Blues boss Paul Cook says he believes Toto Nsiala is one of the two or three best centre-halves at defending in League One.

Nsiala, 29, came back into the starting line-up at Portsmouth on Tuesday, his first League One start since suffering a hamstring injury in the opening day game against Morecambe at Portman Road.

“With Toto, obviously his hamstring injury this year set him back with us, it was at a time when, even to date, we were probably still struggling to see our best XI,” Cook said. “We had so many different injuries, lads coming in late, Samy Morsy suspended for three games etc.

“Toto’s probably, in my opinion, without doubt one of the best two or three centre-halves for defending in the division. There’s none better than him. He’s an absolute athlete, he’s a beast of a lad and one-v-one he’s nearly unplayable.

“If he can fix his mindset on achieving those goals on a pitch and perform like he did on Tuesday night on a regular basis, then the reality is he’ll be an outstanding player for us, so long may that continue.”

Nsiala and Cook go back a long way to their time together at Accrington, who Nsiala initially joined on loan from Everton in January 2012 before the move was made permanent that summer. Cook was his boss from February of that year until the October.

The Congo DR defender says he and Cook have an argument every now and again but always end up hugging out the difference of opinion.

“Not always hug it out, shall we say!” Cook laughed. “I agree with him on liking the arguments shall we say!

“Listen, Toto’s a very passionate boy, he really does care and when you care like that and you have people who care around you, it’s always good to see.

“I think for our supporters and for me, the pleasing thing is the connection between the supporters and the players.

“I think it’s quite apparent for everyone to see that that’s growing, and that should be harnessed when you don’t have good times as well.

“We need our support so badly and we need to give those supporters something to cheer about, and that’s one of the things that we work on.”

Photo: Matchday Images

Nazemariner added 10:19 - Oct 22 Love a bit of Toto, and fully appreciate the the defensive attributes he brings to the team, but he waas very rusty on Tuesday evening. I would be tempted to have a look at Wolfy alongside Edmundson.
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ShropshireBluenago09 added 10:20 - Oct 22 Totally agree. Toto is a good defender at this level. Strong, good in air, pacey. He needs a good team around him though. At Shrewsbury he had a good team around him and Ben Godfrey as holding midfielder. Toto will only improve with Morsy in front of him.
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DavoIPB added 10:23 - Oct 22 Whatever you think of Cook he certainly is very very good at recognizing real ability in players. The players he said would bring the most to the team have done so. I would guess that he even recognises something in Jackson. Despite Jacksons lack of ability to produce any meaningful results in the final third of the pitch at present, he does have a lot of pace, chases the ball over the top and gets into good positions. Not a popular opinion but can see why Cook has used him as a third back up striker this season.

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Wallingford_Boy added 10:54 - Oct 22 Met Toto on the train after a game once and he was the nicest bloke you could ever wish to meet. Really genuine and obviously loves the club. I hope a run in an improving side will see his game push on to the next level.
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Dissboyitfc added 10:59 - Oct 22 I agree with that ability wise, but the difference between good players and better players is speed of thought and decision making! Sadly toto is prone to howlers caused by wrong decisions!
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istanblue added 11:11 - Oct 22 This the same guy who makes so many unforced errors, gives away penalties and gets sent off week after week?
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Roo added 11:20 - Oct 22 Yes he makes mistakes but he plays with heart and aggression and we need that. I always remember a young Titus Bramble was always prone to an error a game - every central defender at this level makes mistakes - even premier league look at John Stones. I think the key point in this article is how more assured Toto might be with Morsy in front of him. I am hoping it makes the difference we desperately need in shoring up the back! Cook is searching for that formula … if he does not find it the January transfer window is not far away. COYB

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jabberjackson added 11:32 - Oct 22 Istanblue - you are a constant negative presence on this forum If you can't ever say anything nice, don't say anything at all
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jabberjackson added 11:36 - Oct 22 Sent off week after week? Really? Substantiate this you fool
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BlueBlood90 added 11:54 - Oct 22 Toto isn't anywhere near the best defenders in this league and I still would've preferred us to keep James Wilson instead. However I did think Edmundson looked far more comfortable playing on the left hand side of the defence with Toto on Tuesday though.
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HighgateBlue added 12:04 - Oct 22 Yes, and Wilson is one of the other two or three best!!!
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ArnieM added 12:16 - Oct 22 Dissboyitfc. I hear your views and in part agree, but both Toto AND Woolfie are guilty of those random mistakes , getting caught in possession and making the wrong decisions. It's a difficult one. It's up the individual players to price they are worthy of the shirt. That's what true competition for the shirt brings, and taking your chance when you get given that shirt.
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Eddie1985 added 13:51 - Oct 22 Love him as a defender, he has got a mistake in him but not many haven't in league 1.i think he scored an own goal while on loan for Bolton by kicking the ball against his own face. He gives us a good physical presence against bigger, long ball teams
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Marinersnose added 14:38 - Oct 22 Nsiala is a whole hearted defender who is strong and committed to defending. He can do a job at this level for sure but he's not a football playing centre back who could step up a league. Nothing between him and Burgess as both are similar. Woolfenden for me will still be our best defender if he's given the opportunity to develop. He will play at a much higher level hopefully with us.

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TimmyH added 16:54 - Oct 22 He is generally fairly sound but all too often his decision making at vital moments goes awry.
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BonchosBicycle added 23:07 - Oct 22 Centre backs who never make errors aren't playing in League 1. One of the best shot blockers I've seen - totally fearless. And hasn't he only been sent off once for us? In about his fourth game for the club, three years ago? And that was one of the worst red card decisions I ever saw.
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