Now that Tierny is back in the frame,how do we shuffle our back 4 . Whitbread and Ayala were outstanding on Saturday,so they have to stay in.No question on that. My question is who do we play at fullback? After his amazing run as a stop gap central defender I don't think that Martin has looked as comfortable at right back in the last few games.So do we move Naughton to right back and bring back Tierny at left back, or do we leave it as it is? IMO Naughton is real quality,but looks slightly uneasy at left back, whilst Tierny has been outstanding for us. My choice would be Naughton,Ayala,Whitbread,Tierny.
Personally I wouldn't have a problem leaving it as it is. Naughton has a bit of extra pace over Tierney and seems to think about a situation a bit more than Tierney who does have a tendency to dive into tackles, as he did for Arsenal's opening goal. However, Tierney is a natural left-footed left back and is able to whip in crosses quicker than Naughton who has to cut back onto his right foot before he can deliver. I really wouldn't want to call it, but no doubt PL has made his mind up on it already and as per usual it will be a decision that will come of perfectly
Personally, from what I have seen this season, Martin is a bit out of his depth at RB. I'd be tempted to move Naughton across and put Tierney back in at LB.
I have to agree with this! It's harsh on Rusty, who's been outstanding at covering CB, but as PL knows, there's no room for sentiment, and who can forget that for the opening few matches, Tierney was everybody's choice for MOM
I'm going to join in on the agreements with this! Also, I feel we've really missed Tierney's delivery from the wings the games he's missed (although still managing to head the ball plenty) and he clearly fits in there naturally. Naughton looks even better on the right and has a great understanding with Bennett when he comes on. Also, having Rusty on the bench is fantastic because it means we have cover in more than one position
It's up to all of them to force their way back into the team. Our current setup represents over half a season of chopping and changing due to injury and form. Lambert always encourages competition in all areas and I'm sure Tierney will be gunning for left back as much as he can. Competition in all places is crucial to continuous development of the individual players.
Carra called it a few weeks back, Ayala and Whitbread at CB and they are the best pairing, i would go with Tierney at LB and Naughton RB with RM as cover too.... Glad we sent back De Laet, never rated him to be honest..... I thought we would need to spend at the back but hopefully a deal will be done with Spurs in the summer for Kyle...... What a great time to get a first clean sheet.
Summer Signings: Replace Barnett with another CB/keep him and just buy another "cos we is rich now" Buy Naughton at all costs, Martin works well as a utility player all across the defence. Another striker, sell wilbraham and c.martin (both surplus to requirements). Another right-midfielder/winger, pilkington is better when on the left linking up with tierney, we need a speed demon to complement hopefully naughton at RB.
Talking of buying Naughton in the summer...if we stay up how much debt will we have and what sort of budget do you think PL will be given over the summer?
I have to agree with the Tierney, Ayala, Whitbread and Naughton combo. Russell Martin has been superb this season and chuffed to have a proper utility player at club. Naughton has been quality the past couple of games an unsung hero, I've heard him get some unfair criticism at the start of the season nothing too harsh but just a bit of whinging. His an intelligent player, reads the game well, pacy, good workrate, good at passing, defends well and is consistent perfect full back material in my opinion. Sign him up!
my god, we have a problem of who to leave out. 18 games ago we had a problem of who to pick. what a great change in our defence options and explains why we are doing so well.
I fancy Ayala is going to get his marching orders any game soon. I wouldn't hesitate putting Martin or even Barnett back in the middle. To be honest I thought Naughton and Martin were a bit below par on Saturday. I have never seen Martin caught out so many times and 3 times he gave the ball away in our last third. And Naughton didn't cut out too many crosses. Whitbreads superb positioning Saturday covered up for them on numerous occasions.
I would stick with the Naughton, Ayala, Whitbred, Tiereny, as well. Naughton and Ayala are both developing players, and as many experienced football folk have mentioned, can become extermely high quality defenders. They deserve extended runs in the first team (as they are more than good enough) and along side the other two, can become a very good back four, epsicially now Ruddy seems to be able to organise the defence to his needs.
Why do you reckon Ayala will be dropped? I thought he was the unsung hero of the Ruddy/Whitbread/Ayala combination on saturday and these stats seem to back it up http://www.eplindex.com/8749/daniel-ayala-stars-norwich-hold-chelsea.html
I don't think he will be dropped. By marching orders, I think he is going to get sent off. He doesn't stay on his feet enough. As I put on a different thread, he left the ground on Saturday when Torres missed that sitter in the 2nd half. He had been booked in the previous two matches and likes to leave a leg there now and again. There is so much argy bargy going on at the moment that refs are going to take the easy option and send the offenders off and quash the decision afterwards if wrong. Balotelli, Lescott, Crouch have all kept the pot boiling and defenders need to use a bit of savvy now.
Oh sorry, yeah I didn't read properly! Yeah he was very lucky to be on the pitch against West Brom and he likes to fling himself in uncontrolled. Will have to be spoken to...
