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Matt Targett set to miss remainder of season with hamstring injury (Howe)


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Despite how well I think Burn has done especially his abilities allowing us to play the way we have, I loved this guy last year. He was such a rock and reminded me of Jose Enrique in his defensive ability (if via different means). His contribution for Bruno's winner against Leicester was peak Targett for me. Hope he's back soon.

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It is a tough one. BDB has certainly been exposed against pacey wingers but has been overall really solid. I think Matty was pretty much similar in that regard. He struggled a bit against the best wingers but that is pretty usual. Matty offers more coming forward but with potentially playing ASM we need that defensive balance. I feel like I prefer Matty to BDB at LB but that makes me feel guilty and a bit harsh, Matty is like being excited about an old lost toy being found. He barely put a foot wrong last year though and I thought he was going to be pushing for an England place prior to season start and his injury. 

 

Other thing with BDB playing LB, he gives us that tactical versatility and fluidity to switch to 3 at the back when attacking. Can't wait to see Matty back though, even if it is off the bench.

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17 minutes ago, toontownman said:

It is a tough one. BDB has certainly been exposed against pacey wingers 

 

Has he? Apart from Saka in the first few mins at arsenal he seems to cope with most pretty well?

 

So much so that we didn't concede a goal for 10 games

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I must be mad. I'm adamant I've seen him get caught more than once with opposition on the break and getting in behind. Likely when he has been exposed with Joe and willock caught in attack. Targett did too though a few times and most fullbacks do in that situation unless they have obscene pace/recovery speed. In general he has been excellent in one on one's though. He doesn't generally get skinned and the saka example is a great one as the team defended well as a whole and Saka got next to nothing.

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The decision on which to prefer is in the balance for me. Targett was better as a one on one defender, he was largely imperious last season. He requires less defensive support from teammates and offers more going forwards. But, I think you can argue Burn offers more to our in possession defensive structure (i.e. back 3), and therefore indirectly adds to Trippier's attacking presence. And as that analysis was describing the other day, him being there relieves aerial pressure from Schär.

 

One of those relatively nice questions to have...

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