21-02-2016, 14:06
(This post was last modified: 21-02-2016, 14:07 by Slick_Footwork.)
(21-02-2016, 12:22)RainbowTurnedEastStand Wrote: This thing about us having loads of old timers is a myth as I`d only place McAuley,Olsson, and Lambert into that category,
The likes of Morrison,Brunt,Sessegnon, are all in their early thirties so still have plenty left in the tank.
As well as those mentioned, there's also Fletcher who is an old 32 if you ask me.
However, the big problem is that the younger squad players aren't a patch on the older guys. McAuley especially is almost impossible to replace and I think most fans underestimate how important he is at making us hard to beat at set pieces. I saw when Irvine dropped him at the start of last season and when he's been injured this season (Yesterday prime example) that we didn't look capable of defending anything thrown into the box. Gareth not only handles his man, whoever that may be, but attacks the balls in other areas.
(21-02-2016, 12:35)DanTheSmethwickMan Wrote: I've said it before and I'll say it again, I actually feel sorry for Chester. He gets so much stick yet he's shoved out of position. It's not his fault he cost 8Mill and quite frankly at 26 years old playing at centre half he probably could be worth 8Mill eventually. He's a natural centre back, good on the ball, he wasn't at United as a youngster for nothing. He was Hulls player of the year in the Prem, they rated him so highly, so he's no mug. It's like asking Olsson to play LB or even RB, he's shite enough at centre half but imagine him actually playing full back and making runs forward and crossing the ball? It wouldn't happen. Chester played centre half in the cup replay the other week and it was by far his best game in an Albion shirt. Evans and Chester as a centre back partnership is not one to be sniffed at. It should be given a go.
I don't think that partnership would be dominant enough in the air. I'm a believer that you need one centre back who wins everything in the air (McAuley type) alongside someone good on the deck (Evans). IMO Chester is more in the Evans mould. Even with these 2 and Olsson on the pitch yesterday, we little quality in the air in either box.
Obviously the blame has to go with Pulis for buying Chester to play in the right back position rather than blaming the player himself though. Although, I do think an £8m player should be able to adapt better than he has.