Wanted Back Four!

[davieG]

Well it would seem, despite their continued slating on hear by various and numerous posters that our back four of Stearman, McCauley, Kisnorboand Mattock have all been subject to £1mill or more bids in the last 12 months.

I know they're not perfect but with all the changes that are happening in mid-field and up front and our lack of genuine cover for some of these players I'm at loss as to why so many people see them as unsuitable for this league and seem desperate, in some cases to move them on; especially as it seems like Mandaric is under no pressure to sell added to this the fact that there are so many other players that need to be moved out.

For me I'm quite happy to see them stick around at least until the season end and if anything add to them.

Why the mad rush to sell?

[Lets Be having You]

Spot on m8

[Sods]

Well it would seem, despite their continued slating on hear by various and numerous posters that our back four of Stearman, McCauley, Kisnorboand Mattock have all been subject to £1mill or more bids in the last 12 months.

I know they're not perfect but with all the changes that are happening in mid-field and up front and our lack of genuine cover for some of these players I'm at loss as to why so many people see them as unsuitable for this league and seem desperate, in some cases to move them on; especially as it seems like Mandaric is under no pressure to sell added to this the fact that there are so many other players that need to be moved out.

For me I'm quite happy to see them stick around at least until the season end and if anything add to them.

Why the mad rush to sell?

All young as well. Can only improve.

[DBEightyFive]

We still have one of the best goals against averages in the league.

[Tommy G]

I agree. im not a stearman or Mattock slater myself. Lots of people on here are though

[teblin]

Do we still have the best defensive record?

[James.]

Yeah but what we will moan about if we don't have a pop at the defence?

[Ric Flair]

I think the main reasons have been how all four have had endless trouble trying to play the ball out of defence, which has led to the opposition getting the ball off us cheaply and quickly. Leading to undue pressure. This may be down to the fact we didn't have enough midfielders moving in to space, which has led to panic from the defenders and that's why they either hoof it up pitch or spray it back to the opposition.

My main fear with our defence is the lack of pace. None of our defenders are massively quick bar James Chambers who never plays at the back anyway. I'd like to see us get a pacy centre half if possible, but they don't come cheaply, unless they have other basic faults.

With better players playing further up pitch than them, then they'll get better anyway. If Holloway and Mandaric don't want to sell them then i'm not going to lose too much sleep over it.

Yeah but what we will moan about if we don't have a pop at the defence?

Joint 2nd best.

[DBEightyFive]

Do we still have the best defensive record?

No, we don't have the best record anymore

[Fox You Forest]

I agree. im not a stearman or Mattock slater myself. Lots of people on here are though

Im not a slater either but it's fair to say im not a fan, But if the manager thinks Stearman is better than Chambers then im happy for him to play.

Just for the record if i was to be a Slater i would like to be Stacy.

[Manwell Pablo]

Well it would seem, despite their continued slating on hear by various and numerous posters that our back four of Stearman, McCauley, Kisnorboand Mattock have all been subject to £1mill or more bids in the last 12 months.

I know they're not perfect but with all the changes that are happening in mid-field and up front and our lack of genuine cover for some of these players I'm at loss as to why so many people see them as unsuitable for this league and seem desperate, in some cases to move them on; especially as it seems like Mandaric is under no pressure to sell added to this the fact that there are so many other players that need to be moved out.

For me I'm quite happy to see them stick around at least until the season end and if anything add to them.

Why the mad rush to sell?

I just think 1 million for McAuley is a fairly decent deal from our point of view

[Mack]

What these 4 talented young men need is Fulop behind them.

Fulop is top drawer and was invaluable to the defensive make up of our team.

If he was behind the back four then we would have a very formidable starting 11.

Lets hope Ollie can bolster the squad to support what now looks a decent side.

[teblin]

I think the main reasons have been how all four have had endless trouble trying to play the ball out of defence, which has led to the opposition getting the ball off us cheaply and quickly. Leading to undue pressure. This may be down to the fact we didn't have enough midfielders moving in to space, which has led to panic from the defenders and that's why they either hoof it up pitch or spray it back to the opposition.

My main fear with our defence is the lack of pace. None of our defenders are massively quick bar James Chambers who never plays at the back anyway. I'd like to see us get a pacy centre half if possible, but they don't come cheaply, unless they have other basic faults.

With better players playing further up pitch than them, then they'll get better anyway. If Holloway and Mandaric don't want to sell them then i'm not going to lose too much sleep over it.

Joint 2nd best.

Think you are right, holloway likes to play a high line and with mcauley and kisnorbo we will end up getting caught out.

He said he is looking to add competition in all positions so maybe a fast centre back is on the list.

[Finn Claw]

Ngotty, Chambers and Sheehan is fairly good cover for now.

If Ipswich do pay 1.5m for McAuly then I would sell, like others on here I reckon we could get someone just as good for that money but with a bit more pace. My other concern is that we don't really have an experienced full back to help develop all our young full backs.

