ToffeeWeb - Season 2008-09

The Mail Bag

The center back dilemma

We are in a very fortunate position, in that we have three center backs of a very high standard. Normally as with this season i would say this is sufficient; however, with the Africa Cup of nations and Jags being injured, it causes us issues.

Would people prefer to spend some of a small pot of money on a centre back? Get someone in for free or on loan as cover?? Use Rodwell as cover and hope for some good fortune???

I suppose the ideal would be to bring is a class right-back who could also play centre-half but I think these players are in short supply.

It's really tough as I would not like Moyes to spend any money on this position but, without one extra head, it will leave us very short of any really cover.

Moyes will obviously have to take a calculated risk in some areas next year, as funds won't allow (I would imagine) both a CB and an RB.
Ian Barker, London Posted 17/06/2009 at 19:31:23

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Alex Kociuba
1 Posted 17/06/2009 at 23:58:17

I’m sure Sunderland were linked with Richard Dunne for £3.5m recently. I would be quite happy if we get him for this price, he would be a very useful addition. He wouldn’t be my first choice selection come match day, but he is at peak age and would do a good job.

Peter Bradshaw
2 Posted 18/06/2009 at 02:06:43

Dont think this is a problem myself we have Rodwell who is a center back, this kind of confirms that Jolean will be staying, therefore the funds we have Naughton £3.5 million plus Big Vic. Although we have shown interest in Matthew Bates from Boro on a free too, don't know why looks hopeless.

We would then have a back line of Naughton, Yobo, Lescott and Baines, with Rodwell and maybe Bates to cover centre backs until Jags return and again when Yobo is away.

Still fancy M?Bia as the Defensive midfielder but his price seems to be raising daily was 4 million and yeesterday quoted at 8 million. Therefore this move may be unlikely and Moyes will stick with Pip. If it does happen Moyes will move Pip to Right back and we wont have Naughton.

The only thing that I hope for is that Moyes has learnt lessons from last year and wont leave everything till the last minute again.

I know a lot of people moan when you post speculation but what else is out there, cricket err no, Holyoaks defo no, having deep conversations with the missus about the impending financial breakdown of the world super powers.......speculation is the way then.

Sam Higgins
3 Posted 18/06/2009 at 08:12:22

Let's just wait and see... I was really hoping we had signed someone by now ? we need to get the personnel bedded in ? rememebr the start of last season?!!

Stewart Littler
4 Posted 18/06/2009 at 08:55:57

As people have commented, the transfer window doesn’t officially open until July 1st - players can sign for other clubs until then, but their registration will not be completed until that date. Also, given that I am reckoning on one or two free transfers, in addition to a loan or two as being the majority of our transfer dealings, frees cannot be completed until the players contract has expired (normally June 30th) and loans won’t be completed until the loaning club has made their own signings.

In short, we’re still 2 months away from the new season, and as long as the new faces are in place by mid-end July, I think we can all look forward to another good season.

In terms of the original article, we have cover in this position in the form of Rodwell and Mustafi (young German signed late last season), and we all know that Moyes likes to blood youngsters. I don’t see any point spending in this area, when we have more pressing needs at RB, RM and CF.

Michael Jones
5 Posted 18/06/2009 at 09:21:58

I know we have a young defender signed (Mustafi), but as yet he isn?t proven, nor does he have much experience - hopefully one for the future. We also have Rodwell, a very exciting player, that Moyes has said will end up at centre back. Neither of these two are ready to have an extended run in the team at centre back in the event that we have injuries and suspensions.

Moyes approach to playing is based upon a solid defence, he also gives young players opportunities, but equally won?t rush them. In fact if our squad was a bit bigger, he may have been less willing to give young players time. It is my view that this year is too soon for both the young players mentioned above. I think Rodwell will play, but in midfield.

In addition to the above, we don?t have cover at left back, other than Lescott, in which case we are even more short at centre back. Whilst Jags is injured we have no cover for Baines, Yobo and Lescott.

I think Moyes will bring someone in, with some experience, as cover. I don?t think he?ll spend much though.

