Who would be our centre backs?

[shrimper_sam]

Once everyone is fit and the dust is settled we will have four centre backs to choose from:

1) Barrett
2) Prior
3) Sodje
4) Clarke

Sodje is a strong solid defender reminds me of Leon Cort. Barrett is a reliable defender if ever we have had a more committed man to the club then tilson and maher i would like to think it would be him. Clarke is like a god down Blackpool they say he was the best player in league 1 last season that remains to be seen.Prior Good in the air and adapted well yesturday. So who would be your back 2?

 

[Beefy]

Clarke and Barrett, I think. Its tough though because Sodje was so immense last season and I haven't seen much of Clarke yet.

I don't see AB not playing though.

 

[Tilly hates yellow boots]

Sodje made to many silly mistakes last season. Barret & Clarke.

 

[mighty_blues]

At the moment, Prior and Barrett as there is no need to change.

Unless Prior disappoints or Clarke shows his worth in reserve ames/training/sub appearances there is no need to change it.

Sodje when fully fit gives us a bit more pace at the back which is an option. I just dont see AB not playing a game. He's in the Maher, Gutteridge, Eastwood, Flahavan bracket where they pick themselves at the current time

 

[HUTTON]

Barrett and Prior, for teams like Stoke and Barrett and Clarke for other teams, as for col ewe do we really need a defence

 

[pitsea shrimper]

Quote[/b] (mighty_blues @ Aug. 06 2006,15:52)]At the moment, Prior and Barrett as there is no need to change.

Unless Prior disappoints or Clarke shows his worth in reserve ames/training/sub appearances there is no need to change it.

Sodje when fully fit gives us a bit more pace at the back which is an option. I just dont see AB not playing a game. He's in the Maher, Gutteridge, Eastwood, Flahavan bracket where they pick themselves at the current time

spot on there is no need to change at the moment spinner was the nuts.

 

[MightyShrimper]

Because I havent seen Clarke play i'd say Sodje and Barrett at the moment.

 

[blues_r_best]

Sodje and Clarke

 

[Beefy]

I think its horses for courses. Spinner was the perfect choice yesterday against Stoke's big, strong strikers. I'm not convinced that he'll play against the likes of Clinton Morrison on tuesday.

 

[Southampton Shrimper]

Surely the pick of who are the top back two will change throughout the season, as individuals' performances rise and fall?

I agree that on the basis of yesterday, Adam and Spinner should be top choice for the moment - and anyway, isn't that Tilly's way, to keep players in the team if they've proved their worth in the previous game?

 

[silentshrimper]

Cant really choose clarke yet as he has to prove himself. Barrett and Sodje for me. Remember all them clean sheets?

 

[SUFCFARAWAY]

ooo a toughie. but glad we do have these options. barret and spinner are the stronger two but lack pace which is something that clarke and sodje have. Prior has experience in the championship while clarke is still young. Barrett is the rock at the centre - throwing himself at everything. Sodje is no nonense. does his job and gets it clear. i guess it does depend on the opposition. yesterday spinner and ad were the right choice coz stoke's front line was not quick but powerful. in future games when we come up against speedy strikers maybe clarke or sodje will need to come in to counter act that pace.

but in all it is great to have four high quality centre backs.

 

[StainesShrimper]

Taking it one game at a time, so for Palace I would go for AB and Clarke purley because I think Spinner will struggle a bit more against quality strikers.

 

[stickyboy]

havent seen Clarke but if we have paid that much for him he will surely play alongside Sodje if he returns to the form he had pre injury.

 

[shrimptank]

This is a very difficult situation for Tilly, but one i think he will relish! I cant see a reason for him to spend money on Clark if he's not going to play a pretty major part in our season.

Sodje coming back from a broken leg would be chomping at the bit, and was in superb form when he broke it. THat does not mean that he would come back the same player - broken legs are notoriously difficult to come back from.

Spinner is in all honesty not likely to last the season, so i think we'll start as yesterday with him and A.B. with Clark coming in pretty soon with A.B. and Sodje pushing once fully fit.

 

[overseas shrimper]

Quote[/b] (Beefy @ Aug. 06 2006,17:31)]I think its horses for courses.

Shows how far we've come. Not so long ago, all we could do was select the appropriate donkeys for said courses.

 

[OneDreweBroughton]

With 3 games in 8 days I'd be surprised if Spinner wasn't rested on Tuesday.

 

[shrimper4life]

I think if the opposition had some real pace, then maybe AB and clarke/sodje. Stoke didnt have any real pace so the defence were not trouble that much IMO

 

[* ORM *]

AB may have a never say die attitude but the main job of a centre half is to nullify any aerial threat. AB is woefully lacking in this department as was demonstrated on numerous occassions yesterday. Great player to have in the squad but for me any combination of the other three would be better.

 

[Pubey]

i would say the main job of a centre back is to stop the opposition scoring. last season barrett probably stopped 10 clear goals with his perfectly timed interceptions/tackles. he might not be the best in the air but makes up for it in other areas. on tuesday i hope we play barrett and clarke as my mate vouches for clarke. prior might not have done much wrong on sat (although i cant really say as i wasnt there), but it seems that clarke is a much better player on paper, give him a chance.