Do we need experienced cover at centre back?

[Hibbertinho]

Zambrano for frankfurt is the only zambrano i can think of?

Ranocchia is captain isnt he....? Out of contract?

Sorry yeah.. you're right with Zambrano - not sure why I put that, aha.

In regards to Ranocchia, he's not yet had his renewed, so it's not beyond the realms of possibility. I don't watch Serie A all the time or anything, but despite his status as captain he's had a few wobbles - think Jagielka straight off the back of the world cup and the accompanied criticism. I would still gladly take him though - no links or anything, like.

 

[mkrudden]

I think the issue is, Jagielka and Stones are so good together that any player coming in will have to put up with being 3rd choice.
I think therefore limits the choices for Martinez in terms of quality players happy to be 3rd yet without european football (ie more games and more opportunities to play).
That's why I think Dann would be perfect as he's not brilliant but he would be an able deputy to our two oustanding central defenders.

 

[tim gabbott]

What we really need is one of them buses they talk about so we can park it in front of Howard

 

[Joey66]

What we really need is one of them buses they talk about so we can park it in front of Howard

The thread should be do we need a new goal keeper! one who commands his box and gives his centre backs confidence like Robles did in the three games he played in!

 

[Zatara]

Theres another thread for that mate,

Goalkeeper who saves shots

The thread should be do we need a new goal keeper! one who commands his box and gives his centre backs confidence like Robles did in the three games he played in!

 

[admirschleck]

Depends on what you mean by experienced. The best scenario would probably be getting someone young, but still quite experienced such as Bartra, Van Dijk, Jones, de Vrij, Nkolou. Would honestly not like seeing someone aged 35 signing for us at this point (or else we could've kept Distin and Alcaraz that way).

 

[Billy Dean]

In the past two seasons, Alcaraz made 14 league appearances, and Distin made 13 last season, with the majority of those coming because of injuries to Stones. Jags has been pretty consistent in terms of fitness.

So whoever came in would have to, in all likelihood, play a small number of games alongside an experienced England international. Even if Jags was injured, Stones has had two full seasons at PL level and a handful of England caps. He's not that wet behind the ears imo.

Of the young lads, Pennington has played 42 senior games, albeit at a lower level. Galloway has played 19 games, with 2 at PL level, and Browning has just 5, with 2 in the PL. So both Pennington and Galloway have as much experience as Stones had when he broke into the first team.

So for me, unless one of our 1st choice centre backs has a long-term injury then we have enough talent in reserve to provide cover and should give them a go. These lads need to be tried at some point anyway, so lets use them rather than bring in a journeyman for the sake of it.

I would agree with this. Apologies if posted before but we also have Besic and Barry capable of playing CB in an emergency.

 

[Jags..class]

I think the issue is, Jagielka and Stones are so good together that any player coming in will have to put up with being 3rd choice.
I think therefore limits the choices for Martinez in terms of quality players happy to be 3rd yet without european football (ie more games and more opportunities to play).
That's why I think Dann would be perfect as he's not brilliant but he would be an able deputy to our two oustanding central defenders.

But he the captain, he wouldn't settle for the bench but he would make jags and stones keep their game up

 

[Joey66]

Theres another thread for that mate,

Goalkeeper who saves shots

Yes ok but our new centre back has to put up with TH who does not command his box so the centre back has to be special so it is linked ok!

 

[Cels]

Rely on the young lads, baptism of fire and all that.

 

[Zatara]

Totally agree! Just that you mentioned that there should be a thread for the keeper, thats all.

Very hard to see how our defensive players are when they have to second guess a keeper all the time.

Not sure if its a positive or negative for Stones, Galloway and Brownings development!

Yes ok but our new centre back has to put up with TH who does not command his box so the centre back has to be special so it is linked ok!