Topic: The Indomitable Ibou

[BobPaisley3]

He’s started away at OT, Spurs and today as well as AC Milan in the San Siro. He’s nowhere near the finished article yet but these experiences he’s getting will do him the world of good. Could have spent the first half of the season on the bench but he’s been regularly chucked in and hasn’t let anybody down. He ticks every box as far as attributes go and is learning from some absolutely world class colleagues. All this at 22. Very encouraging first half a season.

[killer-heels]

I think he is bloody fantastic. 22 and never really putting a foot wrong. Always competing and can pass the ball as well. Looks an amazing signing.

[Dim Glas]

This is only the start, which is a frightening prospect    To show what he has so far, in just his first few months at the club in a new league, and on the back of not actually having played that much the last 18 months, it’s fantastic.

[RyanBabel19]

He's sublime and has already improved a lot on some of the things he was getting caugh out from earlier in the season. Very calm player and uses his attributes very well to close down potential problems from attackers. His reading of the game is very good for someone so young and he uses his positioning and anticipation to great effect

[jonnypb]

This is only the start, which is a frightening prospect    To show what he has so far, in just his first few months at the club in a new league, and on the back of not actually having played that much the last 18 months, it’s fantastic.

Pretty well summed up. He’s still young with lots to learn and will make mistakes, but he’s a huge talent and appears to be settling into the PL relatively well.

[ep1987]

I don't think we can take it as a given that Konate will develop into a world class CB with more experience but he has all the physical attributes and early signs are promising.

But please can someone on the coaching staff tell him he needs to track back after long balls into the channel (13th minute in today's game). It's such a simple thing to fix but will cost a goal at some point if not rectified.

[number 168]

They say anybody would look good alongside VVD, yet he's looking good alongside a less than 100% VVD. He seems to have everything in his locker. His passing out of defence is particularly impressive.

[Keith Lard]

Ibou is looking imperious. What a signing. The way we compete on the transfer front is nothing short of remarkable

[xbugawugax]

thought he had a really good game bar the goal.  Looks aggressive front foot defender and snuffed out most of shrewsbury attack at the half way line. really assured performance like most of our defenders do when having VVD sweeping up if needed.

[RedForeverTT]

thought he had a really good game bar the goal.  Looks aggressive front foot defender and snuffed out most of shrewsbury attack at the half way line. really assured performance like most of our defenders do when having VVD sweeping up if needed.

He is a difficult man to go past just like VVD.

Not sure if we can ever cut out those kind of goals coming from our right side. Had the feel of Chelsea’s goal all over again.

[CraigDS]

He is a difficult man to go past just like VVD.

Not sure if we can ever cut out those kind of goals coming from our right side. Had the feel of Chelsea’s goal all over again.

Yeah the right is always going to be slightly open the way we play, and it relies heavily on the midfield helping to cover that side too which isn’t always possibly. Prob just an acceptance that 1/X attacks down there may lead to a goal as long as that doesn’t get too high.

[Bergersrightwingviews]

Still doesn’t look quite on the same wavelength as everyone else when it comes to the line and positioning generally, but it’s early days for him. He is incredible physically. There was a moment when one of their lads was at full pelt and thought he was in but Ibou caught him easily. He has this weird way of moving very quickly while looking as if he is going very slowly. It’s so odd. Big stride I suppose.

[Funky_Gibbons]

His positioning isn't that bad for the goal, it looks like he's about to swing his right foot at the ball but realises he's mistimed it and then let's the ball fly past him.

[Yorkykopite]

He wasn't at fault for the goal. It was the work of Conor Bradley unfortunately who dropped back 5 yards to keep their winger on side and then got skinned by him. These things will happen to a defence which isn't battle-hardened.

[killer-heels]

I think he is great.

[Bergersrightwingviews]

I meant in general rather than yesterday. Agree he is boss and is only going to get better. Already one of the best CBs in the league.

[CraigDS]

Still doesn’t look quite on the same wavelength as everyone else when it comes to the line and positioning generally, but it’s early days for him. He is incredible physically. There was a moment when one of their lads was at full pelt and thought he was in but Ibou caught him easily. He has this weird way of moving very quickly while looking as if he is going very slowly. It’s so odd. Big stride I suppose.

It's because he's such a big guy. VVD is the same in that he never looks like he's full on sprinting but he's actually going as fast as pretty much anyone in the league.

[mrantarctica]

It's because he's such a big guy. VVD is the same in that he never looks like he's full on sprinting but he's actually going as fast as pretty much anyone in the league.

He looks extremely lumbering but he can obviously move quick when he needs to. I haven't seen him done for pace just yet, but that being said his positioning is still developing as is his anticipation and the speed of thought which is just as important as how quick you can run.

