| I've just noticed we only have six defenders 11:14 - Sep 2 with 3011 views | carlo88 |
in our full squad. Are any of our midfielders able to play in defence, has Matusiwa ever played there? |  | | |  |
| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 11:32 - Sep 2 with 2430 views | homer_123 |
Scherpen is an option there. |  |
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| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 11:32 - Sep 2 with 2419 views | Chris_ITFC |
7. |  |
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| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 12:07 - Sep 2 with 2284 views | Guthrum |
As Chris_ITFC says, it's seven. Which is the same number we had last season* and didn't run out.
* Exchanging Baggott, who made no League appearances, with (technically midfielder) Johnson's couple of games at FB. |  |
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| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 12:14 - Sep 2 with 2231 views | Swansea_Blue |
| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 12:07 - Sep 2 by Guthrum |
As Chris_ITFC says, it's seven. Which is the same number we had last season* and didn't run out.
* Exchanging Baggott, who made no League appearances, with (technically midfielder) Johnson's couple of games at FB. |
It’s the quality issue as much as the numbers. Furlong obviously not preferred to a makeshift RB in O’Shea (not that he’s terrible there, but he’s better in the middle). Big question marks over Kipre at this level too. And then a 20 year old who’s untested in the PL that we’re hoping will simultaneously be our right back and answer to left back cover.
It looks a bit light to me now compared to the rest of the squad (that’s partly us being a victim of our own success getting the likes of Enciso and Palacios in).
We’ll see in time of course. |  |
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| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 12:23 - Sep 2 with 2175 views | blueislander |
That’s it.Let’s find as many negatives as possible. |  | | |
| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 12:32 - Sep 2 with 2094 views | TheGentlemanViking |
I guess it's more about who can cover which positions rather than a specific number. 7 doesn't sound like much but it does give us at least 3 options for each position.
RB - Dara, Furlong, Ouattara
CB - Diop, Greaves, Dara, Kipre
LB - Davis, Greaves, Ouattara
Obviously if injuries and suspensions rack up we'll have to get creative, but that's a struggle most teams would face, I can't see that many PL teams carry many more than 7 defenders in their squad. |  | | |
| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 12:48 - Sep 2 with 2007 views | Vic |
Leif, Kippers, Dara, Greavesie, Diop, Furlong, Ouatarra
We only need four at any one time. Should be OK with those shouldn't we? |  |
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| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 12:52 - Sep 2 with 1980 views | Guthrum |
| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 12:14 - Sep 2 by Swansea_Blue |
It’s the quality issue as much as the numbers. Furlong obviously not preferred to a makeshift RB in O’Shea (not that he’s terrible there, but he’s better in the middle). Big question marks over Kipre at this level too. And then a 20 year old who’s untested in the PL that we’re hoping will simultaneously be our right back and answer to left back cover.
It looks a bit light to me now compared to the rest of the squad (that’s partly us being a victim of our own success getting the likes of Enciso and Palacios in).
We’ll see in time of course. |
I tend to think that the use of O'Shea at RB (where he does also play for Ireland) is as much about shoehorning our Captain into the formation as it is strictly on capability. | |
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| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 12:58 - Sep 2 with 1938 views | Guthrum |
| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 12:48 - Sep 2 by Vic |
Leif, Kippers, Dara, Greavesie, Diop, Furlong, Ouatarra
We only need four at any one time. Should be OK with those shouldn't we? |
Problem is people fear we will have three or four simultaneous injures in the back-line and they are terrified about Cedric Kipre (despite some good performances last season). | |
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| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 13:20 - Sep 2 with 1795 views | tractor_lady |
I stand to be corrected, but I do believe that Azor can play right back | | | |
| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 13:20 - Sep 2 with 1797 views | Alberto_the_frog |
| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 12:32 - Sep 2 by TheGentlemanViking |
I guess it's more about who can cover which positions rather than a specific number. 7 doesn't sound like much but it does give us at least 3 options for each position.
RB - Dara, Furlong, Ouattara
CB - Diop, Greaves, Dara, Kipre
LB - Davis, Greaves, Ouattara
Obviously if injuries and suspensions rack up we'll have to get creative, but that's a struggle most teams would face, I can't see that many PL teams carry many more than 7 defenders in their squad. |
I'd have preferred another one, or even two, but "it is what it is". I think a problem is that Greaves is our only left footed CB and hasn't filled me with confidence, although rather unfortunate on Sunday. |  |
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| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 14:01 - Sep 2 with 1654 views | _CliveBaker_ |
7 which is probably 1 short if you’re talking 2 for each position.
