Our Best Centre Half Pairing

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Ledleysleftfoot

Ledleysleftfoot

Well-Known Member
May 24, 2017
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It seems that nearly every game we start with a different pair in the heart of our defence. To be honest it's really the only focus of concern for me when the team sheet is released before each game.

The season began with little disruption - perhaps due to player fitness/availability - but we were heartened to see Lawlor and Fish cultivating an understanding. It seemed that they could be the mainstay of our back line.

However, now that we gave Chambers and Osho challenging for places; it seems an age since we played the same pairing for two games running.

Who do you all think should be pre first choice centre-halves? I still think that, fitness allowing, we can rely on Lawlor and Fish to do a great job for us this season and in seasons to come
 
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Ledleysleftfoot said:
It seems that nearly every game we start with a different pair in the heart of our defence. To be honest it's really the only focus of concern for me when the team sheet is released before each game.

The season began with little disruption - perhaps due to player fitness/availability - but we were heartened to see Lawlor and Fish cultivating an understanding. It seemed that they could be the mainstay of our back line.

However, now that we gave Chambers and Osho challenging for places; it seems an age since we played the same pairing for two games running.

Who do you all think should be pre first choice centre-halves? I still think that, fitness allowing, we can rely on Lawlor and Fish to do a great job for us this season and in seasons to come
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Fish and Lawlor.
Osho seems to have some pedigree, but is yet to show it for us. BBM signed him as he'd suit our style. He currently looks the one least suited and looks tentative playing out from the back.
Chambers looks more settled than last year, but still prone to errors.

As I said a while ago, most successful teams have a settled back 4, especially at CB and never substitute a CB during a game except for injury.
Our CBs seem to be the players most likely to be substituted.
Its an issue that needs to be resolved.
 
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I agree, Lawlor and Fish. As long as they are fit. Chambers, in my opinion, plays better as a deep midfielder in front of the back four. The jury is still out on Osho but he wouldn’t be my first or second choice. If we had another decent left back Bagan could cover for CB as well as, if I recall, he did a decent job there last season.
 
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irishbluebird said:
I agree, Lawlor and Fish. As long as they are fit. Chambers, in my opinion, plays better as a deep midfielder in front of the back four. The jury is still out on Osho but he wouldn’t be my first or second choice. If we had another decent left back Bagan could cover for CB as well as, if I recall, he did a decent job there last season.
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given Kpakio seems to have RB nailed down, Ng is another option. Agree that Bagan would do a job though.
 
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I’ll also go Fish and Lawler but it might be apt in some games dependant on the opposition to bring in Chambers.

Osho should be sent back as not fit for purpose.
 
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ninian opinion said:
I’ll also go Fish and Lawler but it might be apt in some games dependant on the opposition to bring in Chambers.

Osho should be sent back as not fit for purpose.
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Unlike Trott and Kellyman, he's a permanent signing. BBM put his faith in him. Between them they have to find a way to make it work.
 
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Osho won't go away - he'll be a big part of this season. BBM brought him to the club and will play him.

The sooner he gets back on the pitch the better. His recent glaring mistakes doesn't make him a bad player.

The young Fish/Lawlor partnership looked good at the start of the season and if fit, you'd think both would start at Bolton. Got a feeling neither of them are fully there, and if they can't show that in training BBM won't risk it. It wouldn't surprise me if he pushed Osho straight back in.
 
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Good news that it's Fish and Lawlor starting today... Let's hope that we've been proven correct and that BBM was right to listen to is after he read this thread <laugh>
 
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Lately it's been Chambers + Fish, Chambers + Lawlor, with Osho still to come back into the reckoning.

Possible injuries aside, is Captain Chambers becoming undroppable?
 
Oldsparkey said:
Lately it's been Chambers + Fish, Chambers + Lawlor, with Osho still to come back into the reckoning.

Possible injuries aside, is Captain Chambers becoming undroppable?
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Trott, Chambers, Wintle and Salech certainly seem to have become the spine of the team.
I don't think any player is un-droppable under BBM, but those 4 are pretty close now.
It's good that there is continuity in the side, but we know BBM will make changes, and in numbers.

I am looking forward to the second half of the season with optimism. Cups were exciting while they lasted but are done. Just the league to focus on. The team, well squad really, is looking united and pulling in the same direction, players like Kellyman, Turnbull and Robertson are hitting their straps, we're starting to get more out of Salech since fullbacks started overlapping rather than underlapping. All positive, with Tanner nearing a full return and Ruben in light training we seem well placed for the 2nd half of the season.

