Wright or Basham?

[Slim Man]

If you were to line us up with our 'strongest team' who would be in the 5 man backline?

I think most of the back 5 picks itself but this is still up in the air for me. JOC and EEL at the moment are unstoppable for me and I'm assuming most feel the same.

So - say we were to line up in a must win game against a very strong attacking side. Who would play?

I understand why Chris plays Bash - his flexibility means we can change shape without a sub if we're struggling. I just prefer Wright. We've never lost with him on the pitch and there's a big reason for that.

 

[RMBlade]

Basham has done a decent job at CB but you can tell he isn't naturally suited to that position. He makes too many mistakes IMO.

We look a solid unit and unlikely to concede with Wright orchestrating the back line.

 

[SwissBlade]

Wright for me, just prefer him there, but thats not to say that i dislike Basham. He offers a good alternative and is very adaptable.

 

[Lard_Lad]

Basham has been decent but when Wright plays O'connell and EEL look so much better and more confident, Bash doesn't seem to organise them properly Wright does.

 

[IdLiketoRogerMoore]

Basham looks like he's running in treacle and has slightly more pace than my mum and her double hip replacement. He was too slow as a CM and having him at CB is a disaster waiting to happen when/if we come up against a CF with pace. Luckily not too many at this level, so we can get away with it....

 

[wizadry]

Wright for me, it's a no brainer because he is a better CB than Chris Basham.

 

[Jehovah]

Chris Basham for me as CB as his initials are CB which proves he must be better suited.

 

[Pinchy]

Keep it as it is for now. If we go up, the answer will be neither. Tufty will be recruiting for that kingpin position.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Well that's decided then, wright's right and Bash is.......well simply not who you'd want in that position.

 

[Hodgesleftpeg]

Wright for me...


at the start of the season I'd have made him team captain.. I would have made Billy Sharp club captain.

Always prefer centre backs/midfielders as team captain.. easier to bollock majority of players from there!!!

Billy Sharp leads by example anyway.. there was no need to give him that extra responsibility...potentially put more pressure on him..

Shows I know sod all and CW knows what he's doing!!

 

[Boxer Blade]

As others have said when he came in he did well and I would prefer Wright, I am comfortable with bash at centre half, he wins a lot of the ball in the air because of his height but dosnt clear it far or direct well for me. I still think he is better at CH than mid field, great utilty player on the bench for me, but always gives his all so fans are rightly, drawn towards him. Not a bad problem to have compared to last seasons joke at in the CH position.

 

[LenTednTony]

Feel like I am being unfaithful and screwing around but it's Wright for me as well. CB is versatile and gives all he has but at centre back, his all isn't as much as Wright's all.

 

[ThroughThinAndThinner]

Wright is the better CB but Basham is better for the team, so I've put him.

Wright at CB puts EEL out to RCB, whenever I've seen EEL play there he isn't as good as Bash or anywhere near as good as he is in the centre of the three. EEL doesn't get forward as well and if he gets anywhere near the right-wing then opposition players stand off him knowing he can't do anything with it.

That's not to say Bash is amazing at getting forward but he's better than EEL and it allows EEL to play in his best position of the central of 3 CBs. And EEL is better at CCB than Wright.

Tough on Wright but I'd have Bash in ahead of him with this formation.

 

[Balham]

Wright is the better CB but Basham is better for the team, so I've put him.

Wright at CB puts EEL out to RCB, whenever I've seen EEL play there he isn't as good as Bash or anywhere near as good as he is in the centre of the three. EEL doesn't get forward as well and if he gets anywhere near the right-wing then opposition players stand off him knowing he can't do anything with it.

That's not to say Bash is amazing at getting forward but he's better than EEL and it allows EEL to play in his best position of the central of 3 CBs. And EEL is better at CCB than Wright.

Tough on Wright but I'd have Bash in ahead of him with this formation.

I disagree on EEL. He's an attacking CB in that he will always go for the ball when he feels it's there to be won but his judgement is far from perfect. Playing Wright in the middle of the back three allows EEL to attack the ball on the right and O'Connell to do the same on the left knowing that Wright will be in the right place to clear up should they get beaten to the ball. Wright's defensive positioning and awareness of his limitations mean that he's the best option for the central berth.

Case in point: Lapado's attempt on Saturday which came after EEL dropped back then ran into Basham, allowing McKay to nod the ball back to Lapado who brought a decent save out of Moore. That wouldn't have happened with Wright in the team.

EEL at RCB also lets him get forward: he's scored goals in open play which is more likely when he's not the defensive linchpin. He's also got at least one assist from the right wing.

 

[s4-blade]

Wright is the better CB but Basham is better for the team, so I've put him.

Wright at CB puts EEL out to RCB, whenever I've seen EEL play there he isn't as good as Bash or anywhere near as good as he is in the centre of the three. EEL doesn't get forward as well and if he gets anywhere near the right-wing then opposition players stand off him knowing he can't do anything with it.

That's not to say Bash is amazing at getting forward but he's better than EEL and it allows EEL to play in his best position of the central of 3 CBs. And EEL is better at CCB than Wright.

Tough on Wright but I'd have Bash in ahead of him with this formation.

EEL can't do anything with it? Have you not seen the balls he plays through when he steps into the midfield? What about the cross and assist for Lavery the other week?