We do have versatility though. Davis, Ouattara and Greaves as LB options. Greaves, Kipre, O’Shea & Diop as central options and O’Shea, Furlong & Ouattara RB.
Similar to last season really, albeit would have liked 1 more.
I think the biggest question is less about quantity and more about quality, but that’s true of every promoted side ever. |  | | |
| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 14:01 - Sep 2 with 1652 views | DJR |
Stuart Watson says we did look at people but thinks we might have run out of money to get an improvement on what we already have given we didn't offload people like Philogene. [Post edited 2 Sep 14:03]
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| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 14:22 - Sep 2 with 1562 views | Swansea_Blue |
| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 12:52 - Sep 2 by Guthrum |
I tend to think that the use of O'Shea at RB (where he does also play for Ireland) is as much about shoehorning our Captain into the formation as it is strictly on capability. |
As far as I’m aware his RB credentials for Ireland seem to be overplayed. In the last two qualifying campaigns at least he’s been one of 3 CBs alongside Collins and O’Brien. He has played a few games there in the past, so maybe that’s where this is coming from. He’s played a few games for us at RB now as well but I still wouldn’t say that makes him a natural choice for RB.
He doesn’t play like a right back. He’s not as energetic covering as much ground and struggles against pace. He’s better in the centre for us imo. He’d be ideal in a 3 if GON went that way.
My feeling is that although he can do a job at RB he’s is better at CB, and we’d be better with a natural athletic fullback. | |
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| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 14:28 - Sep 2 with 1531 views | homer_123 |
| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 14:22 - Sep 2 by Swansea_Blue |
As far as I’m aware his RB credentials for Ireland seem to be overplayed. In the last two qualifying campaigns at least he’s been one of 3 CBs alongside Collins and O’Brien. He has played a few games there in the past, so maybe that’s where this is coming from. He’s played a few games for us at RB now as well but I still wouldn’t say that makes him a natural choice for RB.
He doesn’t play like a right back. He’s not as energetic covering as much ground and struggles against pace. He’s better in the centre for us imo. He’d be ideal in a 3 if GON went that way.
My feeling is that although he can do a job at RB he’s is better at CB, and we’d be better with a natural athletic fullback. |
I stated after the first game of the season that he's no Prem RB, though I can see why GON is playing him there.
Against better wingers he is going to really struggle.
For all the talk of the new players, and rightly so, I have to say by homer_123 23 Aug 9:44Leif yesterday was absolutely fantastic.
Chap next to me yesterday was yelling to take Brobbey out when through but Davis didn't and managed to get a brilliant block in. In fact, that wasn't the last - I thought his defending and positioning looked a level up and yet he was still bombing forward.
He wasn't the only one, thought Greaves played well, looked assured and a couple of tackles, especially one in the second half were class.
I confess, as well, that Nunez also looked good - I had my reservations (and probably still do, which might be harsh) that he would be effective at this level but I thought he and Lukic did really well. Nunez defensive work surprised me to be honest. - something GON is instilling I wonder?
Dara did well and, to be fair on him, RB is not his favourite position. First half we looked especially vulnerable there. Long term that worries me, I take GON's point that the Prem does need big athletic players and Dara does allow us to move easily to a back three, when Davis goes but his pace there is a concern, not his fault. Second half, we looked a bit better there, so I'll reserve judgement.
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| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 14:35 - Sep 2 with 1504 views | Guthrum |
| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 14:28 - Sep 2 by homer_123 |
I stated after the first game of the season that he's no Prem RB, though I can see why GON is playing him there.
Against better wingers he is going to really struggle.
For all the talk of the new players, and rightly so, I have to say by homer_123 23 Aug 9:44Leif yesterday was absolutely fantastic.
Chap next to me yesterday was yelling to take Brobbey out when through but Davis didn't and managed to get a brilliant block in. In fact, that wasn't the last - I thought his defending and positioning looked a level up and yet he was still bombing forward.
He wasn't the only one, thought Greaves played well, looked assured and a couple of tackles, especially one in the second half were class.
I confess, as well, that Nunez also looked good - I had my reservations (and probably still do, which might be harsh) that he would be effective at this level but I thought he and Lukic did really well. Nunez defensive work surprised me to be honest. - something GON is instilling I wonder?
Dara did well and, to be fair on him, RB is not his favourite position. First half we looked especially vulnerable there. Long term that worries me, I take GON's point that the Prem does need big athletic players and Dara does allow us to move easily to a back three, when Davis goes but his pace there is a concern, not his fault. Second half, we looked a bit better there, so I'll reserve judgement.
