James Tarkowski -

[Kingston Bee]

Tarks stood out today, excellent performance.....

 

[maddogging]

Superb tackle early on in our own box set the tone for the rest of his performance

 

[NorthamptonBee]

He was so good today, he was so bad last week, I'm pleased for the chap, I hope he and Dean get us into those POs, they deserve the honour even though neither could complain if Warbs had thought otherwise today, IMO a brave decision to play the pair but well rewarded.

 

[HertfordBee]

He was so good today, he was so bad last week...

I have no wish to pry into Tarkowski's private affairs, but I reckon he can be as bad as he wants to be on his time off...

 

[NorthamptonBee]

I have no wish to pry into Tarkowski's private affairs, but I reckon he can be as bad as he wants to be on his time off...

Alcohol has dulled my brain, I know that doesn't sound possible but its true, we set off with train troubles at 8.00 am this morning and got home about 30 minutes ago! Somewhere down the line we walloped Fulham and my eyes don't want sleep yet, it feels to good to go to sleep just yet. Tarkowski was class today and I have no idea what he was like last week.

 

[sussexb]

Absolutely immense today.

 

[Holysmit]

He's rather good at this fussball thing.

 

[Gonads2]

Thought he was solid today and actually played some good stuff out of defence. He looks class when he plays like that.

 

[A Real Mysteron]

I'd have looked good against Cauley Woodrow.

Tarky and Dean were faultless yesterday.

 

[opinions5u]

It is nice when a 17 year old you've described as looking like a real talent then turns into a real talent,

 

[Bridge Bee]

Have the circus come in with a bid for him yet?

Looked premiership this time last season. Looks Ryman League now.

 

[JTofBFC]

Thinks he is better than he is. Far too casual too often, looking forward very much to a completely revamped defence next season. Our left side 2nd half of the season has been a real weak link,

 

[beeherenow]

I'm as ****ed off as anyone but let's keep it sensible, he's a very good centre half who's saved us many times throughout the season, he had a mare today but let's not go OTT

 

[Bridge Bee]

I'm as ****ed off as anyone but let's keep it sensible, he's a very good centre half who's saved us many times throughout the season, he had a mare today but let's not go OTT

Don't agree. Is showing himself not to be up to this level.

L1 bully perhaps.

 

[beeherenow]

Don't agree. Is showing himself not to be up to this level.

L1 bully perhaps.

All about opinions, just feels a bit harsh.

 

[JTofBFC]

Today wasn't a one off it has been a regular feature this season . A consistent safety first approach is a pre requisite for a CB . He doesn't have that.

 

[Buzzettesfriend]

He was also dreadful in the first half on Tuesday night. Then Dean took the job of being awful off him in the second half.

 

[NorthamptonBee]

A good player, today was a nightmare but so has been watching our defence for the vital part of our season, there again with some much off-field rubbish, we 've done well to hang about as long as we have...No point knocking him though.

 

[Guildford Bee]

Don't agree. Is showing himself not to be up to this level.

L1 bully perhaps.

Do me a favour. He made a stupid mistake, I admit he's made a few this season, but to call him a League One bully is ridiculous.

 

[wanderer paul]

Don't agree. Is showing himself not to be up to this level.

L1 bully perhaps.

Dear me, what utter tripe.

 

[beeherenow]

Today wasn't a one off it has been a regular feature this season . A consistent safety first approach is a pre requisite for a CB . He doesn't have that.

Coz he's not being told to do that

 

[Lionel Bart-At]

Coz he's not being told to do that

You're right. He is encouraged to play the way he does. He is just too casual at times... a bit like Rio Ferdinand at West Ham and early on at Leeds. Didn't stop him becoming one of the country's best ever CBs though.

 

[beeherenow]

You're right. He is encouraged to play the way he does. He is just too casual at times... a bit like Rio Ferdinand at West Ham and early on at Leeds. Didn't stop him becoming one of the country's best ever CBs though.

And with the right coaching and direction I think tarks could be a quality centre half and maybe play in the premier league one day

 

[jlove]

I'm sorry, JT fans, but today he struggled to keep up with Emile Heskey, 15 years older than him, and Adam le Fondre gave him a head start and cruised past him to get to the ball. That's not a player that may play in the Premier League where the only slow centre backs were once quick and have experience on their side.

 

[Isleworth_Bee]

Well he needs to step it up for next season as im sure we will see 2 top CB's being signed.

 

[super J]

Poor game today but think he's had a reasonable season and has definitely proved he can hack it at this level and is still our best centre back.

Problem is, similar to Harlee, when he makes an error it's a huge error and it tends to cost us a goal. You just have to think back to the goals we've conceded at home in the past four home games to realise where our weakness has been this season.

 

[Lionel Bart-At]

I'm sorry, JT fans, but today he struggled to keep up with Emile Heskey, 15 years older than him, and Adam le Fondre gave him a head start and cruised past him to get to the ball. That's not a player that may play in the Premier League where the only slow centre backs were once quick and have experience on their side.

