As one of his most vocal fans last year, I thought I'd start this thread on a positive note. Sort of as a pre-emptive strike against his detractors.

I'm a bit concerned for him. I always thought he was better than the manic depressives on here had thought at first, and last year went a fair way to prove he wasn't that bad. But how good is he? From memory he had at least 1 good pre-season game... How has he been since? He got towelled yesterday by a guy he should have been able to curtail at least a bit.

I'm interested to hear peoples' thoughts. I realise his disposal wasn't up to his usually solid standards, but other than that?

Lacks vision and poise, a good defender must have both.

Sharing a name is not enough of a reason to ignore his faults.

Lacks vision and poise, a good defender must have both.

Sharing a name is not enough of a reason to ignore his faults.

He needs to rip out his Melbourne vs Adelaide Crows Game 07, and have a watch.

Even rewind and replay the good bits over and over.

I still don't think HE thinks he's in our best 22. Confidence is a funny thing.

With his reported pace he should be a springboard out of defense, or at least be able to defend against mid sized forwards with pace. From my perspective he does neither.

With his reported pace he should be a springboard out of defense, or at least be able to defend against mid sized forwards with pace. From my perspective he does neither.

I don't think he reads the ball coming in well at all.

He is ALWAYS behind, and never catches up and rarely effects a spoil.

I don't think he reads the ball coming in well at all.

He is ALWAYS behind, and never catches up and rarely effects a spoil.

Crap. He has terrific closing speed and often affects a spoil. If anything, I think he should try to take the game on as a rebounder like he did in the past, but that is confidence. Daniel Bell is a quality player who uses the ball well, is still learning his trade and has buckets of courage.

Bell wasn't bad on Sunday.

Look, you don't judge backmen in games where there are 58 inside 50s.

Bell wasn't bad on Sunday.

Look, you don't judge backmen in games where there are 58 inside 50s.

Yes you do. You judge them, and you bag them. Always.

He hasn't had a great start to the season, but our backline has been under a lot of pressure in the first 3 rounds. Given how often we turn the damn ball over, and how easily the opposition delivers the ball to their forwards, everyone has been under a lot of pressure.

When Whelan comes back, it should free Bell to play as a back flanker, allowing him more creative control to rebound the ball out of defence and create the play. It will also allow Bartram to play in the midfield, which is better for our match-ups and structure.

Bailey singled-out Bell a number of times over the pre-season, so obviously he sees special things in him just as you and I did last year. Don't you go abandoning our love child now!

P.S.- Am still waiting for the day when Mr.Bell makes his entrance into the midfield... yes, I am still flogging that horse!

I don't think he reads the ball coming in well at all.

He is ALWAYS behind, and never catches up and rarely effects a spoil.

Yep, that's about as wrong as it gets. But nice try anyway.

He does appear to lack confidence at the moment. I wouldn't be surprised if he's been tentative with his back after Johnson steamrolled him last season, but it's more than that. The leadership provided by Rivers and Whelan will help, as will the support in tenacity from Bartram.

I have a feeling that sometimes Bell plays TOO closely to his man, instead of taking on the role as a rebounding defender.

Yes you do. You judge them, and you bag them. Always.

Maybe you should judge the midfield and bag the half forward line that allowed so many inside 50s.

I do that. Always.

He has not been bad this year, but after the crows and pies games last year we all expect a lot more from him, but even in those games he never really run the ball out kenelly style.

Maybe you should judge the midfield and bag the half forward line that allowed so many inside 50s.

I do that. Always.

That's my point! It's very often got nothing to do with the defender that his man kicks goals. Of course Bell is going to be behind if there is no pressure comingf rom our midfield or half-forwards. It's very simplistic to blame him.

He my friends sorry to say, could be a possible trade.

Didn't Bell play on Chapman? Chapman is one of the best smaller forwards in the league, it's not a disaster to be towelled up by him.

i don't judge how often the ball comes in, i judge how he was beaten. he has great speed and great strength for a guy his size, but his agility for a guy his size is poor and his ability to hit a target is average. i don't think he will ever be the type of player to set up attacks from half back, i just don't think he plays smart enough. for the same reason i doubt he could ever play in midfield unless he develop's significantly in this area. i thought he was very average yesterday.

He my friends sorry to say, could be a possible trade.

Like anyone is?

I doubt Bell is in the gun for a trade. Form and fitness depending, I think he would be the type you retain.

he needs to watch Jake King play and try to copy him a bit

Batram played on Chapman, made him earn every touch.

Bell switched a few times I believe - Stokes, and the resting midfielder. Not entirely sure.

He'll get better as we get better.

Like anyone is?

I doubt Bell is in the gun for a trade. Form and fitness depending, I think he would be the type you retain.

I don't think he's not liked by the footy dept'. But he lacks awareness & vision to use the ball, he has trade value while he is in his physical prime. I doubt he'll be with us in 2010.

Why's that?

Bell's form is a worry but I'm sure he will get better when Whelan comes back. He never should be kicking out that's Wheatley's and Whelan's (when he comes back in) job, Bell's kicking isn't good enough for that. I think we have bigger problems with clowns like Carroll ATM.

Why's that?

I like his enthusiastic attack on the contest & his pace, but he's slow in the mind when it comes to spotting teammates to deliver to. He's also a little loose & perrenially lacks the confidance needed as a defender. When you can see he's getting rushed & panicked, the rest of the team also sees this producing more stress on the whole team.

So in short, I think he'll be over taken from within our own list by more composed kids who have better concentration for the task.

Whelan's kicking (from memory - he hasn't played in the last century) wasn't too crash hot either

Whelan's kicking (from memory - he hasn't played in the last century) wasn't too crash hot either

Nah, thats not what I meant. I didn't mean 'spotting up a target' by disposal, I meant having the vision to see through the traffic to find the right option. Then delivering acurately.

Whelan is miles ahead on ability, aggression, hardness, & offence.