The Back 5 - Still Not Convinced

If we want Stevie to play in front of the 2CB  we need another STRONG midfielder beside him, we cannot cope with a fast counter attacks (see villa and yesterday's game). To be honest I prefer Stevie playing more advanced role with another DM behind him,   hope skrtel comes back soon we miss his strength at the back

YNWA
 

If we were hellbent on spending £20m+ on Saints players then the first one we should have gotten was Schneiderlin. 

If we were hellbent on spending £20m+ on Saints players then the first one we should have gotten was Schneiderlin. 

Once in a while you post something sensible.

I think the CB pairing could be complete cripplers like Pepe and we would not get the easy goals against; however, I really think it is the hole in midfield that sucks them into the vaccum. They get exposed and Mignolet makes the wrong decision a lot but the initial breakdown is coming further forward. It is unfair to point all the blame on a back five. If we had a DM in there it would be different. We don't we play Stevie there and that's fine. He has other qualities and we may never be a great defensive side. I mean all teams these days are conceding a lot more than a few years ago.

absolutely. we could have the best CB in the world and we would still be as exposed if they don't have good DMs in front of them. I don't want to open up a debate about Stevie, but his lack of pace and defensive cover is really hurting us. The defence need stronger, more solid DM in front of them. Hendo would be wasted there, so for me, it's gotta be Can when he's fit again and we have to start playing less with Stevie this season.

With the addition of Moreno and Lovren, and Flanno to come back, I really don't see an issue with the defence in general (individual mistakes so far due to bedding in time apart). It's the DM that's the real issue.

Love Sakho... But it looked last night that Gerrard almost babysat him.

Which brings me on to the question I came on to ask...

[Being mindful that I got chastised for suggesting our centre backs were one unit and told that, in effect, Agger was really only 4th choice]:


As of right now: who is our current "4th choice"?

The question is open to everyone by the way.

Anyone? 

Anyone? 

Anyone? 

It'd be Kolo wouldn't it?

Lovren - 25
Sakho - 24
Moreno - 22
Manquillo - 20

That's our back 4 without Skrtel.
It might be a back 4 for the next 5 or 6 years, but it's very much in its infancy right now.
Average age - 22.75.
City's Av age - 29.75. (Last game played)

Anyone? 

It's Toure isn't it.  Been on the bench all season and will probably play next week against Middlesbrough.

Anyone? 

At least we have a 4th choice.
Not like Arsenal, who only have 2 centre backs.

It'd be Kolo wouldn't it?

It's Toure isn't it.

Maybe I'm missing something then - if Kolo is 4th choice [as of right now] then who the frig is 3rd choice?

At least we have a 4th choice.

I'm not trying to be funny or crooked here mate, I'm honestly not but "as of now" [with Martin injured] - who is that "4th" choice?

Maybe I'm missing something then - if Kolo is 4th choice [as of right now] then who the frig is 3rd choice?
I'm not trying to be funny or crooked here mate, I'm honestly not but "as of now" [with Martin injured] - who is that "4th" choice?

It's still Kolo.
He doesn't become 3rd choice with Skrtel being injured.

Having him as 4th choice mean he gets to sit on the bench when Skrtel is injured.
We don't have a 5th choice centre back, but Arsenal don't have a 3rd choice one.

To clarify. Skrtel is probably 1st choice.
Injury doesn't stop that being the case, it just means the 3rd and 4th choice players start to come into play.

Look at Chelsea and United took, if you want.
There aren't many with much better options.
Maybe keep Illori, but that would be if Kolo was sold.

Right.
To answer the question that bubby is really raising, and given that Ilori and Coates are on loan,
Lloyd Jones would probably be 4th choice now.

It's still Kolo.
He doesn't become 3rd choice with Skrtel being injured.

To clarify. Skrtel is probably 1st choice.
Injury doesn't stop that being the case,

But that does change mate - Kolo can not be 4th choice out of only three centre-halves and Martin can not be first "choice" simply  because he can't play. In effect he's not a "choice" at all. What about, the Gods forbidding [the old and the new], Sakho gets injured and Kolo plays.

Humour me here; try to understand the question: "as of right now" - if Lovren is currently 1st "choice", Sakho 2nd then Kolo must be third "choice" so... who is 4th "choice". It's not a trick question.

Lloyd Jones would probably be 4th choice now.

Edit: thank you. 
 

Edit: thank you.

You're welcome.

We're no worse than the others competing at the top, and considerably better than Arsenal.
Even had a look at Real Madrid, the most expensive squad around, and they only have 4 CBs.

Now I'd much rather have Ilori instead of Kolo, but that's a different argument.

I've actually been very impressed with all of the individuals in our back 4 so far:

- Manquillo:  Looks much more composed and confident than what would be expected of such a young lad playing in a new league.  He also has a fair bit of pace, a good bit of skill on the ball, and is aggressive in the challenge. 

- Lovren:  Looks more athletic, fast, and physically dominant than I expected.  He also has great ability with the ball at his feet and can zip passes into players feet with ease. 

- Sakho:  Still looks like a beast of a CB in the making.  Big, strong, fast, athletic, and has great passing ability. 

- Moreno:  One of the fastest players in the team.  He is a great attacking outlet on the left side, and he is very aggressive and well timed in the tackle. 

However, this is a back 4 that has little to no experience playing with one another.  Individual mistakes and a lack of cohesion at the back have been apparent thus far, but I have faith that with time the coaching staff will correct those issues and we will be looking solid defensively in the next few weeks. 

We're no worse than the others competing at the top, and considerably better than Arsenal.

By "considerably better" you mean one player better off [at the moment] - Kolo.   

At 4th 'choice' we've went from Agger to Kolo to Jones in 5 games. Fingers crossed. As for Coates & Ilori - I would hope they could be recalled if needed.

but I have faith that with time the coaching staff will correct those issues and we will be looking solid defensively in the next few weeks.

Agreed.  First 'target' - bettering last seasons numbers. Shouldn't be too hard.

Maybe I'm missing something then - if Kolo is 4th choice [as of right now] then who the frig is 3rd choice?
I'm not trying to be funny or crooked here mate, I'm honestly not but "as of now" [with Martin injured] - who is that "4th" choice?

Skrtel will be back for Saturday, in place of Sakho.

By "considerably better" you mean one player better off [at the moment] - Kolo.   

At 4th 'choice' we've went from Agger to Kolo to Jones in 5 games. Fingers crossed. As for Coates & Ilori - I would hope they could be recalled if needed.

No. We're talking about the squad.
Skrtel hasn't ceased to be in it and, as Huyton has said, he's due back.
We also have arguably the strongest set of fullbacks too.

Skrtel hasn't ceased to be in it and, as Huyton has said, he's due back.

Great news and when he is back Kolo will, once again be fourth choice.

Agreed on the full backs btw - Enrique, Johnson, Manquillo, Moreno & Flanno = great depth.

Great news and when he is back Kolo will, once again be fourth choice.

Agreed on the full backs btw - Enrique, Johnson, Manquillo, Moreno & Flanno = great depth.

That 5 is better than the 4 we had last season.

I would much rather we had Ilori in the squad, giving us 5 centre backs.
Having seen his start, I would also much rather we had Origi in the squad.

We do however seem to be getting pretty good at loaning out players,
even if it is starting to impact on the depth of the squad available.

Skrtel will be back for Saturday, in place of Sakho.

Why and how do you know that?