With Bennett injured, Bassong and Russ probably was our best partnership (no idea what happened to turner, great first half last season). Russ is not a better CB than he is right back and whether or not he is the best option in our current squad he is not a premier league centre back, we need a better one.
I think that if AN agreed with you, Bath, he wouldn't have let Hooiveld go or sent Turner out on loan last season. RB wasn't injured in the latter games but RM was still preferred at CB. I respect your view, but don't share it and I feel it clearly isn't shared by AN either. I do think we need another CB, but not because RM is not good enough.
I'm finding it hard to disagree with this. In terms of top flight CBs, I still believe Bassong can hack it - I'm not quite so convinced about Martin
According to transfermarkt, RM played as CB 17 times out of 33 matches in the PL under Lambert. He played twice as CB out of 31 matches under Hughton's first season (once as LB) and twice out 26 games under Hughton in the second season (though he also played three cup matches as CB and Hughton even played him DM against Palace)! All bar a couple of international matches he's played at CB. So I'd say over all he's been been regularly used as a CB by everyone, but least by Hughton.
I think we'll be fighting a lonely battle Rick! I can see where they're coming from and if anyone is to be replaced by a new CB purchase it would be Martin, but I honestly think people will be pleasantly surprised (and perhaps that's the safer opinion) given how strong we were defensively under Neil.
There are better players we could buy in every position CB is one that we need to strengthen because our depth there is dreadful. I can't remember which game it was but when see went off injured in around march i really worried for how our season would play out. Currently we have only 3 CBs who have played a first team game for us, two with a history of long term injury. We desperately need a new CB and there little point going and buying a player who's doesn't strengthen the first team so It's likely we will see far less of Russ at CB next year. EDIT: Jus realised that Turner is still our player that puts us at 4 CBs
What rubbish to read that people actually believe Rusty only plays at CB "because he wants to", honestly, do people actually still believe that? And how hilariously ironic that people are referring to the fact Hootun hardly played him there to bolster their argument - the very same people who rate Hootun at the most clueless, inept manager we've ever had - you couldn't make it up!! Yes we should be looking to strengthen all over the pitch if possible, but not because Rusty is a weak link, because he definitely is not. Nobody has a divine right to be in the team based on last year's performances, and anyone can be replaced if we sign better players, and that goes for Bradders, Cameron, Ruddy or any of them, not just our club captain.
Well of all the previous managers Hughton is probably the most defensively minded. Perhaps it's just coincidence that he's the one to play Martin at CB the least.
Whatever anyone says.... we need a new LB, CB and RB unless there is anyone who can step up from the youf team
Well, we are now linked with Jazz Richards, RB, from Swansea. He is talking to Fulham at the moment, and the price is half a million. Ironically it is because they sighed Kyle Naughton that he has not played.
I think we will sign another CB and my choice would be van Dijk, but that still seems like a long shot and even then he is 'unproven' in the PL. My concern is that it's easy for players to look good playing for Celtic against much more modest teams, many of whom are parking the bus rather than trying to score. If we did sign him though, and AN preferred him to RM then I'd be OK with that. No player should be guaranteed a place.
Wow, best vid I have seen of him. Looks great on the ball, able to beat defenders to make space. And he seems to know where the goal is. He is our new signing for the upcoming season. Well, just about.
Along with Andreu and young Thompson who, apparently, AN is keen to have a close look at pre-season in view of excellent reviews of his performances at Swindon last year.
City have bid £4.3M for Dieumerci Mbokani but it's been turned down http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2015/06/2...eject-opening-bid-from-norwich-for-dieumerci/
I really hope that Odidja can stay fit this year and become a regular in the team, I think he could fill that AM position very well if given a run of games
