Centre Backs 5 players into 2 slots

[Mack]

When we bought Wes Morgan I was fully expecting at least one centre back to go in the other direction.

But now the window is closed without anyone moving on we have 5 centre backs that would all consider themselves to be first teamers yet only two spots to fill in the side.

Given St Ledger's recent spat with Pearson and his superb form of late does this situation concern anyone else?

We've looked much more solid at the back of late and to drop Mills or St Ledger for Morgan would be unfair in my opinion.

Seems to me Pearson may have created himself a headache.

[Haydos]

Who considers themself to be a first teamer? (And why is that actually relevant?)

For all we know Morgan has been told he will have to earn his place. Tunchev certainly doesn't warrant a first team place and I doubt he feels he deserves one after 2 years out.

On top of that St. Ledger may have apologised and knuckled down. Why do people make so many assumptions that are basically just guesses?

[jonlcfc1990]

1) Mills- First team

2) SSL- Asking questions

3) Morgan- Squad

4) Bamba- Expecting him to be a midfielder maybe a CDM in ABE'S form but Bamba can change the game with just one run so he'd be a better option than ABE was IMO

5)Tunch- Not fit probably his last season with us

[ithuriel]

I'm sure Pearson knows what he is doing, the best players will hold their first team spots whilst the others will fall away to wait their chance.

No headache there, just decent competition with one or two moving on at the end of the season no doubt.

[cc_star]

Situation eased slightly by it being 4 CBs into 2 slots as I really don't think Tunchev is in the equation beyond being back-up.

As far as looking solid at the back goes, Forest didn't attack, Southapmton had their attacking threat injured & Swindon caused us bags of problems

Morgan has the potential to be a commanding CB, something we've lacked as Mills rarely dominates & Bamba & SSL are more your footballers who pass the ball out & play alongside the traditional dominating type. Something else that's a major concern is we lack a leader, they're all very silent & still struggle to play as a unit... Wes should help solve this both with his experience & the fact he's leader on the pitch as seems to be vocal.

Still, 4 into 2 doesn't go... But this is the kind of 'problem' managers would give their right arm to have

[Babylon]

But now the window is closed without anyone moving on we have 5 centre backs that would all consider themselves to be first teamers yet only two spots to fill in the side.

Players can still be loaned out when the emergency loan window opens again. When Sol returns player/s could well still leave.

We've looked much more solid at the back of late and to drop Mills or St Ledger for Morgan would be unfair in my opinion.

Have we really though? We could easily have conceeded a couple of goals in each game. The clean sheets don't tell the whole story of missed chances, good saves etc. I'm not buying that we are suddenly safe and sound at the back. On form teams with their first choice strikers could still easily take us apart.

Look at the Saints game and she how they could have scored from 4 or 5 set pieces and that has been happening all season. Morgan will add strength in that department.

Seems to me Pearson may have created himself a headache.

It seems to me that Pearson has been handed a headache. Being left a player who will accept nothing but starting games due to the Euros. Being left a player who was signed for vastly inflasted sums. Being left with a defender whilst individually brilliant, seemingly unable to form a partnership with anyone.

I don't think anyone can say we have been good enough at CB this year, and that's something that he's trying to rectify with Morgan. The jury is out as to whether he will do the trick.

[Mack]

I agree with many of the points made.

The recent performances have been much better defensively in my opinion.

If you look at how easily Barnsley scored against us for instance and compare that to the games since there has been a huge improvement, and St Ledger should be credited as being a part of that improvement.

Whilst I agree that players should earn their place, disgruntled players in the squad whether you think their motives are justified or not, can be a cancer for team morale, and that worries me.

[jamfox]

I’ve got to say I agree, even by Sven s two first team players for ever position we are one over.

Unity is important 4 x CB backed up by some academy kids and the potential of emergency loans is enough? Isn’t it...

I thought Tunch would move or we were going to cash in Bamba for big cash 4 million maybe more.

I don’t want to lose Bamba, he is a probably our best player, a quick beast who can play the ball. F”ckin love him for the most part he is world class

So know I’m left scratching my head on this one, we have one too many good CBS, could be worse I guess!

