Razak

[twosips]

My mate's a Brighton fan and he was absolutely raving about Razak's performance yesterday.

So I went on their forum and they absolutely love him.

http://www.northstandchat.com/showthrea ... Sign/page6

I knew he was good, but is he really as promising as they're all suggesting? Thoughts?

Doug - how does he often look in training? If he doesn't look out of place, then I guess by default he must be good, seeing as we're the team at the top of the league....but i dunno. Just seem surprised by this level of hyperbole!

[Dronny]

My mate's a ST holder and was waxing lyrical about the lad, MotM as well I believe!

[ant london]

I've heard (again via a mate who follows Brighton) that Razak has looked brilliant in both games so far and that Assulin's cameo yesterday had fans purring and clamouring for his one month loan to be extended for the season

this is what their manager had to say

Brighton boss Gus Poyet praised on-loan midfielder Abdul Razak for his starring role in the club's 3-0 win over Ipswich at the AMEX Stadium.

Razak joined the South Coast club on-loan from Manchester City earlier this month and is set to stay until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old marked his home debut with an impressive display as the Seagulls maintained their unbeaten league record in 2012.

A brace from Ashley Barnes and another from Craig Mackail-Smith gave the Seagulls their sixth win in nine league games and moved them up to seventh in the table, only out of the play-off places on goal difference.

Poyet believes the arrival of Razak could give his side momentum at a crucial stage of the season.

"Razak has steel and is totally different to what we've got," said the Uruguayan.

"He picks out everyone on the pitch with his passing, even from 40 yards and that is quality.

"No one knocked him off the ball, either. He's solid, massive and it's nice when you have a player who is doing something unique.

"We will try and keep him until the end of the season, and hopefully use him all the time."

[HeyMark]

In other news lee croft scored for st Johnstone yesterday

[twosips]

I genuinely thought he looked good in the games he played for us, though rough round the edges. He was better than Birmingham and Wolves' midfield when he played then, and he was even younger. No reason to believe he's not better now too. I wonder if he does have a genuine chance as Yaya's understudy. I'd love it if so.

How good would it be if Rekik, Razak and Guidetti all saved us fifteen/twenty million pounds each?

[DoomMerchant]

I genuinely thought he looked good in the games he played for us, though rough round the edges. He was better than Birmingham and Wolves' midfield when he played then, and he was even younger. No reason to believe he's not better now too. I wonder if he does have a genuine chance as Yaya's understudy. I'd love it if so.

How good would it be if Rekik, Razak and Guidetti all saved us fifteen/twenty million pounds each?

Guidetti's more likely to *earn* us 5-7M which is important as well.

cheers

[bigblue]

I genuinely thought he looked good in the games he played for us, though rough round the edges. He was better than Birmingham and Wolves' midfield when he played then, and he was even younger. No reason to believe he's not better now too. I wonder if he does have a genuine chance as Yaya's understudy. I'd love it if so.

How good would it be if Rekik, Razak and Guidetti all saved us fifteen/twenty million pounds each?

I think Razak and Rekik can defiantly slot in in a few years and be key figures for a long time to come. Both have looked excellent for their age (and very good even if you don't consider their age). And very encouraging to read that Brighton thread

You can hear Poyet talking about Razak from the 2:30 mark: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17093391

And an interview here, but you have to pay for it: http://www.seagulls.co.uk/articles/2012 ... ~1,00.html

The thought of have a player potentially similar to Yaya available, just when Yaya may be wearing down, makes me feel very good about the future

[lets all have a disco]

I genuinely thought he looked good in the games he played for us, though rough round the edges. He was better than Birmingham and Wolves' midfield when he played then, and he was even younger. No reason to believe he's not better now too. I wonder if he does have a genuine chance as Yaya's understudy. I'd love it if so.

How good would it be if Rekik, Razak and Guidetti all saved us fifteen/twenty million pounds each?

I think Razak and Rekik can defiantly slot in in a few years and be key figures for a long time to come. Both have looked excellent for their age (and very good even if you don't consider their age). And very encouraging to read that Brighton thread

You can hear Poyet talking about Razak from the 2:30 mark: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17093391

And an interview here, but you have to pay for it: http://www.seagulls.co.uk/articles/2012 ... ~1,00.html

The thought of have a player potentially similar to Yaya available, just when Yaya may be wearing down, makes me feel very good about the future

Paying to watch interviews on your own club website!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Scruffy coonts,who does that?

;-)

[twosips]

Razak has arguably the best allround midfielder in the world to be fair in Yaya...he's a lucky boy. He could go very far if he's a quick learner!

