So, just where do we stand? JC - the stalwart. Not sure if his legs are going, or if they were never there before and there was better cover. Certainly, he's been exposed a few times for pace this season, and the perennial criticism is that he 'hoofs' it too much. As a committed centre half, he seldom takes prisoners, he reads the game well, times most of his challenges to perfection( - he reminds me of Henchoz) and is an organiser at the back. Skrtel - the tried and tested. Vacillates between assured and panicked. He dives in and you are always hoping, rather than expecting him to come out with the ball. Not noted for his distribution, or his pace. Agger - Mr Glass. Almost always assured in possession, and has a decent turn of pace. Possesses a thunderbolt shot when allowed to stray forward and has the passing ability of a midfielder, not a centreback. However, he seems to have problems staying match fit and picks up niggling injuries. His latest injury, however, is not one of the usual niggles. Coates - the big man. One of the new signings, we are still to see much of him in a red shirt. Coming to Liverpool on the back of a series of excellent performances that had him labelled the Copa America Best Young Player, he should have bags of potential; how long will it take him to adjust to the pace of the Premiership? Wilson - the forgotten man? Only 19 still, he's been very much restricted to appearances at Left Back in cup competitions. Left footed, he should fit well into the LCB berth. Scottish FWA Young Player of the Year award and the Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year, as well as Rangers Young Player of the Year by their fans, he must be one for the future? Given the paucity of experienced and fit players at CB, should he come into the reckoning? Kelly - the convert. Last season saw the emergence of Flanagan and Kelly in the right back slot. Kelly, the older and arguably more experienced man, played 23 times for the reds last term, almost exclusively at RB, yet for the reserves and academy sides he'd been utilised more often as a CB. Possesses a calm air and composed on the ball. Again, another one with an eye on the future... This season we've had problems with injuries and suspensions already - where should we be looking to develop a settled CB pairing?
Wilson I just haven't seen enough of, he did well at Rangers, gets games for Scotland but just haven't seen enough of him, even at LB which isn't hsi natural position.
I just wonder where we should go with the CB positions? Do we persist with Agger/Carra? Do we accept Carra's advancing years and try Skrtel/Agger? Do we look at Agger's fitness issues and go Carra/Skrtel? Or look to something entirely new if both members of our 'lead pair' isn't available? Wilson/Coates or Coates/Kelly for instance? (anyone know is Coates is left or right footed?)
Kelly & Coates might be a good combination. Too young you say? Probably but it could work out they are both good players.
Not 100%, but I think I heard he is right footed. But read in a good article that he is comfortable across the whole back line. Comolli also came out and said this was one of the reasons for buying him.
Good questions and a well written thread but my heads up my arse now trying to work it out The Agger injuries are just so bloody predictable now that we surely can't carry on planning a team with him as first choice. Carra and Skrts go from the sublime to the ridiculous, Coates and Wilson are as yet untried and I do think we would've seen more of Wilson if Kenny thought he was up to the job. Kelly for me is doing fine at RB so we can't really afford to weaken one position to gamble with him in the centre and even if we did then who do we partner him with? For me I think we will have to stick with Carra and Skrts until we get Agger back for a few weeks. Hopefully Coates will come into the equation soon though...if he's good enough. Where's Sami when you need him eh
The CB partnership must have one defender who can play the ball comfortably i.e. Agger. Having two physical defenders like Carra and Skrtel causes panic because they will just hoof the ball and generally look nervous. We need another defender like Agger (Coates?) who is happy on the ball and can play out of the defence and begin attacks. I hope to see Coates and Kelly as the future partnership - both are tall, strong and fast and they both like to play the ball.
