Sebastien Bassong embraces Bradley Johnson after Norwich City secured a draw at Everton. Picture: Paul Chesterton / Focus Images
Poll: Sebastien Bassong was our Norwich City Man of the Match against Everton, who was yours?
Paddy Davitt
Monday, November 26, 2012
11:59 AM
The true value of Sebastien Bassong can be measured on his impact over those around him. Leon Barnett, Michael Turner and now Ryan Bennett have all operated in tandem in the Premier League this season.
All three have the raw materials to ply their trade in the Premier League, but Bassong is the common denonimator why they have looked so assured at various times. The Parisian is the glue binding a City backline together, one which has undergone a dramatic transformation since those hesitant early displays.
Bassong plays with a confidence and a swagger borne of a player who knows he has the gifts to shine among the best. This latest offering also proved he had the application and the leadership qualities to flourish alongside the young and inexperienced Bennett.
Steven Pienaar was a stand- out performer for Everton in the opening period despite a crunching introduction to Bassong. Or maybe it was because of, as Pienaar opted to seek solace in a wider right role after his heavy early collision in the centre of the park. Bassong is a proactive presence, willing to meet aerial challenges on numerous occasions or in his reactions to imminent danger with a series of block.
Bassong is also a major set-piece threat. Everton were warned in the opening period when he headed wide under pressure. There was no such let-off as the clock ticked towards stoppage time. John Heitinga didn’t appear to relish the prospect of dealing with Bassong. To be fair, you couldn’t really blame him.
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6 comments
i can think of one, DocOhNo, a certain John Barnes was a disaster at Celtic. i don't think i have ever seen the city fans do such a quick about face as the one concerning Turner or Hughton for that matter.
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goldeneadie
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
I heard a Sunderland fan on 5 Live yesterday terrified that if results don't pick up M O'N might leave them. He was shocked when it was pointed out that if results don't pick up leaving might not be his choice! It made me ponder as to how good a manager M O'N really is. He won the League Cup (twice?) at Leicester then left them in the lurch. He then had a successful spell at Celtic (as did Gordon Strachan and anyone else you can think of!) then look at the state of Villa now. I think that some managers get by for a long time on their own myths. Don't even start me on Mark Hughes!
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DocOhNo
Monday, November 26, 2012
Btw, "Tetley`s" performance was Extra Smooth. His fan backing belies the paltry `6` the journo gave him. Hoots` defence & holding midfield acquisitions have transformed the shape of the team. So now we have talented players like Fox, Surman, Howson and E. Bennett on the fringes. Then Butterfield, Barnett & R. Bennett. Our cup runneth over, but players will want to play. Won`t they?
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Mad Brewer
Monday, November 26, 2012
CanaryWest, I was similar to you ref. Turner. He looked to have a sound CV but O`Neill didn`t seem to care if stayed or went at Sunderland. (Something amiss with the Black Cats or O`N?). And MT had a couple of nightmare games early on. Looks the real deal now. There`s no suspicion Double Bass is injured is there?? I believe Turner won`t be rushed back for Soton on Weds, but there`s nothing wrong with Barnett or Benno1, is there? They both seem to work well with Seb, even when under the cosh. ;-)
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Mad Brewer
Monday, November 26, 2012
You have to hand it to Hoots, the defenders he has brought in HAVE beeen an upgrade on last season. I was critical of Turner at first, but I will be the first to admit I was wrong about him and confess I actually thought "oh no" when I heard he wasn't playing last week. I hope Bassong is fit to go on Weds.
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CanaryWest
Monday, November 26, 2012
I wonder what other Euro\Afro gems Hoots might have up his sleeve? He got a lot of good players in at Newcastle, including Seb, I believe? Pardew not doing so well just now but he has a 10 year contract. The new Fergie\Wenger?
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Mad Brewer
Monday, November 26, 2012