| The centre back problem 09:50 - Aug 14 with 2108 views | pointofblue |
Whether we spent too long on Bradley or not, looking at the squads across the division it’s no wonder we’re struggling to get someone in considering nearly every predicted promotion chaser must be surely chasing one. This is just going off transfermarkt but Burton seemingly only have three first teamers, same as Charlton, Lincoln, Portsmouth and Wednesday. Oxford have four but one of those is a 21 year old who hasn’t played a league game yet. Wigan only have Whatmough as an experienced centre back and Wycombe have Tafazoli and Stewart.
The only teams which appear to have a good number in that position is Rotherham (5 with experience) and Sunderland (4 with experience plus two players on loan from the Premier League).
With all those sides chasing a centre back it’s no wonder much sought of free transfers, such as Andre Wisdom, Kean Bryan, Adrian Mariappa and Tommy Elphick have not signed anyone yet - they can afford to take their time and play clubs off each other. But getting the right man through the door is key to success now in what feels like a very competitive field. |  |
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| The centre back problem on 10:00 - Aug 14 with 2028 views | WD19 |
I don’t think we need to worry about other League 1 sides bagging our preferred choice. It’s persuading someone to drop down a division to get elbowed in the face every week that is the tough bit. |  | | |
| The centre back problem on 10:01 - Aug 14 with 2026 views | Keno |
I am a little surprised we let both Chambers and Wilson leave without having an experienced replacement.
I guess we are unlucky both Toto & Eddo are out but injuries are always likely |  |
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| The centre back problem on 10:07 - Aug 14 with 1987 views | HighgateBlue |
| The centre back problem on 10:01 - Aug 14 by Keno |
I am a little surprised we let both Chambers and Wilson leave without having an experienced replacement.
I guess we are unlucky both Toto & Eddo are out but injuries are always likely |
This this this this this.
Massive encouragement and excitement at the attacking side of things. Absolutely.
But defensively, our squad is currently worse than last season. Getting rid of captain and player of the year and not replacing them both is folly. Let's hope the position is corrected in the next couple of weeks. |  | | |
| The centre back problem on 10:07 - Aug 14 with 1987 views | strikalite |
Seems the experienced ones haven't made it to the top for a reason, plenty of no nonsense stuff but in todays game you need to be good on the ball, composed, good in the air, quick, read the game well, a leader.....in very short supply, even at the top level, this is a position where we may need to spend money once the Prem teams start their transfer activity, if that does happen..
Harder to recruit from overseas now too, imagine a Claus Thomson or a Gaardsoe slotted into this squad... |  | | |
| The centre back problem on 10:08 - Aug 14 with 1981 views | pointofblue |
| The centre back problem on 10:00 - Aug 14 by WD19 |
I don’t think we need to worry about other League 1 sides bagging our preferred choice. It’s persuading someone to drop down a division to get elbowed in the face every week that is the tough bit. |
True - Birmingham, Bournemouth, Forest, Sheffield United, Swansea plus maybe Hull, Luton and Reading, at the very least, are likely to be in for centre backs too though some may go for transfers or Premier League loans rather than those who are without a club. | |
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| The centre back problem on 10:12 - Aug 14 with 1951 views | chicoazul |
I doubt very much those players are taking their time. Likely as not they would take the first offer that came up if the money was more or less there and their expenses were paid |  |
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| The centre back problem on 10:14 - Aug 14 with 1929 views | FPL_Tractor |
| The centre back problem on 10:01 - Aug 14 by Keno |
I am a little surprised we let both Chambers and Wilson leave without having an experienced replacement.
I guess we are unlucky both Toto & Eddo are out but injuries are always likely |
It suggests to me the preferred option(s) are at clubs. If they were a free agent surely they’d be here by now. Which I guess means Mariappa is well down our list (or we’re well down his). |  |
| For more ITFC chat and some fantasy football mutterings follow me on twitter @fpl_tractor. |
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| The centre back problem on 10:17 - Aug 14 with 1910 views | chicoazul |
| The centre back problem on 10:01 - Aug 14 by Keno |
I am a little surprised we let both Chambers and Wilson leave without having an experienced replacement.
I guess we are unlucky both Toto & Eddo are out but injuries are always likely |
We have 4 CBS in Toto Janoi Woolf and Edmundson. As you allude to were just a bit unlucky 2 are injured which leaves us looking thin.
It’s also true pabloisgod is very much ITK and has said all summer we have been in for a senior CB, and missed out on Bradley. I’m sure one will arrive soon which will probably mean Janoi will be out if there is time to do a deal. | |
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| The centre back problem on 10:21 - Aug 14 with 1878 views | pointofblue |
| The centre back problem on 10:14 - Aug 14 by FPL_Tractor |
It suggests to me the preferred option(s) are at clubs. If they were a free agent surely they’d be here by now. Which I guess means Mariappa is well down our list (or we’re well down his). |
That or the free agents have more than one offer and are weighing them up. | |
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| The centre back problem on 10:33 - Aug 14 with 1820 views | Keno |
| The centre back problem on 10:17 - Aug 14 by chicoazul |
We have 4 CBS in Toto Janoi Woolf and Edmundson. As you allude to were just a bit unlucky 2 are injured which leaves us looking thin.
