The question is who should play as the 3rd defender-Ned or Dunne? Is Dunne's distribution better than Neds? No. Is he quicker than Ned? No. Is he a better tackler than Ned? No. Is he more committed than Ned? Possibly. Life on the line? Yes. We are going to play 3 at the back so pace is the overriding factor.
Pace isn't the overriding factor. Who performed better in the cauldron of the play-off final? Dunne never gave the ball away when it mattered and never lost one single header either and was man of the match. Experience is almost everything when playing in the back line. Nedum will grow and develop having the likes of Rio,Dunne and Hill around him. Pace is good, and between the five of them I hope that they can sort out the correct balance as and when needed.
When was he excluded whilst fit; do you have examples? He was regularly MOTM- so again "average at best" is bizarre. This strikes me all as a bit contrarian. He's improving with the ball at his feet, and I only remember that being a major issue whilst he was at RB. Nines mentioned the Wembley error- but I'd challenge him to pick other glaring mistakes Onouha made through the season? Dunne committed more note worthy cockups. To think Dunne + Rio should play together Vs pacy prem attackers is beyond me. Why are Rio and Caulker suddenly in the side without having to prove themselves? Particularly the former. Rio's been pretty poor recently in the PL, and is looking his age. He was absolutely roasted by a PAOK attacker on Saturday before they hit the bar, and has barely featured during preseason with this "niggle". Anybody who immediately puts him as #1 CB is simply starstruck.
How many times are we going to be in one off atmospheres like that? During the everyday grind of the season Dunne flagged and failed. For months we were calling for him to be dropped
That pace argument was done to bits last year Yorkie and it never really materialised. I'm not saying you're wrong but I think too much emphasis was placed on that last season and it got very repetitive even though game after game went by without it being borne out. The PL is a lot quicker though, I'll grant you that, so it remains to be seen if the positional play and experience of our pensioners will compensate for their lack of speed.
Well yes, I can't imagine he was going to play as a lone CB. Or is there a particular time he partnered Max Ehmer that you didn't think he looked v. good? I know not everyone rates Clive's work, but he gave Onouha 7Motm's last season, more than anyone else (Clint + Dunne had 3). The LFW fans' average ratings over the season were: Onouha 7.26 Clint 6.8 Dunne 6.56 http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/queensparkrangers/news/35292/
Well it's not an exact science is it? We'll find out soon enough Saturday. I personally don't think the three at the back will work although I'm an advocate of it. Let the recriminations begin after the game on Saturday. If I'm wrong then I'm prepared to hold my hands up and say so. You might have to wait a bit as my neighbour has invited us to his 60th drinks gathering. It might be easier for me to remain in the White Horse and celebrate or commiserate the result or something in between.. Most likely.
OM ficking GOD... We now have "experts" debating if Ned is good enough...i really have heard it all now. lets keep the 3 old gits at the back Rio, dunne 7 Hill...thank god we wont have to play against saurez this year as he humiliated all of them last season with speed. Ned should be our No1 CB alongside rio as a coach...Caulker has to be in there as well. the other 2 ols cart horses were good years ago..but can in no way cut it in this years prem.... Same people would have Hill, Dunne, And adel in the same team... I wish some of you who comment had actually played football... Ridiculous thread but if it keeps you happy..
I'm with you on the formation Nines - I like it, but am concerned that Hoddle only has 3 days to get us playing it right. Our biggest problem to date is that we seem to be trying to play it without proper wing backs - Isla and Yun haven't featured from what I have seen, all the others tried there are not natural fits. Without them 2 of the CBs are always going to be dragged too wide, no matter how much pace or otherwise they have. In the little I saw of pre season (couldn't muster the enthusiasm for streams) Caulker looked very ill disciplined positionally. Our distribution from the back has been shocking for years, its the one thing I'm hoping Rio can improve. All the others have to do is pass it to him or Faurlin, or, as you say, welly it towards the angle of the penalty box.
