Centre Back.

[1950]

Against Bilbao at that. Wasn't Bielsa trying to convert Javi Martinez into a centre back? How's that going?

Might be worth a look either way.

[CityGer]

Let's see how he gets on v City.

I was looking forwartd to that Juve match too. Bugger. Mind you I imagine Barca are playing this evg. Prob on tv.

I know we're going off topic here but Im not enjoying watching Barca or Real half as much as I used to. Both get every single decision, are full of cheats and moaning fuckers and it's rare to see a decent sporting contest in games involving either of them.

The referees are scared stiff of both of them.

Messi is great to watch but apart from him it's becoming poor entertainment.

[Ted Hughes]

Let's see how he gets on v City.

I was looking forwartd to that Juve match too. Bugger. Mind you I imagine Barca are playing this evg. Prob on tv.

I know we're going off topic here but Im not enjoying watching Barca or Real half as much as I used to. Both get every single decision, are full of cheats and moaning fuckers and it's rare to see a decent sporting contest in games involving either of them.

The referees are scared stiff of both of them.

Messi is great to watch but apart from him it's becoming poor entertainment.

Haven't watched as much of them this season as usual so can't really comment. Mourinho is getting closer & closer to ending their domination though (by fair means & foul ) just as many people thought he would.

[blues2win]

What about Mats Hummels? Rated very highly indeed in the Budesliga. Right sort of age at 23. 6 3'' and reportedly has pace. Already racking up caps for the German senior side...

Agree that we need a centre back. Kolo's lost the spring in his legs, Savic is too young/ not good enough, Micah's too short, Ned's not strong enough and also too short and I'm still not sure Lescott is a top class centre back if we're talking european level.

I would also love a young pacy hot prospect winger who can fucking cross the ball but who's prepared to put in a shift defensively. AJ need not apply I'm afraid. It would make such a difference to have him as a plan B when we've got Dzeko around to head them in.

[leewonpen]

In my opinion you need A savage of a centre half and a more cultured centre half. An example of this would be Vidic and a younger/less injury prone Ferdinand. For me Kompany is a mix of a of both. Vidic of a savage and makes alot of last minute tackles. Kompany does this rarely and his decision making is spot on.Therefore no last minute tackles.Apart from this season where at times the defence has been left vunerable. To finish a savage or cultured centre half would do. But they need to be dominant in the air.

[1950]

Ander Herrera you fucking beauty! Bilbao 1 up.

Javi Martinez playing in the centre of defence & looking good so far.

e: Damn, 1-1 Fabregas.

[Nigels Tackle]

i wish we'd gone for phil jones in the summer...

[dbinod]

colochini is the best for us.good international and pl experience.he may even be the first choice cb.a leader as he is captain for newcastle

[chef]

a lot surprise in the press today that ste taylor (newcastle) did not get a call up for england .

[ayrshireblue]

a lot surprise in the press today that ste taylor (newcastle) did not get a call up for england .

Vastly overrated. He's a Bertie Bombscare of a defender who is being well looked after by Coloccini this season. Definitely the Newcastle weak link.

[Ted Hughes]

In my opinion you need A savage of a centre half and a more cultured centre half. An example of this would be Vidic and a younger/less injury prone Ferdinand. For me Kompany is a mix of a of both. Vidic of a savage and makes alot of last minute tackles. Kompany does this rarely and his decision making is spot on.Therefore no last minute tackles.Apart from this season where at times the defence has been left vunerable. To finish a savage or cultured centre half would do. But they need to be dominant in the air.

I think both our regular CB's are a bit one paced. Ideally I'd like to have a rotation of four; the current two plus a more mobile speed merchant (like Kolo used to be) & a total beast who can also play a bit. Pick he right pair for certain games & perhaps play 3 on occasion, (which I think is what Bob has as a secret plan/pet project; to play Savic with those two & train AJ as a kind of wing back. I think he may be dreaming with AJ.

[Yffi_88]

A Daniel van buyten figure wouldn't go amiss. Albeit a younger one!

[Ted Hughes]

A Daniel van buyten figure wouldn't go amiss. Albeit a younger one!

Still don't know what to make of him. I thought he was mostly excellent at City but he was mainly playing with two other CB's so had extra cover. Sometimes he looks fantastic for Bayern but there are moments when he looks very very dodgy indeed.

[Yffi_88]

A Daniel van buyten figure wouldn't go amiss. Albeit a younger one!

Still don't know what to make of him. I thought he was mostly excellent at City but he was mainly playing with two other CB's so had extra cover. Sometimes he looks fantastic for Bayern but there are moments when he looks very very dodgy indeed.

Cant say ive kept up with him of late to be honest but what i remember at city was great. Apparently Bayern use him as an emergency striker too! I would love to see a giant of a defender like him come in to dominate strikers all game every game.

Am i right in thinking we had the option to buy him but couldnt scrape 3mil together to make it happen?

[Ted Hughes]

A Daniel van buyten figure wouldn't go amiss. Albeit a younger one!

Still don't know what to make of him. I thought he was mostly excellent at City but he was mainly playing with two other CB's so had extra cover. Sometimes he looks fantastic for Bayern but there are moments when he looks very very dodgy indeed.

Cant say ive kept up with him of late to be honest but what i remember at city was great. Apparently Bayern use him as an emergency striker too! I would love to see a giant of a defender like him come in to dominate strikers all game every game.

Am i right in thinking we had the option to buy him but couldnt scrape 3mil together to make it happen?

I can't remember for certain but believe it was down to the money being needed for the Robbie Fowler spunkaway fund.

[dazby]

i wish we'd gone for phil jones in the summer...

If only to stop the media wanking over him.

I actually don't think much of him. Granted I don't make a habit of watching rag matches but the ones I've seen have had him responsible for a lot of goals conceded and attempts on goal for him being out of position.

[Yffi_88]

i wish we'd gone for phil jones in the summer...

If only to stop the media wanking over him.

I actually don't think much of him. Granted I don't make a habit of watching rag matches but the ones I've seen have had him responsible for a lot of goals conceded and attempts on goal for him being out of position.

Yep, i dont think he's a complete waste of space but he's in danger of drowning in the typical rag hype. A decent player and definitely one that can push on and on as he gets a bit more experience, but some of his mistakes against teams like Norwich (i think) would have been punished by better sides.

[Scorchio]

Diego Godin is a good defender when I have seen him play internationally. Certainly better than all we have bar Vinnie.

[usedtothespin]

Coloccini would be great, but a bit old already. Great to have a player like him who is strong in the air and has a good tackle (like VK) Jan Vertongen is a great player too, but not a killer (yet). Was one of the biggest reasons Ajax were champions last year. He's struggeling a bit now, but would do great at City. Douglas from FC Twente will do too.