Assess New Defensive players (Oct Int Break)

To keep us going through the International Break
Since we haven't got off to the best of starts, I'll ask some questions over the week to debate on the Squad and later about the Tactics used so far.
Give me your assessments of the squad:
Part 1:
I'll start with asking your thoughts on the New Defensive players

Defence: We haven't had a settled defence yet, injures and suspensions. So a lot of the poor performances could be down to lack of game time together.
My thoughts:
Bryan hasn't had a poor game yet, but Jokanovic hasn't always played him for unknown reasons. Has better defensive qualities then others at LB. Got a bit of a partnership with Ryan Sessegnon.
Le Marchand not had any outstanding games, seems to be error prone, LB is not his position. He doesn't seem to read the game that well and doesn't react fast enough to danger.
Chambers has had below average performances. Was expecting a more solid performer, but hasn't shown any defending qualities yet that make me think he should be considered as a first choice Centre-back.
Mawson, he was the CB I expected Jokanovic to build a defence around and although he's been injured, the Watford performance wasn't impressive (City? & Brighton?), I am hoping he will take command of the back 4 and become a Rock, but has he recovered fully from his injury?
Fosu-Mensah has probably done enough to be considered my first choice RB, hope the shoulder injury doesn't effect him.
Fabri suffered some would say from the crowd like Button wanting Bettinelli, but putting that aside I was nervous with him in goal, there seemed a lack of communication. Not sure if it was only me but I thought him slightly short and a small arm reach, which leaves him open to free-kick specialists and full length shots.

 

What I cannot understand is why Rico hasn’t played yet. He has won the Europa League twice, is an outstanding keeper and is probably the best you have had at the club since Schwartzer. Is he injured? If you really don’t want him we’d welcome him back with open arms.

 

This seems to revolve around the departure of Jose Sambade Carreira the goalkeeping coach who left the club shortly after Rico was bought, reported as Family reasons, but he seemed involved in both the purchase of Fabri & Rico. At the time it seemed strange that Rico was brought in unless Bettinelli was being sold, rumours of both Chelsea & WHU wanting Bettinelli as last minute backup deals that fell through. Rico has played both League cup games but wasn't really tested. The reason rumoured is that Jose Carreira had to communicate in Spanish to both keepers during training, so communication could be an issue (Not that I can understand Jokanovic's TV interviews anyway ).
Is there any history with Rico having dislocated shoulders or other injuries? as we can remember Stekelenberg coming to us from Italy with that problem and subsequently getting two shoulder injuries and being sold to Everton where he didn't exactly play a lot.

 

Interesting sharing there guys.

Fabri's stats - particularly by number of saves - is way better than Bettinelli's. Yet he just didn't inspire confidence. Maybe as SuperBri said in his original post, it's lack of height. Personally, I was uncomfortable the way he spent a lot of time outside his box and that goes back to the Celta Vigo friendly not just the Palace game. Whatever, at the same time (more or less) as Carreira goes he's dropped. And in comes Bettinelli.

No doubting Marcus does ooze confidence and has a huge fan following. Mind he has just as many detractors on social media. Assuming that it wasn't fan influence which caused Jokanovic to bring him back however, what was the footballing reason? Can only believe it was the "communication" reason you mention. And now he's been named Captain in the absence of Cairney (and McDonald) doesn't that support the case?

Got to admit I'm sitting on the fence -

Fabri, I'm afraid is a lost cause and will probably go in January.

Bettinelli's kicking continues to be atrocious - he has no 'follow through' which technically affects his accuracy - and he takes an age to do whatever; dithering which allows the opposition to regroup/mark up. But his enthusiasm etc etc is infectious and to be fair he's made some very timely saves.

Rico clearly is a bit of an unknown as yet but, despite his lack of English, my gut tells me he's the one who could do the job for us. But does Jokanovic believe the same? There's clearly some untold story of what went on with Carreira's leaving and we know the Gaffer is prone to carry his grievances/prejudices. And it's not the first time a goal keeping coach has gone and the keeper he brought in (David Button) lost favour with Jokanovic.

 

Nope - 132 games played for us in the last 3 seasons across all competitions. Fit as a fiddle. Also need to bear in mind he was at Euro 2016 as Spain's third choice keeper behind Iker Casillas and David de Gea so that should give some idea of his quality.

 

Is it acceptable to include Cyrus Christie SuperBri ? He is in most regards "new" this season and everyone assumes he was bought in the knowledge that Fredericks was leaving.

Will get my two pennurth in anyway. See that Martin O'Neill has come out in his support after Shearer 'killed' Christie on MOTD2.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45808129

Well, Christie has been playing wing back for his country and by all accounts doing okay. But this is absolute tosh from O'Neill. From what I saw on Sunday Christie is either unfit or worse, plain lazy. Shearer gets my vote.

 

I'm going to be putting Christie into Part 2 of my defenders debate, what do you think on the 'newbies' at the back so far ?

 

Ah, okay SuperBri. That sounds good.

Hard to add anything to what you said about the 'newbies' in the original post, since I agree with it all. But a few snippets:

Bryan not seen him play a poor game and bemused why he was dropped after only a couple.

Le Marchand feel there's a football brain in there somewhere but his feet respond seconds later. You can see what he's trying to do with his passes, for instance, but they all too often don't come off. There was a classic example in the first half against the Arsenal. He was in a left wing back position inside our half with Sessegnon ahead of him and, instead of making the simple pass to Sess, he tried to curl a pass into their box for Mitrovic to run on to. Would have been brilliant if it had come off but unfortunately it went straight into no man's land and out for a goal kick.

Also he seems comfortable only when the ball is coming straight on. So doubtful if he's fleet enough or versatile enough for the Premiership.

Chambers is still in Gunnerland.

Mawson came in before properly recovering from the injury he brought with him. Consequently he's been over compensating with other bits of his body and hence the new injury. Poor man management from our "doctors" and yes, that includes you Gaffer.

Fosu - Mensah ironic that he's following Ojo with an accidental shoulder injury early on. Hopefully he won't show the same 'big billy bollocks I play for Liverpool' attitude as Ojo however. Undoubtedly has talent.

 

Very quietly Luca Squinzani has appeared on the Official Site under "First Team Staff".

please log in to view this image

Apparently he joined at some point in September - is he the 'architect' of our recent demise? [Limp attempt at a joke which you might spot if you read his bio in the link]

http://www.fulhamfc.com/staff/luca-squinzani

 

The better joke is when the profile describes him as having a "stella" selection of goalkeepers to work with in the first team squad.