Thracian Posted 23 October 2008 Posted 23 October 2008 From today's Mercury: =============== "Gilbert's progress following his muscle strain will be monitored, but Pearson now knows he has more options at the back." ======================= I'm clearly missing something. Yes I know that Kisnorbo, Mattock and Berner are available but who's the big option as a right -back? It's a problem I've expected to arise at some stage because full-backs are likely to get injured at some stage. The only specialist right-back I can think of who has the athleticism to get up and down the flank is Luke O'Neill but he looked distinctly uncomfortable even in the last youth match I watched him in and was withdrawn at half-time. I do wonder if Lee Cox might get a surprise opportunity. He's looked back to form lately and I remember him marking a damned good player out of the last part of a game in the Academy play-offs final at sunderland playing right-back. He's not a natural attacker like O'Neill but, unless Powell is able to play right side, I wouldn't much fancy the rest. Tunchev might manage but don't we really want Tunchev/Kisnorbo in the middle? Just an alternative though... How about being really adventurous and going 3-4-3 along the lines of: Martin; Tunchev, Kisnorbo, Mattock; Gradel, King, Oakley, Dyer; Porter, Fryatt, Howard. Okay it's three at the back but no opponent is ever going to play more than two up front against us and King could easily slip back a bit if there was an unlikely invasion. Gradel and Dyer are fast enough to cover. Gradel seems to be required to cover anyway so using Porter anywhere across the front would give us some of the movement and clever one-two's we are missing right now. It would also give us six potential goalscorers and a whole heap more for Northampton's defenders to think about than was ever going to trouble Walsall. In fact with the pace of Gradel/Dyer and with King given more freedom according to circumstances we could make Northampton's backline deal with a six or even seven man assault if we played with a bit of urgency. Of course it won't happen. It's far too radical. But then sometimes coaches learn more from being innovative and adventurous than boringly demanding more of the same. It would also shake the complcency out of people and focus everyone on playing for their places.
dandannieldanok Posted 23 October 2008 Posted 23 October 2008 Of course it won't happen. It's far too radical. But then sometimes coaches learn more from being innovative and adventurous than boringly demanding more of the same. It would also shake the complcency out of people and focus everyone on playing for their places. It wouldn't work IMO, you saw how subdued Dyer was on Tuesday without the attacking support of Powell who at 39 couldn't be expected to overlap and attack. Playing 3 at the back would mean there is no full back option at all. Moreover, we've seen with England, 3 centre halves together, no matter how good they are, can make a right mess of defending if they're not used to that system. Also on the subject of defence, we'd be wide open down the flanks because neither Gradel or Dyer want to be reigned in to cover. Although Hobbs was crap on Tuesday, he's slotted in at right-back already this season and done an adequate job and I can't see why this can't happen again.
billyfox1 Posted 23 October 2008 Posted 23 October 2008 I would give hobbs a chance at right back. looked quite good there on Tuesday and can't see him being picked ahead of Kisnorbo and Tunchev. Considering he is only on loan you would have thought that we'd have another right back though.
Simi Posted 23 October 2008 Posted 23 October 2008 O'Neill, perfect chance to give him a go, looked more than capable in pre-season against Palace. So why not? Hobbs doesn't looked that calm there to be honest and wasn't very good going forward, although he did try. Would rather see him partner Tunchev at centre back.
SamL Posted 23 October 2008 Posted 23 October 2008 Step up Luke O'Neill. If Pearson doesn't want to take the risk, I'd go for Hobbs.
davieG Posted 23 October 2008 Posted 23 October 2008 Luke O'Neil wasn't so hot for the Academy on Saturday, his defending was average although he did get forward quite a lot but was shouted at by both Kee and Beaglehole for being blinkered and trying speculative shots on goal when Kee was in open space and perfectly available. In fact his body language seemed to be saying I'm pissed off or annoyed at something. I beleive cox played in midfield and was substituted near the end but seem to have an ok performance setting up one of the goals with a cross from the right. NB: This is assuming I've got put the right names to the right faces.
Sooper Steve's shin Posted 23 October 2008 Posted 23 October 2008 I know that Kisnorbo, Mattock and Berner are available but who's the big option as a right -back? All those options were available on Tuesday night when Gilbert came off. He went with Hobbs at right-back. I think that's your answer.
