Mannone has played every game he was available for, so has Rosenior, so has Gerrard, so did Ayala, so has Evans, so has Fryatt, that's your first choice players.
People on this thread were making out as though we'd never need him at left back again. By a big part I meant a lot more than they were suggesting.
Mannone was sat on the bench for the first few weeks of his loan, he was an unknown quantity to all of us and until NP tried him at Preston, no one knew he was so good. The very same thing could happen with Dudgeon if Dawson had a good pre-season and started the first game. Dudgeon then wouldn't get into the side until we lost a game and Dawson appeared to be at fault.
Whatever. You think Dawson will be in the starting XI for the opening game of the season, I don't think he will. Time will tell.
Didn't pearson say that dudgeon could also play further forward than left back? He may well play on the left side of midfield with daws for left back. I'm gonna find the story
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11714_6916812,00.html Here we are pearson says he can play a little further forward so could well be employed as a winger? Time will tell of course
I fully expect Dudgeon to be offered a chance to make the LB position his own and if he's good enough he'll replace Dawson..
Stewart did a better job on the left then anyone since Elliott. But he is naturally right footed so we should expect to see him on the right come November I guess. Just imagine having a left and right winger of worth playing at the same time...
Dawson will start the season at left-back if fit, Dudgeon will play left-mid and will be dropped back if Daws is injured or struggles.
If Dawson plays more than 20% of games next season as a starter then we will still have major problems .We really need to sign another left back as cover .
Pearson said ahead of the Brizzle game that though Dudgeon could play further up the field, he'd been brought in to play left back.
Chester can play CM, Evans CB, McLean RW, just because a player can play in another position it doesnt mean he will be used there, you go with your strongest player, I am putting my money on the open days back line of been: Gk Rosienor, Ayala, Chester, Dudgeon (Hobbs and Dawson on bench) As for there is no such thing as a starting XI, rubbish, every manager knows his ideal, all fit prefered starting XI, injuries, form and occassionally tactics will dictate selection
OLM - I didn't say I think Daws will start the first game. I have absolutely no idea which of them it will be, pre season may give us a slight clue but you're never sure until the season starts. I don't see them both playing together either, but again we could be wrong because at this stage we know **** all about our side next season. If I remember rightly Stewart was OK on the left, class up front, went back to the left where he was OK again for a bit, and then went to right wing and was class there again. Seems he's best up front or on the right. Though weirdly, when playing up front he tended to go left more often than not.
We obviously won't know who will be Nigel's first choice until the season starts, it's just my opinion that based on what's happened with the other Man United lads, that he'll walk straight into the starting XI. I still think we'll bring someone else in who can play left wing.