He has all the ingredients for a colossus so interesting to see how he does. Right now, I think Matip is just marginally ahead of him but it's pretty close. We have 3 really top CBs. Pity we haven't seen Joe Gomez recapture his best form.

[CraigDS]

We have 3 really top CBs. Pity we haven't seen Joe Gomez recapture his best form.

We have 4 really top CBs, it's pretty fucking harsh to ignore how good Gomez is. He hasn't recaptured fitness yet, nothing to do with form.

[farawayred]

We have 4 really top CBs, it's pretty fucking harsh to ignore how good Gomez is. He hasn't recaptured fitness yet, nothing to do with form.

Hold that judgement until Gomez proves that he is match fit. IMHO, he was much more ahead of Konate, a better player, but after that horrible injury he may never be the same player. We need to first see him back to his best.

[Red Cactii]

Spewing he hit the post, would’ve loved for him to have found the back of the net. I’m sure he’ll score plenty for us in his time here.

[Ghost Town]

Great leap for that header. I swear the ground shook when he landed

[Dim Glas]

Ibou was very good again.  He is such an unit, just an intimidating player, love it.

[Xanderzone]

Klopp has managed him really well this year. Dipping him in and out of the first team not putting too much pressure on him.

Will be a big player next year.

[SamLad]

Klopp has managed him really well this year. Dipping him in and out of the first team not putting too much pressure on him.

Will be a big player next year.

yeah. next year he and Matip will trade minutes / appearances I think.

[newterp]

Ibou was very good again.  He is such an unit, just an intimidating player, love it.

he was. surprised he didn't pick up Lacazette and toss him aside when he got his yellow. Goodness knows Lacazette deserved it.

[Bobinhood]

he was. surprised he didn't pick up Lacazette and toss him aside when he got his yellow. Goodness knows Lacazette deserved it.

no shit, lacazette was a rude bastard the whole game he played angry for some reason. I was very pleased when basically the first thing konate did was fall on him and squish him very well , and then later flatten him totally after yet more snidery. I actually wondered if he was told to sort him out if all possible. Certainly deserved it.

[afc tukrish]

Ibou was very good again.  He is such an unit, just an intimidating player, love it.

The Indomitable Unit...

Yes...

[MBL?]

Him an vvd together look so imposing. Two absolute monsters physically who are quick as fuck. Imagine the thoughts in your head going up against them two even if you are an experienced attacker? I know as a pro you have to have unreal self belief but against most teams there is a clear weakness at the back where the usually pacy attacker targets. Here there is a slight reading/positioning issue with Ibou who is 22. Other than that you aren’t out muscling either and very few in the world are faster so we can play a high line with ease.

I can see it being very disheartening going up against that. It’s the same reason I thought with Joe and vvd we were at our best before. Matip is a brilliant defender and has for parts been our best defender overall but the strength and speed of Ibou and Joe puts the fear of god into the opposition.

[BarryCrocker]

Ibou was very good again.  He is such an unit, just an intimidating player, love it.

He's gi-bloody-normous. I was watching some of the long shots and he appeared huge. It's like the yellow kit made him look 50% bigger then anyone else near him.

[Dim Glas]

He's gi-bloody-normous. I was watching some of the long shots and he appeared huge. It's like the yellow kit made him look 50% bigger then anyone else near him.

A giant who can bully forwards, but also it seems Ibou is a gentle soul - posting anime gifs after the game, and a photo of him and Taki celebrating the win that he’d captioned in Japanese   

Some wonderful characters on this team.

[Crosby Nick]

As if he’s up against Saka for that header!

[OsirisMVZ]

Psycho Killer - Qu'est-ce que c'est

Ibrahima - Konaté

Someone else will have to do the rest of the work with that one.

[Crosby Nick]

Psycho Killer - Qu'est-ce que c'est

Ibrahima - Konaté

Someone else will have to do the rest of the work with that one.

I suggested that when we signed Sakho. Alas no one turned to to the choir practice at the Church Hall I’d booked.

[OsirisMVZ]

I suggested that when we signed Sakho. Alas no one turned to to the choir practice at the Church Hall I’d booked.

Sakho Killer? The only one who killed Sakho's career was Sakho

[Samie]

Ibou went on a pilgrimage during the 2 weeks break. 




Hence the shaved head look.

[newterp]

A pilgrimage where he gets a cake? Awesome.

[Sangria]

A pilgrimage where he gets a cake? Awesome.

He was ambushed.

[Crosby Nick]

A pilgrimage where he gets a cake? Awesome.

Reminds me of my twice weekly pilgrimage to Gregg’s.

[Samie]

I do take that same pilgrimage many times a week Nicholas.  The cheese and onion pastie is divine.