centre backs

[Colin the King]

Personally, I'd go with Richards, Dunne, Touré and Bridge against the likes of Blackburn/Stoke/Bolton and switch it around a little when playing the footballing sides with Zabaleta, Ned, Touré and Bridge at the back. Obviously that's not cast in stone because Richards for example could play a blinder one week and Hughes couldn't justify taking him out, regardless of the opposition- but it's nice to have options anyway.

[Arnason]

I think, like most of you guys, that Ned and Toure should be in CB, but Dunne seems to be working harder, he knows that there are competisions about positions and there are trying to get one more in, I think it´s good.
About Lescott and buying on new CB, I think it has taken too mutch time! I would love to see Samba! He is a monster, big, strong, great header! I think he would do great!

[mcfc1632]

I have been underwhelmed with Bridge. I thought he was shocking at Rangers.
He is hopelessly weak in the air, but more worryingly, never actually seems to stop anybody by tackling or intercepting passes. Like I say though I thought he was much improved v Blackburn. I hope I'm wrong and he has a great season, but he troubles me.

It depends who is in front of him on the left - when he is playing behind Petrov he has to do so much work it's not surprising he gets caught out a few times (due to Petrov's total lack of defensive effort) - if he has some support he can concentrate on his own role rather than trying to 'fire-fight' covering someone elses' arse. He has been impressive this preseason all things considered, and put in another solid effort on Saturday. You watch, he will really shine when he gets the time and space to play as an attacking fullback.

Spot on - defensive areas shoud be a unit

I am not sure our other LBs were that bad - playing behind Rob and Petrov is bound to leave any LB exposed - with 2 or 3 opposition players marauding - if we get Lescott, then consider Bridge, Lescott and Barry - with de jong also moving across to provide cover - that will allow Bridge to be an attacking LB - we need that because I think our formation / strategy will need the FBs to provide width / crosses.

That is why ~i am very concerned re Micah at RB ( he cannot cross a ball or get past players) - I would much prefer Zab (or a new specialist RB) behind Toure, Stevie and again with de jong moving across