Often Partisan

The Tiendalli Question

Dwight Tiendalli remains in the Blues squad as they travel to Gloucestershire to face National League side Forest Green Rovers in their second pre-season friendly. Tiendalli was originally on a week’s trial with Blues while the first team squad were playing in Marbella but the Dutchman has seen that extended by at least a fortnight to allow him to play in two warm-up games.

Having seen Tiendalli play against Solihull Moors in the second half of the 3-1 Blues win last Saturday, I’m fairly confident that Blues won’t sign the full-back. Although Tiendalli played at left-back in the second half it was obvious he is very right-footed, which could prove problematic if called on to cover for Jonathan Grounds in the first team.

I think Blues have kept Tiendalli on (and indeed, got Josh Cogley to work with the first team) to make a statement to both Paul Caddis and Grounds that their place within the team isn’t secure. While it’s probable neither Tiendalli nor Cogley will make any real dent in the first team, I think Blues are saying to Caddis and Grounds buck up or we will replace you.

The reactions from the first choice full backs have been interesting. While it’s always difficult to assess Blues in their first warm-up game, against a team starting out three tiers below them for the first time, I think the performances from Grounds and Caddis differed greatly and showed how each of them have taken it.

I’ve often been a critic of Grounds but he had a really good game; his cross for Donaldson’s goal was sublime and he linked up well with Jacques Maghoma to create a real threat down the left. He was lucky in that he didn’t have to defend as much, but it was a positive performance.

In contrast, Caddis looked dreadful. Now it might be a trick of the light or the tightness of the new adidas kit (and I’m certainly in no position to talk) but Caddis looked overweight, slow and disinterested. I got the impression last season Gary Rowett was looking at times to drop the Scot, playing both Neal Eardley and Ryan Shotton in the full back slot when Caddis was fit; whether that was for tactical reasons or Rowett just not fancying Caddis I don’t know but I do wonder if Rowett is looking for a longer term replacement.

I have no doubt Blues are chasing a left-back; although I have heard no names as of yet I’ve heard whispers Blues have a few on their radar they are looking at. Blues have to bring in someone on that side with Mitch Hancox gone if only as insurance for Grounds; however I just wonder if Rowett really will give Cogley more exposure to the first team to give proper cover on the right side rather than relying on Shotton and/or Jonathan Spector to slot in.

One thing is for sure – I’m almost certain we won’t keep Tiendalli on. Despite that, given the professionalism the Dutchman has shown I hope he’s fixed up soon with a club that will give him first team football.

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54 Responses to “The Tiendalli Question”

  • Blueman says:

    Personally not a huge fan of Grounds, he has his okay games but when he is bad he is dreadful. Same for Cadds. A legend in his own right and none of us will forget that goal any time soon but watching him last season it seems as if his development has plateaued and his performances are heading in only one direction.. He seemed devoid of ideas attacking wise (many a hoof up the line) and occasionally shambolic when defending.

    I know we still aren’t in a position to go out splashing the cash but fullbacks are a very specialised position and I think if you compare them to fullbacks in teams who will most likely end up in the top 6-8 we are definitely lacking. Defence still worrying at this stage. In an ideal world I would like cover for both Grounds and Caddis, if not see them both moved on and a whole shake up in the fullback department. Tiendalli seems a true pro and would maybe pip Cadds to a first team spot but I don’t seem him coming to Blues purely for cover and with Cadds not likely to go elsewhere I can’t see the deal being done. Shotton also a no-go at right-back for me, even as cover..

    In an ideal world I would like someone of the same ilk as Sebastien Pocognoli coming in at left-back with Grounds as cover.

  • Mitchell says:

    Hopefully I will be made to eat my words-but from last season end and possibly a little before we really needed to address the full backs. Dithering here and there with trialists and shifting youth players like Cogley who probably is one for the squad rather than a first choice.GR should get the experienced proper full backs who surely must be around. This eternal ‘trying out’ square pegs in round holes’ doesn’t do anyone any good. Be a good manager GR and get two full backs warranted of the name.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      Spot on. Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but I prefer specialist players in a team. If your full backs aren’t normally full backs, or your wingers aren’t really wingers, etc… how can you expect a team to function in the right way? GR proved that last season… and his predecessor before him.

