With the imminent move with ayala i just have a cause for concern. Mainly if you play him who do you replace? Hobbs or Chester? or would you play 3 centre backs? or move Chester into CDM? Tbh we only need a back up CB so i would suggest getting someone in on loan until December when Mcshanes back because IMO we have a good CB cover in Mcshane from what i saw of him in pre-season
I'd be more concerned if we only had a "back up" CB tbh. If we only have a back up it generally means they are not good enough to get in the first team. CB's pick up injuries and suspensions, they can suffer a dip in form, or need resting. I would much rather have a CB come in who was good enough for the first team in those instances. Plus having 3 quality CB's is healthy competition. Each of them knows that they have to perform if they are to keep their place in the starting 11.
Better to pick two centre backs from three who should be in the starting XI, than to pick two from Gardner/Zayatte/McShane.
Theres going to be plenty of niggles throughout the season, usually we'd play player 60% fit rather than use the backup one, if we get ayala itll allow us to rotate more often, especially when we have two games in a week etc. I agree it seems hard to leave someone out but it will have to happen, either way we're going to have 3 quality centre backs.
For god sake can everyone stop been concerned at having three quality CBs!!! Liverpool have Carragher, Skirtel, Agger, Man Utd have Ferdinand, Vidic, Jones, Smalling, Chelsea have Terry, Ivanovic, Luiz, Man City have Kompany, Toure, Richards, Spurs have Galla, Dawson, King.... Do I need to go on?They all manage to keep 3 CBs happy If we say "actually we dont need Ayala, we have Sonny Bradley, and could recall Kilbane if we need too" then Hobbs or Chester get injured on Friday everyone would be whinging!!! We NEED 3 quality CBs, CBs pick up yellow cards, they pick up knocks, and serious injuries can strike at any time.
The problem is,Chester is way too good to be a back up CB.And its odds on that NP will play Ayala & Hobbs ahead of him. Just because we paid good money for the two.
i dont think chester, ayala or hobbs will be classed as a backup. its more about rotation and competition. you need other players fighting for positions to get the best out of them. i still think hobbs & chester will start most games, ayala will come in & out of the team depending on the other players fitness & form. but by no means would ayala sign for us if he was going to be backup. NP will keep all 3 players happy.
I agree but, for the reasons already mentioned, if Ayala does come and Chester is a sub he will get his chance in the team. If he performs well he will keep his place. If we want to have a chance of the play-offs it is not enough to have 2 quality CB's and a poor "back up"
NP paid good money for Chester too. Reading interviews with players, it sounds like Chester is a monster in training and wants to win at all costs. I see him as a starter. Remember too that NP brought in Hobbs as back up for Gerrard/Chester after Ayala loan was ended. Ultimately, as I mentioned before, it is necessary for us to have 3 quality CB (personally a big beliver in two players for each position)
ARE YOU FOR REAL? Liverpool - Agger is injury prone Man U - 2 that you listed are young players that don't expect first team football Chelsea - Ivanovic plays right back, Alex gets injured quite alot and is on his way out anyway Man City - Toure is suspended, Richards usually plays right back and atm they play Lescott and Kompany anyway Spurs - King is injury prone... You are an idiot.
To be fair, his main legitimate point is that cover at centre back isn't a bad thing at all. I think Hobbs will be the one to miss out most should Ayala sign. As others have said though, clubs need strength in depth, to me having a young kid who's never played before as 3rd choice centre-half is a huge risk.
With Cooper and Kilbane out on loan until January 2012 and Macca out til October injured Hull City need 3 fit centre backs. So whats the issue here.? Hobbs has a hamstring problem and whilst fit to play friday I BET Hobbs wont play on tuesday against Macclesfield. So it will be one from Evans - Bradley or Ayala(if he signs in time) on tuesday night. As other have said, injuries and suspensions will occur during the long season and SO all 3 will be needed for sure. This topic has been well discussed then past week. What it does allow NP to do when or if he chooses is to is to play 3 - 5 - 2. whilst alot of fans dont see it happening Never Say Never.
