A questionable thread for you to start as someone who has just come onto IK in recent times. I only saw some of the highlights last night and from what I saw it seemed to be a disaster of a game but think with Kenny at the helm we will turn things around. Carra has been written off many times but has always come back to prove doubters wrong and I hope he does similar again!
I think Aggers a very good centre half and in my opinion our best when fit. But was injured again yesterday. BBC Gossip column said we may make a bif for Jan Verthongen in Jan and let Agger go. Carragher has been a brilliant servant to the club and its clear as day his time is coming to the end. I would give him less game time though and start introuducing Coates slowly. Skrtel needs to move on in my opinion. I remember when we signed him at first he played against Chelsea and was brilliant, he gave Drogba a torrid time. But since that injury he suffered against City a while back hes been poor and he never fills me with confidence when he plays. Some will agree and disagree but thats my opinion.
Agger,its a shame about his injury record because he is a top centre back,probably our best,a very good player on the ball. Skrtel,definitely not a right back,that was evident against Middlesborough a couple of seasons back,he looked solid and a future star up until he got injured in that clash with Carragher. Carragher,a legend,all be it with aging legs,he is still the best reader of the game we have in defence,also he is a great organiser and leader of the team,sadly his career is in its twilight years,he still has something to offer for a while yet though.
Indeed K1lladeer. Wont be long for me to pass out your 334 posts I felt bad for the Sebastián Coates. We need to get him in gradually, am sure KK wanted to get his debut vs Brighton in the CC.
Hard to disagree with the OP, Skrtels attempt to win the 50/50 against Defoe yesterday was patethic. Thats 1 too many for me in a red shirt. Agger flatters to deceive once again, I said in the summer we should sell him because as sure as night follows day, he'll get injured. He's done well up until yesterday and I found myself getting sucked into the Agger fan club once again. Carra is the only 1 of the 3 who should be kept but played much more sparingly.
Id get rid of the swagger, keep carra and Skrtel as backups, sign Cahill...whatever it costs (before Wenger does)..and start to use Coates gradually. Cahill and Coates..wooow...not thats got potential!
My thinking would be the same about getting Cahill but I'd keep Agger , yesterday was only a rib injury . My first choice 3 would be Agger Coates and Cahill and Cara as back up not sure about Skrtel , judging him at right back is unfair Also we have Wilson to consider If we got a decent offer for Skrtel and the money was used to get Cahill in Jan I'd see that as good business It would leave us with Agger Coates Cahill Cara as back up with Wilson as well
Agree with most of this Rocco. Have you seen Coates play enough though to merit him being your first choice centre half though? I would ditch Skrtel in Jan, and put Agger and Cahill as our first choice pairing and then Coates and Carra as back up.
The thing is that you have to compare your team with the best team in the country..which unfortunetely is the Man Yoo. How do we compare to Vidic and Ferdinand..and lets not even go near their "backups". Nuff said.....
This summer's transfer window was about getting players out of the club who are clearly not good for top four. (Poulsen, Jovanovic, Konchesky, Ngog etc.). Carragher, Agger and Marty are good centre backs and if we can get a decent unit in Johnson, Carragher, Agger and Enrique consistently playing, we will keep a lot of clean sheets. However I think next summer, there is will be another overhaul of the squad which could see Agger and Marty depart as there are better players out there but we would need to be in the Champions League. Agger's injury record is always worry and Marty never fills you will confidence. he played every game last season, however I would say he got 6 or less rating in most. Anyone that has seen some of Cahill's defending for Bolton this season might argue he is not the player he is made out to be either. If you look at those that will be competing for 4th in Arsenal and Spurs, any of our CBs would get into their match day squads.
I personally think he'll go to Arsenal in January, we cant compare with CL footy just yet. Arsenal will get to the group stages..and ehh..yeah...we might have a CC final at wembley!!!
Only the Copa but I've been impressed and thought he was very good considering the context of yesterday's game Look at UTD putting Smalling and Jones in ... though Smalling had a very patchy/bad start for UTD but the experience is doing him the world of good So why not with Coates . Still Cahill hasn't been the most impressive with Bolton this season besides the wonder goal but IMO his mind is set on leaving and could be the reason ?
indeed, its time to put coates into the fray. play him with Carra and get him experienced. I think thats what KK is thinking* *I cannot confirm this
I'm not so sure Wenger will bring in another centre back after bringing in Mertesacker they have Vermaelen ,Koscielny,Squillaci and Djourou That's 5 big signings by Wengers standards .
Wenger will disagree and after missing out on Cahill he brought in Mertesacker It's not ss though any of the 5 are old on their way out or still to young with those 5 I'd say Wenger has mote young centre backs at the club. Spurs would be our rivals if we go for Cahill imo
Btw..i was going to start a thread with Henderson is shite..discuss..but i stopped as its more than likely the hangover from the Dubs winning! It all depends if Cahill wants to bright lights of London. Hes a Northen lad (right??), so that might play into our hands. Also, Chelski are chasing too....