cubaricho Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 I think people are unnecessarily harsh about Clark man. The guy is a magnificent option as our 5th best centre back. He works hard and is a good, honest defender that has stepped in and not disgraced himself numerous times. Agree about this. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 Amazing how good our options are really, relative to our squad as a whole. I personally would keep today’s two in for a bit longer yet, they’ve earned it. Also biased against Lascelles now because he loves Ashley. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 They only look like great options because Rafa is a good coach at organising a back four and drilling defenders, tbh. Admittedly it is a nice bonus to actually have 5 natural CBs at the club, even if they're mainly ordinary. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Collage Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 They only look like great options because Rafa is a good coach at organising a back four and drilling defenders, tbh. Admittedly it is a nice bonus to actually have 5 natural CBs at the club, even if they're mainly ordinary. Yep. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponsaelius Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 To be honest I'm broadly of the school of thought that spending big money on CBs is a false economy anyway, at least at the bottom end of things. If you're coaching a defensively minded side it's possible to get a lot from a little. Big money on defenders is only really justified when you're getting somebody absolutely out of this world as a footballer and athlete, and they're being bought to play in a side where you need to be excellent at that. I doubted the money at the time but van Dijk is probably an example of this. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Infinitely Content Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 To be honest I'm broadly of the school of thought that spending big money on CBs is a false economy anyway, at least at the bottom end of things. If you're coaching a defensively minded side it's possible to get a lot from a little. Big money on defenders is only really justified when you're getting somebody absolutely out of this world as a footballer and athlete, and they're being bought to play in a side where you need to be excellent at that. I doubted the money at the time but van Dijk is probably an example of this. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thenige Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 Just don't think you can play Lascelles and Fernandez together as they struggle so much to get the ball out from the back. Lejuene and Schar are better bringing and passing the ball out, so realistically it's one of each. I'd go with Lascelles and Lejuene - they played well together last season and have that partnership experience. But yeah, the only position in the squad we have real strength in depth. Bin Clark off ASAP. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nemtizz Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 Lejeune and then either Lascelles or Fernandez, depending on their form. Fernandez deserves that spot right now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odear Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 Schär being in the team highlights how the team really needs a ball playing CB. His passing was superb today, but he got bailed out several times by Fernandez after taking up bad positions. Hopefully Lejeune comes back just as good as he was before getting injured. This has nothing to do with the Ashley comments, but I think Lascelles could struggle to keep his place once we have full options. Captain or not, if we’re winning games without him, Rafa won’t change what’s working. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenny Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 Lejeune + Lascelles or Fernandez; whoever is in the best form. Really like Fernandez, assumed he was shite having seen nothing of him prior to him signing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmojorisin75 Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 lejeune has only played with lascelles hasn't he? madness to say you'd choose a partnership that's never played together imo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Optimistic Nut Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 Not really fussed which two are first choice tbh, it's the first time in eons I've felt comfortable about picking any two from four centre backs. Even in our CL heydays under SBR we had Titus Bramble if we were lucky and Andy O'Brien if we weren't. Our defensive record was better when it was O’Brien alongside Woodgate rather than Bramble. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menace Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 Woodgate is still the best defender I've seen live. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neesy111 Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 Woodgate is still the best defender I've seen live. This, never ever seen a CB that was classy in everything they did. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ikon Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 Woodgate is still the best defender I've seen live. Same here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmojorisin75 Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 Woodgate is still the best defender I've seen live. Same here. yep, cannavaro for inter against us was incredible mind but assume you mean playing for us Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The College Dropout Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 To be honest I'm broadly of the school of thought that spending big money on CBs is a false economy anyway, at least at the bottom end of things. If you're coaching a defensively minded side it's possible to get a lot from a little. Big money on defenders is only really justified when you're getting somebody absolutely out of this world as a footballer and athlete, and they're being bought to play in a side where you need to be excellent at that. I doubted the money at the time but van Dijk is probably an example of this. Agree to a point. I actually think it's very difficult to find defenders that are good at the basics 98% of the time. Marking, heading, pushing up etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmojorisin75 Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 To be honest I'm broadly of the school of thought that spending big money on CBs is a false economy anyway, at least at the bottom end of things. If you're coaching a defensively minded side it's possible to get a lot from a little. Big money on defenders is only really justified when you're getting somebody absolutely out of this world as a footballer and athlete, and they're being bought to play in a side where you need to be excellent at that. I doubted the money at the time but van Dijk is probably an example of this. Agree to a point. I actually think it's very difficult to find defenders that are good at the basics 98% of the time. Marking, heading, pushing up etc. think the key to the bold bit is that you have to be coaching them well to achieve this, pardew coached a defensively minded setup and we were a fucking shambles also at this sort of level rafa is making it very clear that one of them being able to play with the ball at his feet as well is paramount Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
polkaDot Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 Woodgate made me enjoy watching us defend, something that up until then was pure fear. quality player. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRon Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 Not really fussed which two are first choice tbh, it's the first time in eons I've felt comfortable about picking any two from four centre backs. Even in our CL heydays under SBR we had Titus Bramble if we were lucky and Andy O'Brien if we weren't. Our defensive record was better when it was O’Brien alongside Woodgate rather than Bramble. Just shows you how good Woodgate was, he even made O'Brien look competent. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sh74 Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 All 4 centre backs at the back Pulis styleeee. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dabe Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 Flat back 6 including Dummett. We'd never concede!...or score. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinoasprilla Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 As good as Fernandez has been he will play Lascelles and Lejeune when fit. Lascelles is still young and likely to improve so makes sense to start him ahead of a 30 year old. I'd like to see more of Schar too I'd sell Clark and whatever he brings on get a left back a position we've needed to strengthen since Enrique left. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madras Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 Woodgate made me enjoy watching us defend, something that up until then was pure fear. quality player. Best centre half I've seen play for us. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sh74 Posted November 11, 2018 Share Posted November 11, 2018 Woodgate made me enjoy watching us defend, something that up until then was pure fear. quality player. Best centre half I've seen play for us. Philipe Albert comes a close second for me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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