Dutch deal paying off for Albion
Sep 29 2008 By Chris Lepkowski
GIANNI Zuiverloon is living up to his potential, according to Tony Mowbray.
The Dutch defender produced yet another excellent performance in the win at Middlesbrough.
Zuiverloon out-performed Villa’s Ashley Young last weekend and kept Stewart Downing subdued in Saturday’s game at the Riverside.
Mowbray admtitted his £3.2million signing from Heerenveen was certainly making an impression.
“Gianni is a player who has played four or five times in the Premier League but needs to keep his feet on the ground,” said the manager.
“He’s everything I saw when I went to watch him really – he’s fast, he’s athletic, he’s quick with the ball, he’s composed, how good can he be? I don’t know but he was exceptional on Saturday.
“He played against one of the best wide players in the country.
“He is new to the league but our players see him week in, week out and they will tell you what a special talent he is.”
Mowbray also praised goalscorer Jonas Olsson and his fellow defenders for keeping their second successive away clean sheet.
It means Albion have not conceded on their travels since the fourth minute of their opening game of the season, at Arsenal.
“Jonas is a good player,” said Mowbray.
“He’s still got to develop his upper body strength and his heading.
“He’s come from Dutch football where it’s all about pass, pass, pass.
“The bottom line is I bought him because he is so good with the ball.
“In training every day he is better than a lot of our midfielders with his decision-making on his passes.
“I’m not sure how many of his passes set us on our way on Saturday but he brings that to us and, if he puts his body on the line for the team and fights his corner then we’ll have a good player.
“Robinson does what he does every week and is a quality Premier League full-back.
“It was the first time Ryan Donk has stepped on a Premier League pitch and he showed his qualities – strength, determination, pace and power. I’m pleased we’re talking about our defence because I’m sick and tired of talking about our attacking players.
“If we’re going to have a good season it’s going to take a team effort.”
