Simpson at CB.....Why???

Team for Norwich:

------------------Krul----------------
Santon-----Simpson--Perch-----Raylor
Obertan----Cabaye---Gosling*---Jonas
---------------Ben Arfa------------
-----------------Ba----------------

* Gosling over Guthrie because he is more defensive, I know he has not been great and Guthrie has been decent but we need all the protection we can get. If Tiote is fit then obviously start him with Cabaye.

 

Imo, Raylor should only stay at left-back if Santon's going to be playing in the centre.

 

Although I agree that it is important to win the second ball after a header, we have to have someone who can compete with their strikers in the air. Someone has to challenge, just look at Drogba's goal on Saturday. Perch did not get anywhere near him so he had a free header.

 

He doesn't have to win his headers? If by second ball you mean picking it out of the net after Holts nodded it in I agree, otherwise no. At centre half he's the last line of defense before Krul, he needs to be able to keep on his man and deal with crosses, Simpson can't do either. I've no real idea on Santon (I'll leave that to Pards) but Simpson can't play there.

 

How many times does Simpson stop a cross from coming in? Pretty much never because he backs off so much. The important thing is winning second balls and also stopping as many crosses coming in as possible. For me, Santon will be better at stopping them than Simpson. Either way if a quality ball goes into the box, Santon/Simpson/Perch will be beaten in the air 8 times out of 10.

 

Stick shola in at centre half. Atleast he has height............ I'm only joking by the way but the way things are going we might not have many other options.

 

See post 25 for crosses into the box. When watching Santon in the Carling Cup amongst other games, did it not strike you that he is weak and not the best at heading. Putting him centre back on his debut, for me, is suicidal. I would personally start Kadar at centre back with Perch, although it appears as though he is out of favour, with Santon and Simpson at full-backs.

 

Ameobi should start in my opinion to help out defensively at set pieces. We can then at least have Ba and Ameobi and possibly Tiote in the box defending corners.

 

He'd probably get a hat trick of headers.




In his own goal.

 

Yeah pards has to be a bit cute with his selection in this game. Wouldn't be surprised if Ben arfa doesn't start.

 

I don't think that idea is so laughable. I remember Sutton/Hartson/Dublin etc all playing at CB when called upon and Blackburn use Samba often in the opposite situation when needed. He has more central defensive attributes than many other defenders we have at the club, Smith could be another option in my opinion!!!

 

if I was Santon, Id be thinking does the whole 1st team need to go down with flu before I get a run out.

The bloke trains EVERY day. The ONLY way to get match fit is to play MATCHES....Doh!

 

Well I think it's something he has to think about like because we are thread bare.

 

Both Santon and Simpson are options for us I think. Both have experience of playing their, and its a needs must situation. I'd trust both to do a fine job, particularly Simpson who is just a good committed defender. We just need to get through the next few games as best we can. the best form of defence as shown against Chelsea 2nd half is to attack and keep the ball.

 

Always has been.

 

----------------------Krul-----------------------
---------Simpson---Perch------Santon

Raylor------------- Tiote ----------------Jonas

-----------Guthrie-------------Cabaye----------

--------------------Ben Arfa-----------------------

------------------------Ba---------------------------

Surely the best 11 we can put out. Thats my best effort of putting them into any old formation that could cause Norwich problems while still being comfortable enough at the back.

 

So you wouldn't pick Simpson, who can tackle but you would pick Shola and Smith who cannot? Shola is one crazy loon who you could never consider at centre half. I reckon he'd give away a minimum of 3 penalties per game as he loves wrestling. Also if the striker makes a run its not like up front where you just don't arse yourself! Smith is just an awful tackler. 20 years ago he would have been appreciated but now he's just a red card waiting to happen.

I think unfortunately we need to muddle a defence from Simpson, Santon, Raylor, Perch. I thought about this last night and came to the conclusion I'd go Santon and Simpson centre half simply because at least Perch is out of the way at full back.

 

Santon at CB for sure !
People talk about confidence and nerves in his first PL start we're away to Norwich the lad has been thrown into CL games aged 19 for Inter I'm sure he can handle a trip to Norwich

 

When I referred to Shola/Smith I was really meaning if the injury situation got any worse. I just think if the situaton gets any worse or we have a nightmare at Norwich Pards might have to think outside the box as we will have nothing to lose.

If you look at my OP you will see the defemce I would play against Norwich!!

 

Very good point. We are talking about a player here who made Cristiano Ronaldo look like a pub player he kept him so quiet.