Distin, Alcatraz or Browning

[1966efc]

Joleon Lescott


Kidding-probably Browning-young star on the rise just like Stones, Alcaraz is getting worse-but he'd be my choice over Distin

wtf?

 

[Saint Domingo]

Alcaraz, if he can stay fit that free transfer will look like a genius deal.

 

[toffeestillidie]

I think the big difference on Saturday was that Alcaraz played on the right, Jagielka played where Distin usually does in the sweeper/recovery role. We also didn't keep a very high line, and Barry spent most of the game between the centre backs and didn't push up too often. I think those factors, and the fact that we had Coleman to get forward and force them to pull players back were the difference between yesterday's game and, say, the game at Anfield last season.

I would still be weary of the Jagielka / Alcaraz combination against a very quick striker, I think we benefitted from Agbonlahor's absence

 

[LinekersLegs]

I would still be weary of the Jagielka / Alcaraz combination against a very quick striker, I think we benefitted from Agbonlahor's absence

Agbonlahor played the full 90 mate although granted not particularly well.

Agree that the lack of pace could be a problem but as you point out playing him on the right he has McCarthy in front and Coleman to his side both of whom are faster than Barry/Baines so it won't be exposed as much as on the left.

 

[Jimmywhack]

I would still be weary of the Jagielka / Alcaraz combination against a very quick striker, I think we benefitted from Agbonlahor's absence

Agbonlahor played off Benteke

Pace would only affect them if we ever played a high back line and in general we dont

 

[catcherintherye]

I still think Distin is a good defender. I just think he struggles to defend in a partnership. Quite similar to Jagielka. They are both very good individual defenders, but not sure they play well in partnerships. This is partly why sometimes they get caught out. They both rely on their pace to get them out of trouble.

Alcaraz and Stones on the other hand are far better at defending in partnership, even though in (probably both) cases they are currently not at the level of Distin and Jagielka. I remember Alcarz had a good game against Manchester United last year. He's clearly no mug. I think people have judged him negatively based on a poor performance against Liverpool. Bear in mind he was coming back from injury, on a night were the whole team underperformed, and he was up against Sturridge and Suarez who were romping teams all over the place.

I think at present Jagielka and Distin make each other nervous. Alcaraz has done well and was highly thought of at Wigan. I know he only played against Villa, but Benteke is a handful. I would probably keep Alcaraz in for now, he is good at playing out from the back too. He reminds me a bit of Heitinga

 

[cjohno]

if distin could recapture his form i would have him first, alcaraz isnt progress just a stop gap. browning isnt a john stones and needs more game time before playing center back, keep him as cover for coleman for now

 

[Joey66]

Browning = youth and pace and would gain experience tried out in Europe!

 

[Aar_the_Toffees]

How do you come to that conclusion? He's played twice this season and we kept a clean sheet in one of the (thanks to a lovely defensive header by him) and he wasn't at fault for any of the goals in the Swansea match.

POINT TAKEN MATE-BUT ID STILL PLAY BROWNING OVER HIM

 

[ProZ]

While people are eager to see Browning play, its a risk not worth taking at this stage especially when a vital three points towards qualification is needed. If I was manager I would choose Distin, experience is not a risk.