Centre Backs

[Mem]

Surely it’s time for Dunne to be reverted to centre half given he’s our only right footed option? Fox is past it.

Ashby in at right back

[3London]

Exactly! It makes no sense you have a right sided centre back playing right back a right back on the bench and then play a left sided centre back at right centre back and a woefully out of form CB on the left side

should have been

Ashby
dunne
JCS
Paal

[Mem]

If Smythe is out (looks likely) time to bring Chair back in to start. Rumours also that Nardi has done form of muscular injury too??

[SheepRanger]

Exactly! It makes no sense you have a right sided centre back playing right back a right back on the bench and then play a left sided centre back at right centre back and a woefully out of form CB on the left side

should have been

Ashby
dunne
JCS
Paal

Wasn't there a stat that Ashby only had a 50% pass accuracy in his last game? That's probably why he didn't play....... he's not experienced, or good enough

[topperharley]

Wasn't there a stat that Ashby only had a 50% pass accuracy in his last game? That's probably why he didn't play....... he's not experienced, or good enough

Ashby has looked poor everytile i've seen him on the pitch, not for lack of effort but he needs more game time as a sub coming on in comfortable positions, not being in a defence being peppered and hammered from the first minute like we've been since he came in.

[Abseits]

Ashby is a right-back. If we are not gonna play him there I can't see point of him or what benefit we/he/Newcastle get out of the loan?

We were clearly dead and buried at HT yesterday. I thought Marti would've taken JCS off for 2nd half (so as not to overwork him after his injury), moved Dunne into middle (he was getting roasted throughout 1st half at RB) and bring on Ashby at RB.

Didn't happen so I'm scratching my head. I wouldn't be surprised if the loan got cancelled in the window and the lad gets farmed out to a club that will give him game time in his favoured position.

You'd think we'd be okay for CBs with Cook, JCS, Dunne, Fox and Morrison in the squad plus Field as a stopgap. BUT... with age catching up with two and two being injury-prone we seem up the creek without a paddle.

I always felt Michael Hector would end up here. He's unattached - we need someone robust who's free, cheap and willing to sign up for a 5 month gig.

[shaggy24]

Wouldn’t mind Ronnie Edward’s on loan from Southampton don’t get game time for them signed from pboro for few million at least he’d get some championship game time before saints rejoin championship

[SheepRanger]

Marco Imperiale (CB) has been the only player linked that appears to have any creditability about it.

Again, someone who can play LB too. It seems to be the problem of having a small budget, we need players who are versatile.

[Abseits]

Marco Imperiale (CB) has been the only player linked that appears to have any creditability about it.

Again, someone who can play LB too. It seems to be the problem of having a small budget, we need players who are versatile.

Another problem is we are probably looking only at players who think they are Franz Beckenbauer, are comfortable on either foot and like passing. I think our defence is crying out for a 6'5" brute who can "clear house" and frighten players (including his team mates). I swear that "ability to tackle" is no longer considered a vital attribute when modern clubs seek defenders...

[SheepRanger]

Another problem is we are probably looking only at players who think they are Franz Beckenbauer, are comfortable on either foot and like passing. I think our defence is crying out for a 6'5" brute who can "clear house" and frighten players (including his team mates). I swear that "ability to tackle" is no longer considered a vital attribute when modern clubs seek defenders...

I used to enjoy slide tackling, if only to push the ball out of play high up the pitch so the team could re-group. But full backs now will shadow a player all the way to the corner flag with another following in case a winger turns inside. We have enough stress related injuries without adding impact ones too. Players dont wont the impacts on their joints either because they want to prolong their careers. I think it was the Warbs area when I noticed CBs covering full backs. It seems rare to have depth of cover in full back positions. As Graham Taylor said "Good players don't need to tackle". And to a point he's right....anticipate and intercept is all you need. If I'd have learned that I wouldn't have my rickety left knee now!!

[topperharley]

Another problem is we are probably looking only at players who think they are Franz Beckenbauer, are comfortable on either foot and like passing. I think our defence is crying out for a 6'5" brute who can "clear house" and frighten players (including his team mates). I swear that "ability to tackle" is no longer considered a vital attribute when modern clubs seek defenders...

I think Cook is that guy, and while I think you're right it's part of the modern game that all players including the goalie need to be comfortable with the ball at their feet. Only have to look at how important Cook is for us to see that it's not vital.

Players like Sam Field and more effective full backs can do the same job Marti wants.

All i want is a run of games without a major injury.