mcbendy Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 There's a debate to be had as to whether we have enough cover/depth in all positions (notably LB). But, looking only at the 1st XI, where are we weak? Assuming 4-2-3-1 My take: GK - Boruc is class Full back - Both future England internationals and class DM - Both are class and Cork not far off AM - Some doubt here about the first choice players. This is a big season for Lallana. He may or may not step up. J Rod is learning this position but has pace and talent - will improve IMO. JWP may get some starts but needs to bulk up. As playmaker, a FIT Gaston is class. I believe that Rickie can (and will) play behind Osvaldo a fair bit this season. CF - Both Osvaldo and SRL are full international and Prem class That leaves centre-back. I have been VERY impressed by Lovren. The 'other' CB? We know that Fonte and Jos have shown frailty in the past (though Jose had a v good game against WBA). I suspect that MP views a fit Maya as his first choice partner for Lovren but personally I am not convinced. He is not that tall for a CB. I have seen him on the wrong side and chasing back on many occasions. His positioning and awareness of movement when crosses come in looks suspect. Watching him play for Japan he has often looked culpable for the goals that they have conceded. So - question - if you could see one more signing for the 1st XI, where would it be and who would it be? For me, it's a second top class centre-back. Failing that I would love to see Banega as I recon he's an upgrade on Gaston. Thoughts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintRobbie Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 I am not sure there's much between Yoshida and Fonte to be honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 I am not sure there's much between Yoshida and Fonte to be honest. Pretty much. Yoshida would still be my first choice to start with Lovren, just hope he doesn't replicate his international form alongside him though! His extra mobility, vision and reading of the game was part of the reason we looked so much better after our shaky start, just under no circumstance put him at full back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teenagegsaint Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 I like Yoshida and he will be more confident this year, playing alongside a top class centre back in Lovren. I would still like to see some back for for Shaw as he gets a knock now and then, perhaps a full back that can play both sides Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheaf Saint Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 I take your point about Maya, but I think playing alongside somebody of the quality of Lovren will boost his game, in the same way that Lundekvam became a better player when he had Killer as his CB partner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 Agree that he is the weak link, but that's only due to the quality of the rest of the team. I said all last season that we could probably improve on him (when people were saying he had come into his own), but i'm not too worried if we don't sign a replacement for this season. He may well improve and become good enough for "the next level" as he's pretty young for a CB, but if not then next summer that needs to be a priority. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pastor Patrón Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 No doubt baby, I think we're a top class centre back away from being able to push top 6. If we could bring in someone like Papadopoulos or Zouma as one last transfer this summer our starting 11 would be quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minsk Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 How can Maya be the weak link when, imo, he was our best CB last season? I honestly feel he is better than both Jos and Jose (on the ground at least, they are probably better in the air). That is not to say we couldn't get better - which we probably will do, in time. However, singling Maya out as the weak link in our squad is a bit unfair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanovski Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 Agree that he is the weak link, but that's only due to the quality of the rest of the team. I said all last season that we could probably improve on him (when people were saying he had come into his own), but i'm not too worried if we don't sign a replacement for this season. He may well improve and become good enough for "the next level" as he's pretty young for a CB, but if not then next summer that needs to be a priority. exactly! What team outside the top 6/7 has better back up at CB? Lovren/yoshi as 1st choice with fonte/hooiveld ( who has really improved as well) as our back up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olallana Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 He might be the weakest link (even though I´m not that sure really about that either) but that doesn´t mean he is a weak link!! I think it will suit him better to be the "backup" CB of the two playing with Dejan a bit more commanding the defensive line. That mentality usually works better for a Japanese I would think... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minsk Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 I take your point about Maya, but I think playing alongside somebody of the quality of Lovren will boost his game, in the same way that Lundekvam became a better player when he had Killer as his CB partner. Exactly. Claus was a liability when Killer wasn't alongside him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 How can Maya be the weak link when, imo, he was our best CB last season? I honestly feel he is better than both Jos and Jose (on the ground at least, they are probably better in the air). That is not to say we couldn't get better - which we probably will do, in time. However, singling Maya out as the weak link in our squad is a bit unfair. He said weakest, not weak. In the same vein that Dani Alves is probably the weakest link in the Barca team despite the fact he's a brazilian international. