You are aware that Botman is 6'5"? I'm not sure how omitting him increases our defence against their aerial threat.
Because I think Burn is better in the air defensively than anyone else. I cannot remember him losing any aerial duels. He seems to almost always win the ball. He may not be a power header of the ball and score many goals himself, but he can win plenty and has proven himself a threat in set pieces because of knockdowns.
I think it's worth trying. But I think it's because Schar has been mainly solid at the back recently and he may be also the best CB we have on the ball, in terms of composure, skills and also a better goal threat as well. But tbh he was shakey vs Bournemouth, so maybe he'll be dropped, we'll see. I just don't see Botman offering anything great over Burn or Schar TBH. I've not exactly been that impressed by Botman. He doesn't look head and shoulders above our other CB's, looks similar in quality, but has no stand out quality unlike Burn who's arguably our best CB defensively, and great in the air, and Schar is good defensively himself and also good on the ball.
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/spo...ws/eddie-howe-suggests-callum-wilson-25044412 Isak---------Wilson--------Almiron --Joelinton-Bruno-Willock----- Targett--Burn--Botman--Trippier ----------------Pope------------------
I wouldn't play those two at cb because both are made of lead. It's schar and one or the other. Schar is so under appreciated. I'm assuming you're blaming schar for the goal on Saturday? No way he had a 2 vs 1 on the counter with tripper caught too far fwd because a fwd player lost the ball.
I'm not blaming Schar alone for the goal. But the reality is no one was tracking Billing I believe Burn is the best CB we have in terms of dealing with aerial threats and reading the game. He rarely puts a foot wrong IMO. Schar and Botman are better on the ball and have more pace. In this game, we're going to need Burn's height to deal with Mitrovic and Fulhams set piece bombardment. I don't fancy Schar vs Mitro. I fancy Burn vs Mtiro.
Alone? He was the only defender that did the right thing and stepped up in a 4 vs 3 situation. It's all opinion of course you're entitled to or in just saying those two are far too slow imo.. The defence isn't really the issue though its the fwd they aren't good enough.
You're wrong about Burn. He's limited. Botman is stronger and more imposing. Burn has on at least 6 occasions this year cost us a goal, including B'mth. his "reading" of the game is probably his worst trait. Good, reliable backup, which we need, but should be 3rd choice CB.
On the plus side, we are talking here about having 3 CBs currently ahead of Lascelles, who this time last season was a guaranteed starter if fit. That's progress.
Lascelles has been alright recently though. Looked pretty solid and his distribution has improved. He was ok for towards the back end of last season and at times this season,.
Yeah and he's still now 4th choice, not 1st. Progress for the club. We can't overhaul everything at once, but we have a much more solid back 5 now vs 12 months ago.
Yep, and I need to clarify the distinction between progress and this seasons results. There is progress, the back office is MUCH stronger, the squad is stronger, the future immeasurably brighter. This season, which is the immediacy we need to have constant discussion on this forum, is not going well. We are picking Burn ahead of Botman, we are struggling to adapt our play, we have not done enough to address the issues in wide areas and the formation/tactics have seen us stall and now creep backwards. We are where we are - comparisons with Ashley are pointless, it's like comparing Thaksin Shinawatra to Sheikh Mansour. Should City fans not be delirious at playing CL football once again this season, or are they mostly bored until the semi-finals? It's comparing apples and toenails, it's utterly meaningless. Where are we? We're £200m deep from two transfer windows, have the most exciting striker in a generation, a standout young CB and a sprinkling of real talent in Pope, Trippier and Bruno. BUT this season Howe has failed to get us creating chances and scoring, has failed to recognise the fact that Almiron, Fraser and Murphy are nowhere near PL standard and has been very one dimensional in our set-up. Is the future amazing? Yes. Are the owners amazing? Yes. Was Howe's first (half) season amazing? Yes. Is this season amazing? No, for a plethora of reasons. And that's all there is to it.
We also have the Premier league, PGMOL and the Dirty Six doing their level best to keep us where they want us
