Still think we need a center back in the summer, imo only Carra and Agger are good enough. Anyone agree or does anyone think Wilson or Ayala will step up or even Kelly move to the center. Also how would we feel if someone came in good money for Soto or Skrtel?
Wilson will step up. Next season first choice defence for league games will probably be New LB (Insua/Wilson/Johnson Back up) ---- Wilson (Ayala/Skertl/Carra/Soto back up) ---- Kelly (Ayala/Skertl/Carra/Soto back up) ---- Johnson (Kelly Back Up) Soto will get another year but I can't see Auerlio getting a new deal. Hopefully Conner Coady will go out on loan for some first team experiance while Irwin, Flanagan & Darby play in the reserves & make substitue apperances in the Carling & FA Cup. Hopefully Carra will be involved in the coaching set up a lot more along with Stevie G. Kenny, Carra, Gerrard, Steve Clarke, Sammy Lee - The future's bright
think you're right about carra and agger, only problem is carra is almost past it and agger is too injury prone! skrtel is a liability, but soto can still do a job as backup. wouldn't be suprised if kenny (or whoever is manager at the end of the season) went out to buy a new center back - maybe cahill from bolton would be a good buy, but probably not cheap...
I didn't even mention Agger in my post :-/ Agger will almost certainly be a first choice CB next season next to Kelly. With the influx of youngersters pushing their way in to the first team our defencive option look pretty good. they just need experiance
Kelly has been outstanding and I think it will be Kelly and Agger as the 2 starting CB's next year with Carra as cover plus Ayala, i'm not so sure on Wilson yet. So are we all agreed that Skrtel could get the axe?
He's not consistent enough. We'll either keep him as a squad player or we'll sell him to fund for another player
I think Skrtel has improved under the coaching of Clarke and I still hold hopes that he and Agger can get a nice run of games to really nuture a partnership. They need a whole season IMO similar to what Vidic and Ferdinand had when Vidic first signed. Everyone talks about Kelly going into CB but I think this is a mistake (at the moment anyway), Kelly has made the right back slot his own and he has really showed Johno up on occasions so for that reason I'd keep him there. If as mentioned above we do get rid of Skrtel then I would honestly put Dani Ayala in there. He impressed on loan at Hull and at that point I was calling for him over Wilson. Then he goes to Derby and proves once again why he deserves another shot in the defence. He has been man of match in at least two matches I've seen (obviously I'm not an avid Derby fan). The only thing that would benefit him if he doesn't start getting first team football is if next season he goes on loan to a Premier league team, another season of the Championship won't help his development much more.
Kyriagkos due to his age more than anything could get the push.You could see the likes of Ayala,Wisdom and Wilson getting more prominent roles.Or even at least 2 out of the 3.
soto won't get the push, he has arguably been as good as carra this season. I'd keep soto as he'll be an asset when playing againt physical teams. That presence is something none of the youngsters can bring to the table just yet
So Bozz,do you reckon it will be one from Skrtel or Agger.Skrtel(Erratic) Agger(Prone to injury) If it were me,and one had to go,to leave a place for a new addition,I would let Skrtel go.I reckon Wilson could easily deputise for Agger,same type of defender.
Carra to be benched more. He annoyed me last season threatening to leave if he didn't get games. He put himself above the needs of the club, which goes against everything he's meant to stand for. I think the new Brukner medical team have made significant changes, which are paying dividends and that will continue. We've still had injuries but players are coming back sooner. From my own experience - over ten years of chiropractic treatment - you manage rather than fix a back problem and Agger's back problem will be managed better than it was. Soto to stay and rotate with Carra as sub one, depending on the course. Wilson was a port in a storm as FB against Braga but I'd rather have Insua back. I'd have Wilson and Ayaya as backup CBs, getting preferential treatment in the Carling Cup and competing with Soto and Carra for a bench place in the league. I'd leave Kelly at FB. Pace and can cross a ball? Some people say those qualities makes Bale the best in the world. If I had to choose who to lose it'd be Carra. The passion/liability balance is getting lopsided.
