[Albion] Jan Paul van Hecke

[Weststander]

Wow, just €3m.

 

[maresfield seagull]

If anyone genuinely thinks that Thursday is the biggest game in our history, then they don't know our history.

Don't get all huffy Twas a few years ago
Some of the newer recruits might need some lessons on history

 

[Questions]

Another great performance, making the spot his own.

I like Webster when he gets up to scratch though

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

JPVH now indisputably Lewis Dunk's main partner for the season

Yes there will be rotation. But when push comes to shove, Van Hecke will be lining up alongside Dunky

 

[maresfield seagull]

JPVH now indisputably Lewis Dunk's main partner for the season

Yes there will be rotation. But when push comes to shove, Van Hecke will be lining up alongside Dunky

Dunk gross plus the rest

 

[Farehamseagull]

He’s been fully De Zerbi’d, not only excellent defending but check out our first goal. He stops and controls the ball with his sole and then plays a pacy, incisive pass centrally through the lines to the front man starting the attack. Peak De Zerbi.

 

[Terry Butcher Tribute Act]

Looks a proper player now. Another well done to the recruitment team

 

[Bodian]

Especially good considering his early yellow card. Playing against Rashford for the rest of the match like that takes some doing.

 

[The Fits]

 

[Psychobilly freakout]

It’s only the biggest game in our history

Can I ask, did you have your sense of humour removed at birth ?

 

[Badger Boy]

I spent last season angry that we were playing Chelsea's future first choice CB for a season and blocking JPVH's development. He'd have another 30 games under his belt for us by now if we hadn't been so keen to develop Colwill for Chelsea's benefit.

JPVH is the real deal and he could be Dunk's longer term successor. CBs aren't as sexy for poaching.

 

[southstandandy]

I have to say I had my doubts with him initially, but fair play to him, he's slowly got better and better and looks another potential gem for the future (as well as now).

Definitely helps that he's getting a run of games but it's great to see his improvement from a slightly indifferent period last season. Well done VH.

 

[GT49er]

I spent last season angry that we were playing Chelsea's future first choice CB for a season and blocking JPVH's development. He'd have another 30 games under his belt for us by now if we hadn't been so keen to develop Colwill for Chelsea's benefit.

JPVH is the real deal and he could be Dunk's longer term successor. CBs aren't as sexy for poaching.

I think his development pathway has turned out very well (as did last season, for that matter!) Agree about a possible (very) long term Dunk successor.

 

[Horses Arse]

I spent last season angry that we were playing Chelsea's future first choice CB for a season and blocking JPVH's development. He'd have another 30 games under his belt for us by now if we hadn't been so keen to develop Colwill for Chelsea's benefit.

JPVH is the real deal and he could be Dunk's longer term successor. CBs aren't as sexy for poaching.

But that was part of the plan, Chelsea spunking huge weekly wages over a decade on a player they thought they wanted because we'd made him look great. Genius really.

 

[Lethargic]

I spent last season angry that we were playing Chelsea's future first choice CB for a season and blocking JPVH's development. He'd have another 30 games under his belt for us by now if we hadn't been so keen to develop Colwill for Chelsea's benefit.

JPVH is the real deal and he could be Dunk's longer term successor. CBs aren't as sexy for poaching.

I have been saying this for a while now JPVH is a brilliant player and feel he is being set to be Dunks long term replacement (that hurts to say).

 

[Mustafa II]

I have been saying this for a while now JPVH is a brilliant player and feel he is being set to be Dunks long term replacement (that hurts to say).

Dunk is likely to outlast JPVH at the club even yet.

If he's as good as we hope he is, then chances are he'll be making a big money move one of these years... but who knows.

Dunk on the other hand, chances are, is here for the rest of his career. Hopefully he's still got another 5+ seasons in him too.

 

[Farehamseagull]

I spent last season angry that we were playing Chelsea's future first choice CB for a season and blocking JPVH's development. He'd have another 30 games under his belt for us by now if we hadn't been so keen to develop Colwill for Chelsea's benefit.

JPVH is the real deal and he could be Dunk's longer term successor. CBs aren't as sexy for poaching.

But what we did has worked out perfectly as usual though? Colwill was very good for us last season and if you look at JPVH’s first performances, he really wasn’t ready - his passing was not up to the standard required and the players noticably didn’t pass to him. After a year working with RDZ, he is clearly ready now.

Plus we obviously wanted a left sided centre back with the bids for Colwill, interest in Matvienko and signing Igor so I don’t think JPVH was seen as a first choice alongside Dunk initially but his performances have kept him in the team now. I still think the long term ideal is to have a left sided CB alongside Dunk (hopefully Igor) with JPVH the alternative to Dunk when he’s injured/needs resting and longer term, the successor to him.

 

[Javeaseagull]

I have an abiding memory of Ben White being turned inside out by Rashford and really suffering a torrid time. I feared for his mentality but he coped after that. Having seen JPVH handle Rashford yesterday (on a yellow) and previously keep Haaland quiet I think we have another goodun.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Van Hecke was outstanding yesterday.

 

[Weststander]

From that rubbish main high TV camera position at OT, his playing style with the ball/posture appeared to be a carbon copy of Lewis. Only hair colour revealing it was JPVH.

Overnight, we have two Lewis’s! All bodes well.