Haven't read everyones' posts as yet but surely Caulker can be purposely lost this summer and take 'I write books Ferdinand' with you!
All idle speculation as no one has a clue who the manager will be. Ferdinand, a ridiculous signing even if he'd played well, will be able to focus full-time on selling caps. Caulker will only leave if we can find a club thick enough to take on his wages. It's no coincidence if someone keeps getting relegated. All the tools to be a good defender but a frightening lack of any footballing brain for a guy who has played the game for presumably 20 years or so. Onuoha is good enough for a lower half team and is well respected within the game. Very bright guy and a good one to have around so I'm told. 4 As at A-Level that lad. Dunne- difficult to say. Doubt a Prem team would take him and doubt he's on crazy money to get another year. I'd be more than happy to start the season with Harriman at right-back, Dunne and Ehmer in the middle and Robinson/Yun on the left. Chances are we've ****ed the young players about too much and they'll take up other offers.
We have a defence? Interesting stat in the BBC preview of or game against West Ham. Apparently, we have had more shots against us (181) on target than any other team in the PL.
We don't really have a full-back that can defend apart from Hill and the cover in midfield especially against teams that play 451 is awful. Not a surprise. Even Burnley have two full-backs that would walk into our side.
Our defence stats say it all. But I think we underestimate the impact of a weak midfield (giving the opposition the ball; poor passing out of our half; lack of attacking initiative etc.) putting additional pressure and work rate on our defence. I do feel we are weak on our full backs though - whether this is due to them moving forward and not having the ability to read the game and get back in time (putting more pressure on our centre backs). It is time to replace Dunne, he has done some good stuff but we need legs. Caulker? Could he be much better? Ned - I don't see why we would let him go (although he has had a number of injuries). Like Beth can't see Isla being here. I'd like to see Yun be successful, he's got character but makes mistakes. Hill is a club man, but how much longer can we keep asking him to be our saviour? He isn't going to get any faster each season (but he has to stay in a coaching capacity - his character is impeccable and would lead any group of youth players looking to have the right attitude to playing the game).
