BroadstairsR 1,123 Posted April 10, 2021 (edited) Up and until the recent (very) present I have readily accepted the given that GH was a decent central defender at Chumps level but would be inadequate in any Premier League defence. Gradually I have begun to doubt that analysis. Today there was no doubt left. Not only was he everywhere and everthing today he also guided a rookie partner through a difficult patch. Injury spell behind him he now proves his pedigree each and every game. How many current PL defenders can you accredit to be superior to this all-round performer? There will be a few who have cost millions, but otherwise? MoM. No doubting that. It was a tired performance. GH was wide awake throughout. (Special mention also to Todd Cantwell who never stopped working when the tide was against.) Edited April 10, 2021 by BroadstairsR 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cambridgeshire canary 3,541 Posted April 10, 2021 How could you 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cambridgeshire canary 3,541 Posted April 10, 2021 1 minute ago, BroadstairsR said: Sorry. accepted Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Capt. Pants 1,671 Posted April 10, 2021 His reading of the game is impressive and made an outstanding block first half. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cambridgeshire canary 3,541 Posted April 10, 2021 2 minutes ago, Capt. Pants said: His reading of the game is impressive and made an outstanding block first half. https://forum.pinkun.com/index.php?/topic/141882-grant-hanley-what-a-beautiful-man/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KiwiScot 655 Posted April 10, 2021 Glad to see Scottish talent shine through. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cambridgeshire canary 3,541 Posted April 10, 2021 1 minute ago, KiwiScot said: Glad to see Scottish talent shine through. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gordon Bennett 474 Posted April 10, 2021 I’ve been interacting against my better judgement with some fool on Faceache who reckons Webber has only made three good signings in his time here (Pukki, Buendia, Krul) but Hanley is right up there with them IMO, absolutely vital to this team as a leader and a defender. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yellow and Green 281 Posted April 10, 2021 Hanley will be more exposed next season (as will our whole defense) but he will be invaluable when grinding out results and fighting vs the Burnleys of the PL. We conceded far too many headed goals last season and he was missed. We still need four centre backs next season though - ideally buying/loaning another ball-playing CB. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark .Y. 279 Posted April 10, 2021 Was immense today, MOTM by a country mile Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ricardo 4,483 Posted April 10, 2021 Held it together today. A great captains performance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KiwiScot 655 Posted April 10, 2021 Hopefully will not be to jaded after playing in the euros. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hogesar 5,343 Posted April 10, 2021 To be fair most central defenders peak at around 30 years old so its pleased to see he's probably having one of his best ever seasons. Hes been a rock defensively for us throughout the season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yellowrider120 327 Posted April 10, 2021 48 minutes ago, Mark .Y. said: Was immense today, MOTM by a country mile Totally agree - he seemingly won every tackle, every header and even surged upfield on occasions. With the regular starts he's had and the injury free nature of the season he seems vastly improved to that player who made an F A Cup appearance v Portsmouth and hacked down an opponent when he turned slower than the Titanic! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man 2,422 Posted April 10, 2021 Whilst a new centre back is still a must in the summer, there's no doubt Hanley has developed considerably under Farke, and has most certainly earnt his chance of Premier League football next season. Whether or not he has improved enough to be a Premier League regular will only be seen when he comes up against the division's top attackers, but he deserves the opportunity to show what he can do. Fingers crossed he can take it, because he's clearly a top bloke and leader in the dressing room. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spillay 84 Posted April 10, 2021 Big Grant was immense today, didnt miss a header, tackle, made at least 2 important blocks and on top of all that guiding and hopefully inspiring young Andrew along who can only hugely benefit from such towering performances. Very much one of our key players now for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KiwiScot 655 Posted April 10, 2021 45 minutes ago, Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man said: Whilst a new centre back is still a must in the summer, there's no doubt Hanley has developed considerably under Farke, and has most certainly earnt his chance of Premier League football next season. Whether or not he has improved enough to be a Premier League regular will only be seen when he comes up against the division's top attackers, but he deserves the opportunity to show what he can do. Fingers crossed he can take it, because he's clearly a top bloke and leader in the dressing room. We will still need another defender next season and Hanley will have a long season with the Euros so cover will be needed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
First Wazzock 622 Posted April 10, 2021 3 hours ago, cambridgeshire canary said: How could you My irony meter is off the scale... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank shoots Skyler 1,613 Posted April 10, 2021 3 hours ago, BroadstairsR said: Up and until the recent (very) present I have readily accepted the given that GH was a decent central defender at Chumps level but would be inadequate in any Premier League defence. Gradually I have begun to doubt that analysis. Today there was no doubt left. Not only was he everywhere and everthing today he also guided a rookie partner through a difficult patch. Injury spell behind him he now proves his pedigree each and every game. How many current PL defenders can you accredit to be superior to this all-round performer? There will be a few who have cost millions, but otherwise? MoM. No doubting that. It was a tired performance. GH was wide awake throughout. (Special mention also to Todd Cantwell who never stopped working when the tide was against.) Agree with all of that, was the clear standout player in a poor overall team performance. He’s really come so far this season since settling into a run of games, an absolute rock in the air and on the ground, and surprising handy with the ball at his feet too; several times he set Giannoulis away today. He really deserves a shot next year in the PL although the CB area will need strengthening regardless. So we will most certainly buy one. But I could absolutely see Hanley doing a ‘Krul’ of last season - I.e. not completely trusted for returning to PL football, so Fahrmann comes in as a potential suitor but Krul is given the chance to keep the number 1 spot - which he more than did. This could definitely be Hanley, and I wouldn’t mind one bit! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank shoots Skyler 1,613 Posted April 10, 2021 Also to add: I simply cannot wait for the fans of our first few opponents to rip into our club for STILL having Grant Hanley at the back (I.e. exactly what happened on football Twitter when he skewed that own goal in on the first game of last season at Anfield), only for them to be completely silenced when they realise the man is an absolute monster. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Move Klose 281 Posted April 10, 2021 1 hour ago, Hank shoots Skyler said: Agree with all of that, was the clear standout player in a poor overall team performance. He’s really come so far this season since settling into a run of games, an absolute rock in the air and on the ground, and surprising handy with the ball at his feet too; several times he set Giannoulis away today. He really deserves a shot next year in the PL although the CB area will need strengthening regardless. So we will most certainly buy one. But I could absolutely see Hanley doing a ‘Krul’ of last season - I.e. not completely trusted for returning to PL football, so Fahrmann comes in as a potential suitor but Krul is given the chance to keep the number 1 spot - which he more than did. This could definitely be Hanley, and I wouldn’t mind one bit! We will need a CB to be good competition for Gibson and Hanley, that isnt Zimmermann I'm afraid. Gibson, Hanley, NEW CB, Zimermann and one of Famewo/Omobamidele. We have been linked with a CB at Lens, I think his name is Loic Balde. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
It's Character Forming 801 Posted April 11, 2021 Yes he’s come a long way since conceding that goal vs Liverpool. he’s now really comfortable receiving the ball and playing it out , when he first started with Farkeball you could see the nerves. My last game was away at Sheffield Utd last season who were flying high but he was immense and dominated their attackers, that game could have gone either way. We need 4 CBs going into next season and he’s definitely on the list. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GJL Mid-Norfolk Canary 814 Posted April 11, 2021 10 hours ago, KiwiScot said: Hopefully will not be to jaded after playing in the euros. Doubt it...Scotland will be the first team out of the compeition 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