I don't think he is particularly slow, and certainly not as slow as Bobby Moore! I only mention the great one because Harry Rednapp named him in his dream team last week and spoke about his lack of pace, but qualified this with the now clichéd observation that the first few yards are between the ears. I think Tarky shows signs of having that same speed of thought and anticipation. And good timing in his tackles too.

 

[jlove]

... but on the evidence of today...

I never considered Le Fondre to be quick, more a poacher, but more than once he overtook Tarkowski within half-a-dozen paces.

 

[WARFIELD BEE]

I don't think he is particularly slow, and certainly not as slow as Bobby Moore! I only mention the great one because Harry Rednapp named him in his dream team last week and spoke about his lack of pace, but qualified this with the now clichéd observation that the first few yards are between the ears. I think Tarky shows signs of having that same speed of thought and anticipation. And good timing in his tackles too.

Well his ears are certainly big enough!

 

[Lionel Bart-At]

Well his ears are certainly big enough!

Could account for some reduction in speed, I suppose?

 

[HertfordBee]

...has definitely proved he can hack it at this level...

I don't agree. Not one of the three centre-backs has come anywhere close to proving they are good enough to perform consistently at this level.

 

[Holysmit]

****ed up massively on the goal today, but you can see with the way he breaks from the back how much talent he has and when you add in the number of good tackles he has made throughout the season you can see the player he could be. I think he is probably just a bit inexperienced as if you put a "talker" next to him he would come on leaps and bounds. With the way he moves on the ball and some of the tackles he makes, lets face it if he didn't make mistakes he wouldn't be with us. He will play a lot higher hopefully with us but is still very much learning his trade.

 

[opinions5u]

Well if he's rubbish now feel free to send him back.

 

[Ashford Bees]

Well if he's rubbish now feel free to send him back.

Unfortunately we have some deluded fans who forget we were playing crap football in the basement league not long ago. Ridiculous.

 

[Infatuated Bees Alter Ego]

Unfortunately we have some deluded fans who forget we were playing crap football in the basement league not long ago. Ridiculous.

'Deluded'. That's not very nice is it ?!

 

[hanworthbee]

hasn't learnt from his mistakes over the season, no doubting his ability but his concentration levels aren't up to scratch at the moment so I'm undecided whether or not he's the answer

 

[A Real Mysteron]

Well if he's rubbish now feel free to send him back.

With all due respect, I think our expectations (rightly or wrongly) have moved on slightly from Oldham's.

 

[shouldbee]

hasn't learnt from his mistakes over the season, no doubting his ability but his concentration levels aren't up to scratch at the moment so I'm undecided whether or not he's the answer

Can you let us know when you decide as we're all feeling a bit anxious !

 

[westy]

He's made as many mistakes as Harlee this year.

Still the better defender.

 

[opinions5u]

With all due respect, I think our expectations (rightly or wrongly) have moved on slightly from Oldham's.

With all due respect, I'm fully aware of that.

What you will note, if you read several pages of this thread, is that while the lad may not be the perfect centre half he certainly gets more positive reviews than negative ones.

He's what, 22 years old? Still a little time off reaching footballing maturity.

If he's not going to make it then by all means get rid. But given that he was playing youth team football two and a half years ago I'd suggest his progress has been impressive. It sounds like it would be premature to ditch him now.

Even the best centre halves make a handful of mistakes that lead to goals conceded in a season. Most of them are older than Tarkowski.

 

[jlove]

A lot of the 'problems' he has are caused by being played on the left without having a decent left foot. He rarely can pass out to Bidwell, particularly if he's under any sort of pressure, and needs too long to get his feet sorted out. Facing the goal, with a player behind him, his only option is to pass across the goal. With his back to goal, he will feel more comfortable stepping forward with the ball than passing, if he's not in lots of space to go long, he will then run into a blind alley. While he may still be our best central defender with the most potential, I still think he's just too slow. We're playing in England's 'Top 30', we must have better centre backs and covering midfielders; this season's stats tell us that.

 

[Beenut]

T

A lot of the 'problems' he has are caused by being played on the left without having a decent left foot. He rarely can pass out to Bidwell, particularly if he's under any sort of pressure, and needs too long to get his feet sorted out. Facing the goal, with a player behind him, his only option is to pass across the goal. With his back to goal, he will feel more comfortable stepping forward with the ball than passing, if he's not in lots of space to go long, he will then run into a blind alley. While he may still be our best central defender with the most potential, I still think he's just too slow. We're playing in England's 'Top 30', we must have better centre backs and covering midfielders; this season's stats tell us that.

He is our best CB but been moved to the left to accommodate Harlee. Always thought you should play your best players in their best positions. Been thinking most of the season we need more pace in both our CBs because of how we play. Hoping o Connell is up to scratch for next season

 

[zombee]

the criticism of harlee and tarky (and tony Craig back when he was playing) is shows how far our expectations have come this year.

Each is capable of a great game (though when tarky plays he looks more premiership ready), an also some howlers.

