Kayal- 4 months out

I completely, utterly disagree that the tackle was in any way "even" or "50/50"

This idea seems to have come about from the notion that Kayal went in with his studs raised. Yes at one point Kayal's studs were up, but by the time "elbows" entered the challenge, Kayal's foot was taking the motion from *above/on* the ball and the floor.

Having watched the video again, Elbows comes in from about 3 x the distance over the same space of time. Mechanics fans will know that this means he'd have to enter the challenge somewhere approaching 3 x the velocity.

Kayal entered the challenge almost from standing and was stretching awkwardly with his right leg to get the ball. "Elbows" meanwhile flew in from a far greater distance, his feet actually leaving the ground, and his finishing position was literally through the standing Kayal. His standing leg unsurprisingly buckling under "Elbow's" persuasion.

If you think this was a tackle that's part and parcel with football then fair enough, I guess that much is true. But to suggest that a) qualified hatchetman Lee McCulloch accidentally ploughed into Kayal or b) the challenge was anywhere near 50/50 then that is totally wrong.

"Elbow's" reaction afterwards tells it's own story. He knew he'd done bad, and the experienced hacker's textbook response is to make out you've come out worse. It was a shocking tackle and I'm astonished there's been such widespread defence for the hun.

(edit)

Just for clarification, here's an image of the distance covered at the point the ball breaks loose. Then consider the speed McCulloch has to take in order to make up the same distance in the same space of time. Slow motion doesn't really do it justice.

 

Spot on, the hammer throwing hun knew exactly what he was doing.

 

anyone hear mcgregor on soccer am? "mcculloch likes to 'follow through' in tackles"

anyone still up for defending that thuggish hatchet man?

 

If Beram is out for the rest of the season then we MUST sign a replacement. 6 month loan will do for me but we need someone else in there who can do the same job. Granted big Vic should be able to do so but the MF looks better with Kayal & Wanyama side by side and Ledley on the left.

Unless Brown moves inside and plays alongside big Vic.

However if anyone else gets injured, from a central MF area then we could be in trouble.

Hope & pray Kayal is back far sooner than 4 months and that the injury and recovery time is not as bad as anticipated but we have to prepare for worst case scenario!

Hail Hail

 

Just don't see how your getting this. We're so strong in midfield, with even Mulgrew being able to play in left mid and from what Lennon is saying, Commons is almost fit and hungry to get back at it. He wants to prove himself. Samaras can play there too. Vic, Brown, Ki and Ledley competing for the middle and Forrest/Brown competing for right. Plenty of FB's now, so Ledley should not have to drop back again.

We need a destroyer of a striker and maybe another CB and we'll be fierce. Even if we don't sign a single player we will still be too strong for them.

 

He'll come back stronger than ever. Get well soon, Beram.

 

it's a * joke, i know it was not a shocking tackle but mcculloch should of been suspended.

 

Hammer blow to our season, imo. We have cover, but no player like him for what he does (aside from Brown, who will REALLY have to step up if he is to replace Kayal's presence in that midfield).

This 'appeal an elbow' thing - an elbow, seen by several match officials resulting in a red... i mean, for *. sake. There should be NO right of appeal, and by abusing that law, we've lost the most important member of our engine room, potentially for the season. It is * outrageous.

 

He is a bit injury prone. Get well soon!

 

Not in the made of glass sort of way though. When he gets injured it is becasue of dangerous play from other players.

 

* blow. Hope it's the only lengthy injury we obtain for the rest of the season. I'd hate for us to lose another CM option, in particular.

Not sure if there's even any good youth CM options available, and we certainly don't want to be signing anyone new in the position, unless we sell.

 

Huge blow, but we will be fine

 

I would agree he isnt a Maloney but he does have bad luck.

 

Dylan mcgeough and filip twarzdik are both good young options for backup in that position and hopefully they can see some more game time for the rest of the year.

 

hi guys, i,ve read the forum for a long time but this is my first post. watched the tackle about 20 times now and as much as i hate the hun * i think that if you watch closely kayal gets hurt by standing on the ball as he tries to tackle. he's totally comitted as usual and its just unlucky that he's got iinjured. think big vic will fill he's space until he returns. prob too drunk to be writing my first post but who cares. hail hail.

 

Vic will cover Kayal's position for the rest of the season with Ledley, Brown or Ki most likely getting the other spot in centre mid.

 

This is a blow but look at the cover we have in midfield - Ledley, Ki, Brown, Wanyama just to name the first team regulars. There's also McGeouch and Twardzik if things were desperate, which they aren't.

It's gutting for Kayal and us for this injury but it's not as if we don't have decent cover in this area of the pitch.

 

It won't be a blow in most matches but when it comes to Ibrox it'll be massive. Nobody in our team can replicate Kayal's energy and drive, not even Wanyama. Wanyama is strong and bullies players but he doesn't quite read the game the way Kayal does IMO. Kayal's speed of thought and movement to get across to dangerous situations and snuff them out is second to none. He's everywhere against that lot and it's absolutely vital. Man of the match in the 2-0 Samaras game and again in the last match against them. He's crucial in that midfield against them.

 

Good point mate.

 

Season ended.