It’s also true pabloisgod is very much ITK and has said all summer we have been in for a senior CB, and missed out on Bradley. I’m sure one will arrive soon which will probably mean Janoi will be out if there is time to do a deal. |
It will certainly be interesting now to see who arrives and I wouldn't me surprised if we end top with a new senior CB and another younger 'development' one
Roll on the end of the window | |
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| The centre back problem on 10:41 - Aug 14 with 1750 views | pointofblue |
| The centre back problem on 10:33 - Aug 14 by Keno |
It will certainly be interesting now to see who arrives and I wouldn't me surprised if we end top with a new senior CB and another younger 'development' one
Roll on the end of the window |
If we bring in another developmental centre back then Woolfenden must be off, either via loan or transfer. | |
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| The centre back problem on 10:44 - Aug 14 with 1734 views | Keno |
| The centre back problem on 10:41 - Aug 14 by pointofblue |
If we bring in another developmental centre back then Woolfenden must be off, either via loan or transfer. |
It could be the next few games are key to what happens to Wolfie, he plays well and stays, which could make it difficult for Toto and Janoi | |
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| The centre back problem on 10:49 - Aug 14 with 1710 views | wkj |
| The centre back problem on 10:41 - Aug 14 by pointofblue |
If we bring in another developmental centre back then Woolfenden must be off, either via loan or transfer. |
I don't see it. Wolfenden is a solid deputy and shouldn't expect to be a first team regular while he has so many mistakes in him. Woolfenden has always had much better games with an experienced player next to him. |  |
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| The centre back problem on 10:58 - Aug 14 with 1634 views | pointofblue |
| The centre back problem on 10:49 - Aug 14 by wkj |
I don't see it. Wolfenden is a solid deputy and shouldn't expect to be a first team regular while he has so many mistakes in him. Woolfenden has always had much better games with an experienced player next to him. |
I agree though if he makes too many errors Cook may start wondering whether to move on.
Basically I think Cook’s plan is *something* like this:
First XI: Hladky, Vincent-Young, Coulson, Edmundson, +1, Evans, Harper, Burns, Fraser, Edwards, Bonne
Second XI: Holy, Donacien, Penney, Nsiala, Woolfenden, Nolan, +1, Barry, Aluko, Chaplin, Pigott
With Ndaba and El Mizouni stepping up to cover the +1’s. I can only assume Aluko has been brought in so Dobra can be sent out on loan. | |
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| The centre back problem on 11:59 - Aug 14 with 1487 views | jayessess |
| The centre back problem on 10:21 - Aug 14 by pointofblue |
That or the free agents have more than one offer and are weighing them up. |
Would be strange to be weighing up adequate offers at this point, I think? Every week you're missing out on wages, missing football, missing match preparation, potentially having the contract offer withdrawn entirely if the club decides they can't wait any longer.
More likely some of these free agents just haven't got the offer they were hoping for and are waiting for something to turn up as clubs get more desperate to plug gaps. |  |
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| The centre back problem on 12:05 - Aug 14 with 1451 views | WD19 |
| The centre back problem on 10:58 - Aug 14 by pointofblue |
I agree though if he makes too many errors Cook may start wondering whether to move on.
Basically I think Cook’s plan is *something* like this:
First XI: Hladky, Vincent-Young, Coulson, Edmundson, +1, Evans, Harper, Burns, Fraser, Edwards, Bonne
Second XI: Holy, Donacien, Penney, Nsiala, Woolfenden, Nolan, +1, Barry, Aluko, Chaplin, Pigott
With Ndaba and El Mizouni stepping up to cover the +1’s. I can only assume Aluko has been brought in so Dobra can be sent out on loan. |
I think Pigott is in the first XI. | | | |
| The centre back problem on 12:14 - Aug 14 with 1403 views | pointofblue |
| The centre back problem on 12:05 - Aug 14 by WD19 |
I think Pigott is in the first XI. |
Yeah, it’s only light guesswork - the forward line is pretty interchangeable! | |
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| The centre back problem on 12:21 - Aug 14 with 1366 views | Keaneish |
Why are we “struggling” to get a CB? I’d say struggling is something we’re not doing given we’ve just rebuilt a squad and signed three defenders already. |  |
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| The centre back problem on 12:23 - Aug 14 with 1361 views | pointofblue |
| The centre back problem on 12:21 - Aug 14 by Keaneish |
Why are we “struggling” to get a CB? I’d say struggling is something we’re not doing given we’ve just rebuilt a squad and signed three defenders already. |
Just that, if Cook had his way, I think we’d already have another centre back through the door plus it’s a position where we’re seriously light at the moment. | |
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| The centre back problem on 12:32 - Aug 14 with 1314 views | Keaneish |
| The centre back problem on 12:23 - Aug 14 by pointofblue |
Just that, if Cook had his way, I think we’d already have another centre back through the door plus it’s a position where we’re seriously light at the moment. |
There will be a list of targets of which Bradley was top so I’d assume we’re eorking our way down the list after Edmunson. Sounds like Burgess is incoming. | |
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