Bachar Houli - بشار حولي,

[lamb22]

some of lamb's observations are correct but he forgets to mention the improvement in houli's hard running. he's getting to many more contests and is getting free on more occassions. he's timimg his runs well also, usually taking note of our upfield play and taking off to link up and provide another option. he needs the ball in his hands uncontested rather than contested, as he's an elite kick. like nahas, it's the hard running to and from contests that will make or break his carreer, not whether he goes in hard.

I dont Harry. I note his running and kicking (at times) as positives. In fact I am amazed at how hard he runs forward. In time I think his intensity running the other way and then staying I the contest will improve.

But you are wrong about whether going in hard will make or break his career. I dont expect Bashar to be Jake King but I do expect him to half some of the contests he loses now and barring that to at least slow down or some way pressure the opponent if and when Bashar loses a one on one. ATM he is often a witches hat at many of the contests he gets to.

 

[lukeanddad]

But you are wrong about whether going in hard will make or break his career. I dont expect Bashar to be Jake King but I do expect him to half some of the contests he loses now and barring that to at least slow down or some way pressure the opponent if and when Bashar loses a one on one. ATM he is often a witches hat at many of the contests he gets to.

You are bringing back memories of Houlihan's one-on-one work. I still have nightmares

 

[GoodOne]

I dont Harry. I note his running and kicking (at times) as positives. In fact I am amazed at how hard he runs forward. In time I think his intensity running the other way and then staying I the contest will improve.

But you are wrong about whether going in hard will make or break his career. I dont expect Bashar to be Jake King but I do expect him to half some of the contests he loses now and barring that to at least slow down or some way pressure the opponent if and when Bashar loses a one on one. ATM he is often a witches hat at many of the contests he gets to.

No doubt you can pinpoint times when he should have probably gone harder. But I just don't think you can have your cake and eat it too. I don't think you can instruct a player to play outside, make space and receive the ball as your primary objective and then be disappointed that the player missed a tackle or was in the wrong spot defensively here and there. Deledio often gets the same criticism. If Kingy was asked to play an outside receiver's role I am sure he wouldn't be anywhere near as strong in the clenches either. There is no doubt Houli could be tougher at the ball at times and maybe he will improve that part of his game, but I am happy to see him make the space and use his excellent foot skills to break the lines and give us an advantage that way. As a club we are still at the lower end of ths scale in terms of tackling and pressure. It is a team issue not a specific issue for Houli only.

 

[Timmy99]

Just on Houli's running and linking up. Don't underestimate just what a difference he and Grigg are making to our structure by running into space and providing an option. This is what is helping the likes of Rance, White, Nahas and Edwards. In the past players that have tried to run and break the lines have been shot down as they have been doing it one out with no support and no options to dish it off to.

Now, when someone pins the ears back and runs they have better options to choose from. Both Houli and Grigg are continually providing that option for others to give to.

 

[yandb]

Lamby I have marked houli hard in the early games for the reasons you have mentioned but his last two games have shown a marked improvement. I would say that in the last two games he has only made two mistakes in each game and has contributed well so his overall performance is very good.
If his game continues to improve at his rate he is going to cement his place in the team for the rest of the season.
Go Bachar :clap :clap :clap

 

[lamb22]

Yandb

I think he was as bad defensively Saturday as he's been all year and very similar to his bombers form.

I dont want to knock him. He knows where to run and how to use the ball offensively.

He is fair way from a complete player though and I am expecting he'll get better in his weaker areas.

 

[cmarkidis]

Yandb

I think he was as bad defensively Saturday as he's been all year and very similar to his bombers form.

I dont want to knock him. He knows where to run and how to use the ball offensively.

He is fair way from a complete player though and I am expecting he'll get better in his weaker areas.

I was hard on him earlier, certainly glad we didn't use a ND pick to get him. However, he is there as the link player and over the last few weeks he has shown he can play that role very well.

BTW, lamby, Alex Rance is going along just nicely ;D

 

[Tigerdog]

Bachar Houli has signed over 70 of his friends and family to be new Tiger members. What a champion. 8)

Ok people, here is where I propose a nickname for him that works on a few levels.

Someone mentioned something in response to a Wiggles concert, it was about the Hooley Dooley's. I don't have kids but I had heard of them. Anyway it got me to thinking...

Bachar Houli ... 'The Flying doormat' BRUCE Doull. 'Doulli'. Bruce Houli.

Then I got to thinking about Bachar's new number, 14. BRUCE Tempany's old number. Played in the 82 GF.
And in 1980 BRUCE Monteath captained us to a flag, by a then record margin, over a hapless Scumwood.

It stands to reason, that if the RFC are to make another Grand Final, we need a BRUCE in the team.
No one these days calls them BRUCE so we will have to invent a BRUCE and that BRUCE, is Bachar!!

