Left Back

[Florida Blue]

Kolerov - out
Boateng - out
Lescott - out
Bridge - looks hurt again



So unless Boateng is fit in time for Sunday, we are looking at what Zab with Cunningham as cover, or are we going to rely on Barry or Kolo to slot over if needed there?

We said we wanted to be two deep everywhere, but FFS we are down to our 5th choice (though Zaba is not a bad 5th).

[Dameerto]

We've still got Barry as emergency leftback, one of the benefits of having so many choices in midfield - it would be a mistake tinkering with our central defender partnership though, leave them as they are.

[Florida Blue]

We have so many options in midfield I reckon our first choice left back would be Barry if all of the above were ruled out.

Infact, It wouldnt suprise me if Zab started LB with Richards at RB.

That was pretty much what I was implying, I was just thing if Zab got hurt, or took a few too many bookings...

[Crossie]

We have 7 options at left back, its quite amazing.

[Moonchesteri]

Kolerov - out
Boateng - out
Lescott - out
Bridge - looks hurt again



So unless Boateng is fit in time for Sunday, we are looking at what Zab with Cunningham as cover, or are we going to rely on Barry or Kolo to slot over if needed there?

We said we wanted to be two deep everywhere, but FFS we are down to our 5th choice (though Zaba is not a bad 5th).

Even if all of those four are out, our back four of Zabba - Vinnie - Kolo - Micah is imo good enough to keep a clean sheet at Wigan.

Imo better to put Zabba as LB than to take Barry out of midfield.

[shawzy]

Could we afford to lose Barry from MF.Hes bulding a good partnership with Yaya..I prefer someone else to drop in at left back

[brite blu sky]

Cunningham would be fine there against wigan.. i'd even throw him in against the mighty Chelsea if it came to a push.

dont flap

[Pretty Boy Lee]

Any word on bridge? I thought he was excellent and his crossing much improved.

[the_georgian_genius]

Any word on bridge? I thought he was excellent and his crossing much improved.

Was it an injury? Thought it was just a standard 60 mins first game back followed by a standard ice on his legs?

[BlueMoonAwoken]

I prefer de jong and yaya in the middle.

[Pretty Boy Lee]

I didn't think it was a knock either. We shall see.

[Florida Blue]

I didn't think it was a knock either. We shall see.

In the player rating MEN put out it mentioned he picked up an injury.

[Dubaimancityfan]

When he was back on the bench and being treated, I saw some blood. So it might be just a cut and he should be Ok for Wigan.

[TheGOAT]

Highlights our strength in depth. And left back is regarded as our weakest position!

[getdressedmctavish]

Bridge looked same old, same old to me, ie a feckin liability.

[Ted Hughes]

Bridge looked same old, same old to me, ie a feckin liability.

Didn't impress me much, I have to say. Thought Lescott looked miles better at actually doing the job of defending at left back & doesn't play as many hopeful/hopeless humps out of defence, straight to the oppo as Bridge tends to do due to being so one footed.

[Pretty Boy Lee]

Bridge looked same old, same old to me, ie a feckin liability.

Didn't impress me much, I have to say. Thought Lescott looked miles better at actually doing the job of defending at left back & doesn't play as many hopeful/hopeless humps out of defence, straight to the oppo as Bridge tends to do due to being so one footed.

lescott looked like a cb playing lb. Bridge actually suited our tactics. Set up the 1st goal as well. Our formation suits fullbacks that are comfortable on the ball, the difference was obvious to me at least.

[Ted Hughes]

Bridge looked same old, same old to me, ie a feckin liability.

Didn't impress me much, I have to say. Thought Lescott looked miles better at actually doing the job of defending at left back & doesn't play as many hopeful/hopeless humps out of defence, straight to the oppo as Bridge tends to do due to being so one footed.

lescott looked like a cb playing lb. Bridge actually suited our tactics. Set up the 1st goal as well. Our formation suits fullbacks that are comfortable on the ball, the difference was obvious to me at least.

I agree Lescott looks like a CB playing LB but imo he can defend wheras Bridge can't & although he may not be quite so keen to go gambling up the field, he can pass the ball to better players with both feet rather than just the one. I think Bridge is deceptively bad on the ball & tends to hack it straight to the opposing team when put under any pressure, as he's scared of changing feet to get out of trouble. Be glad when Kolarov's fit but in the meantime, I'd rather have a defender at LB than Bridge.

[gillie]

Bridge looked same old, same old to me, ie a feckin liability.

Didn't impress me much, I have to say. Thought Lescott looked miles better at actually doing the job of defending at left back & doesn't play as many hopeful/hopeless humps out of defence, straight to the oppo as Bridge tends to do due to being so one footed.

lescott looked like a cb playing lb. Bridge actually suited our tactics. Set up the 1st goal as well. Our formation suits fullbacks that are comfortable on the ball, the difference was obvious to me at least.

I agree Lescott looks like a CB playing LB but imo he can defend wheras Bridge can't & although he may not be quite so keen to go gambling up the field, he can pass the ball to better players with both feet rather than just the one. I think Bridge is deceptively bad on the ball & tends to hack it straight to the opposing team when put under any pressure, as he's scared of changing feet to get out of trouble. Be glad when Kolarov's fit but in the meantime, I'd rather have a defender at LB than Bridge.

I agree Ted.Bridge looks so uncomfortable when the ball is passed to his right foot he tries to move his body round so he gets it on his left foot and 9 times out of 10 a move breaks down or he puts the defence under pressure.

[Tokyo Blue]

Bridge looked same old, same old to me, ie a feckin liability.

Didn't impress me much, I have to say. Thought Lescott looked miles better at actually doing the job of defending at left back & doesn't play as many hopeful/hopeless humps out of defence, straight to the oppo as Bridge tends to do due to being so one footed.

lescott looked like a cb playing lb. Bridge actually suited our tactics. Set up the 1st goal as well. Our formation suits fullbacks that are comfortable on the ball, the difference was obvious to me at least.

I agree Lescott looks like a CB playing LB but imo he can defend wheras Bridge can't & although he may not be quite so keen to go gambling up the field, he can pass the ball to better players with both feet rather than just the one. I think Bridge is deceptively bad on the ball & tends to hack it straight to the opposing team when put under any pressure, as he's scared of changing feet to get out of trouble. Be glad when Kolarov's fit but in the meantime, I'd rather have a defender at LB than Bridge.

I agree Ted.Bridge looks so uncomfortable when the ball is passed to his right foot he tries to move his body round so he gets it on his left foot and 9 times out of 10 a move breaks down or he puts the defence under pressure.

I think expecting Wayne Bridge in his first game for ages (seven months is it?) to be Paolo Maldini is a bit off.

It looks like we are going play with full-backs getting forward while de Jong provides defensive cover. Bridge is alright for this type of system, I think. Dunno about Kolarov, Zabaleta, Boateng, et al. We'll see what happens, I suppose.