I think I have lost the plot: we have 4 CB's on our books? Ayala, Ward, Benett, Barnett. We have just aquired Whittaker form Rangers and there is talk of Curtis Davis from Birmingham. Not sure why we would want six CB's unless, of course, two or more existing CB's are about to leave? On the striker front: Holt, Morison, Vaughan, Jackson and Chris Martin (is he on loan anywhere yet?) so Vaughan on a loan deal with Birmingham seems a little premature? Thoughts?
We had 4 centre backs on our books at the start of last season and it wasn't long before we were having to play Russell Martin there because of injuries, suspensions and loss of form. I do expect Barnett to leave if only on loan unless CH sees him in a different light from Lambert.
The problem most people on here have with that is that out of those CBs, Ayala and Bennett and Martin are the only ones who can actually hold their own at this level. And Martin is a RB by trade! I agree with your strikers thing though, Holt and Morison are both good (although we don't know for how long), I dislike Jackson but everyone else likes him, Chris Martin has a bad attitude and everyone appears to hate him, and Vaughan is always injured. Now he's back, I think we should give him a chance! I think the same about Chris Martin though.
Got to be honest of the four CB's we have I only rate two and one of them is injured an awful lot. I am happy to have R Martin playing CB and would rtake him over Ward and Barnett every time. Whittaker is not a CB by trade but could provide cover. Were we to get Davies then I think that we would have a far more solid feel and a bit more depth and quality in the squad. I'd ship out Barnett immediately and I am suprised that Ward has been given another contract as I thought he looked short of pace in the Championship.
also, ayala and R Bennett are only 21 so relatively inexperienced. someone like davies would bring plenty of experience
I think Ayala and Bennett could be exeptional if supported by the full backs a bit better. Bennett was so good positionally (except Man City) and barely put a foot wrong. Ayala was really rough in his first 2 games but then suddenly became the best we have. But with both being so young it could turn nasty after a couple of hammerings. I would love it if the 2 worked out though because I think essentially they are good footballers.
At last, someone who feels the same as I do. I really can't understand why Ward's contract was renewed, as he and Barnett gave me more palpitaions than the rest of the back four put together whilst watching the home games.
Between injuries and Lambert's passion for a fiddle with the line up (not literally) our back line didn't get much stability or time to bed in last season. I'm all for mixing it up from time to time andn playing a squad rather than simply 11 but hopefully this season more confidence through a settled side.
I agree both are excellent footballers, and I rate both very highly and both have a superb future in the game (hopefully with us) but as you also touch upon they are both so young and inexperienced that it would be sheer madness to go into the season with them as the first choice partnership. We need to be patient with them and not heap too much pressure on their young shoulders or is could be disastrous as you suggest. We will bring in another more experienced CB to start the season alongside Bennett - for it is he who I believe is the better of the two personally - without question, very most likely Curtis Davies and I'd be very happy with that. Has anyone made a move for David Wheater yet?
Yes, I've said the same on various occasions. I'm confident we'll see less tinkering with the starting 11 each week and barring injuries, a back four who will get into the habit of playing alongside each other.
first of all, ward's contract was extended by the club, not the manager. it was a 1-year option which the club took up. he's good back up at the very least. many people suggested we should have kept whitbread instead but he didn't want to stay once the club refused to agree to his high wage demands so that was always off limits - therefore, it was actually quite important to keep ward for another year, or we really would have looked short of central defensive cover if all we had was barnett, ayala, bennett and martin. it was a good move by the board so it annoys me when people say we should have released ward. he is by no means my favourite player but its not easy to find an experienced centre half with his ability who is willing to remain at the club as a bit-part player. people should be a bit more pleased he wanted to stay, unlike whitbread.
The thing with Ward is yes, he was shaky to say the least at the end of last season, but he's the only centre back of his type we have. Ayala, Bennett and Martin are all ball players, in that they prefer to pass their way out of the back line. Ward is more of the hoof it clear type of centre back. While passing the ball out of defence is good to watch and can be an effective way of starting an attack from the back, every now and then you need someone to just put their foot through the ball and get rid of it and that is what Ward does best. He did look out of his depth when he played against Suarez, Tevez and Aguero, but I honesty believe he would've been one of the best on the pitch if Carroll and Dzeko had played as he prefers playing against big strikers. He's a good option to have as a squad player and can do a job, especially against teams like Stoke and West Ham who prefer to pump the ball long to big centre forwards.
Ward is perfectly Ok as long as he's kept in the middle, its when he's pulled out wide all the trouble begins.
Just imagine if Ward had moved on - the section of the crowd that has to have a Player to hate, moan about and pick on would have had to find a new victim!! With Ward staying problem solved!!
i do find this particular trait of football fans disgusting. even if they are not your cup of tea you should still give them 100% support when they wear the norwich badge on their chest.
