23 May 2016 04:35:58
Moran / Mcgrath, bruce/ pallister, stam/ johnsen, vidic/ rio. all superb pairing.
Cant say the same about Blind/ smalling though they are important members of the squad.
So who would be the new centreback or centrebacks?
Subotic?
Badstuber?
Bruno martins indi?
Benatia?
Toprak?
Varane?
This is a crucial area for the manager to adress.
{Ed001's Note - Jose loves Varane. Indi was a target of LVG.}
23 May 2016 05:32:59
Ed001.
Have the feeling smalling, Jones and evans were groomed to take over from vidic rio. Now we only only have Smalling with any semblance of being a decent centreback but certainly not at rio vidic stams stature as yet.
In the league Alderweild, Huth, have been awesome.
Hope this is sorted out fast. Whether Smalling with a new partner or a new pairing with Smalling.
{Ed001's Note - Smalling? He does not even have a semblance. He would barely be considered decent in a pub side.}
23 May 2016 06:15:04
Have to agree with you Ed0001. My point is in the event we manage to secure only one centre back, then who else in the current set up could rightfully argue that they are worthy of being the regular centreback? Rojo? Jones? Mensah? Smalling seems to be the best of a poor lot.
{Ed001's Note - I would go with Mensah out of those, though I feel he would be better in midfield. You have a point though, it is not much of a choice. You have to wonder how it was allowed to end up that way.}
23 May 2016 06:26:45
I have to admit I have not watched much of Mensah except in first team action. he's a beast, his physique, touches and movements reminds me of Desailly. Ironically Desailly could play central midfield and centre back equally well.
I like the looks of Mensah and I hope he gets his 20 -25 games next season, jose or no jose.
{Ed001's Note - good point, maybe he could end up being equally good in both roles, he certainly seems intelligent enough to do that.}
23 May 2016 07:52:09
if we look at it Jones, Rojo aren't good enough, Blind isn't a central defender, Smalling isn't good enough so that leaves us with what exactly. I'd rather promote Fosu and sign 2 top centre backs then I dunno Blind, Smalling or McNair as squad players?
23 May 2016 07:02:36
Varane and Marquinhos would be ideal, I think they could be as good as any of the legends listed above.
In reality one of them next to stones or garay would b a huge improvement on where we are now.
Outside chance, as much as I dislike him. John Terry. His legs are gone but he is a leader, a young CB could learn a lot from him and not a bad back up option in comparison to Jones, Rojo, Smalling.