Will we get some icing on the cake come January?
 
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Seeing OS’ post on this subject it reminded me LLF had brought this topic up a while back. (Maybe merge?)

Last night Fish made a few errors. He confounds me that he can defend corners but isn’t as effective from our corners. We were so used to Bamba, Flint, Morrison & Goutas notching so hopefully Fish can emulate them.

Chambers albeit he’s not fleet a foot he reads the game well and rarely errs.

Lawlor is obviously one for the present and future and hopefully we can keep hold of him for a bit longer. His passing through the lines is such an attribute (ok let’s forgive him for Chelsea) and I dare say only he could of the 3 carved out that chance for Salech v Doncaster.

Osho. Not a lot to state really. <whistle>
 
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ninian opinion said:
Seeing OS’ post on this subject it reminded me LLF had brought this topic up a while back. (Maybe merge?)

Last night Fish made a few errors. He confounds me that he can defend corners but isn’t as effective from our corners. We were so used to Bamba, Flint, Morrison & Goutas notching so hopefully Fish can emulate them.

Chambers albeit he’s not fleet a foot he reads the game well and rarely errs.

Lawlor is obviously one for the present and future and hopefully we can keep hold of him for a bit longer. His passing through the lines is such an attribute (ok let’s forgive him for Chelsea) and I dare say only he could of the 3 carved out that chance for Salech v Doncaster.

Osho. Not a lot to state really. <whistle>
Click to expand...

Good spot Nin <ok>

I'll find that original thread of LLF's and merge it with this.
 
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remote said:
BBM put a lot of faith in Osho. Possibly the only step hes put wrong since joining us.
Osho owes him.
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Too early to judge remote.

Opinions vary and can only be based on what we've seen, but I'll back BBM's judgement long term in the same way as Trott has proven crucial straight away.

Osho is our contracted player and deserves respect. He had a nightmare start, was dropped and then got injured. I like the way he steps forward with the ball out of defence and looks for a pass - hopefully to one of our guys. <laugh>

A long way to go and he could be the ace in the hole when it comes the March/April crunch, although hopefully we'll already be up by Easter.
 
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Oldsparkey said:
Too early to judge remote.

Opinions vary and can only be based on what we've seen, but I'll back BBM's judgement long term in the same way as Trott has proven crucial straight away.
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No disrespect to Osho intended and he'll get my full support.

It is too early to tell. My comments were based on the expectation set by BBM and the performance of others. BBM extolled the virtues of the squad available and of our youngsters. They have largely delivered.

He bigged up Trott and he delivered even though I felt he was rushed in given Turners early showing. It was the right decision though. BBM asked us to be patient with Kellyman. It was a frustrating start, possibly because we didnt know what discussions were going on behind the scenes. Nor did we need to. However, after Kellyman was hooked after 30 mins of his first start, BBM said it was planned given discussions with Kevin Gibbins who thought the first 30 were better than the last 30 given his fitness levels. We're now reaping the rewards of that management and the patience.
On the other hand, Osho was touted as a top player and was our only permenant signing. Expectations were high, though when pushed by the hacks about how he broke into the team, given Fish and Lawlor's performances, BBM conceded 'with difficulty'. Lots of players have rocky starts with new clubs. Osho has been unlucky. Its hard to see how he userps one of the 3 being rotated on current form. So, on the basis that we signed him as our player, BBM hyped him up and in light of some of his clangers, he's the one that has failed to reach expectations. On face value, BBM's least favourable acheivements.
Theres a long way to go in the season still, and theres still a need next season, especially if we lose Lawlor, though I hope we dont. I am hoping Osho comes good. His track record and BBMs belief in him suggests he should.


Back to our CB partnerships, Im getting the feeling the players selected indicate how BBM sees the oposition setting up and how we deal with it.
Open games would favour a Fish / Lawlor combo. A more direct challenge a Fish / Chambers combo. With Chambers / Lawlor a half way house.
It is unusual to see so many changes at CB. Its usually the bedrock of a successful side. The pairing you dont touch. But BBM does things differently, and it works, so who am I to argue.

For this afternoon I'd expect a Fish / Lawlor combo. No doubt BBM will see it differently. <laugh> <laugh> <laugh>
 
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