Boyata - the new Richard Dunne?

[Mase]

I think it's an absolute bloody disgrace some of you coming on here slagging of Boyata. The lad is only 19. He's not a readymade top notch defender BUT he could grow into one. No lets not wait lets just slag him off after two bad decisions (tackle on Chamakh and the header yesterday). No lets not slag him off lets really have a go at him and undermine his confidence. No lets not do that lets really give him what he deserves and drive him out of the club altogether.

Some of you "so-called" City supporters make me sick. Leave the lad alone. he's learning he WILL make mistakes. A defenders mistakes can cost goals but an attackers don't so therefore they are highlighted more. Give the lad a break. he can become a top defender but he definitely won't with some of you sniping at him.

While I do agree with you re Boyata, I think here is just the place to voice your concerns rather than getting on his back in the ground, mate. Have you heard anyone have a go at him at CoMS?

No one says anything at matches because they're too busy slagging off Richards.

[Ted Hughes]

Every time ive watched Boyata I haven't thought much of him. I've put it down to his age and inexperience for now but come on the constant fuck ups have killed us in the last 2 games he has played.

Weird that, as every time I have seen him I have thought the exact opposite. I think he is a tremendous prospect, perhaps the best defender to come through our ranks for a good twenty or thirty years. However like all young players, he will make mistakes; he needs to make mistakes so he can learn from them, though I would rather he made them in training and not in matches.

I'd suggest "constant fuck ups" means more than two games, but there you go.

Just goes to show that a) we all see different things, and b) we all react to defeat in different ways.

I agree with you on the prospect thing but the fuck ups aren't just in 2 games, there's the 2 pens he got away with v Chelsea & the WBA debacle where he was also at fault. How many games has he played this season where he's NOT been close to losing us the game? If we dropped Tevez & played Guidetti on Sunday & he missed 3 sitters, everyone would be asking why the fuck he was there. That doesn't mean he's written off, just that he shouldn't be starting such a game at this stage.

The thing is though Ted, Lescott and Kompany have both made the same mistakes as Boyata and they are considered experience footballers. You'll see Vidic and Carvalho makes the same mistakes this season and they are considered world class.

Mark my words Boyata will partner Kompany for years to come, it could even happen as soon as next year.

Then I'll be delighted for him next year. In the meantime he's struggling & the team's been struggling with him in it.