Firstly i want to wish Neil a speedy recovery after a nasty injury.. On the back of the news we will be without one of the up coming stars of the league for the next 12 months (including time to regain fitness) its time to see what ML managment is made of.. What are the thoughts on: 1 -Doing nothing and promoting one of the sqauad players as cover for the entire season. 2 - Wait for January and get someone in as 1st choice LB. Hope our squad can manage up till then.. 3 - go for a free agent NOW. I think Ben Davies has done well in what i have seen of him and could well slot straight in but is that a massive risk (but then again wasnt Taylor when he first arrived). . Here are the PFA free agents list - http://www.thepfa.com/transferlist/listedplayers/sortbydate/lb/-1/1/ Oh an did anyone see Ricardo Gardner on Soccer AM - He's free? worth a shout ??
It's fun to say what we would do but ultimately it's up to Laudrup. He has already said that he loves to see young players coming through but this isn't probably what he had in mind just now. That said, my best guess is that he'll have Davies a go. The lad is local, a lifelong Swans fan and his living his dream. More than that he's done really well for us so far. He will make the odd mistake but even more experienced players will do that. (Williams?) So I say go with Davies but I'm sure the Manager will get it right. Please not Tate at LB. That would be a disaster.
Laudrup has been quoted as saying this "Neil's injury is serious first of all for him as a person and a player," said the Swansea manager. "One second you are out on the pitch running and playing, then suddenly you are out. "You are talking a long time before Neil returns to the game, and we will have do something. "We only have one left-back now and he is only 19, so we will see what we can do. "Ben did well in pre-season and he did great against Sunderland, but he is 19 â you can't put so much responsibility on his shoulders. "We can't go out and buy someone, but we need someone. We will have to wait and see what possibilities we have. "What happens if Ben gets an injury or a little flu or whatever? We need an extra player." So def looks like they will be looking at free agents
Interesting....so looks like he's going with Davies but wants cover too. Darnel Situ seems to be the forgotten man.
Laudrup is all about using players coming up through the system , it started at Brondby & although it's being reported that he's looking through free agency , when the dust settles it will be Davies or Jazz . Probably Davies now that he's replacing Taylor in the Wales squad .
Coor, Ricardo Gardner would be a good shout if he's close to being fit. Always liked him as a player, although perhaps a Bolton reject is a little below where we should be looking.... :s
Davies is fine, but to ask him to replace Taylor for the season is nonsense. He is what he was before the injury good cover and i have no doubt he will be a good player in the future. As someone mentioned Situ there is no way is he a left back and is nowhere near the squad yet. The choices for me are. for saturday. back four of rangel.... bartley.....Williams........Tate. We have to look at an experienced free agent.
There's no one on the OP's link that is anywhere good enough for us, imo. If we cannot find an experienced defender, we might as well stick with Ben Davies. At least Laudrup knows all about him. Trouble is that ML has said that it might be too much too soon for young Davies to take on in a full time capacity and I tend to agree with that. It looks likely that we will be looking overseas for someone but that is easier said than done. There won't be anyone obviously suitable otherwise they wouldn't be out of contract - and we will be looking for a player to come in and start performing with new team mates in the toughest league in the world. Tough job for Lauds and he might have to consider using the likes of Bartley who, at least, does have some league experience. Mind you, Hargreaves was mentioned and this guy has ability. I wonder if he would be versatile enough to slot into the back four? Fergie has played a midfielder, Carrick, at centre back. I know this was a stop gap measure but we are in the same boat. At least Hargreaves was a top class player, hugely experienced and just might be a surprise solution. It may be worth a shot on a pay as you play deal and could be better than risking a complete rookie. We know he can tackle; we know he can pass; we know he is an intelligent footballer. If he genuinely feels that he can do a job at LB, it would be worth Lauds at least talking to him about it. Another dark horse shout for me.
Ivor, you have contradicted yourself there. First you say why would we sign a left back who is out of contract because they would not be good enough. Then you are talking about signing an out of contract player who plays central midfield and asking him to play left back. Cant see it my self. Then again there is Del horno. Who is out of contract top league experience and a full back. Just a thought.
Hargraves played a bit of right back for England a few seasons back, Gerrard wasn't impressed though complaining with his hands in the air on more than one occasion when Owen made plays .
Asier Del Horno is a good shout! 6ft experienced left-back, can also play centre-back and only 31. Worth a 1 year contract. Hargreaves was excellent at right back for me, dunno about left back...would depend on wages. Obeng at left-back anyone?
"back four of rangel.... bartley.....Williams........Tate." That would scare me. And not in a good way.