  • John says:

    I mentioned a while ago I thought rowett would go for a caddis replacement due to him being dropped a few times last season which surprised me as he is our best rb as it stands atm and last season. Imo it’s only because eardley was made of glass and shotton didn’t look very good there that caddis wasn’t out of the side for a prolonged period.

    I reckon in Rowetts eyes he sees caddis as a hinderance due to his height and common tendency to just hoof the ball away with no pressure on him; wasteful in possession.

    I personally like caddis as his attacking overlaps do give us an outlet down the right, but his crossing is pretty poor at times and does rely on a lot of last ditch slide tackles. If we want to improve and progress the he should be replaced but there are more obvious areas to improve first.

  • Blue Steve says:

    I have always thought that Jon Spector has done pretty well at right back. Caddis’s height and defending has always been a concern to GR IMO. In an ideal world we would buy a new right back but with a limited budget I would much rather spend the cash on a striker, a left footer winger and a left back.

  • Colin Cross says:

    I totally agree with Blue Steve about Spector at right back, he is a quality player who just needs to find his niche rather than be a “jack of all trades”. He would make a very competent first choice right back allowing us time to develop Cogley, who clearly has potential. Grounds is a far better player than some give him credit for in my opinion but if we can get in someone to push him, possibly who can also play left wing back, to give us tactical options, all the better.

  • Lee says:

    Cogley was like a breath of fresh air at Solihull, he looks a real prospect, you’d think tiendalli would be the one looking fresh and enthusiastic bearing in mind it’s him that’s looking for a club, he by contrast was very poor, having said that the entire second half side looked poor, when you’ve got people walking out the ground with 10-15 minutes left you know you’re watching a shocker

  • Dave Mann says:

    Correct Lee , it was a game of two halves and a lot of fans including yours trully left a bit early to get off the car park more than anything … Leaving for Forest Green this morning hoping for another win but they beat Cardiff 3-1 Wednesday night so will be a tougher test than Solihull even though there in the same league … Just getting warmed up for the real fun to start at Leeds on the 13th August for our first away league game .. can’t wait though 3/4 signings before that and ofcourse the Cardiff home game would improve our chances though Tiendalli won’t be one of them . KRO

  • Blues were probably being neiborly …perhaps with the good gate they can have the carpark made better ….

  • Pods says:

    Changing the subject slightly, I listened to our very own Tom Ross the other day, he quoted us to finish 10th.
    Several other clubs in our division seem to be doing their business early, all we hear are rumours of either journey men players or players who have not played for a while ( TIENDALLI) . I know we are short of money so I cannot see us finnishing higher than 14th – I hope i”m well wrong.
    Does any body else know of quality players GR is looking at.

    KRO
    Dave Mann have a great day at Forest Green

    • Dave Mann says:

      I’ll do my very best Pods thank you mate … It’s a day out and it’s a nice little ground in the countryside so a couple of beers and a couple of winning goals will do nicely, cheers Pods . KRO

  • StaffsBlue says:

    I’m hoping that waiting for new players isn’t like waiting for Christmas. You get all excited waiting for the day, then when you unwrap the first present… it’s a pair of socks. :(

  • carlos1875 says:

    Were is the best pub for today’s game has a pub been set aside for away fans not to worry if not we are blues we drink were we want

  • carlos1875 says:

    Oops for got does any one know if blues have sent any tickets back so we can get some

  • Richard Granfield says:

    I think it is unfair to judge Tiendalli soley by a 45 minute run out against Solihull Moors.
    Gary obviously thinks so too and has included him in the squad today and most probably in the squads for Shrewsbury and Walsall.
    Remember he has full caps for Holland and Premier League experience with Swansea.
    Let’s reserve our judgement.

  • You would have thought that we could have signed one or two good Chinese players cheaply by now ….

  • Are we there yet …….

  • Royinamillion says:

    Right footed, not played for 12 months and as far as I can tell no one has really been impressed. We have enough dead wood to carry already and I would rather see one of the kids given a chance.