[Douglas Higginbottom]

My mate's a Brighton fan and he was absolutely raving about Razak's performance yesterday.

So I went on their forum and they absolutely love him.

http://www.northstandchat.com/showthrea ... Sign/page6

I knew he was good, but is he really as promising as they're all suggesting? Thoughts?

Doug - how does he often look in training? If he doesn't look out of place, then I guess by default he must be good, seeing as we're the team at the top of the league....but i dunno. Just seem surprised by this level of hyperbole!

He doesnt look out of place in training but I think some perspective is needed here. He just got a rave report from a Brighton game which if I am right is a championship game rather than a prem game.He certainly does have good qualities and his strength is possibly his main one but I can 100% assure everyone he is not the next Yaya.Not even close.

Also I note Poyet was very impressed with his passing which is one of the things I would have said he needed a lot of work on.If I had to look in a crystal ball I would say he could well make a premiership level but not a top 4 level.I wouldn't worry if he was part of our squad but I think that might be as far as he gets with us. A loan deal like this where he plays regularly is just what he and City need to find out how good he is.

[twosips]

I was surprised by the passing comment too...as i thought he wasn't particularly impressive dictating play when I saw him. Competent, but not exceptional. Maybe he just had one of those games where everything goes right...on the other hand, maybe something could just *click* and his confidence could rocket and he could develop at an exceptionally fast rate.

Look at Welbeck - I thought he looked technically awful about two years ago, then relatively handy at Sunderland last year...but nowt more than a decent mid table player. This season however he's just shot up a level and he's become a very good top level striker - his control and skill is great, when I thought originally it was that that'd let him down. Youngsters can surprise people I guess - funny what a bit of self belief can do.

[Blue Since 76]

He doesnt look out of place in training but I think some perspective is needed here. He just got a rave report from a Brighton game which if I am right is a championship game rather than a prem game.He certainly does have good qualities and his strength is possibly his main one but I can 100% assure everyone he is not the next Yaya.Not even close.

Also I note Poyet was very impressed with his passing which is one of the things I would have said he needed a lot of work on.If I had to look in a crystal ball I would say he could well make a premiership level but not a top 4 level.I wouldn't worry if he was part of our squad but I think that might be as far as he gets with us. A loan deal like this where he plays regularly is just what he and City need to find out how good he is.

Being able to loan promising youngsters to championship sides rather than having to play them ourselves should have a good impact on their development.

Too many of our youngsters have been thrown in and been hero worshipped as we were so desperate for success (Barton, SWP, Richards, Ireland, Johnson etc).

The rags have used loans for years to sort out the quality from the journeymen and it's not a bad model to follow. Can also be useful to convince championship sides to sell good youngsters if you can grease their palms with a few kids for a while.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

He doesnt look out of place in training but I think some perspective is needed here. He just got a rave report from a Brighton game which if I am right is a championship game rather than a prem game.He certainly does have good qualities and his strength is possibly his main one but I can 100% assure everyone he is not the next Yaya.Not even close.

Also I note Poyet was very impressed with his passing which is one of the things I would have said he needed a lot of work on.If I had to look in a crystal ball I would say he could well make a premiership level but not a top 4 level.I wouldn't worry if he was part of our squad but I think that might be as far as he gets with us. A loan deal like this where he plays regularly is just what he and City need to find out how good he is.

Being able to loan promising youngsters to championship sides rather than having to play them ourselves should have a good impact on their development.

Too many of our youngsters have been thrown in and been hero worshipped as we were so desperate for success (Barton, SWP, Richards, Ireland, Johnson etc).

The rags have used loans for years to sort out the quality from the journeymen and it's not a bad model to follow. Can also be useful to convince championship sides to sell good youngsters if you can grease their palms with a few kids for a while.

If we were QPR ( if you know what I mean) I think Razak may well be able to hold a place in the team.But we have now incredibly high standards and aims. Just look at our midfield players of Nigel,Silva,Yaya,Milner,Nasri,Barry,Pizarro and AJ and you have to be something special to get in front of any of them. Let's face it some on that list get slaughtered on here when they produce anything but a world class performance.

I hope he develops well and quickly and he does get to be a regular with us.He has a good enough attitude so has a chance at least.

[carl_feedthegoat]

He doesnt look out of place in training but I think some perspective is needed here. He just got a rave report from a Brighton game which if I am right is a championship game rather than a prem game.He certainly does have good qualities and his strength is possibly his main one but I can 100% assure everyone he is not the next Yaya.Not even close.

