I just wanted peoples opinions on Jack Cork's ability to play centre back? I know he's played there in the past at Championship level etc and with us being short on quality centre backs but have plenty of ammo in centre mid does anyone think he could do a decent job (when fit)? Thoughts?
Worth a go if one of Fonte or Maya drops and the situation suits him better than Jos (i.e. We're not playing Stoke or West Ham). Not as a starter ahead of Fonte or Maya though unless things get really dire. If our full-backs keep dropping like flies he could definitely do a job at RB though.
Possibly, I think Morgan is too valuable in CM though. Jack Cork reads the game well and is physical so it could be a good option. I know it's early days but Maya really hasn't impressed me so far.
He really isn't. The amount of times some industrial championship type brushed him off the ball last season was innumerable. He's also not great in the air. Doesn't have the attributes for me. Schneiderlin would be better but his tendency to give free-kicks away would worry me nearer to goal, he'd be a bit of a penalty risk.
Schneiderlin would probably adjust his play so as to give away fewer fouls. But I guess that's kind of the problem. Schneiderlin and to some degree Cork mostly play defense like midfielders. They run around a lot, and they are good at anticipating and jumping on passes/players quickly. They could adjust their defensive styles somewhat, but neither seems to me like they'd be natural fits. And neither one is all that great in the air and I don't think that will change no matter where they play. If you played a defensive-oriented midfield of Cork, Schneiderlin, and Davis that would probably buttress the defense more than trying to play one of them at CB. And you would give up less midfield support as well. I really think that's what Saints need to do.
Bit harsh on Maya. He looks poor as a full back but ok as a CB. I also think Fonte has not been as bad as people make out when Jos hasn't been there.
I am not too sure about this idea. Personally, any time I have seen Jack Cork in defence (mainly right back admittedly) I think he has been awful.
If we can get a back four all playing in their preferred position, I'd be happy. I reckon Jack Cork could do a fantastic job for us in centre midfield.
I'd play him if we had no other choice, but I don't think we should be playing players out of position out of choice Cork isn't a CB naturally, his game away at Palace last year proved that!
Cant agree about Maya - when i have seen him playing at CB he has been as good as anyone, different story as a full back though. Not sure that Cork would be a natural CB - i really like the lad but i think he is best in midfield. However if injuries dictate or others get any worse then anybody is probably worth trying !
FB and defensive cover from midfield concerns me more than the CBs. Fonte and Yoshida might not be Kompany and Vidic, but I'd say they are roughly on par with what our rivals have to offer. At the very least, I think they can tide us over until January. So id be looking at what Cork can do for us in those first two areas, than at CB.
Our defensive problems stem from a lack of quality full backs. Fonte, Yoshida and Hooiveld are all ahead of Cork at centre back. He played right back in the Championship a couple of times last season, but it didn't really work that well. Still, he might be a better option at full back than Yoshida.
Yeah, hopefully. Lennon will rip Fox to bits if he doesn't get some support from the midfield though.