  • Dan Hickman says:

    Passing up on Bradshaw means we must be sticking with a big workhorse on his own up front because there can’t be a better nippy little forward available at the price quoted for him. Trouble is that if Donaldson has a bad game or his marker has a good one, or a ref turns a blind eye to him being kicked every time the ball comes near him, then our attacking outlet is gone, and we end up under pressure for large periods. We miss the extra outlet that Dimmi s pace gave us. That and the fact that most teams doubled up on him evened the odds for CD and left him one on one with his centre h6alf

  • BhamCityJulian says:

    I said 12 months ago that we would not reach the playoffs with Caddis and Grounds as our full backs. It seems they are now a priority for Rowett as he must have some funds to replace them.

  • williammorgan says:

    Sometimes BCJ as we have known at Stan’s managers have played favourite players even though their selection has not been earned or warranted , even to the point of losing their jobs , as in international sides . I think in our case so far it’s been needs must ….but I can’t understand why we haven’t signed any more players yet .if that £10 mill is genuine , as I have said a loan deal till January plus’s a guaranteed fee for a player in january , with a precontractoral agreement for the player would be beneficial to the other club financially , and us player wise, KRO

  • williammorgan says:

    Would this be legal though ,?????

    • Waycoolblue says:

      You can have a right to buy fee set in to a lone deal. It don’t mine you have to buy the player all its for is so you have a set fee if you decide you want to keep the player. The loaning club do not have to sell but if they do want to sell you get the deal at the price you agreed on their lone. So yes it would be legal . But the loaning club can except better offers from a there’d party so it no guarantee you will get the player.

  • Dave Mann says:

    Said it many times , the right players in the right positions at the right price to challenge for a first eleven start are the ONLY players we have to sign .. We don’t want to rush in to getting players in for the sake of it and warming the bench or the changing room so let’s chill and stop moaning about the time it’s taking .. There’s still three weeks to the start of the season and the end of August to get the players we need .. We ain’t getting relegated and we ain’t getting promoted so what’s the bloody rush . KRO

  • BhamCityJulian says:

    Well said Dave. Anyone we bring in must be at least comparable to the player for their position in our 2002 promotion first XI. At the moment: GK yes; FB no; CB as a unit maybe; CM yes: wide men maybe; strikers definitely not.

  • Dave Mann says:

    Absolutely. KRO

  • carlos1875 says:

    Nice to see the Aston vile evening mail is keeping us all informed of the ses pit might as well buy the sun to look at interesting news

  • I agree with that …and the young lads have proved that they can give good cover .so for me we need more players of the tesche .fab ilk .and it’s took fab time to gel so if we can get a couple of players in soon we will be able to hit the boards running and if we can get a bit more quality in January promotion is not impossible .faith is the order of the day ….He Who dares wins …

  • Kingstanding Maximums says:

    Just read Brian Dick’s report in the Mail, headline Stiker Shortage. I know you read this site Brian and sorry Brian this striker shortage has not happened overnight. I and many others have been saying on this site that the centre forward positions have been neglected for a good while now, but I doubt that anybody in a position to do anything positive about it at the club is going to rectify the ongoing problem in the meantime. It,s going to be a long long road for sure this season. KRO brothers and sisters.

  • Waycoolblue says:

    A Contact as said http://www.birmingham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=452840

    Rowett is confident of bringing at least one new face into the building this week with others to follow in the not-so-distant future.

  • mark says:

    good to see we beating easssy teams, GR claiming to suddenly made different to RB laughable really. If he had let this lad go he would have had egg on his face simples.

    Cardiff we waiting for you

  • Blue Eyed Boy says:

    Message for GR : Do you know GR to sign a decent striking force?If not get someone in as Director Of football with a wealth of experience to help HIM as I have often suggested.This is not aimed at HIM as a negative but more a statement of the obvious that we need two strikers and quick,no good getting second raters after the season starts.
    Maybe entice them with a free B&B at Dave Mann’s Brixham work out? What do you think Dave?

  • Walker says:

    Nathan Dyer from swansea anyone? Wages may be the issue but we can give him regular football

  • Blue Eyed Boy says:

    Yes exactly almajir well done on the obvious question.what job has Ewan Chester actually done Please respond with players facts on who is as brought in..that’s right none!


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