Chester and Hobbs in my opinion are the best defensive partnership in the championship, my concern though if one of them is injured or if one needs a rest, we need a backup defender just in case because Cooper isn't proven at this level. Discuss.
I've no issue with Cooper, I think he's more than capable of filling in if required. It looks like Dudgeon is now covering both right back and left back, it's not ideal, we could really do with a reserve right back. Also, at a push, Evans can play right back and centre back if needed.
Hobbs and Chester have played every minute of this season so far haven't they? Can't see them needing a rest, not like being a winger. Unless they pick up an injury, they'll play every minute left of the season as well. We are relatively fortunate that none of the back 4 have been injured, not just the central pairing. Burnley away when Rosey was out made me very worried of that exact prospect. East and Dudge both looked poor against Crawley (although to be fair, everyone did). Barmbs rates Coops and wouldn't be afraid to put him in the side I don't think. If worst came to worst Evans could drop back with Oli or Cairney (probably Cairney) coming into midfield.
I've got faith in Liam C and would be more than happy for him to step in should one of the two centre halves get injured or suspended. The thing about bringing in back up is just that, they are back up. No player with half a brain would look at our defensive record and think they'd oust either JH or JC. With Bradley developing nicely I wouldn't be in the slightest bit bothered if we didn't 't bring in another centre half while have the four we have now. If one of our top two boys leave in summer then I would want to see another centre half bringing in. Same applies to a long term injury but until then I'd rather see the money spent on a centre forward.
He played one game in the Premier League how is that proving himself? Hobbs and Chester aren't even proven at that level. If we are all honest we have no idea what level Cooper is at, he is talented yet not talented enough to get game at Huddersfield. However we will never know if he is good enough unless we give him a chance, and i think he deserves it if he bucks up his ideas, and doesn't let the likes of Bullard and Cairney distract him.
The only concern is if it's Hobbs that gets injured we're severely lacking height in the defence. It's not so much aerial ability I'd be worried about losing, but when defending set pieces it's a lot easier for Hobbs to lean on attackers to make it difficult for them to get a good effort on goal than it is for smaller players, from a not giving away penalties point of view.
I always see Cooper as more of a Hobbs type of defender, despite the height difference. To counteract it we'll have to find a tall Chester Anyway, it's 3am, and I'm an insomniac. What's your excuse, you crazy person?
Agreed. Liam Cooper is more than good enough for cover, more importantly NB also thinks so. But i would make sure we get Gerrard back on a Free transfer in the summer an thats 4 solid defenders. Sonny Bradley needs a top league one club next season on loan. Maybe closeer to home ie.Scunny.
It's more the bulk to hold off players unfairly without giving away fouls at set pieces. If a big player like Hobbs does it the ref puts it down to strength, if a smaller player does it the ref is more likely to think there's no way they did it cleanly, and it'll even allow the opposition to get away with fouls on them. I'm tend towards being nocturnal.
I dont see that at all. Its the fact Gerrard wont cost a transfer fee that makes it worth while to get him back and we dont know about injuries next season either. We have been lucky so far but we do need another experienced centre back and Gerrard ticks all the boxes. Whatever happens now the OUR defence has to be the bedrock of next seasons team whatever league we are in.
I don't see him being good enough for the prem if we do go up. I can see him going to the highest bidder in terms of wages and that may count us out if we are still in the championship
even Torres managed to score 3 that day!! actually, Torres looked a league apart from the other 21 players on the pitch that day and the Spanish Waiter only took him off out of compassion.