 

[Ricky]

Basham most of the time in this division. We gain a lot with him in the team.

But for a play off final for example? Very very tough choice. But you simply couldn't see Basham being left out.

If EEL can get more comfortable playing in the middle of the three it will make the choice easier.

 

[alcoblade]

Basham - until he or we lose it.

The ability to step in to numerous positions allows us to change formations without the need for a substitute. I accept he's limited, but I do feel he brings other things to the team that he doesn't get enough credit for.

UTB

 

[PokerBlade]

My preference is toward Wright but I don't think Basham has done anything to deserve dropping and his versatility in switching formation is something Wilder utilises very well so I'd still keep things as they are and a chance for him will come soon enough with an injury or suspension. Things could all change in the transfer window anyway.

 

[ThroughThinAndThinner]

EEL can't do anything with it? Have you not seen the balls he plays through when he steps into the midfield? What about the cross and assist for Lavery the other week?

Not saying he cant pass the ball but in an attacking position I'd have Basham over EEL (I know RCB ain't an attacking position per-se...just ref on the pitch). Had forgotten the cross in fairness, just remember games (Bury being a prime example), where EEL ended up on the wing (or at least coming forwards on the right more) a lot and it came to nothing, Basham in that position I couldn't help but fell could've offered something more.

 

[snootyfenooty]

Basham is a match-saver rather than a match-winner.

United are really a lightweight team and without much physical presence apart from him and EEL. We would be steamrollered in many games without either of them. With both at the back not many teams are going to out-muscle them. Midfield is also better with Basham in the mix as Fleck, Coutts, Duffy, Scougall and co. are far too lightweight.

The manager has him in the core of the team as first pick and that's good enough for me.

 

[Tyler Durden]

I really can't see any worth in having Basham in a starting line-up. He's a weak liability in a defensive position, prone to getting bullied and outmuscled, and his success rate in tackling is mixed at best.
In midfield he tends to kill all forward momentum when on the ball.

Wright is simply the best defender we have.

 

[Boxer Blade]

Basham is a match-saver rather than a match-winner.

United are really a lightweight team and without much physical presence apart from him and EEL. We would be steamrollered in many games without either of them. With both at the back not many teams are going to out-muscle them. Midfield is also better with Basham in the mix as Fleck, Coutts, Duffy, Scougall and co. are far too lightweight.

The manager has him in the core of the team as first pick and that's good enough for me.

As much as I appreciate what basham can bring he doesn't for me bring any physical presence in midfield or at the back, and I really do not see how the midfield is better with him in the mix, last season for instance we were continually steamrollered in midfield when he was a regular player, not having a go just my opinion.

 

[coolhandluke]

Basham for me on form alone .

When Wright was fit after injury I thought he'd be straight back in in place of Basham but Wilder stuck with Basham .

In the last 3 league games we've scored 8 and conceded 1 . Proof if any was needed just why Wilder stuck with the back 5 that he did . Man management wise too Wilder's doing what he said he'd do ..... stick with the players who didn't let him down .

 

[LoughboroBlade]

It's a tough call at the minute because the unfortunate reality for the Bashers is that he's actually been better than EEL and at times JOC in recent weeks. My preference is generally for Wright ahead of him though because despite Basham himself doing well of late the defence as a whole seems better marshalled. Dropping Basham now suddenly would be in spite of his recent performances, not due to.

 

[Broomhall Blade]

Basham for the versatility he offers.
When Bash plays Wilder can change the system without using substitutions.
Most undervalued member of our side.

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Can't complain about Basham being in there, not at all. He's having a very good, consistent season. But O'Connell's rapidly becoming undroppable, EEL's not perfect but he sets the tone with his aggression & dominance, & Wright is incredibly unlucky not to be back in the side - he was immaculate before he got injured. O'Connell-Wright-EEL as the best combo for me.

 

[Balham]

I really can't see any worth in having Basham in a starting line-up. He's a weak liability in a defensive position, prone to getting bullied and outmuscled, and his success rate in tackling is mixed at best.
In midfield he tends to kill all forward momentum when on the ball.

Just putting this here.

At the same time I'm seeing other players who have contributed a great deal this season being either slagged off or damned with faint praise. Two pet hates of mine are undeserved criticism and undue praise....a more balanced and honest assessment from others wouldn't go amiss.

Is Basham the best player on the books? No. Is he the best midfielder? No. Is he the best defender? No. Is he the most versatile defensive player? Almost certainly. Does he put a shift in? Yes. Anyway, if he was as bad as you're making out he'd be in the reserves.

 

[Tyler Durden]

Just putting this here.



Is Basham the best player on the books? No. Is he the best midfielder? No. Is he the best defender? No. Is he the most versatile defensive player? Almost certainly. Does he put a shift in? Yes. Anyway, if he was as bad as you're making out he'd be in the reserves.

There can't be much undeserved criticism there. You've 90% agreed with me for a start. All you've done is point out his ability to be sub-standard in more than one position.

 

[Gin&Juice]

Its a nice situation compared to the last 2 seasons... Collins, Jay Mc, Magahey etc.

 

[Caseh]

While I personally prefer Wright, playing Basham at the back isn't exactly causing us to leak goals. Anyway, we wanted a Manager to pick players on form - That would mean Basham stays in IMO. Whatever the decision Wilder makes though, he's shown enough already to back it.