Looks like we are being manipulated via the press in the last 24 hours to be told its Gardner and Colback as our new permanent full backs. Noises coming out of the SOL seem to be indicating that PDC is trying to convince Colback to stay and make left back his position and now a press release stating how the manager thinks Gardner has improved at right back? If this is the case and we are about to try and convince us that these 2 former central midfielders are in fact top quality full back now then I say bull **** Paolo. We've been fed that crock of ****e too many times in the last decade. Mark my words now people, failure to strengthen properly in the full back areas will cost both the team and the manager over the next 12 months and dearly. Gardner and Colback are championship standard defenders at best and this will be our Achilles heel this season and a weakness which all other teams will exploit. For me, much of the superb progress made since last season will be severely undone if PDC tries to con us over this one. It will also reinforce my stance that Bardsley has been poorly dealt with as our only proper full back. Over to you chosen one?
I don't think the above is fair at all, both have done very well covering the roles and are quite capable at premiership level. What we need is next level signings like Rose who will help get us into the top half. Remember when we signed Bridge (an EPL experience fullback) he was worse that Colback. We will sign 2 new full backs but what I think PDC is saying is we will probably start the season with Colback and Gardner until new signings are made and have time to settle in.
At worst we might need to play the first few games with these 2, but I cant see us not signing at least 1 full back come September!
Does the reserve team not have any full backs either. If I was playing for the reserves and was the RB or LB I think I would be pretty upset that the management thought so little of my ability that I could not get in the first team without any full backs.
It's one hell of a problem Cest. They simply aren't good enough. It's all very well them doing a 'job' but that isn't good enough. Fullbacks are expected to be able to attack as well as defend. And I don't just mean getting forward, they both can get forward but they don't think like a fullback when they do go forward. Neither hug touchline and neither hit the by line. With wingers who like to cut inside we need that overlap to increase our attacking width. They're not very good at doing that. Without that option I can see us playing far too narrow, if we swap the wingers to gain the width we're going to have one man waiting for crosses plus we won't be getting the best out of our wide men as essentially, they'll be playing in the wrong position too. Playing players out of position is my footballing pet peeve. I'll reluctantly accept them as back up but I won't accept them as first choice. Gardner for me can't even defend in that position, can't attack in that position and is even ineffective in his natural position. The bloke will be one of our top earners (Signed for 5m+ in a time when Bramble was given 40k a week) and some are saying give him a new contract. Don't get me started on Larsson either. We've done so much good work yet it's still an absolute mess. Shows what state we were in at the end of last season if you ask me.
Think them two especially jack are very decent football players, didn't Gardner score like 10 goals from right back last year? Not saying there what we need there but I won't be upset to see them start there at all. Can't expect to sign all the players we want all the time!!
He did but how many from open play? He took our penalties (but gave plenty away), and he took most of our free kicks too. All the bloke has got is a decent shot. Doesn't justify his wages imo. Remember he'll be one of our top earners.
Behave ya sell man, ffs stop talking sense. According to some they are top notch.... please log in to view this image
05 August 2013 8:30 | By Chris Young PAOLO DI CANIO says Craig Gardner has made giant strides in his development as a right-back during pre-season. Gardner has completed every minute of Sunderland’s friendly programme, as the only right-back option available to Di Canio. The 26-year-old spent more of last season as a makeshift full-back than in his favoured midfield role, due to Phil Bardsley’s problems with form and fitness. Gardner suffered from the odd rush of blood in his new surroundings, conceding two penalties and earning a red card in the penultimate home game against Stoke City – the subsequent suspension ruling the Brummie out of the Premier League opener against Fulham on Saturday week. But Di Canio has been heartened by Gardner’s progress since Sunderland returned to pre-season training last month. Although Di Canio is eager to add a new right-back to his squad before the transfer window closes, having seen a move for Argentina international Gino Peruzzi fall through, the Sunderland head coach says Gardner is ironing out the flaws in his game. Di Canio told the Echo: “Craig has adapted to playing there and, in pre-season, I have to say, he’s adapted well. “He’s improved a lot. “Last year, he had a lot of weaknesses as a right-back. But now, watching him, I’m more than happy. “When you work every day, you deliver the philosophy and the mechanism that can work. “He looks comfortable in the position, both in defensive and attacking moments.” Gardner, now in the final year of his Sunderland contract, insists central midfield remains his preferred position after fostering his reputation there at Birmingham and Aston Villa. But the former England Under-21 international admits he has become more familiar with plying his trade at right-back and insists he would rather feature there than be reduced to the substitutes’ bench. “Obviously, I’d consider myself a midfielder by trade, but I played right-back quite a lot last season and I feel comfortable there,” said Gardner. “If the manager wants me to play right-back, then I’ll do it. If I get the chance to play, then I want to play, I don’t want to be sitting on the bench. “I played right-back most of last season, so it’s not an unfamiliar position for me.”
Yeah he isn't a right back but the bloke is a very decent player, gives his all and chips in with a few goals! Doesn't moan when getting played out of possition, can't see the problem really.
Gardner has become the new Richardson. We always seem to have to have player that everyone has a go at even though he is just doing what the manager tells him. I like Gardner, we have had far too many important penalties missed in the past and no-one who could test the goalie from a free kick. On top of that Gardner works really hard for the team and puts in 100% every game. You only have to look at the shape he is currently in to know he has worked his balls off pre-season. Bottom line we will sign a right back but if Gardner gets the nod from PDC we should support him. He is far better than some of the rubbish we have had in that position in previous years.
Im a big fan of Gards aswell. Ive been abit mystified with critisism hes had on here in the past. Dont get me wrong, I dont want to see him our 1st choice right back, but I like the lad!
Sentiments eh... Maybe the grief he's getting is not his fault by PDC fault, hoying a midfielder into being a r/b. Could be worse mind, he could play Cuellar or one of the others there.
Good enough for me until we do sign recognised left and right backs. But there is no point of panick buying for the sake of it, we've seen how that can turn out.
Whilst I agree that we are being softened up for gards and Colback to play fullback I don't agree with you on Bardsley. He is not the solution to right back. The management and scouting team have made big strides to giving us a team and it's not through lack of effort that we don't have any fullbacks in as yet. Clearly the club know it's not ideal and PDC has stated he would like 3 more. Another looming problem which is not the makings of PDC is those left with a year on their contract. Larrson, Gardner and Colback. That ball falls firmly in MON's court Or the club management due to the quick changing of managers. These negotiations should have been taking place last summer. So far in a short space of time I would say the job is half done and it probably will take another 2 windows to get it right. Also if PDC fails and gets the boot who ever comes in will have a mountain to climb. As we have totally overhauled the club to his image. Time to draw breath.
I agree mate but my problem is that he can't play cm because doesn't keep the ball well enough and his tackling is a bit off (though if he's improving at right back his tackling must be improving) so it makes him a very expensive squad player should we obtain a natural right back.
Players get more expensive nearer the end of the transfer window. Might be PdC keeping his powder dry for January instead?
Agreed, but we offered him the contract so were going to be paying him regardless, its not his fault.
