Matthew Pennington

desertfox · April 22, 2016

Eggs said:
....he might play at RB.

Seems like starting him at CB would be Bobby's ace excuse if we went down badly.
Or if we did well, it would be down to his great decision to play the lad...

Seems a no-brainer to me, but then I don't live in Martinez world.

Stabbij · April 22, 2016

Eggs said:
....he might play at RB.

It's certainly a possibility. We don't have anyone fit in that position and god forbid if Oviedo plays at right back ever again.. Either way, whether it be at right back or centre half, I do think the lad deserves a chance. We're just in absolute shambles for choice..

Eggs · April 22, 2016

desertfox said:
Seems like starting him at CB would be Bobby's ace excuse if we went down badly.
Or if we did well, it would be down to his great decision to play the lad...

Seems a no-brainer to me, but then I don't live in Martinez world.

...and me. These games often have a 'story' associated with them. Like you, I'd go for it rather than same old. I remember Colin Harvey being introduced in the San Siro and whilst this lad has more experience it often pays off to blood them.

Eggs · April 22, 2016

Stabbij said:
It's certainly a possibility. We don't have anyone fit in that position and god forbid if Oviedo plays at right back ever again.. Either way, whether it be at right back or centre half, I do think the lad deserves a chance. We're just in absolute shambles for choice..

...RB will be a real challenge because Martial attacks from that space.

Groucho · April 22, 2016

Eggs said:
...RB will be a real challenge because Martial attacks from that space.

Perhaps this won't be a popular suggestion, but perhaps with Stones certainly having to play CB, maybe it's best to play Hibbert?

My thinking is, he is at least a RB, playing players out of position just hasn't worked of late - look at Oviedo.

Stabbij · April 22, 2016

Eggs said:
...RB will be a real challenge because Martial attacks from that space.

Very true. Big threat on the attack, he's got pace and trickery. Could he handle that? I just suppose we will have to wait and see, that is if he plays..

Eggs · April 22, 2016

Groucho said:
Perhaps this won't be a popular suggestion, but perhaps with Stones certainly having to play CB, maybe it's best to play Hibbert?

My thinking is, he is at least a RB, playing players out of position just hasn't worked of late - look at Oviedo.

....I always want to replace 'like for like' but it's a simple issue for me - who is the best available RB in the club. If that is Hibbert then fair enough but it wouldn't say much for the others. RM might want to consider experience over potential but I would go for the next cab on the rank.

mkrudden · April 22, 2016

Groucho said:
Perhaps this won't be a popular suggestion, but perhaps with Stones certainly having to play CB, maybe it's best to play Hibbert?

My thinking is, he is at least a RB, playing players out of position just hasn't worked of late - look at Oviedo.

Genuinely Groucho, I would rather Hibbo play there than Oviedo.

maccavennie · April 22, 2016

Play Connolly right back with a natural right winger in Lennon in front of him.

Oviedo wouldn't have got roasted half as much on Wednesday if Lennon had been in front of him. Another pathetic decision from the manager to out someone like Mirallas who isn't the best defensively in front of someone who wasn't comfortable playing right back.

chazzle_dazzle · April 22, 2016

Groucho said:
Perhaps this won't be a popular suggestion, but perhaps with Stones certainly having to play CB, maybe it's best to play Hibbert?

My thinking is, he is at least a RB, playing players out of position just hasn't worked of late - look at Oviedo.

I cringed when i seen oviedo in the team, not that i don't like the lad, but he is most definitely not suited to the right hand side of the team. that attempted clearance with his left that left to the Robles save said it all.

he had a nightmare, as did everyone, on Wednesday night. I am down for Connelly coming in, play Stones at CB with maybe Pennington if we have no-one else.

atrottel · April 22, 2016

The problem with Hibbert is that he must be desperately short of match pace and that is coming on top of the general lack of pace as he has aged. See Steven Pienaar's cameo on Wednesday where he looked like he was running through treacle trying to catch a not-particularly-fast midfielder.

Protect both full-backs (whoever they are) with Lennon and Cleverley.

TrixyStevens · April 22, 2016

Oviedo is all left sided, you don't put a player like that out of position. Connolly or Hogate or Browning if they're fit should be given the chance over him.