Ajay Gopal
6 Posted 18/06/2009 at 09:29:40

Frankly, the central defensive position is the strongest we have.

Yobo, Lescott, Jagielka

For back-up, I would also count Rodwell and Neville.

Not the German lad yet, IMO.

Having said that, getting Micah Richards from City would not be a bad option - a U21 international right back and can also play in the centre-back position.

Dan McKie
7 Posted 18/06/2009 at 09:46:16

Sol Campbell is out of contract, he would be worth a season. I'm sure Moyes hasn't missed the fact that we are short in that area until at least October, so I wouldn't be surprised to see someone come in.

Ciarán McGlone
8 Posted 18/06/2009 at 10:24:22

Surely Jags will be back before the ACON...

This problem only arises if we sell Lescott...which is becoming less likely.

Dan McKie
9 Posted 18/06/2009 at 10:45:27

There is only Yakubu and Yobo going to the AFCON that will make any difference to the first team/bench. South Africa didnt qualify so we are ok for Pienaar, and Anichebe is the only other player who may go, but hopefully we wont have the same awful luck with injuries this season and will have the likes of Saha and Vaughan to step in. Need adequate cover at the back tho, but that could maybe be sorted with a loanee in january.

Peter Keating
10 Posted 18/06/2009 at 11:16:30

Didn’t Pip have a superb game against Chelsea at centre back a couple of seasons ago? I would have him there ahead of any other centre backs we would waste money on buying. If we are really struggling Stubbsy is in the coaching staff! Or Moyes himself!!

Mike Allison
11 Posted 18/06/2009 at 13:59:39

When I read the title I assumed the dilemma would be ’should we cash in on one of them to sign players in other positions?’ referring particularly to the Lescott to Man City link. I certainly wouldn’t dream of buying another one in.

Lescott and Yobo will do just fine, Jagielka will be back hopefully by November, being pessimistic that’s still December and when Yobo’s gone to Africa we’ll have had him back fit for ages. Even if something does go wrong before then, Jack Rodwell has shown he’s a class act, and his natural position as he’s grown up has been centre back.

Centre back is literally the last position on the pitch I’d be looking to sign someone.

Graham Plewes
12 Posted 18/06/2009 at 14:14:08

Lucas Neill on a bosman fixes everything, quality on the ball at right back and strong cover at centre half should the worse happen

Thomas Surgenor
13 Posted 18/06/2009 at 14:35:22

I'd agree with the Lucas Neill thing. Also, I read somewhere him and Tim are great friends, so I?m sure he would be keen to come play for us.

Ciarán McGlone
14 Posted 18/06/2009 at 15:26:29

Lucas Neill is on a fortune.

Ray Robinson
15 Posted 18/06/2009 at 20:35:42

I must be the only one that does not see Rodwell as a potential centre back. Nor do I see Gosling as a right back, the position that he was seemingly bought for. Am I alone in this line of thinking?

James Cook
16 Posted 19/06/2009 at 03:51:17

Rodwell is still on his learning curve. He was spotted as a CB but an extended period at midfield would do wonders in his future role as ball playing CB ( I hope!)

Andy Crooks
17 Posted 19/06/2009 at 11:02:49

Is Seamus Coleman any good? Would he be ready to start the season at right back? He?s had a while to settle in so maybe he?s worth a chance.

Mike Allison
18 Posted 19/06/2009 at 12:12:35

Lucas Neill’s a reasonable idea but I think I remember he was put on £60k a week at West Ham or something. We’d be crazy to pay him more than £20kpw and he’d be unlikely to accept that pay cut.

Ian McDowell
19 Posted 19/06/2009 at 14:47:13

Lucas Neil is never going to get any more than 20k a week anywhere he goes might be worth a gamble on a free other players available on a free include Sean Davis, Pennant, Owen. All good squad players and if we got them and then signed 1 truly good player like Vagner Love or Moutinho we would have a lot more strength to challenge next season as with the world cup coming up it looks likely to be very congested.