Antolin Alcaraz

[mightymoyes]

Would you actually drop either Jags or Distin for him though?

no and stones is ahead of him too.

 

[Pabbers]

Nice option on the bench for us, without a doubt.

At times we need a calm football head at the back, just to calm Jags and Distin down with the hot potato.

 

[deipnosophist]

...finally!!!. By season's end we (us Blues like) will be thankful for his contribution (my view)

 

[Brennan]

Would you actually drop either Jags or Distin for him though?

I'd drop him for Distin as it's obvious that he doesn't fit into Martinez's play style.

 

[ijjysmith]

I don't believe it.

 

[deipnosophist]

I'd drop him for Distin as it's obvious that he doesn't fit into Martinez's play style.

...???

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

I'd drop him for Distin as it's obvious that he doesn't fit into Martinez's play style.

Distin has been one of our best players so far this season

If he gets dropped for a crocked ex Wigan Player, I will be vociferous in my opposition to the change

 

[Brennan]

...???

What ?

 

[Brennan]

Distin has been one of our best players so far this season

If he gets dropped for a crocked ex Wigan Player, I will be vociferous in my opposition to the change

He really hasn't.

Every time he gets on the ball he looks likely to lose the thing.

 

[ijjysmith]

Even if this mystical creature known as Alcaraz is fit I doubt they'll be any changes at the back after 3 clean sheets in a row.

No matter how flukey the clean sheets were.

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

He really hasn't.

Every time he gets on the ball he looks likely to lose the thing.

I'll have to disagree with you mate

He made a number of every important challenges against Villa and has been strong at the back all season IMO

 

[MartSlinger]

No need to change the defence, clean sheets speak for themselves, but Alcaraz now gives us that experience to go into a 3 back when needed.

 

[Brennan]

I'll have to disagree with you mate

He made a number of every important challenges against Villa and has been strong at the back all season IMO

Thing is though, there's more to a centre half than making decent challenges. Martinez wants ball playing centre halves. Alcaraz and Stones fit that bill, Distin does not. You don't drop Jagielka so the obvious swap is Distin for Alcaraz. Martinez himself has said several times that he sees Alcaraz getting games and making an impact when fit.

No need to change the defence, clean sheets speak for themselves, but Alcaraz now gives us that experience to go into a 3 back when needed.

As do our lack of goals at the other end, which could feasibly be blamed on our failure to distribute the ball from the back quickly/accurately enough.

Mirallas for example has struggled because teams sit deep against us, particularly at home. Distin's football ability does not help us on the counter attack, it's actually a massive hinderance.

 

[neil999]

aha, yes! the finally piece in the jigsaw

 

[Baines' left foot]

I'm with Brennan. I'm not saying we should drop Distin (not yet anyway) but Alcaraz is much more suited to playing RM's system.