Davey back to Chelsea

[1973Blade]

The Star has confirmed that Alex Davey has returned to Chelsea following his recent trial with us. The search for another defender continues.

 

[Barney]

Chris dropped a bollock not going for Nelson.

 

[Ricky]

Chris dropped a bollock not going for Nelson.

I think we dropped a bollock not getting Beevers while we could. Even if it meant possibly going with two left footed centre backs.

 

[Grizzly blade]

I have no problem at all with us looking at clubs like Chelsea for centre halves deemed not good enough or ready at 19-23 for top of the premier league.

Would rather we looked at them than Beevers. And there will be a lot to choose from too.

Search continues then.....time for Mr Mitchell to earn his wages.

 

[Barney]

I think we dropped a bollock not getting Beevers while we could. Even if it meant possibly going with two left footed centre backs.

Agreed. He would have been a far more suitable left footed centre half than Wilson.

We could have had O'Connell, Nelson, Beevers and Wright. 2 left footers, 2 right.

 

[Ricky]

Agreed. He would have been a far more suitable left footed centre half than Wilson.

We could have had O'Connell, Nelson, Beevers and Wright. 2 left footers, 2 right.

O'Connell's a left footer.

I would've probably signed Beevers first, tried for McFadzean, then if that was proving difficult move quickly for O'Connell instead - another left footer but a good prospect who I'd have been very happy to sign regardless.

Most ideal would've probably been McFadzean and O'Connell, and that's what we tried for, but it was always going to be tricky with McFadzean and on a free transfer I would've wanted to secure Beevers early on. Value wise Beevers and O'Connell would've actually been the best.

 

[Barney]

O'Connell's a left footer.

I would've probably signed Beevers first, tried for McFadzean, then if that was proving difficult move quickly for O'Connell instead - another left footer but a good prospect who I'd have been very happy to sign regardless.

Most ideal would've probably been McFadzean and O'Connell, and that's what we tried for, but it was always going to be tricky with McFadzean and on a free transfer I would've wanted to secure Beevers early on. Value wise Beevers and O'Connell would've actually been the best.

Yep sorry that's me getting mixed up between Wright and Wilson.

It's Wright who's the left footer, personally I wouldn't have gone for either of them.

I'm not sure two left footed first teamers would've been the way to go.

Beevers would have definitely been a better option than Wright though.

 

[Balham]

Yep sorry that's me getting mixed up between Wright and Wilson.

It's Wright who's the left footer, personally I wouldn't have gone for either of them.

I'm not sure two left footed first teamers would've been the way to go.

Beevers would have definitely been a better option than Wright though.

Beevers would have been a better option that Wright but he'd have be wanting to be first choice while Wright is happy to start as a backup. We've got O'Connell for that role; is Beevers better than O'Connell?

 

[Treeton Blade]

Beevers would have been a better option that Wright but he'd have be wanting to be first choice while Wright is happy to start as a backup. We've got O'Connell for that role; is Beevers better than O'Connell?

Once we got O Connell, any interest in Beevers/Killa cooled.

Brought O Connell in to play games, paid a decent fee, and he is a young lad who needs to be playing games, and is why he joined us.
Wright will be the left sided cover.

IMO because of the way Wilson has played, and by all accounts done well in training, Wilder feels he deserves a run in the side.
Not going to know until a few games in, but he has impressed everyone at the club.

Still need cover, and someone to compete for the right sided slot, but the shirt is Wilson`s to lose, which wasn`t the plan when we bought him.
Very much thought McFadzean was signing at that stage.

 

[Barney]

Beevers would have been a better option that Wright but he'd have be wanting to be first choice while Wright is happy to start as a backup. We've got O'Connell for that role; is Beevers better than O'Connell?

You can't always promise players first choice positions. More often than not players are willing to accept the challenge of fighting for their position in a first eleven.

 

[wesleysnipesmen]

Is it just me that doesn't care whether our centre backs are left or right footed? I get it with the attacking players in terms of having different options for set piece takers and the options of inside forward/wingers etc, but does it really matter for CB's?

 

[sheffielder]

Chris dropped a bollock not going for Nelson.

Who is this nelson you talk about?

