First post here so bear with me guys (and girls) I was hoping i am not the only one but why are we so persitant on bringing in a Right Back to the club, as it looks as though the Debauchy deal is done. I my opinion we need a left back! Santon is not left footed, to play at this standard you need a naturally gifted left foot player to play in that position. He is easy to read and has been the last 2 games as going forwarwd he just cuts in on to his right to cross or shoot.. Going back i feel bad for him as he would be much more suited on the right of the pitch tracking back. We also have solid yet not spectacurlar backup in that position with Anita and Simpson able to do a job, however nothing in the Left back role. We only really have one natural left back in the club and that is Ferguson and until he hits the weights room he is not ready for the EPL. I would feel much better with a international left back and Santon on the right. Add to that a new CB, Winger/Striker and it would be a great Transfer Window. We can all hope i guess though... Onwards and upwards
Nope you are not alone. Santon is a right back as he indicated in his journal interview the other day (have to say his attitude towards playing on the left is first class though - just doesn't moan). I have said this from day one yet Pardew/the board just seem oblivious to balance. Balance in defence is an important thing and Santon is being exposed time and again now. He is being targeted by opposing teams who are deploying runners from deep as his awareness is questionable on that side. In attack whilst I don't mind a wide men playing on their "wrong side" as such. I think with full backs it is better for the overlap to have them on their right side. Yes he can cut in and be dangerous but this is far outweighed for me by defensive frailty (his primary role) and the loss of early balls in. Debuchy is of course signing so you could say its a mute point but one well worth discussing for me. Welcome aboard and keep posting!
I think everyone would agree that in a perfect world, Debuchy would be left footed. In the flawed world we inhabit, though, our choice is to sign the apparently excellent Debuchy and keep Santon playing LB, as he does pretty well, or sing a LB who isn't nearly as good as Debuchy. The choice has been made to sign quality players and teach them to play their position. if there was a left footed player as good as Debuhy, then we could rightly complain. As it is, I think the policy is sensible. There are some very good right footed LB's, and Santon can become one of them.
Yeah, little annoyed as Simpson's injury presented the opportunity to play him right side last night and that was given up
Well, the objective is to have the best available defence. Perch is a RB, and I guess the call was made that having Santon at LB and Perch at RB was stronger than Santon at RB and Fergie (or Perch) at LB. Can't say that was wrong