[Babylon]

Whilst I agree that players should earn their place, disgruntled players in the squad whether you think their motives are justified or not, can be a cancer for team morale, and that worries me.

Which is why I would still not be shocked to see SSL leave. Pearson will not like that kind of attitude.

[Babylon]

If you look at how easily Barnsley scored against us for instance and compare that to the games since there has been a huge improvement

But we could have conceeded in the last few games but for poor finishing and luck. Finley for Forest skying over from one yard, their CB missing a clear header at a set piece. Danns putting Connolly through against Saints, and their centre backs being left the freedom of the penalty areas during set pieces to miss when scoring looked easier. The Swindon game should be fresh in the memory.

[jprs1976]

can see 1 going out on loan, with a view of permanent

[Mack]

But we could have conceeded in the last few games but for poor finishing and luck. Finley for Forest skying over from one yard, their CB missing a clear header at a set piece. Danns putting Connolly through against Saints, and their centre backs being left the freedom of the penalty areas during set pieces to miss when scoring looked easier. The Swindon game should be fresh in the memory.

So on the back of 3 clean sheets and 3 wins you are advocating a change in personnel at the back?

[PegguyArphexad]

I would imagine that Tunchev will leave on a loan deal.

However, I don't really care. Pearson knows what he is doing and as far as I'm concerned as a fan I will just turn up and watch the 11 players on the pitch and fully support them.

[Mack]

I would imagine that Tunchev will leave on a loan deal.

However, I don't really care. Pearson knows what he is doing and as far as I'm concerned as a fan I will just turn up and watch the 11 players on the pitch and fully support them.

And what if the other two not playing are grumbling to other players and upsetting the squad morale?

[Babylon]

So on the back of 3 clean sheets and 3 wins you are advocating a change in personnel at the back?

Sorry where have I said that?

I've said we have been far from solid and nowhere near as good as people are making out, not that I believe it should be changed instantly. Don't change a winning team and all that.

But, if we keep letting the other team have so many chances, soon one of them will take a few of them and the changes will most probably come after that.

[Babylon]

And what if the other two not playing are grumbling to other players and upsetting the squad morale?

They'll end up in the same place SSL with probably end up, not at Leicester.

[Corky]

I reckon, in time, Mills and Morgan will be the CB pairing.

[Mack]

Sorry where have I said that?

I've said we have been far from solid and nowhere near as good as people are making out, not that I believe it should be changed instantly. Don't change a winning team and all that.

But, if we keep letting the other team have so many chances, soon one of them will take a few of them and the changes will most probably come after that.

It's not possible to go through a whole game without the opposition getting at least one chance.

I think we've been much better, and if the current personnel are allowed to continue I think it will only get better.

However if they are broken up I fear trouble at mill.

[Babylon]

It's not possible to go through a whole game without the opposition getting at least one chance.

I'd agree, but many of the chances we gave away were avoidable and not down to excellent play. Set pieces especially.

[Ric Flair]

We have been shocking at defending set pieces and crosses for quite some time, Morgan should help us with that. At least one centre half will leave on loan in the next month, possibly 2 of them. I still think pearson will let St Ledger go when Bamba get's back, hope not but our only hope was if Bamba was sold to a bigger club. Pearson wouldn't loan Bamba out to a Championship club, it'll be SSL and Tunchev.

[Bryn]

I don't think Tunchev is viewed as reliable. I think in.Pearson's mind, we have four centrebacks.

[Wherethefoxhat?]

.

If you look at how easily Barnsley scored against us for instance

Both their goals came from our right side .......as have numerous others this season !!!!

[Les-TA-Jon]

Jukebox may prove to be a handful tonight - let's see how Mills and SSL do against him

[Mack]

It seems odd to loan out players because they are surplus to requirements when we just had a perfectly good opportunity to sell them on last month.

[Kitchandro]

I don't think Pearson will have bought Morgan for £1m to be back up, he intends to play him as a regular I'm sure. Shunning Bamba would be criminal and Mills and St Ledger have kept 3 clean sheets in a row (though that stat isn't as impressive as it first sounds).

I just hope the players most in form are picked.