[Albion] The Elephant in the room

[Nobby Cybergoat]

I think the fact that he spent last summer training, staying completely match fit without getting a single f*cking minute's playing time has almost certainly impacted his form and fitness this season. Hope he has a bit of a break in the close season and comes back firing on all cylinders. Still got lots to offer.

This is an underappreciated point.

What should be happening now, and I guess it is, is that Dunky is laying on a sun lounger somewhere from which he shouldn't emerge for 5 weeks.

He needs to get the body as right as it can be at his age and gather his strength for another big season.

My guess is that he plays for 2 more years, both with us and he plays more than he doesn't

 

[The Grockle]

I suspect Dunk would be aware that a time would come when he wouldn't be an automatic starter. He'll also be aware that if he goes elsewhere he might not be first choice unless he joins a newly promoted team or drops to the championship.

I still think he has a big part to play in the squad but he'll have to fight for his place. If that wasn't the case we wouldn't be progressing as a club, he's 33 and probably hit his peak two seasons ago.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Absolute nonsense response.

I guess it isn't in the sense that at things stand he is currently the team and club captain. While that remains the case I think he'll be first choice when fit.

If this were to change in the summer then that would be writing on the wall for sure. But I don't see it. Who caould be captained instead? Welbeck is in the same age category

 

[Albion my Albion]

How many more threads like this do we need?

Search results for query: dunk#

Probably about 5 more threads about Dunk if not more.

 

[GrossTurn]

Anyone know how long he has left on his existing contract?

Just trying to work out how soon he may start considering his options - if indeed it’s a case of potentially dropping down a step to have a couple more seasons as a regular starter rather than increasingly managed/reduced minutes in an Albion shirt as he approaches his mid-30s.

Given his legendary status and general affinity with the club you’d hope both parties would want him to stick around in some capacity to see out his career (maybe in a Lallana type role?).

 

[nickjhs]

I guess it isn't in the sense that at things stand he is currently the team and club captain. While that remains the case I think he'll be first choice when fit.

If this were to change in the summer then that would be writing on the wall for sure. But I don't see it. Who caould be captained instead? Welbeck is in the same age category

And this right here is my point. He has been fit. To those "Muppets" who think I am calling for him to quit, or writing him off, or not paying him the respect he deserves. Of course, I am not, but how does the club and player handle the situation when a homegrown legend and long-term Captain is no longer (as it would appear to be the case) an immediate start.

 

[Albion my Albion]

And this right here is my point. He has been fit. To those "Muppets" who think I am calling for him to quit, or writing him off, or not paying him the respect he deserves. Of course, I am not, but how does the club and player handle the situation when a homegrown legend and long-term Captain is no longer (as it would appear to be the case) an immediate start.

 

[Uh_huh_him]

Fab will know the answer by the end of pre-season.

Until then, nobody knows.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

And this right here is my point. He has been fit.

This is the point i'm not sure about.

When he was playing during the spring, he wasn't moving comfortably. He played I think because, Webby got injured and it was down to him or Cashin. I reckon he just had a load of painkilling injections and got through it because that's what his manager asked and the club needed.

His discomfort could be that of permanent decline. It could be just an injury. We'll have a better idea of this by the start of next season

 

[Miximate]

Remains as Club Captain but suspect his playing time will be limited next season.

 

[Sid and the Sharknados]

Can we play an elephant at centre half?

I think this could be the solution to our set piece problems.

 

[GT49er]

I think Dunk stays, I do not think he will be a starter. JP and Boscagli to start, Webster Dunk as back up, sounds and looks pretty good to me. I think we keep JPVH.

Van Hecke, Boscagli, Dunk and Webster for sure - but like everyone else on this thread (so far) no mention of Igor, who was also doing well before injury.
One other consideration, which would favour Dunk staying, is the possibility that FH might want to move more towards a three at the back system. 5 CBs for 3 places would seem about right.

 

[Jovis]

I shamefully thought his time was up, but against West Ham I thought he was one of our best players. Shouldn’t be an automatic starter but plenty of fuel left in the tank, and won’t let anyone down. Just no more lung busting forward runs!

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I bought my friend an elephant for his living room. He wanted to thank me, but I said dont mention it.

 

[Peacehaven Wild Kids]

This is not so much a jumbo problem at the moment, I still think he’s up to the tusk

 

[Disco Snr]

I bought my friend an elephant for his living room. He wanted to thank me, but I said dont mention it.

I think it goes beyond Dunks speed and defensive duties, recently when he plays our win rate drops compared to JPVH and Webster partnership. The passing out from the back duties always goes through him, pass it to the captain, it slows down play and becomes predictable. Whereas Webster and JPVH share the duties and provides variation and hence more wins.

 

[Albion my Albion]

This is not so much a jumbo problem at the moment, I still think he’s up to the tusk

Ivory much think Dunk's got a lot of seasons left in him but does not appear to be a Republican.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Why do elephants have wrinkles....have you ever tried ironing one?

 

[nickjhs]

Remains as Club Captain but suspect his playing time will be limited next season.

How does this work though?

 

[Flounce]

Given that we need pace in defence for the way FH prefers to play I think he’ll be more of a squad player than a fixture. Sorry

Even without incoming players I’d play Webster and JPVH over Dunk