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 CB does need a Lovren-status signing but until then we're covered with the others. For me, if we were going to bring in one more player, it's be a creative attacking midfielder. Improving our creativity would mean more chances for the strikers. Players we've been linked with this summer, Banega, Sinclair et al would help this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 That mentality usually works better for a Japanese I would think... Racial stereotyping has no place on a football forum, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuncanRG Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 (edited) Nope, he's fine. His positioning and awareness are great. He's good but not exceptional in the air, which is why we brought in Lovren. Most ball-playing teams play a tall, strong centre half alongside a quicker one who can read trouble and mop it up - see Vidic and Ferdinand, arguably the model pairing for a successful Premier League team. If we are after one more signing for the starting XI then centre back might be a good choice, but I don't think we are and don't think we need to be. Edited 19 August, 2013 by DuncanRG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 Pretty much. Yoshida would still be my first choice to start with Lovren, just hope he doesn't replicate his international form alongside him though! His extra mobility, vision and reading of the game was part of the reason we looked so much better after our shaky start, just under no circumstance put him at full back. These strengths you list make him a good partner to Lovren, IMO. Yoshida showed this last season, there were times where his reading, timing, composure and control really made the difference. Put that alongside Lovren and you have a good partnership, IMO. That said, I do agree with the sentiment that it is an area we could still upgrade. But that's a sign of how far we've come, when two international defenders are considered a weak link. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dellman Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 The point is we are building a squad not a team and we've now got good cover at CB for the first time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmacian_saint Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 I think Fonte and Yoshida are about the same level to be honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sotonist Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 Fonte and Yoshida probably much of a muchness but Yoshi is five years younger andi'd expect him to improve. I don't know why people keep coming to the conclusion that he's not that big for a defender. 6'2 is pretty standard. Then again, maybe he's like Wanyama and all records of his height are exaggerated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctoroncall Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 I think much depends on Turnbull and Stephens making good progress this season. At the moment we have two good stand-ins in JH and JF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint1977 Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 Plus Big Vic can play CB - and if his display at CM on Saturday was anything to go by, he wouldn't take any prisoners either. Good luck opposition strikers :-) A player that play left sided either in front of or behind Shaw (the club may play Shaw at LM long-term) is more likely IMO as we look well covered at RB - Clyne, Chambers, Lovren and Cork can all play there. The other possibility is RM - perhaps Sinclair on loan, there must be a reason why he hasn't signed at WBA. Thought it was interesting Puncheon didn't feature in the final squad on Sat so wonder if Holloway will bid? Maybe a better keeper to compete with Boruc but Kelvin only recently signed a 3 year deal and Gazza hasn't been loaned out yet. So in summary the only likely remaining area for a final re-inforcement is the left side, Fox's exclusion adds weight to that. Not a bad position to be in quite frankly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 Over the course of the season he improved dramatically. He's still a little rash at times and his distribution can leave a lot to be desired. However, he's reading of the game and positioning are international level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 Fonte and Yoshida probably much of a muchness but Yoshi is five years younger andi'd expect him to improve. I don't know why people keep coming to the conclusion that he's not that big for a defender. 6'2 is pretty standard. Then again, maybe he's like Wanyama and all records of his height are exaggerated. I don't think it's the height, he's a very slight frame - he's not a ''Bulky'' CB. That can let him down at times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Saint Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 Sorry but Yoshi is not the the weak link, Jos and Jose are! Yoshida naturally plays on the right at centre back when Jos is in and Jose out thats where he plays as Jos is naturally very left sided. And why we got Jos was to play with Jose, who is very right sided in the first place, you will recall Jos and Yoshida started against Liverpool at home, it wasnt until Suarez had kicked Jos into being subbed that Jose came on and took up his natural right sided CB position and Yoshida had to switch over to the Left CB position vacated by Jos. Suarez and Coutino were getting nothing out of our defence until Jos went off then their only goal came down our right side. Yoshida can play both sides of Centre Back and Right Back, Jos and Jose if they had to swap sides would be well out of their comfort zone. Lovren came in because he favours the left this compliments Yoshida who is at his best on the right. Last season I felt Yoshida was looking after either Jos or Jose just as Killer use to do with Claus, his reading of the game is excellent. He might have dropped a clanger v Swansea last year, but these things sometimes happen, and if Dyer wasn't like a whippet on the ball that situation would have been countered. As for mithering about his height of 6'2", that is a bit lame when our player of the season (by a country mile) 2006-07 against Championship "monsters" was only a 5'11" Centre Back who had been drafted in from the Right Back position: Chris Baird. I am looking forward to Yoshida and Lovren together in the centre of defence, the starter for 10 is that they are both International Centre Backs! One of whom has already bought his Brazilian Phrase book........................... Hmmmmmm I wonder who that could be??!