Is this thread about defenders or nightclubs? Just that I need to know before commenting, don't want to be accused of going off topic, by the Porthcawl Pensioner!.....................
Anybody got any more opinions about the OP subject before this discussion thread is confined to the bin with the usual one-liner king appearance?
Dragon, if you want banter go to the appropriate thread, any further comment here (even a response to this) and you'll get the 1st and only warning (yes I know this can be viewed as a warning), keep it on thread.
Turner/Caulker for me. Very harsh on Hudson though. All will get game time. We need a defensive midfielder though to protect that back 4. Gunnarsson finished the season in great form but theres no way hes going to be fully fit for the opener. I think Cowie should be given run outs in that position for the next 2 friendlies. Even though hes far from 1 of our best 3 central midfielders hes probably the best fit for that position. The other option is Filip Kiss. Hes more likely to be sent off though. Hopefully we sign someone before ko and its problem solved.
Sparkey, it is bizarre that after a good win in midweek they still feel the need to disrupt threads on our board. Surely Caulker will be first choice given he is our record signing which leaves Ben as the natural partner. Hard on Huds, but he'll get his day in the sun. I wonder what the Swans partnership will be. Wenger sniffing around Williams again.
Any back four can be exposed without a decent Makalele type destroyer playing in front of them. Defensive midfielders who just funnel back make it effectively a back 5 with no one taking the opposition playmakers out. That is why we need Capoue or similar. What we have is not good enough for the Prem. For me, Gunnar is a far better player going forward, and Whitts is wasted back there quite apart from the fact he can be a bit "uncommitted" when tackling - much more effective played further up the pitch. Big signing needed to fill this spot before the window closes. Wouldn't mind a loan, but someone who wants to come here permanent would be better for the future. I hope the acquisition of Caulker demonstrates sufficient intent by the club to Capoue, and he decides to come. He'd fit the bill perfectly.
I think they all will have part of the games v Chievo & Athletic but by the WHU game Hudson & Caulker
Really itiwran? I can't believe the 9mill man won't go straight in. If he's not a BIG improvement on what we have way on earth has MM spent that much.
At £8M Caulker will start for you that's for sure, he's a good signing but will need an old head close by to keep him fully concentrating. Who that will be ? Well I'll leave that for you lot to debate
There were obvious signs yesterday of the lack of understanding between Turner and Caulker for that last half hour. It's also fair to say it was the first half hour they'd ever played together. It could take half a dozen games before some "intuition" develops into a meaningful pairing. I just hope we don't pay the penalty in the first half dozen games getting it together. These first few friendlies, Hudson has looked a bit like he did when he first came to us - slow and not generally on the pace. If that doesn't change PDQ, I'd go for it and start with a Caulker/Turner combo.
Wasnt at the game yesterday Sparkey so cant really comment, just got a feeling we will play 3 at the back with Brayford and Taylor as wingbacks. Just who we play in midfield then ???
I don't know much about your players but I know Turner is decent at the back. Caulker was fantastic for us and we really wanted to buy him when Rodgers was here. I think the price was about right based on his exellent performances for us and Spurs and he will do a cracking job. As with most players he's not without flaws but he's young, hungry and willing to learn. We've got an equally talented young player in Jordi Amat - keep an eye out for him this season.
Put a few bob on Kim Eldon - you'll make a bloody mint..... I don't think there's a snowball's chance in hell that Malky will go with all three CB's in there. He will either play to contain the opposition in the early games with a 4-5-1 set up. That could develop into a more formal 4-4-2 as we go forward. I don't like the idea of leaving 2 out of three quality strikers on the bench. Fraizer, Nicky and Andreas (hopefully) are potential match winners. I'd like to see a good pairing between the three develop up front - my money at this point in time would be on a Cornelius/Maynard combo.
