CB Pairing?

[They Think It's All Over]

For me, it would be Jags and Heitinga.

I know that Moyes likes to use a left-footed centre back on the left side of the pairing and so that would appear to give Distin the inside line, but I think Moyes liked to do that because of the limited nature of the players he was utilising at centre half before.

No offence to the likes of Distin, Yobo, Lescott and even Jagielka, but their composure on the ball and distribution are not their best assets. They do a fantastic job in other departments, but aren't truly comfortable in possession. As such I believe Moyes was right to try and keep a left footer playing on the left there, so that he could be more comfortable in playing the easy ball wide etc.

However, Heitinga is a different story. Obviously he's no Messi or anything, but the lad is comfortable getting his foot on the ball, bringing it out of defence and picking a pass. With that sort of composure and comfort on the ball, playing on the left hand side of a pairing wouldn't be such a risk, in my opinion at least.

On another note, does anyone know if Heitinga has much of a left foot on him? Or is it just for standing on?

 

[Phil Neville Superstar]

Johnny and Jags, with Jags on the left side.

 

[Winci]

It got to be heit and jags for me. The only problem I got with that pairing is their lack of height. Non the less they are our best cbs.

 

[Neiler]

Interesting. Do you not think 4 (5 with Duffy) is enough?

Not after last season mate. Im not sure Davey even views Johnny as a nailed on centre back - honestly!

 

[RFUS]

It got to be heit and jags for me. The only problem I got with that pairing is their lack of height. Non the less they are our best cbs.

I am sick of hearing that. When have you ever seen either of them struggle in their air? Seriously? I've seen Distin miss more headers in his time here than Jags and Heitinga combined.

And with Felli in front of them as well...

 

[BlueTak]

Duffy & Mustafi nailed on.

 

[RFUS]

Duffy & Mustafi nailed on.

 

[evilwebby]

Jags & Johnny all the way - if we are to strive for expansive, attacking football, this is the pairing that we must aim to play and make work. Distin & Yobo can come in and do a job when required and for rotation, but our squad's potential will only be realised if we play our best players in their best positions, and J&J are our best two individual CBs.

 

[Ezekiel]

is he better in defence or midfield?

 

[RFUS]

is he better in defence or midfield?

Heitinga is better at CB. He's good as a defensive midfielder, but we have someone who is about as good as a DM player can get, in MoFro.

 

[KING NEV!]

Johnny and Jags, with Jags on the left side.

this. but obviously as the season goes on with injuries and what not. the decisions will get easier. dont ya feel great knowing we've got decent cover. HELL YEAH!

 

[StDomingosGringo]

I'm with the census here. It's Jags and Johnny for me but as Webby said (and last season proved) you need 4 quality centre backs. I like Distin and if he starts the season against Blackburn with Jags there'd be no wailing and gnashing of teeth from me. Yobo has been a good servant for Moyes but his slightly too frequent lapses must have dropped him down the pecking order. I'd like to see the yoofs getting a loan in the Championship or bottom end of the Prem at some stage this year to help their development.

 

[EFCTim Cahill]

Jags and Distin for me, Jags makes whoever he plays next to better and Distin at his best had Tevez saying he's very similar to the defender of the year Vidic, that said I wouldn't be that bothered if Heitinga had to come in for Distin's because he's a top quality centre back, but, Heitinga is top quality back up, that's his role in our squad, he'll play regularly, just not in a set position, because, he's quality in holding midfield and a decent right-back too

 

[TX Bill]

Heitinga & Jags

Distin & Jags (when Heitinga moved to DM if Fellaini gets a game off)

Jags & Yobo (to give Distin a break and Yobo some games)

 

[Neiler]

Am i the only one who has thought of the possibility, that if we play with two attacking full backs in Baines and Coleman might be handy to two centrebacks where at least and maybe two have pace. Yobo and Distin for me are prob our most pacey centre backs.