Also I note Poyet was very impressed with his passing which is one of the things I would have said he needed a lot of work on.If I had to look in a crystal ball I would say he could well make a premiership level but not a top 4 level.I wouldn't worry if he was part of our squad but I think that might be as far as he gets with us. A loan deal like this where he plays regularly is just what he and City need to find out how good he is.

Being able to loan promising youngsters to championship sides rather than having to play them ourselves should have a good impact on their development.

Too many of our youngsters have been thrown in and been hero worshipped as we were so desperate for success (Barton, SWP, Richards, Ireland, Johnson etc).

The rags have used loans for years to sort out the quality from the journeymen and it's not a bad model to follow. Can also be useful to convince championship sides to sell good youngsters if you can grease their palms with a few kids for a while.

If we were QPR ( if you know what I mean) I think Razak may well be able to hold a place in the team.But we have now incredibly high standards and aims. Just look at our midfield players of Nigel,Silva,Yaya,Milner,Nasri,Barry,Pizarro and AJ and you have to be something special to get in front of any of them. Let's face it some on that list get slaughtered on here when they produce anything but a world class performance.

I hope he develops well and quickly and he does get to be a regular with us.He has a good enough attitude so has a chance at least.

You never know 100% how these kind of players are going to turn out until they are playing with the first team over a few games......its easier to squeeze in a player like RAZAK if you are a lesser club but to make room for him and drop a "name" for a few games just isn't going to happen unless we have an injury list in that position as long as an arm or unless he is playing like Messi in the reserves.

Its tough and only the very very best will get anywhere near our first team and even then it will require luck.

[Dubciteh]

Really positive thread about him, i always thought he was more of a de jong than a Yaya so was good to hear. He could be similar to essien capable of playing all roles but mostly used as defensive midfield here.

If they come up I would be happy for him to go on loan for the season, either way next step for him is either loan to premiership or a few games for us in the pizarro/hargreaves(well the role he was meant to play) role.

[ant london]

Just a point of realism about the Yaya who some are saying he is not.....no doubting that the Yaya Toure who played for Barcelona was an excellent, top level player but I would argue that the Yaya people are saying Razak will never become is the Yaya who has developed (or been allowed the framework to demonstrate this side of him) at City over the last couple of years.

Yaya is 28 years old and over the last 18 months now looks like the "new Vieira" the Premiership has been clamouring for since the old one passed his peak at Arsenal. I would contend that very few players who have the raw talent (strength, vision, on the ball ability, passing, stamina, goal threat) would ever blossom into the real full package until their mid-20's.

If Razak can fulfil a De Jong role to a good level in the next couple of years I would say that is a realistic goal. The next Yaya Toure at 21 is laughable...even Yaya wasn't the Yaya we all drool over at that age

[john@staustell]

I genuinely thought he looked good in the games he played for us, though rough round the edges. He was better than Birmingham and Wolves' midfield when he played then, and he was even younger. No reason to believe he's not better now too. I wonder if he does have a genuine chance as Yaya's understudy. I'd love it if so.

How good would it be if Rekik, Razak and Guidetti all saved us fifteen/twenty million pounds each?

Agree with all that. I believe Razak will be playing for us next season. Hopefully the other 2 as well.

I have never, ever promoted the mindless picking of kids/academy/future of the club and all that rubbish. Because usually over the years they are div 1 quality at best. But now we have these 3 and Suárez we might just have got something.

[ant london]

Good audio interview with Abdul here....sounds like he's got his head well screwed on

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17194011?#asset

[Ted Hughes]

If Razak could become a quicker version of Nige, he'd get plenty of games over a season.

[Cocacolajojo1]

Just a point of realism about the Yaya who some are saying he is not.....no doubting that the Yaya Toure who played for Barcelona was an excellent, top level player but I would argue that the Yaya people are saying Razak will never become is the Yaya who has developed (or been allowed the framework to demonstrate this side of him) at City over the last couple of years.

Yaya is 28 years old and over the last 18 months now looks like the "new Vieira" the Premiership has been clamouring for since the old one passed his peak at Arsenal. I would contend that very few players who have the raw talent (strength, vision, on the ball ability, passing, stamina, goal threat) would ever blossom into the real full package until their mid-20's.

If Razak can fulfil a De Jong role to a good level in the next couple of years I would say that is a realistic goal. The next Yaya Toure at 21 is laughable...even Yaya wasn't the Yaya we all drool over at that age

Spot on