & Halkett were all over the place. If he can sort out the defensive side he might have a great season ahead of him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HMFC01 Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 Great game for him last night. Under the pressure of taking another head knock. 🤕 Will be a different game on Saturday , will have to deal with more aerial challenges. If we keep the ball though that will lessen that threat. He's got the quality to play the passes and keep composure. Quite vocal as well, positively vocal, not shouting like a madman. I like him. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busby1985 Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 Think it helped him switching sides with Halkett. Playing on the right of the two when he’s right footed helped him. Also very notable to see that he plays a part in the first goal with the players being confident enough to pass the ball to him and him being able to pass the ball back along the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyRightPeg Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 I didn’t see too much wrong with his performances and thought he was particularly unlucky to find himself out the side for as long as he has. Yes Dunfermline was a shocker, but it was for the whole team that night. Pleased he’s back in as I also feel his range of passing is streaks ahead of curly toe Berra and allows us to sometimes miss out the midfield and hit Boyce’s feet quicker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homme Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 Him and Berra will swap around all season I'd imagine. Was only recently Popescu was getting slated and Berra praised. Reality is both are adequate for this season but not good enough for next, imo of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upgotheheads Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 11 minutes ago, The Natural Order said: I remember a time on here when Big Zal was a "bombscare". Turned out not bad at all. There's a player in Popescu and if he can settle he'll be fine. Hopefully. If he can stop the casual mistakes and giving the ball away on forward runs, leaving us exposed at the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soonbe110 Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 32 minutes ago, BIG ECK said: Really pleased for the lad yesterday as he strolled it. Also good to see so many acknowledge this on the Ratings v Raith match thread👍 Time to give the boy a run of games and then judge him properly. You never know he may be half the solution to the CH position that we crave. Was that the first league game that it’s been him and Halkett together? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazo Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 (edited) If he can be coached to just defend sometimes and not dribble it up the park I think he can be a player for us. Don’t think his actual defending is the problem just what he does after winning the ball. Edited January 27, 2021 by Dazo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pointon Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 Credit were credits due top performance last night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juho_Makela_Goal_Machine Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 19 minutes ago, Dazo said: If he can be coached to just defend sometimes and not dribble it up the park I think he can be a player for us. Don’t think his actual defending is the problem just what he does after winning the ball. Funny that, I think his best attribute is what he does with the ball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GinRummy Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 38 minutes ago, manaliveits105 said: God bless the Pope Indeed. Hopefully see the Soapy Popey partnership next season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyCant Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 (edited) Hard to fully judge him on last night as the defensive pressure was just about zero. However when he came on last Saturday I thought he improved us, albeit he lost the ball in midfield for the 3rd goal. Didn’t think he deserved to be put in storage in the first place and I rate him ahead of Berra. Not sure what Berra’s injury situation is but playing Popescu for a while is a good thing anyway IMO. Berra is finished and if we can replace him without buying then so much the better Edited January 27, 2021 by JimmyCant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruyff Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 42 minutes ago, BIG ECK said: Totally agree a new CB is a must but maybe just maybe Popescu may be his sidekick? With a little confidence who knows eh!! Possibly. Depends how he does over the rest of this season. Next season will see our defence tested week in, week out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weakened Offender Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 46 minutes ago, The Natural Order said: I remember a time on here when Big Zal was a "bombscare". Turned out not bad at all. There's a player in Popescu and if he can settle he'll be fine. Very good comparison. Poepescu strolled past two players last night before pinging a peach to Walker who should have scored. There's a player there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R1874 Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 Popescu maybe needs a younger Berra or Webster type there to hold his hand Halkett ain’t it. Especially with limited protection in front If we could get a switched on CB to play with him he could work out fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May one-six Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 I think people have been too quick to judge Popescu. He clearly likes to play football rather than just lump it up front. Maybe a bit over confident at times, but if he can tighten up and make sure he's at it when it comes to defending, then I reckon he could be a very useful player for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jambonian Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 Just now, busby1985 said: Think it helped him switching sides with Halkett. Playing on the right of the two when he’s right footed helped him. Also very notable to see that he plays a part in the first goal with the players being confident enough to pass the ball to him and him being able to pass the ball back along the ground. This is it for me. I'd said on another post a few days ago that with him being naturally right-sided he should be on the Souttar side, not the Berra side. Halkett appears more comfortable on the left, being two-footed helps but the situation as it is with Berra out should see Popescu playing on the right side for the rest of the season. If Souttar can get back up to speed there's no reason why Popescu can't be his back-up. It's really the left side that's needing sorted. A solid left-footed central defender should be a priority. Halkett is one of those types that can fit in when he needs and a handy back-up. Let's hope we can source a leftie central defender as soon as possible. Come home Jimmy Dunne! (joking!