There will be signs in the crowd that say "We call him BRUCE."

I bet Commetti can't wait to say "Well the Tiger fans they just love him, they call him BRUCE." And just imagine how much it'd make BRUCE MacAveney ROOOAAR. :hihi

Let's call him BRUCE.

 

[chaz]

BCL is 100% correct. Houli basically gives up on a number of contests and many times goes to ground to basically feign effort. I count about half a dozen weak efforts a game. On Saturday he (i) fell over in a marking contest with Ballantyne - Ballantyne mark: (2) soft in a 50/50 chase with Ballantyne - Ballantyne (good play mind you) goal (3) fell over chasing on the half forward line when Richmond had a 2 on 1 on a loose ball - Freo clearance (4) very poor chase on Fyfe to boundary lne - gave away goal side very easily when Fyfe just collected and turned and went past him; (5) slid into a contest which might show effort but basically just went past the ball and Freo cleared (6) Freo got an easy goal at the City end. On replay Houli who was previously in a defensive position outside the pack was just basically invisible when the ball came out to where he was previously covering.

I am sure the coaching staff is aware of it and working on it with Houli. With Bashar it is the type of player he will become. At present he is not good enough to be in a grand final 22. But players develop with experience and success. It must be remembered he's only played just over 30 games. Montagna was pretty ordinary early doors and become a very important contributor for Saints (ordinary bump on Curnow notwthstanding).

Now Bashar's problem could just be a confidence or belief thing. Our own Kel Moore kept falling over early days when his first and second efforts didn't do the job. Sometime he reverts back. I think the player thinks he is trying but he is actually just giving up. I am hopeful that Bashar will develop so as to improve these areas and maximise his offensive running and (sometimes) good kicking - missing easy targets are also a symptom of poor belief or choking.

BTW I thought hs second goal was actually poor play. The play was clearly just the kick to King running into goal. The long shot was a bit selfish and luckily he got the bounce he needed.

so just a Q you obviously did this research oveer vidio yoou couldn,t do this live and be this presise

 

[jb03]

so just a Q you obviously did this research oveer vidio yoou couldn,t do this live and be this presise

Lamby couldn't be there live as he refused to buy a membership ticket - can't quite remember why, was it because we traded Collins for Grigg? Nah, couldn't posibly have been for that.

 

[btoz_01]

Let's call him BRUCE.

I prefer ... Basher

 

[Streak]

I prefer ... Basher

Me too.

 

[MB78]

Lamby couldn't be there live as he refused to buy a membership ticket - can't quite remember why, was it because we traded Collins for Grigg? Nah, couldn't posibly have been for that.

:hihi

 

[Tigion]

should call him the one that got away :hihi

 

[lamb22]

so just a Q you obviously did this research oveer vidio yoou couldn,t do this live and be this presise

No video Chaz, just things I remembered as they really stood out. You'd have seen them as well without the rose colured glasses on.

 

[lamb22]

I was hard on him earlier, certainly glad we didn't use a ND pick to get him. However, he is there as the link player and over the last few weeks he has shown he can play that role very well.

BTW, lamby, Alex Rance is going along just nicely ;D

Still a ways to go Tiger Richo/Astbury but credit to the coaches and Alex for the improvment in composure and decision making. His rebound now has the posiibility to be a plus.

Question will be whether he can compete one on one against good talls but glad to see some comments from the coaching dept talking about him using his size more effectively. If he stops hunching in marking contest it will help.

 

[Big Cat Lover]

Still a ways to go Tiger Richo/Astbury but credit to the coaches and Alex for the improvment in composure and decision making. His rebound now has the posiibility to be a plus.

Question will be whether he can compete one on one against good talls but glad to see some comments from the coaching dept talking about him using his size more effectively. If he stops hunching in marking contest it will help.

He seems to play short in contests, needs to get on the rack. Maybe he has short arms also?

Has had a Nahas like transformation, particularly his composure. The one on one's are where the real test is for Alex, if he can continue to improve this area he will be a real weapon.

 

[Red Sea Tiger]

My kids even call him Bruce !!

Could care less actually but hearing The Gee erupt with Brooooos each time he touches it would tickle me pink.

Fair dinkum .............. Brooooos is so much better than wooooof or ding a ling ling for a Bell

Call the man Brooooos its unexpected they will wonder why and distract them too

I calls the man Brooooos and it makes the play a fraction bit different which is just the surprise it is

 

[SfB_AkA._DeLiCiOuS]

Bruce sounds stupid to me....that's all I have to say on the matter.

 

[Tiger_4_Life]

Bruce sounds stupid to me....that's all I have to say on the matter.

Yeah good call Jukes....hes Basher or Houli Douli to me