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuncanRG Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 I am looking forward to Yoshida and Lovren together in the centre of defence, the starter for 10 is that they are both International Centre Backs! One of whom has already bought his Brazilian Phrase book........................... Hmmmmmm I wonder who that could be??!! I should hope a man who's smart enough to read a game of football would also be aware he needs to buy a Portugese phrase book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Saint Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 I should hope a man who's smart enough to read a game of football would also be aware he needs to buy a Portugese phrase book. Blimey I must get my split ends seen to!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcbendy Posted 19 August, 2013 Author Share Posted 19 August, 2013 Sorry but Yoshi is not the the weak link, Jos and Jose are! Yoshida naturally plays on the right at centre back when Jos is in and Jose out thats where he plays as Jos is naturally very left sided. And why we got Jos was to play with Jose, who is very right sided in the first place, you will recall Jos and Yoshida started against Liverpool at home, it wasnt until Suarez had kicked Jos into being subbed that Jose came on and took up his natural right sided CB position and Yoshida had to switch over to the Left CB position vacated by Jos. Suarez and Coutino were getting nothing out of our defence until Jos went off then their only goal came down our right side. Yoshida can play both sides of Centre Back and Right Back, Jos and Jose if they had to swap sides would be well out of their comfort zone. Lovren came in because he favours the left this compliments Yoshida who is at his best on the right. Last season I felt Yoshida was looking after either Jos or Jose just as Killer use to do with Claus, his reading of the game is excellent. He might have dropped a clanger v Swansea last year, but these things sometimes happen, and if Dyer wasn't like a whippet on the ball that situation would have been countered. As for mithering about his height of 6'2", that is a bit lame when our player of the season (by a country mile) 2006-07 against Championship "monsters" was only a 5'11" Centre Back who had been drafted in from the Right Back position: Chris Baird. I am looking forward to Yoshida and Lovren together in the centre of defence, the starter for 10 is that they are both International Centre Backs! One of whom has already bought his Brazilian Phrase book........................... Hmmmmmm I wonder who that could be??!! It's tiresome when people don't read your OP.... OF THE STARTING XI, WHO IS THE WEAKEST LINK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAPEL END CHARLIE Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 What a odd thread. This player has hardly put a foot wrong during his time here, so why some are now choosing to question his ability is something of a mystery to this fan. Not a man-mountain obviously and not best suited to being played out of position perhaps, but in his favored CB spot a clever and able International well up to the standard expected at this level IMO. I fully expect him to line up alongside Lovern on Saturday - and to be frank I don't intend to spend a single minute worrying about that prospect. For that matter (after a bit of a shaky start) Jose Fonte has adjusted well to the demands of the PL and even Jos is pretty decent cover on his day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Saint Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 It's tiresome when people don't read your OP.... OF THE STARTING XI, WHO IS THE WEAKEST LINK But when the red dot of the laser sight is sat right between the eyes of Maya Yoshida in THE THREAD TITLE - WHAT DO YOU EXPECT!!??!! 39 posts! In case you haven't been folliowing life on here for long most threads are world championship Chinese Whispers waiting to happen, and as the thread develops most folks supply answers or comment as the "conversation" develops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 I would say that Jos is the "weak link " (if we are searching for a scapegoat,) which is a pity because I like his style of play, but sadly he's a bit hit and miss. I think Yoshida looks more the part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlakeySFC Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 I actually rate Yoshida highly. My preferred Centre-Back partnership would be Yoshida & Lovren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leslie Charteris Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 Moot point, as we have our three transfer targets. Now it is about choosing the best line-up for each game. I think Jos, Jose, Maya and Lovren will all get a good few games this year - we just have to trust MP's choices for each game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 Yoshida will benefit from playing alongside a proper centre half like Lovern. He was our best centre half last season but that wasn't saying much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazlo78 Posted 19 August, 2013 Share Posted 19 August, 2013 I think Jos, Jose, Maya and Lovren will all get a good few games this year I agree - of course the first choices will get more games, but it's not either/or; all four should get enough games to keep them happy. I hope they will keep us happy in the process Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now