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Tho for all that concern, Rashford - one of the best wide-men in the world - wasn't exactly runniong riot on Sunday. Most of ManU's joy came through the middle or from diagonal balls out to Mbuemo.
That was helped by Fatawu's harrying further up the pitch, but that is indicative of the layered defence Town are operating this season. | |
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| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 14:52 - Sep 2 with 1394 views | homer_123 |
| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 14:35 - Sep 2 by Guthrum |
Tho for all that concern, Rashford - one of the best wide-men in the world - wasn't exactly runniong riot on Sunday. Most of ManU's joy came through the middle or from diagonal balls out to Mbuemo.
That was helped by Fatawu's harrying further up the pitch, but that is indicative of the layered defence Town are operating this season. |
I'd argue that Rashford is far from the player he once was.
Doku vs DOS makes me very, very nervous, for example.
I'm not saying he can't play there - he clearly can. But your point about him being shoe horned in, is very much on point. | |
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| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 14:54 - Sep 2 with 1382 views | NedPlimpton |
| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 14:22 - Sep 2 by Swansea_Blue |
As far as I’m aware his RB credentials for Ireland seem to be overplayed. In the last two qualifying campaigns at least he’s been one of 3 CBs alongside Collins and O’Brien. He has played a few games there in the past, so maybe that’s where this is coming from. He’s played a few games for us at RB now as well but I still wouldn’t say that makes him a natural choice for RB.
He doesn’t play like a right back. He’s not as energetic covering as much ground and struggles against pace. He’s better in the centre for us imo. He’d be ideal in a 3 if GON went that way.
My feeling is that although he can do a job at RB he’s is better at CB, and we’d be better with a natural athletic fullback. |
Yeah, i've never understood some people on here saying that he plays RB for Ireland. He really doesn't. Certainly not with any degree of regularity |  | | |
| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 15:03 - Sep 2 with 1331 views | BseaBlue |
| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 14:52 - Sep 2 by homer_123 |
I'd argue that Rashford is far from the player he once was.
Doku vs DOS makes me very, very nervous, for example.
I'm not saying he can't play there - he clearly can. But your point about him being shoe horned in, is very much on point. |
He does that thing where he backs off players and points which you can't really get away with at Full Back. He done it against United if I remember rightly and Rashford crossed it in and they scored.
Hopefully Outarra will come in at Right back and DOS can get back to centre half. |  | | |
| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 15:22 - Sep 2 with 1220 views | Vic |
| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 12:58 - Sep 2 by Guthrum |
Problem is people fear we will have three or four simultaneous injures in the back-line and they are terrified about Cedric Kipre (despite some good performances last season). |
To lose 3 or 4 at the same time is in reality so unlikely - but in theory it could happen I guess! I'm sure that the powers that be have a contingency plan for if we did get an injury crisis. perhaps they know that Luis or Azor someone can play at the back in emergency.
Bottom line is that we were never going to fill every squad place with prem ready players. In my view we've a pretty good job. £195m - never, ever in my lifetime did i think we'd spend a fraction of that money. We must have spent more in the last two years that the entire history of the club. | |
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| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 15:30 - Sep 2 with 1183 views | E_I_E_I_E_I_O |
I find it strange how many on here are completely forgetting ouatarra is a 18M player who played mainly as full back for strasbourg. |  | | |
| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 15:43 - Sep 2 with 1102 views | CastroSito |
| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 13:20 - Sep 2 by tractor_lady |
I stand to be corrected, but I do believe that Azor can play right back |
I'd be very surprised if he, Taylor, Luis or... anyone with a sniff of defensive play about them couldn't 'do a job' for us there. | | | |
| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 16:19 - Sep 2 with 1003 views | Libero |
Azor and Palacios have played right back before- other than that, I think that’s all our options, bar U21 players. |  | | |
| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 16:29 - Sep 2 with 957 views | Churchman |
| I've just noticed we only have six defenders on 15:22 - Sep 2 by Vic |
To lose 3 or 4 at the same time is in reality so unlikely - but in theory it could happen I guess! I'm sure that the powers that be have a contingency plan for if we did get an injury crisis. perhaps they know that Luis or Azor someone can play at the back in emergency.
Bottom line is that we were never going to fill every squad place with prem ready players. In my view we've a pretty good job. £195m - never, ever in my lifetime did i think we'd spend a fraction of that money. We must have spent more in the last two years that the entire history of the club. |
We have done our best to improve the spine of the team, particularly midfield and forwards. You can only do so much.
We have enough defenders and if there is a problem there’s always January to resolve it. [Post edited 2 Sep 16:30]
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