Which Stoppers

[brookfox]

After his showing at Hinckley I think Pearson realised he was past it. He never really demonstrated his class last season either and I think he needs to go really, given the wages he's on.

Oh yeah, forgot about his first half against Hinckley! Boo, sack N'Gotty and ignore my last post!

(CB looks a weak point to me at the minute)

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Oh yeah, forgot about his first half against Hinckley! Boo, sack N'Gotty and ignore my last post!

(CB looks a weak point to me at the minute)

I wouldn't say it's a weak point. Assuming Tunchev plays, Hobbs, Worley, and Morrison are the other reasonable options. Once a solid defensive partnership is formed, then the defence will solidify.

At the minute Pearson is experimenting, and so he should.

[Babylon]

Interesting. Possibly only attacked the ball when it came directly into his area of the pitch because of the communication issue. He did look good on the night. I'm determined not to Kaebify him though.

I'm going to Kaebify him... considering the talent he was up against and all the factors going against him, he played really well. I love it when he goes for headers, he crouches down and launches himself at the ball. He has got some serious heading ability... one headed clearance went about 40 yards when brum whipped one into the box.

I'm putting money on him for first goalscorer every game!!!

[Hullfox]

Heskey

[Thracian]

Alan Hansen spoke English.

Had trained with his team mates more than two weeks.

Had played more than 2 games.

Alan Hansen played in the "premier league", we are in league one.

Tunchev doesn't need to be Alan Hansen... but he will be more than good enough for this league. Considering the above, I thought he played bloody well and dominated their strikers in the air in open play. When he is use to the system and can understand who he is meant to be marking when changes have been made he'll be good.

I hope - perhaps even believe - you'll be right but don't see why language difficulties should affect his eyesight.

However you try to excuse it Phillips made the run for the winning goal and no-one went with him.

Tunchev didn't look the least bit incommunicado nor did he seem unfit or uncomfortable with the system. In fact he slotted in like he'd been here for years and that was great credit to him.

But not one word of what you say explains why Phillips was left totally unmarked or untracked twice in 20 minutes - by Tunchev or Morrison.

If there was an individual marking system, which I doubt, it wouldn't have been hard for Pearson to convey to either centre-back which number player he was responsible for. A little pointing of a finger should have sufficed.

But in recent seasons City have operated a zonal marking system and for whatever reason it fell apart against Phillips.

As a regular international Tunchev has played against quality opponents lots of times so suggesting he's no Hansen is just another excuse.

As a guy who I don't ever recall offering even a thin sprinkling of excuses for any up-and-coming youngster there you are with a list for Tunchev that would send a Town Crier hoarse.

As it happens I think Tunchev will prove an excellent signing, perhaps even our most cultured and constructive centre-half for years. And I still don't know for sure who was really responsible for Phillips.

But that defending in the last 20 minutes was worse than schoolboy stuff and we have to put it right.

If it continues you'll be moaning about our commitment to attack costing us 3-2 and 4-3 defeats. Well it had sod all to do with commitment to attack. It had to do with defenders not being aware and not tracking people when we lost possession.

And not just any people at that. Every football enthusiast in England knows Kevin Phillips is a class act and needs marking properly.

And if you don't think Division One will throw up any useful strikers you're wrong. There will be others need marking too if we're going to be serious about winning things. The last thing we need is complcency cos it's only Division One.

[mmarkie]

Tunchev and Hobbs. It was actually Tunchev's second game in the shirt, don't forget the game in Slovenia

I think when he gets use to the style of play, and playing within the team, Tunchev will be one of the best defenders in the league, partnered with as I see it, Hobbs or Morrison. Worley needs a little more time I think.

Yeh but first game in England is what i said mate

[Babylon]

However you try to excuse it Phillips made the run for the winning goal and no-one went with him.

I haven't tried to excuse it... these things happen. Just as Birminghams defenders didn't get close enough to Fryatt. All I see is you slagging off Tunchev for Phillips second goal, yet with porter you say how brilliant he was to score his goal... no mention of slack marking or people not picking him up!!!!!!!

Tunchev didn't look the least bit incommunicado

You mean apart from the 2 occasions (I saw) Pearson was shouting him and making signals, he looked around looking slightly lost shrugged his shoulders and carried on with the game.

But not one word of what you say explains why Phillips was left totally unmarked or untracked twice in 20 minutes - by Tunchev or Morrison.