It's hard to isolate their performances, since we do play a style of football that exposes them, and their contributions are more than just their defensive ones. It was stated elsewhere (north london bee I think) that tarky had made the most passes for us this season.

With our fluid and attacking style, we have asked for a bit more from most of our players than we would in a more static formation.

Neither tarky and harlee are helped by the fact that neither had played championship football before, and both are prone to individual errors.

I think both harlee and tarky are suited to the way we've played this year, but am not sure either will ever totally eliminate the unforced errors.

Do we get enough from tarky and harlee to make up for their unforced errors?

At the start of the season I would have said yes. They have been good enough to get us comfortably into the top half, and both have helped build play that have led to a lot of goals.

My ambition wasn't that high at the start of the year. Championship football for the first time in my supporting life, winning more than we lose, beating fulham twice. Very happy with that thank you very much.

But MB has surprised me with his ambition, and the events of the 2nd half of the season makes it clear that moving this club up one level is not enough for him.

With that in mind, he'll be looking for players that can mount a serious challenge for this league, and can stay in the promised land when we get there.

Are tarky and harlee those players? Probably not. No fault of their own though, and I don't think we can write them off fully in their first championship season. MB has probably made his decision already, and is lining up replacements for one or both of them. O'connell may be one of those.

I'd love both of them to succeed, as i want players from our league one campaign make the next step of the journey with us. We haven't seen the full extent of MB's investment yet I think, which means we are moving onwards and upwards with or without tarky and harlee.

I think they'll probably be casualties of our success. I hope they step it up another level and lead us to a title season next year. But if they don't, that probably says more about MB and his ambition than it does about them.

 

[jlove]

I consider the English second tier to be the bottom 10 clubs of the Premier League plus the top 10 clubs in the Championship. If we're serious about being in that group - and I firmly believe MB is deadly serious about it - we need players of sufficient qualities for their respective positions (as well as depth, but that's another story). A typical centre back is 26-27 years old, with a lot of playing time at a decent level behind him; we just don't have that. I therefore fully expect that we will recruit two centre backs of that calibre. This also means two back-up players a few years younger, for example Tarkowski and O'Connell. While it appears O'Connell may also cover at left back (although Rochdale fans didn't think much of him there) I also expect a left back and a right back to be added, as we currently do not have sufficient cover there. That's a new back line, although maybe not as first choice.

 

[The Pipe]

In fairness to both Harlee and Tarky I firmly beleive that they have been left very exposed by the defensive midfielder, whoever that might be cos I am never sure!!!

 

[Owlsmoor_Bee]

The conundrum with James, and to a lesser extent Harlee, isn't the quality of their general play which is for the most part excellent, but the individual and hugely costly errors they've made. What's most disappointing is the fact that they've not managed to eradicate them as the season's progressed. That's not a coaching problem IMO but down to the players themselves.

In the case of Tarkowski, he has incredible potential IMO, and I believe is very highly rated by those at the club, but he must cut out those poor lapses in concentration if he's to be as good as I think he can be.

 

[wanderer paul]

The conundrum with James, and to a lesser extent Harlee, isn't the quality of their general play which is for the most part excellent, but the individual and hugely costly errors they've made. What's most disappointing is the fact that they've not managed to eradicate them as the season's progressed. That's not a coaching problem IMO but down to the players themselves.

In the case of Tarkowski, he has incredible potential IMO, and I believe is very highly rated by those at the club, but he must cut out those poor lapses in concentration if he's to be as good as I think he can be.

It's knowing when to make the decision to just clear your lines and to not faff around with the ball too near your own box. There's a time to play it and a time to clear it and defend the throw in.

 

[HertfordBee]

In the case of Tarkowski, he has incredible potential IMO, and I believe is very highly rated by those at the club, but he must cut out those poor lapses in concentration if he's to be as good as I think he can be.

I'm a firm believer that if a player gets to 21/22 and hasn't been able to eradicate that from his game, he rarely does.

 

[Downbeat Bee]

The conundrum with James, and to a lesser extent Harlee, isn't the quality of their general play which is for the most part excellent, but the individual and hugely costly errors they've made. What's most disappointing is the fact that they've not managed to eradicate them as the season's progressed. That's not a coaching problem IMO but down to the players themselves.

In the case of Tarkowski, he has incredible potential IMO, and I believe is very highly rated by those at the club, but he must cut out those poor lapses in concentration if he's to be as good as I think he can be.

The last bit mirrors my thinking exactly

 

[sonofabee]

The conundrum with James, and to a lesser extent Harlee, isn't the quality of their general play which is for the most part excellent, but the individual and hugely costly errors they've made. What's most disappointing is the fact that they've not managed to eradicate them as the season's progressed. That's not a coaching problem IMO but down to the players themselves.

In the case of Tarkowski, he has incredible potential IMO, and I believe is very highly rated by those at the club, but he must cut out those poor lapses in concentration if he's to be as good as I think he can be.

Needs the right partner alongside guiding him.