Is Cahill all that?

[jayjay23]

Gary Cahill, Superman or average Joe?

Looking at today's goals I once again find Cahill lacking in several departments as a defender. Ok, United played well and made some great chances but Cahill was found wanting in terms of positioning, marking, clearing and other things too.
He also seems to have a look of "too big for his boots" style of attitude about him at the moment where he looks around and blames everybody but himself when ever we concede as if he is the main man and everyone else is beneath him - as if he just wants out really.

One example I repeatedly see from Cahill is not so much an error but more of a commitment thing. When a shot is coming in you see some players make the difference by absolutely giving everything to the cause by literally throwing themselves in the path of the ball. I often notice Cahill not doing this. He makes an attempt at a block yes, but never really a full blooded, all out attempt to prevent a goal for the team. Kind of half hearted.

Looking at it live or without taking specific notice of it happening you probably won't even see it. But if you look out for it and compare what say Robinson or Terry (for want of a better player to name) would have done to what Cahill did you will think... hmmm, perhaps he could have given a little more if he really wanted to.

Is his mind at another club already?

(I think this was possibly evident in United's 5th goal today Rooney shot from edge of box. Cahill could have flung himself but just chose not to do. Not the greatest example of what I mean but it will come up again. And also not his only flaw.

[traf]

Perhaps at 4-0 he thought "WTF?"

[Natasha Whittam]

I've said all along Cahill is decent enough, but put him under pressure and he caves.

I compare any so-called great defender to Gudni...Cahill isn't fit to lick his boots.

[aarons2009]

Cahill is a good defender but Rio Ferdinand would look average playing along side Knight.

If you look at cahill's performances for England he look composed on the ball and solid alongside Terry, put anyone alongside Knight and they would look average because I swear everyone playing along side him must be waiting for him to make a fcúk up.

[Big_Sharps]

Cahill cannot do it all on his own.

[Natasha Whittam]

Cahill cannot do it all on his own.

No, but you'd expect him to at least shine against a team like Man Utd. Instead he looks no better than Knight.

[Big_Sharps]

No, but you'd expect him to at least shine against a team like Man Utd. Instead he looks no better than Knight.

Nobody stopping crosses and nobody tracking back from midfield is always going to be a recipe for disaster and also a manager with a 4 4 2 fetish.

[jayjay23]

Look at the way Stoke defended against Liverpool. Liverpool could have come away with 3 points but in the end Stoke won through passion and guts. Players chucking themselves in the mix to save the team. A lot of Bolton's conceded goals I think come past Cahill too easily - Knight seems to be an easy target to scape goat though.

[wanderlust]

Two things about Cahill's performance..

1) If OC had played two covering midfielders Nani and Young wouldn't have been able to cut inside and cause chaos. With Muamba and NRC sitting  deep, Knight and Cahill could have cleaned up the attacks all day long. Instead the CBs were dragged all over the shop trying to stop wingers whilst covering the strikers at the same time.
2) Hernandez and Rooney made excellent runs to take advantage.

That's what you get when you play open against money league clubs.

[aarons2009]

No, but you'd expect him to at least shine against a team like Man Utd. Instead he looks no better than Knight.

I have to disagree with that, how can he stop the on slaught of United's attackes yesterday when the holding player in front of him was NRC.

As said above if OC had any idea he wouldn't have gone fcuking gung ho and played 2 strikers and an attacking midfielder against the best attacking team in the league.

To sum up we commited suicide with the team that was put out last night.

[WHITE4LYF]

It was Robinson who continuously got beat and was at fault for about 3 goals. Cahill must be thinking why on earth he stayed.

[H. Pedersen]

I think the difficult start to our season is taking a mental toll on everyone, including Cahill.  Factor in the transfer saga and it just didn't seem like he was all there yesterday.

[DaveBWFC]

Cahill must be thinking why on earth he stayed.

Because nobody thinks he's worth what we want?

[WHITE4LYF]

Because nobody thinks he's worth what we want?

Because clubs try to take advantage of his contract situation.

[Jamster26]

No one came in with an acceptable offer for him, so he stays. Simple as that, really.

[Big_Sharps]

I think how he played for England justifies we was right, the problem is some clubs are snobby bastards who refuse to pay up to little old Bolton.

[wanderlust]

I think how he played for England justifies we was right, the problem is some clubs are snobby bastards who refuse to pay up to little old Bolton.

Dead right Sharps. We never get top dollar.

[texan dave II]

It was Robinson who continuously got beat and was at fault for about 3 goals. Cahill must be thinking why on earth he stayed.

Dont blame Robo
A left back must have help defending from the left wing or center holding mid
Robo is left on his own most of the match