Phillips wasn't his man at the corner I believe. So again, why should I explain it.

As a regular international Tunchev has played against quality opponents lots of times so suggesting he's no Hansen is just another excuse.

It's not an excuse, it's pointing out he isn't bloody Alan Hansen. He is going to have faults with his game, if there weren't he'd be playing for bloody Liverpool.

As a guy who I don't ever recall offering even a thin sprinkling of excuses for any up-and-coming youngster

Generally because they are over hyped rubbish and don't deserve it.

If it continues you'll be moaning about our commitment to attack costing us 3-2 and 4-3 defeats. Well it had sod all to do with commitment to attack. It had to do with defenders not being aware and not tracking people when we lost possession.

Thanks for letting me know what I will be saying... do you know the lottery numbers too?

And if you don't think Division One will throw up any useful strikers you're wrong. There will be others need marking too if we're going to be serious about winning things. The last thing we need is complcency cos it's only Division One.

It won't throw up anyone like Phillips, Bent, McFadden, McSheffrey etc. There certainly won't be many who can finish like Phillips for his second goal.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

And if you don't think Division One will throw up any useful strikers you're wrong. There will be others need marking too if we're going to be serious about winning things. The last thing we need is complcency cos it's only Division One.

Whilst there will of course be decent strikers in L1, none of them will be in the same bracket as Phillips.

[Munzie]

This is an extremely important dilemma. With no clean sheets pre-season, our normally reliable defence record could be tested to the limit. With the majority of our strikers yet to find their shooting boots, this is an area we could do with being water-tight.

I would also go with Tunchev & Hobbs (whilst we wait for Kisnorbo to return, hopefully). I also think that Henderson must play a big part in commanding the defence, something that I'm not sure he is up to.

Like most, I have only seen Tunchev in action against Birmingham. My conclusions mirror most on here, for only his second game he seemed more than competent in the role albeit the odd positioning error. Further games will be invaluable to him as will a little more communication.

I was at Anfield for the Liverpool/Bolton match last season when Hobbs made his debut. Overall he made a good impression going about his business in a very straightforward manner. He did rely however on a lot of communication with Reina. From what I've seen of him (Kettering & Birmingham), he is more than capable with a little support/encouragement from those around him.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

This is an extremely important dilemma. With no clean sheets pre-season, our normally reliable defence record could be tested to the limit. With the majority of our strikers yet to find their shooting boots, this is an area we could do with being water-tight.

[Thracian]

I haven't tried to excuse it... these things happen. Just as Birminghams defenders didn't get close enough to Fryatt. All I see is you slagging off Tunchev for Phillips second goal, yet with porter you say how brilliant he was to score his goal... no mention of slack marking or people not picking him up!!!!!!!

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I don't care what Birmingham or any other team does wrong, just what we do wrong.

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It's not an excuse, it's pointing out he isn't bloody Alan Hansen. He is going to have faults with his game, if there weren't he'd be playing for bloody Liverpool.

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If any defender has faults like not marking a striker standing or driving forward into the penalty box then he's in trouble whether he's in the Premiership or the Conference.

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Generally because they are over hyped rubbish and don't deserve it.

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At least you're prepared to fly your colours.

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It won't throw up anyone like Phillips, Bent, McFadden, McSheffrey etc. There certainly won't be many who can finish like Phillips for his second goal.

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That's alright then. No real need for defenders at all. But, just out of interest, how many goals did we concede against the lesser lights of Hinckley and Kettering? Cos I seem to remember some pretty shoddy marking in those games too.

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[MikeyT]

I've not seen Tunchev, Morrison or Hobbs play. I have seen Worley and he worries me I don't think he's ready just yet.

As for the others on principle I'd be reluctant to see Hobbs take the lions share of appearances over Morrison, Morrison is our player and we need to develop him whereas Hobbs no matter how good he is will be gone next year and we'd have to start all over developing the next CB if he becomes an ever present.

If Morrison isn't good enough for this league then I'd seriously question the motives behind his purchase by Pearson.

Think thats a really good point. I definitly think Tunchev and Morrison together.

[Thracian]

Heskey

Yes please. He'd track Phillips and no mistake.

[Thracian]

I think that the club is the winner. It's so refreshing to have so many options/back up that will play in their proper positions.

It's been a feature of Pearson's management that, so far, he's played everyone in their best or at least a logical position. There's been no pratting about with centre-forwards playing on the wing and right-backs playing in midfield etc.

