With O'Shea and Brown leaving, is anyone concerned that we are now a little light at full back? Our three recognised full backs are Evra, Rafael and Fabio, and with both the Brazilians being a little injury prone are we risking being caught a little short at FB next season? Should we be looking for another full back, or are we happy with Evans and Smalling possibly being used as cover again? With De Laet on loan at Norwich, we don't really have any cover from the reserves either.
I suspect you will replace them with someone else, the question is, who will do the job of O'shea? I can't really think of anyone up to the task.
I suppose Valencia could play at right back if absolutely pushed, with both Da Silva's capable of covering at left. Personally I think we should have kept O'Shea for just this reason but Sunderland are offering definite football week in week out so you can't blame him for going.
Am I right in saying that both Evans and Smalling have already played fullback on a few occasions? I remember Smalling playing there and he seemed to do quite well (albeit against a weaker team) because of his love of getting forward. I can't say which of the twins are going to be starting but they both provide cover for each other and Evra. I rarely see Evra not playing either. In the incident you have two injurys at the same time I think one of the cb's will cover, but I definitely wouldn't rule out a fullback signing. With Evra getting old and Fabio and Rafael expecting to make both flanks there own, I think buying a young fullback in the same mould as the twins to cover for THEM would be wise. And if all else fails you have Giggs and Rooney at LB
I was thinking this my self and hope Fergie sign's an additional defender in case we have a injury crisis like we did last year.
In terms of a defender that seems comfortable all along the back four, de Laet seems like the new O'Shea. The Belgian is probably best at full back though whereas O'Shea was primarily a central defender that was adept as a full back. Both Smalling and Evans did quite well at full back but the only problem is that they are naturally central defenders, this was shown quite clearly for Blackburn's goal at Ewood Park where Evans was drawn into the middle of the box. Evra would have known Emerton was around and held his position. I don't think we have anything to worry about though, I think we are much better covered than in 2009 when we had a backfour including Fletcher and Carrick.
i thought selling o shea was actually a genuinely stupid thing to do. fabio and rafael have terrible fitness,i cant remember the last time fabio played more than 65 minutes,and throw into the equation the indiscipline of rafael and i could see us in serious trouble next season. ferdinand and evans are injury prone themselves,so we could potentially end up with jones or valencia at right-back for extended periods of time. youde think all the defensive crises we've had over the past 3 seasons would have made sir alex more aware that this is a problem area for us.obviously not,though,if hes willing to lose neville,brown and o shea all in one year.
I frankly find it a bit weird that De Laet gets sent on loan when he could be an useful back-up player for the full back positions. He has looked OK in the few occasions when he's played but for whatever reason SAF doesn't seem to rate him. As it stands we are light on that position no question. I'd like to see someone promoted from the youth team but I'm not sure if there's anyone who's up to it. Or maybe Oliver Gill? I'd hate it if we get a few injuries and end up having to play midfielders there
I share your concerns. Rafael's discipline, Fabio and Rafael's injury proneness will leave us very short in that position next season. Yes, Smalling, Evans and Valencia can fill in there at a push but that is hardly a satisfactory solution.
The twins are growing and building up fitness. It time their injury problems will relieve. Ferguson believes in taking risks and after our 19th title, it is time we moved away from the old and focus on the new. I am actually pleased they have left as well. Jones can play at Right back, so can Fletcher and so can Evans and Valencia and of course the Twins. At left back we will use Evra and if needed Fabio and if in desperate need Evans and Rafael. There is a lot of cover. Maybe a bit too inexperienced. However, they won't improve with old players taking up their places. Furthermore, Gill might play a role as well.
shut up nolhman. youre pessimistic when you should be optimistic and vice versa. you are a hopeless fan and what you know about football couldnt fill an eggcup.
We will simply adjust the formation to a stylish 2-4-4 and destroy the average opposition in the premier league