Thracian Posted 23 October 2008 Author Posted 23 October 2008 It wouldn't work IMO, you saw how subdued Dyer was on Tuesday without the attacking support of Powell who at 39 couldn't be expected to overlap and attack. Playing 3 at the back would mean there is no full back option at all. Moreover, we've seen with England, 3 centre halves together, no matter how good they are, can make a right mess of defending if they're not used to that system. Also on the subject of defence, we'd be wide open down the flanks because neither Gradel or Dyer want to be reigned in to cover. Although Hobbs was crap on Tuesday, he's slotted in at right-back already this season and done an adequate job and I can't see why this can't happen again. On balance I think you're probably right cos I don't think any three defenders we could field would be fast enough or good enough without a fourth defender in there with em. I don't like the idea of Gradel/Dyer doing endless defending as I mentioned last week but there's no-one I have faith in as an alternative right back. Defensively one or two might cope but even our first choice full-backs are limited going forward and I cannot imagine someone like Hobbs contributing much at all in that respect. Ability to read the game, pace, tenacity, the timing of tackles, ability to win the ball in the air and good passing are the hallmarks of a proper full-back. I don't see any back-up player ticking more than three of those boxes.
poynton blue Posted 23 October 2008 Posted 23 October 2008 For anyone other 30 There is only one Gilbert http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=AzyPKReg9kY&...feature=related over 30 even
davieG Posted 23 October 2008 Posted 23 October 2008 From OS Leicester City will be without Arsenal loan star Kerrea Gilbert for Saturday's League One clash against Northampton Town at the Walkers Stadium. Gilbert, who has made 14 appearances for the Foxes since making the move in the summer, picked up an injury in Tuesday night's 2-2 draw with Walsall. And now manager Nigel Pearson says he will be without the services of the energetic right-back for the visit of the Cobblers this weekend. He said: "Kerrea has picked up a hamstring injury. It's difficult to put a timescale on it, but while he will be missing on Saturday we would hope that he would be back sooner rather than later."
FleckneyFox Posted 23 October 2008 Posted 23 October 2008 I'd like to see Lee Cox, whenever ive watched him which is only a couple of pre-season games, hes looked good. I think Pearson will go with Hobbs though as hes played him there a couple of times already this season.
Joe. Posted 23 October 2008 Posted 23 October 2008 Hobbs for me. O'Neill's not ready yet from what I've seen so far.
Sods Posted 23 October 2008 Posted 23 October 2008 90% sure it will be Hobbs starting. Lets Pearson easily slot Kisnorbo into a centre half pairing with the Tunch.
DB11 Posted 23 October 2008 Posted 23 October 2008 Hobbs at RB with Kisnorbo starting alongside Tunch?
syston_fox Posted 23 October 2008 Posted 23 October 2008 Hobbs for me. O'Neill's not ready yet from what I've seen so far. That sounds about right. What it does mean though is that whoever plays right wing, be it Gradel or Adams, won't have that output that Gilbert offers going forward
Lovejoy Posted 23 October 2008 Posted 23 October 2008 Tunchev can play right-back, or so can Hobbs, so I'd expect it to be one of these. Luke O'Neill probably not quite ready for League action tbh.
Corky Posted 23 October 2008 Posted 23 October 2008 If Martin Allen was still manager we wouldn't have this problem Maybe it was a mistake letting James Chambers go?
Bert Posted 23 October 2008 Posted 23 October 2008 90% sure it will be Hobbs starting.Lets Pearson easily slot Kisnorbo into a centre half pairing with the Tunch. As SamL would say.....
Thracian Posted 23 October 2008 Author Posted 23 October 2008 I'd like to see Lee Cox, whenever ive watched him which is only a couple of pre-season games, hes looked good. I think Pearson will go with Hobbs though as hes played him there a couple of times already this season. Me too. I can't see Hobbs offering any significant support to Gradel and if Northampton have a half-decent left winger who can run at people we'll likely have problems unless Gradel gets commissioned into defensive overtime. Big, tall, slow-turning full-backs? Recipe for disaster against fast, elusive wingers.
lookwhaticando Posted 23 October 2008 Posted 23 October 2008 If Martin Allen was still manager we wouldn't have this problem Maybe it was a mistake letting James Chambers go? He could've put any of his 68 right backs in the side in Gilbert's place. But being the eccentric bastard he is, he'd have probably plumped for one of his six goalkeepers instead.
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