And the debate about individuals at least seems to feature half-decent alternatives to the point where it really is quite hard to decide who's best in some cases.

[Scow]

Morrison and Hobbs look to have some talent, but the obvious concern is their lack of experience. If we're not planning to have N'Gotty involved, then we won't have any one in the back line with a number of games under their belt in the football league. Tunchev has the international experience, though he may take some time to acclimatise, particularly in this rough and tumble division.

[Houdini Logic]

Hobbs and Tunchev or Hobbs and Worley.

Hobbs a dead cert (though that is based on 2 incomplete games in pre-seasson).

Tunchev looked a little rusty, but that's to be expected - he didn't seem to be anxious at all, so the signs are good.

Worley has really impressed me - he hasn't put a foot wrong in the whole of pre-season, and i'm not sure why Morrison is being selected ahead of him?

[Bert]

Good post and welcome.

I agree with your choice as well.

I think it looks like Tunchev is always going to get a rough ride from Thracian from now on.

I thought Tunchev looked confident in possesion and I was pleased that he always looked to pass it out of defence to feat, something we've not had with past central defedners.

Hobbs was at fault for one of the goals, but with games will come more match sharpness and awareness hopefully, as you say he looks like he's more along the line than Morrison or Worley, but in time I think they will be more than adequate backup.

Without a doubt. No rating higher than 6.5 all season.

Tunchev will show us how good he is once he's settled in and a bit more down with the lingo. You could see he's a great defender. Whether people like it or not, he will be starting every week. You don't spend £800k on defender in League One if he isn't going to play.

Morrison is still showing us that he's a conference defender i think, caught out at Kettering twice, two goals conceded from corners when he would be organising the defence in the past two games.

Hobbs looks, faster, stronger and much more assured.

[BoneHead.]

Morrison is a signing for next year always going to be in the shadows of Hobbs and Tunchev this season as the latter 2 have more experiance and are clearly better players at this level

[ThorpeAstleyFox]

It's got to be Hobbs to partner Tunchev for me. To be fair to Morrison he does have some good qualities - his distribution is pretty good and he's not afraid to mix it up a bit (i.e. when he smashed the striker into the advertising hoarding at Hinckley head first and didn't even bother to see if he was ok!). Against Kettering, he was the oldest defender on the pitch with the least experience and asking a 20 year-old plucked from non-league football to organise a back four who have never played together before is a big ask. N'Gotty is clearly past it but Worley still has plenty of time to either come good or disapear forever! Rank order for centrebacks: Tunchev, Kisnorbo, Hobbs, Morrison, N'Gotty, Worley.

[clazkel]

I'd like to see Hobbs and Worley, i can't understand why Worley isn't getting a chance, i think he played well last season and he needs a long run in the team

[ThorpeAstleyFox]

I'd like to see Hobbs and Worley, i can't understand why Worley isn't getting a chance, i think he played well last season and he needs a long run in the team

So you would play two unproven youngsters over the international centre back who you just paid £800K for? Are you for real?

[Ric Flair]

I think Morrison will get better and better as the season goes on. From what i've seen of him, he's got the ability and potential there. Hobbs will partner Tunchev to start with and then it's down to Morrison and Worley (who I don't think Pearson rates) to try and win a place in the starting eleven.

[bigneville]

Not seen any of the pre-season football so my view is from a very niave prospective.

But as mentioned. There is no way Tunchev isn't going to play every week unless injured, or an incredible lack of form.

Tunchev has been Pearson's major signing, there is no way after spending 800k on him, that he isn't going to play.

A lot of the judgement on Pearson will be based on his signings. So for Pearson to be a major success, he's going to give plenty of time to Tunchev, to show people he is good in the transfer market.

To partner Tunchev, originally i think will be Hobbs.

Although Morrison mainly will get pitch time next to Tunchev throughout the season. Pearson doesn't seem to rate Worley too highly. So I wouldn't expect to see too much of Worley until injuries and suspensions kick in. And with the return of Kisnorbo in October, if he is here for the season, I would be highly suprised if Worley gets more than 5 first team appearances. Of course this depends on injuries.

So against MK Dons, I expect Tunchev and Hobbs to start.

But I will say, that the pair that start against Palace tomorrow, will almost certainly be his starting pair for MK Dons.

[J.Lisemore]

Personally i think that it should be Tunchev and Morrison

[Flynny]

Hopefully come November it'll be Tunchev and Kisnorbo.