I always thought Baird is a bit like Volz in that as a right back he can be found out, but the same like Volz when he has played a few games in midfield he seems to be more consistent in his play than at rightback.
I take your point about Baird commodore, and to be fair he has always been immensely valuable as a squad player who can fill in in any defensive position as well as midfield, not a dedicated right back. For a club such as ours can we expect every player to cope with the sort of top level performance Liverpool dished up on Monday, even though that would be our aspiration? Anyone else think it was a mistake to let Shorey go, who's back with Roy I believe? Similarly, I'm definitely in the pro JP camp - even more than Gera, as much as I admire the latter we have a number of players in his position but are short of full backs. Whatever, I can't imagine that this position will be anything less than top priority this summer. Here's a question: who thinks MH will start with Salcido this Sunday?
I liked Shorey, but at the time I think Roy perferred Konchesky and there was no sense having two quality left backs collecting wages. He could still be a solution for us. I think bouncing from team to team has hurt Shorey's confidence, but next to Sidwell and Hunt, I thought he was be best player Reading had during its EPL run. On Baird - he's a squad player. He's our John O'Shea - backup for several positions. I've never seen him as our perminent right back. The best thing would be for MH to reconsider John Pantsil, but once a manager sours on a player, they rarely seem to change their minds. -- Sunday, it's probably Kelly at right back. I suspect this game won't be one of grace and style - Birmingham away is never a pretty affair.
Is Briggs fit these days? If so, he could come in. If Salcido is definitely on his way out this summer, then he'll be dropped. If he might be staying, then he'll keep his place due to lack of alternatives. I think Baird will be given the chance to make amends. The other selection issue is in goal. There's an argument for giving Stockdale the last couple of games for experience, but after the Liverpool game it would look like Schwarzer is being punished. If Stockdale is preferred, that might give the clearest signal yet towards Hughes' intentions for next season. My guess is that Schwarzer will play at the weekend.
Would be good to see briggs get a run out, though as captain said I have no idea whether he's fit or not. Whether he's staying or going in the summer (preferably going) salcido should be dropped. I'd bring in pantsill personally for him. I wouldn't drop baird, but if he's suspended cause of the V sign then how about pantsill at right back and kelly or briggs (if fit) at left back? Whatever happens, full backs are clearly a priority for the summer.
Yes, getting a couple of full-backs is the priority. Salcido has not been able to adapt to the PL and needs to go asap. And I cannot see MH bringing back JP, unless Baird is banned.
