Personally I still think we need another CB to join us in January as our cover is very limited what with Seaborne and Jaidi being out injured for lengthy periods of time. For me the problem isn't as to whether we need another CB, its how we go about getting this CB? My initial thought would be to get a prem quality CB as that is what we aspire for, but that would mean breaking up the great partnership Jose and Jos have formed this season. So that means we will have to aim to get someone who is happy to sit on the bench which probably means they not going to be of high quality.. How would you go about this? I think we defiantly need another CB as 3 is not enough, maybe getting a defensive player who is more of an all-rounder?
What if Jose or Jos get injured and are out for 3/4 months? You cant tell me your be happy with no cover for CB for nearly half the season! For me Cork is not an option to play CB even as cover as it takes so much out of the midfield and as highlighted in the Carling Cup vs Palace he isnt great there
Aaron Martin is a very capable backup, and Seaborne should be starting training in January (according to Echo a few weeks ago) plus if really needed Jack Cork can play there IF Jos or Jose get a long term injury (ie. 1 month+) then get someone in on loan but otherwise no
Martin? Agree. I'm starting to think: Go For Maynard! Out of contract in summer so I'm sure they'll take what's offered for him!
I'm inclined to agree with you regarding Maynard.. I just don't want Jose or Jos to get a long term injury, and therefore leave us with no cover as Martin (who I feel is very capable) will be playing.. The CB position for me is almost in the same position as our strikers.. we have adequate cover to a certain extent but it isnt as strong as other areas. The same could also be said for our wingers. Once someone gets injured do we have enough strength in depth?
You can't cover for every single possibilty though. Yes of course if Fonte or Jos picked up a serious injury that put them out of action for many months, then we would be badly affected. But I don't think you can sign someone just on the off-chance that something like that might happen. The loan window is open for 6 or 7 weeks after the Jan transfer window, so we can just utilise that should the worst happen. I'm sure there are a number of Premiership CBs who aren't getting much football, that would jump at the chance to join a side in our position (assuming we still our in this position come Feb/March time) for a few months and attempt to earn a contract with us should we get promoted.
I still think Ebanks-Blake could be the answer. He has struggled for fitness in the last 2 seasons but seems to have recovered now, and given the opportunity again (like Jos) I think he can make a significant impact over the second half of the season. He won the "golden boot" 2 years running before Wolves got promoted. He is still only 25 and I would have thought only cost £3m. Certainly far more proven than Maynard, Rodriquez & Jutkewicz IMO!
It sadly looks like it could be over for Jaidi, but if Seabourne is ready for full training come January then we have our 4 centre backs. We don't appear to have much coming from the youth in this department, so we might look for someone in there early 20s
Well pundits will talk of a solid spine to a team, from GK, through CBs to strikers. Am I 100% confident that Saints are quite adequately covered in all positions..? No, I'm not. It's where injuries play so much of a part in winning a Championship nowadays, now that the transfer window plays such a big part in determining a season. In years past, a team got an injury, you gave another club an offer they couldn't refuse, or suffer the consequences. Today, you simply can't do that, and so you have to have relatively big squads to cover all the exits. Saints have two proper CBs who are capable first choices. They don't honestly have proper competition, for all of the potential that Martin has, and maybe Seaborne too. Jaidi doesn't come into the equation really, as he is retiring at the end of the season. The more I think of it, the lighter the squad becomes. The best answer, from my point of view, is to stop thinking about it.
We need the same sort of rotation at CB like we do in CM. We need that cover. Look at Man Utd, they have Jones, Ferdinand, Vidic, Smalling, Evans. Chelski have Terry, Luiz, Alex, Ivanovic We need that rotation...!
Bearing in mind if worst comes to the worst and we are left with Fonte/Hooiveld, Jaidi and Seaborne with long term injuries, we can get a loan defender in as cover. Also, Harlee Dean has got a fantastic opportunity at Brentford and if he does well, he could be in contention once he returns.
Not a great fan of rotating the defence..they have to work together automatically. Try different midfielders if you like, but as far as the defence is concerned..if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
No offense, but I would almost use that as a case of why we should not rotate our defence, United have conceded far more goals due to their continually changing defence. If a squad gets too large the fringe players get restless and problems can occur, best to keep all the team involved and bring through the youngsters when necessary.
And the funny thing is, that although Nigel talks about the squad of players, Saints have used 20 this season. Joint fewest in the Championship. Don't take my word for it though, look it up on the Beeb's preview of the Doncaster match. Incidentaly, Donny have used the most, with 34. Tells you something.