[Dr The Singh]

Laways room for improvement, we lack pace and a defender who can pass abit!!! If future signings in the area can't add to our deficincies then it seems pointless!!!

I have no issues with those that wish to slate players, but only if there is a reason too, slate on mofo's!!!

[davieG]

I think the main reasons have been how all four have had endless trouble trying to play the ball out of defence, which has led to the opposition getting the ball off us cheaply and quickly. Leading to undue pressure. This may be down to the fact we didn't have enough midfielders moving in to space, which has led to panic from the defenders and that's why they either hoof it up pitch or spray it back to the opposition.

My main fear with our defence is the lack of pace. None of our defenders are massively quick bar James Chambers who never plays at the back anyway. I'd like to see us get a pacy centre half if possible, but they don't come cheaply, unless they have other basic faults.

With better players playing further up pitch than them, then they'll get better anyway. If Holloway and Mandaric don't want to sell them then i'm not going to lose too much sleep over it.

Joint 2nd best.

Can't argue with that Ric, I expect a massive improvement in their passing now we've got an out let for them and players wanting the ball from them.

I just feel that if we want speedy defenders then add them to what we've got, at worst these guys are excellent cover at best they are good enough to get us up the table, why else would people be willing to splash out on them. Beyond that we need to retain a degree of stability in the team, rejigging the defence wholesale strikes me as being totally counter productive.

[James.]

Joint 2nd best.

I know, I know. I was merely alluding to the fact that many people on here are never happy. Earlier this season people were bumming our defence but it seems that when we solve problems in midfield and up front then the natural tendency is to have a go at defenders. It's not that we shouldn't look to improve all the time but to be honest the stats show we are pretty solid at the back and I see no reason why that won't continue if Alnwick does his best to meet the standards set by Fulop.

Like you I'm fairly comfortable with the back four as it stands although it will require strengthening. Natural strenghening could be done by giving Chambers a go on the right. It'd be a little harsh to drop Stearman but by many people Chambers is considered a quality right back in this division.

[Tommy G]

Im not a slater either but it's fair to say im not a fan, But if the manager thinks Stearman is better than Chambers then im happy for him to play.

Just for the record if i was to be a Slater i would like to be Stacy.

The ONLY reason to ever watch eastenders. Dirty cockney girl

[mancunianfox]

I just think 1 million for McAuley is a fairly decent deal from our point of view

With the price of players now though to make a profit on the sale we would have to unearth a bargain which would be a risk. To get another decent Championship defender in would cost about a million anyway and we wouldn't be any better off. Even Paddy McCarthy went for £750k. We 'd be better off sticking with what we have got at the back and thinking improving it in the summer.

[ibbosuk]

Yeah but what we will moan about if we don't have a pop at the defence?

I would like to see 2 new experienced good quality fullbacks brought in immediately to improve the team , I would be happy to see Mattock moved sidewards, "Rested" for now.

But Stearman well ......sorry not for me.

I don't have a problem with either McCauley or Kisnorbo they are fine, as long as they remain consistant.

[davieG]

I just think 1 million for McAuley is a fairly decent deal from our point of view

I guess that's not really a problem provided we can get a decent replacement, can we .

I guess for me is the fact that if you add up all the fans opinions on our back four, five if you add Sheehan they'd all be out of the door quicker than Martin Allen after a 4-1 win.

[mat_j101]

I agree, i dont want to change the defense much really, although i have to admit i would like to see us buy a new right back. I dont think Stearman has been performing well this season, and he hoofs it up far too often. Other than that, i think we are very solid.

[Tommy G]

I agree, i dont want to change the defense much really, although i have to admit i would like to see us buy a new right back. I dont think Stearman has been performing well this season, and he hoofs it up far too often. Other than that, i think we are very solid.

Are you joking? We have about 15 right backs. If Sterman doesn't play then Chambers will. i think a RB is the last position we need to fill.

Just to diverse from the main topic...is sheehan injured at the minute?

[davieG]

Are you joking? We have about 15 right backs. If Sterman doesn't play then Chambers will. i think a RB is the last position we need to fill.

Just to diverse from the main topic...is sheehan injured at the minute?

Agree that we don't really need another right back because we have Chambers and at a push McCauley/N'Gotty but it really is a bit of a myth that we have so many, apart from those already mentioned and I don't consider either McA or N'G RBs just emergency cover we got/had Maybury, Kenton and Kaebi all of whom are on their way out and only Kenton out of them ever got any consideration as a RB in the last 2 years.

[Fez of Mahrez]

When we had Fulop and were playing defenders in midfield there was less pressure on the back four. The worry came in the QPR and Southampton games. As soon as Fulop was removed, we shipped five goals in two games and looked very shaky at the back. Now with Alnwick in and a proper midfield, it's a clean slate as far as I'm concerned and they made a decent start. Norwich and Palace will be a huge test so let's see how they get on against them.