Should they all stay at the club we would really have a good choice at CB next season
Al-dakhil
Delcroix
Beyer
Ekdal
Esteve
O’Shea

In the championship that is a very good list to chose from. Ekdal showed yesterday what a good cb he is just has a lack of pace and fitness due to injuries but I didn’t think he has ever put a foot wrong.

Would one of them shift to right back in the championship to battle out with sambo and Vitinho?

Will be tough to keep all of them happy.

I wouldn’t say Beyer has done enough this season to warrant a club coming in for him and paying what we paid for him, has O’Shea done enough to maybe get a move.

Suppose it’s a nice problem to have to have 6 very very capable CBs at championship level

It does seem a good selection for CB. Let’s hope we don’t start signing loads more unproven players to replace the good ones we have. With one or two quality signings we should have the basis of a decent team at Championship level.

Boss Hogg wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 14, 2024 7:34 pm

It does seem a good selection for CB. Let’s hope we don’t start signing loads more unproven players to replace the good ones we have. With one or two quality signings we should have the basis of a decent team at Championship level.

I do agree however the last time we went down let’s be honest majority of the players we signed were unproven and it just clicked

The top sides seem to like having 4 “Centre Backs” now across the back 4. City and Arsenal in particular. Wouldn’t surprise me to see Kompany adopt that next season. Would quite like to see it myself.

Beyer Al-Dakhil O’Shea Esteve

Would be a pretty standout back 4 in the championship.

OssyClaret wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 14, 2024 7:40 pm

The top sides seem to like having 4 “Centre Backs” now across the back 4. City and Arsenal in particular. Wouldn’t surprise me to see Kompany adopt that next season. Would quite like to see it myself.

Beyer Al-Dakhil O’Shea Esteve

Would be a pretty standout back 4 in the championship.

I’d have Ekdal in over al-dakhil

If we play 3 at the back I'd have Al Dakhil, Ekdal and Esteve.

I haven't looked at the 'rate the players' thread, but not surprisingly Ekdal looked very rusty yesterday. The further away he is from our goal, the more confident he looks, but for a defender, I'm not sure that is a great recommendation.

We also have Luke McNally out on loan

Darnhill Claret wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 14, 2024 7:48 pm

I haven't looked at the 'rate the players' thread, but not surprisingly Ekdal looked very rusty yesterday. The further away he is from our goal, the more confident he looks, but for a defender, I'm not sure that is a great recommendation.

It’s interesting to see how everyone views the game, I can understand at parts how he looked rusty but I also thought he looked comfortable against Pedro and won most of his ground duels

Darnhill Claret wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 14, 2024 7:48 pm

I haven't looked at the 'rate the players' thread, but not surprisingly Ekdal looked very rusty yesterday. The further away he is from our goal, the more confident he looks, but for a defender, I'm not sure that is a great recommendation.

I thought Ekdal played very well yesterday.

Vim Fuego wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 14, 2024 7:52 pm

We also have Luke McNally out on loan

Oh yeah forgot about him, probably one we have to try and get some money for

Last season in the Championship we had one full play on the wing and another moving into midfield. I wouldn't even have scooby what next season plans are since I have never figured it out for even one individual game this season.

Ekdal certainly did have some good moments but I was nervous for him on a number of occasions when things didn't go to plan. Happy that the majority had a more positive feel about his performance than I did. Good to read.

Darnhill Claret wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 14, 2024 8:02 pm

Ekdal certainly did have some good moments but I was nervous for him on a number of occasions when things didn't go to plan. Happy that the majority had a more positive feel about his performance than I did. Good to read.

100% some nervy moments between Ekdal Berge and Cullen and that’s where the rust comes in

Darnhill Claret wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 14, 2024 7:48 pm

I haven't looked at the 'rate the players' thread, but not surprisingly Ekdal looked very rusty yesterday. The further away he is from our goal, the more confident he looks, but for a defender, I'm not sure that is a great recommendation.

Really? I thought Ekdal was fantastic yesterday.

Vim Fuego wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 14, 2024 7:52 pm

We also have Luke McNally out on loan

And CJ Egan-Riley

1 or 2 of them will have to be moved on.

Ekdal was superb yesterday. Great to see him attacking the ball.
Up against one of the fastest strikers in the league in Welbeck as well.

I have the answer to our CB problem. Hear me out before you start laughing. He needs to because tall with excellent feet and an eye for a pass. Anything lacking in positional play and that bit of nouse will be passed on and coached by one of the most outstanding Centre backs of the last 10 years. So my friends I give you no other than our very own Arijanet Muric. After you’ve calmed down don’t just dismiss it. I’m off for a lie down now.

Al Dakhill is my worry-shocking in the games he has played in this season and too inconsistent. Needs to go on loan. Beyer is simply a sick note-almost fit enough to play according to VK as long ago as mid Jan, but now the Lord Lucan of the team

For me we have a real prospect in Esteve, Ekdal has everything but pace but will be absolutely fine in the Championship, and O Shea has shown both extremes but needs to engage brain first and foremost. He can be a very good defender when switched on, and our best header of a ball. THese three are our main stay. McNally needs to be sold

OssyClaret wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 14, 2024 7:40 pm

The top sides seem to like having 4 “Centre Backs” now across the back 4. City and Arsenal in particular.

So Tony pulis and stoke city were 10+ years ahead of their time, not just Bolton.

I don't imagine all those players will be with us next season at all.

I'd expect one of Beyer O'Shea and Esteve to be sold for decent money, and at least one of the back ups (al-dakhil, Ekdal, McNally, Delcroix to also be sold. We've far too many centre backs on the books.

Well, we'll get more minutes out of O'Shea and Esteve.

I guess I'm in the minority, but I just don't rate O'Shea.
Yes, 100% effort, but positioning and decision making aren't good enough. We'd sell him at a loss.

With Taylor out of contract could Delcroix be earmarked for left back together with a new addition in that position?

boatshed bill wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 14, 2024 9:31 pm

I guess I'm in the minority, but I just don't rate O'Shea.
Yes, 100% effort, but positioning and decision making aren't good enough. We'd sell him at a loss.

I don’t think we would for a minute, especially with his G/A this season and his pace stats. You look at players with experience of playing in the Premier League (which he definitely can) and you’re looking at £15m minimum for a CB. We paid £12m for Collins who hadn’t kicked a ball at this level. If an Ipswich, Leeds or Leicester were after a CB they’d pay £15m for one.

I’d also say that Southampton would be better buying him at £15m than THB at £20m, although I think they’re committed to him if they go up.

I know we are in The Championship next season but we will have ambitions to return to the top division. Which of those players can play in The Premier League? I don't know about Esteve but O'Shea, unless he improves, is our Kevin Long. The others have shown they are not good enough. Of those I'm hoping Al Dakhil will improve and Beyer can be used elsewhere.