Yaser Kasim

[Sir Pissalot]

...and then there were those two occasions in the second half at Wolverhampton where he made last ditch tackles and came away with the ball both times.

[Tails]

I didn't think Fernando Torres played for Bristol City?

Kasim does need to work on the defensive element of his game.

Seriously? Because Torres and Emmanuel Thomas managed to get past him?

I think the number of times he's won the ball from the opposition must be higher than anyone else on the team, bar maybe Nathan Thompson. His tackle success rate, without looking at any official statistics, must be at least 90%. Granted, he has himself been tackled, but only Swindon fans would moan about the most complete midfield player we've had for...well, fuck knows how long, because on the odd occasion he got turned by players well above League One quality.

For a start, he must have won the ball from Essien on several occasions. At Wolves away, any Wolves player that got anywhere near him lost the ball to him. And these are just two games. Let's not forget how much the game changed when he came on at Peterborough, suddenly we won all the battles in midfield. It's not a coincidence.

[Bob's Orange]

...and then there were those two occasions in the second half at Wolverhampton where he made last ditch tackles and came away with the ball both times.

And the saving block at Franchise.

[Power to people]

The way we play he is crucial to the style but if he get's injured we have no one to play that type of role so let's hope he dosen't as that would then challenge us

[Bob's Orange]

The way we play he is crucial to the style but if he get's injured we have no one to play that type of role so let's hope he dosen't as that would then challenge us

Navarro is probably the only replacement, but as he's made of lego I doubt we'll be seeing him on the football field again.

[dalumpimunki]

The way we play he is crucial to the style but if he get's injured we have no one to play that type of role so let's hope he dosen't as that would then challenge us

Could the young Thompson grow into that player?

[Bob's Orange]

Could the young Thompson grow into that player?

I think Louis Thompson can be a very good footballer personally.

[random_five]

Seriously? Because Torres and Emmanuel Thomas managed to get past him?

I think the number of times he's won the ball from the opposition must be higher than anyone else on the team, bar maybe Nathan Thompson. His tackle success rate, without looking at any official statistics, must be at least 90%. Granted, he has himself been tackled, but only Swindon fans would moan about the most complete midfield player we've had for...well, fuck knows how long, because on the odd occasion he got turned by players well above League One quality.

For a start, he must have won the ball from Essien on several occasions. At Wolves away, any Wolves player that got anywhere near him lost the ball to him. And these are just two games. Let's not forget how much the game changed when he came on at Peterborough, suddenly we won all the battles in midfield. It's not a coincidence.

Calm down, I didn't moan.
I simply commented on postings by somebody else who cited those 2 examples.

Kasim may well be an excellent player but he is stronger when we have the ball. Our defence is poor this season, 2 clean sheets out of 8 in the league is it? And even they were at home to Crewe and Stevenage.

The midfield has to take some of the blame for this, including Kasim.. You can't blame Gareth Hall for everything.

[Tails]

Gareth Hall? Have we gone back to 1998?

[tans]

Called up by Iraq for game against Saudi Arabia on 15th October

[@mwooly63]

Called up by Iraq for game against Saudi Arabia on 15th October

Yeah saw that posted earlier on page 12

Confirmed: Yaser Kasim will be there in the next qualification match of Iraq against Saudi Arabia. Official invitations will be sent to the clubs of the players outside Iraq (Swindon Town FC- English league one, Columbus Crew- MLS, Orebro SK, Swedish Superettan, Al-Hilal- Saudi league)

Just confirmed by Sam on twatter

So I guess he will miss the Rotherham game ?

[Empathy Sloth]

No, you may be onto something there. Iconic players get nicknames: Fridge, Chief, Animal... Steam? Has a certain ring.

Steam Kasim, I like it.

[Munichred]

Seriously? Because Torres and Emmanuel Thomas managed to get past him?

I think the number of times he's won the ball from the opposition must be higher than anyone else on the team, bar maybe Nathan Thompson. His tackle success rate, without looking at any official statistics, must be at least 90%. Granted, he has himself been tackled, but only Swindon fans would moan about the most complete midfield player we've had for...well, fuck knows how long, because on the odd occasion he got turned by players well above League One quality.

For a start, he must have won the ball from Essien on several occasions. At Wolves away, any Wolves player that got anywhere near him lost the ball to him. And these are just two games. Let's not forget how much the game changed when he came on at Peterborough, suddenly we won all the battles in midfield. It's not a coincidence.

Nobody who's seen Kasim play this year would have failed to have been impressed. It was great watching him and Luongo make Essien and others look second rate, chasing shadows. They (K & L) didn't seem to get tackled very much, either because they had enough time to receive the ball and make a pass, or because they had the skill go past Essien etc. with the ball.   
As you say, Kasim wins a lot of tackles and comes away with the ball, staying on his feet. The risk is, if a midfielder misses his tackle in the last third of the pitch and he's not goal-side, he can be left with someone racing away with the ball, as happened with Torres and JET. It's not every week we'll be facing that sort of player. Winning the ball is a big part of Kasim's game, but there are times when it's okay to just jockey.  As other have mentioned, he reads the game well and can make goal-saving tackles too. I've seen a lot of Town mid-fielders over the last 50+ years, and I certainly think Kasim can be up there with Kamara, McHale, Butler, McLoughlin etc. Maybe he'll be better?

Not a moan, just my observations on the limited Town games I've seen this season (Sky and ST Player highlights). I'm looking forward to seeing a couple of matches in the flesh over Christmas!

 

[OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR]

Calm down, I didn't moan.
I simply commented on postings by somebody else who cited those 2 examples.

Kasim may well be an excellent player but he is stronger when we have the ball. Our defence is poor this season, 2 clean sheets out of 8 in the league is it? And even they were at home to Crewe and Stevenage.

The midfield has to take some of the blame for this, including Kasim.. You can't blame Gareth Hall for everything.

Ironically enough, when Grant (nearly called him Gareth as well - memories if 99/00...shudder....)Hall misses a tackle, the chances are that it will be Kasim who is there covering and tidying up. I actually think he's excellent defensively.

[Honkytonk]

Steam Kasim, I like it.

Steam Kasim, the midfield machine.