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazo Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 17 minutes ago, Juho_Makela_Goal_Machine said: Funny that, I think his best attribute is what he does with the ball. Don't get me wrong he is very comfy on the ball but he needs to pick his moment’s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batistuta87 Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 Never really saw much wrong with him in the first place - maybe a bit clumsy if anything - but I've always thought he'd be a better shout than Berra. Hopefully he keeps the momentum going and keeps his place in the team ahead of Berra. Halkett looked nervous last night and made a couple of silly mistakes, but hopefully this settles as the two of them get some games together. I'd still sign a centre back if there's a good option available to us, because I think Berra is completely done at Hearts - even as a sub. We should have kept young Petkov around and used him as backup this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Sanchez Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 I hope he's not dropped after one mistake and told he didn't take his chance just to put Berra back in. Not Berra bashing, just want a bit of fairness for the guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 I’ve always felt he was written off too soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kidd’s Boots Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 I've always felt that he's come in for some over the top criticism, and given the same opportunity in the team as others have enjoyed this season, he will provide a more solid option defensively and in an attacking sense. Looks for passes to feet, very mobile and in 2 games against Raith, dominated their striker in arial battles. If Armand hadn't lept to dizzying heights for his 2nd last night, Popescu was in at the back post virtually unmarked to score. Needs a run of games to prove his worth to some quarters imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo-Jambo Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 1 hour ago, RustyRightPeg said: I didn’t see too much wrong with his performances and thought he was particularly unlucky to find himself out the side for as long as he has. Yes Dunfermline was a shocker, but it was for the whole team that night. Pleased he’s back in as I also feel his range of passing is streaks ahead of curly toe Berra and allows us to sometimes miss out the midfield and hit Boyce’s feet quicker. Think he was made a bit of a scapegoat for the Dunfermline game actually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bull's-eye Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 Some serious reverse parking on this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazzas right boot Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 Reminds me of a young Zal. Easy on the eye, good on the ball but prone to mistakes. Too many at one point. Zal matured tho and cut out most of the brain farts over time. I think Zal was also a bit more commanding and aggressive tho, something you need for Scottish football. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wavydavy Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 1 hour ago, Busby8 said: His mobility going forward is pretty good and suits our style of play. If he can get the defensive lapses sorted out he will be fine. This. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wavydavy Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 18 minutes ago, Bull's-eye said: Some serious reverse parking on this thread. I think the difference with his performans last night was that when he had his little forays forward with the ball they were on or aroung the halfway line because we played a much higher line. On Saturday he was doing the same thing just outside our box and losing the ball. Looked a different player last night from Saturday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasAndy Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 I thought he was decent footballer from first glance but unfortunately he comes with bomb scare moments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jambo83 Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 Berra is a better defender for clearing his lines, Popescu is far better with the ball at his feet and distributing it. A combination of both would be lovely. I don't think we should get over excited though. That's the first game he's looked so good and Raith done nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG ECK Posted January 27, 2021 Author Share Posted January 27, 2021 53 minutes ago, Bull's-eye said: Some serious reverse parking on this thread. Not from me as I always felt he had hardly had time to take his coat off before some have him prosecuted without a fair trial. All supporters do it but it’s morally wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmaroon Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 2 hours ago, Busby8 said: His mobility going forward is pretty good and suits our style of play. If he can get the defensive lapses sorted out he will be fine. All about concentration. He was excellent last night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmaroon Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 45 minutes ago, Jambo83 said: Berra is a better defender for clearing his lines, Popescu is far better with the ball at his feet and distributing it. A combination of both would be lovely. I don't think we should get over excited though. That's the first game he's looked so good and Raith done nothing. Partly because he had Duku in his pocket and he was commanding in the air. I'm in the "keep the bandage on" brigade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazzas right boot Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 23 minutes ago, colinmaroon said: Partly because he had Duku in his pocket and he was commanding in the air. I'm in the "keep the bandage on" brigade. He will have his good games and bad games. He is more of a footballer than Berra, but then who isn't? Even when he came in on Sat, Popescu had a few glaring lapses. Him and Berra will do this season as will Halket, we need to look at the individuals and the mix for next season tho. None of the defenders collectively fill me with confidence atm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon simpson Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 good to see him have a great game , think not having Berra greeting and moaning helped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davemclaren Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 2 hours ago, Bull's-eye said: Some serious reverse parking on this thread. One game you’re a hero, the next a villain. Always been the way in football. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One five Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 10 minutes ago, davemclaren said: One game you’re a hero, the next a villain. Always been the way in football. Especially with us dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davemclaren Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 Just now, One five said: Especially with us dave. I’m sure it’s pretty much the same everywhere, we just see/hear it more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One five Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 20 minutes ago, davemclaren said: I’m sure it’s pretty much the same everywhere, we just see/hear it more. Yeah probably 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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