1. Log in now to remove adverts - no adverts at all to registered members!

Who should our Centre Backs be?

Discussion in 'Southampton' started by Paddy Podped, Sep 3, 2025.

?

Who should be our CBs?

  1. Edwards

    12.2%
  2. Harwood-Bellis

    75.6%
  3. Quarshie

    19.5%
  4. Stephens

    87.8%
  5. Wood

    14.6%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. Paddy Podped

    Paddy Podped Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2011
    Messages:
    6,351
    Likes Received:
    6,136
    There’s been plenty of comment and debate on who and how many should be playing Centre Back for us this season.




    Who would you like to see as our regular starting CBs for the rest of the season?


    Vote 2 times if you’d prefer a back 4
    Vote 3 times if you’d prefer a back 5


    Edwards - Possibly the most potential
    Harwood-Bellis - Most expensive, played for England
    Quarshie - Tall, fast and athletic
    Stephens - Experienced and club captain
    Wood - Has been solid every time he’s played
     
    #1
  2. Saints Fan4Life

    Saints Fan4Life Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2011
    Messages:
    18,394
    Likes Received:
    12,253
    Tough choice between Wood & THB as the 2nd CB to Stephens.

    In reality, I'd be happy with any combination of the 5 to be honest.
     
    #2
  3. Le Tissier's Laces

    Le Tissier's Laces Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2011
    Messages:
    44,736
    Likes Received:
    52,183
    I voted for THB and Wood, but perfectly happy to have Stephens in for one or other, and then to bring the other two through gradually. Only thing I'm not happy with is a back 3/5.
     
    #3
    Saints_Alive likes this.
  4. tomw24

    tomw24 Well-Known Member
    Forum Moderator

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2011
    Messages:
    71,277
    Likes Received:
    40,299
    Before the season started I'd have gone for THB and Edwards. Now it's Jack and THB, in that order. I'm surprising myself saying this but Stephens has easily been our best CB so far this season. I really hope that Still has binned the 3 CB set up for good now.
     
    #4
  5. garysfc

    garysfc Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2011
    Messages:
    6,050
    Likes Received:
    4,120
    I’d definitely go 2x CB’s & for me at this stage Stevo (WS ref) & THB but I’d be pushing to get one of the other 3 intergrated as a replacement or dare I say upgrade asap. I like the look of Quarshie & he’s definitely raw at this stage but I have a feeling he’ll improve massively in the coming months.
     
    #5
    ChilcoSaint likes this.
  6. RSS

    RSS Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2011
    Messages:
    11,740
    Likes Received:
    10,126
    I think we are unanimous on wanting a back 4!
    Have Stephens and THB played much as a 2? I feel like they might be too similar to form a good partnership, but they are also the obvious 2 to pick at this stage imo.
     
    #6
  7. Saints_Alive

    Saints_Alive Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2011
    Messages:
    32,263
    Likes Received:
    37,393
    Right now it is the players that hold the shirt preferably as a pair (THB and Jack) although I would have no qualms over Wood pairing either currently.
    I believe the ceiling for Edwards and Quarshie is probably higher and I would expect them to be integrated into the team in the future and become the first choice pairing or either with THB and hopefully with enough quality to play in the PL.
    I would not expect Jack or Wood to play much in any possible future PL campaign.
    I will say that the team has to get into the habit of producing more clean sheets than it does although hopefully we can let in less than 60 league goals for the first time in eight years this season.
     
    #7
  8. Ronnie Hotdog (MLsfc)

    Ronnie Hotdog (MLsfc) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2012
    Messages:
    9,245
    Likes Received:
    9,760
    I have seen a lot of people say about how Wood is better now but that Edwards has a higher ceiling /greater potential. I'm not really sure where that comes from as Wood is only a year older and has more experience at this level.
     
    #8
  9. Saints_Alive

    Saints_Alive Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2011
    Messages:
    32,263
    Likes Received:
    37,393
    Fair point, it's just reputation and what i've read.
    He won QPR's player of the season I believe and Wood has never really claimed the shirt since he's been here but I guess time will tell.
     
    #9
    Ronnie Hotdog (MLsfc) likes this.
  10. ......loading......

    ......loading...... 25 undefeated

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2012
    Messages:
    14,761
    Likes Received:
    15,543
    I think Wood has looked our best defender when he has played, so it is a tricky situation.
     
    #10

  11. Saints_Alive

    Saints_Alive Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2011
    Messages:
    32,263
    Likes Received:
    37,393
    The redemption of Captain Jack this season is quite remarkable, two seasons ago he was "Shoehorn Jack" and last season he was the team liability letting everyone down. His form has been good but I think he still has a mistake in him and should be looked at as one to be replaced if we do go up this season.
     
    #11

Share This Page