 

[sheffielder]

Is it just me that doesn't care whether our centre backs are left or right footed? I get it with the attacking players in terms of having different options for set piece takers and the options of inside forward/wingers etc, but does it really matter for CB's?

Would you like two left footed cbs? The problem is because lefties are at a premium they are brought up playing left side so when they play right it's completely different

 

[Bergen Blade]

Is it just me that doesn't care whether our centre backs are left or right footed? I get it with the attacking players in terms of having different options for set piece takers and the options of inside forward/wingers etc, but does it really matter for CB's?

Wilder is pretty clear on wanting one right and one left footer, which means fans have to "accept" that rule when discussing who's going to play there. As it's more common to be right footed, right footed centre halves haven't always had a left footed partner, meaning they've been forced to adapt to playing on the left. Left footers usually have a right footed partner and are therefore played on the left.

When we play it out from the back, it's more and more common that the full backs push forward to be a part (later on) of the attack that starts with a centre half. The opposition left winger will often follow. A right sided centre half will therefore find more space on the right side of the pitch, which means he can pass it forward with less pressure. I think this is the main advantage.

 

[Barney]

Who is this nelson you talk about?

Curtis Nelson, ex-Plymouth centre half.

 

[sheffielder]

Curtis Nelson, ex-Plymouth centre half.

Never heard you mention him before... So who does he play for now?

 

[Barney]

Never heard you mention him before... So who does he play for now?

I have. Oxford.

 

[sheffielder]

I have. Oxford.

Oxford? Would have thought that he should go somewhere bigger, maybe charlton millwall Bolton etc why only Oxford?

 

[Barney]

Oxford? Would have thought that he should go somewhere bigger, maybe charlton millwall Bolton etc why only Oxford?

Not sure, it was a big surprise to most. He was fully expected to move to a club like us, or like the ones you mention if not a championship side. Possibly didn't fancy moving too far north?

 

[Bergen Blade]

I have no problem at all with us looking at clubs like Chelsea for centre halves deemed not good enough or ready at 19-23 for top of the premier league.

Agree, but from doing a bit of research, it seems that Davey is far from good enough, at least at the moment. The likes of Sean McGinty and Jasper Johns shows that even the top rated academies have a few squad fillers.

 

[Antonb]

I thought Wilson had a good game against Derby, didn't do anything wrong, and probably deserves his chance starting the season.

 

[ThroughThinAndThinner]

Agree, but from doing a bit of research, it seems that Davey is far from good enough, at least at the moment. The likes of Sean McGinty and Jasper Johns shows that even the top rated academies have a few squad fillers.

There's a difference between 'looking at' and 'signing' though. Thankfully we're doing the former before the latter with young 'uns nowadays.

 

[Ricky]

Wilder is pretty clear on wanting one right and one left footer, which means fans have to "accept" that rule when discussing who's going to play there. As it's more common to be right footed, right footed centre halves haven't always had a left footed partner, meaning they've been forced to adapt to playing on the left. Left footers usually have a right footed partner and are therefore played on the left.

When we play it out from the back, it's more and more common that the full backs push forward to be a part (later on) of the attack that starts with a centre half. The opposition left winger will often follow. A right sided centre half will therefore find more space on the right side of the pitch, which means he can pass it forward with less pressure. I think this is the main advantage.

I also think most players prefer tackling with their stronger side when dragged into wide areas. Another thing is simply clearing the ball, if heading towards the touchline on his weaker foot a player will often just give away a throw, or sometimes hesitate and make a McEveley style mistake, but if it's on his stronger foot the ball will be convincingly cleared up the pitch. There was a good example of this when O'Connell had to cover the right side against Derby.

 

[Grizzly blade]

Centre halves are expected to be able to use both feet these days, with their weaker foot being at least as capable of doing the basics as their favoured foot.
Positional wise, what Bergen says though is true. Left footed players being rarer are spot balled all the time for the left side which IMHO is expected and probably relevant for the full back.
But at centre half, it's more important to be good talkers and organisers than being right footed on the right side etc.

As long as they talk to each other, help each other out, win their tackles/headers and organise the side in our own half then I don't care which foot they prefer to kick it with.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Not sure, it was a big surprise to most. He was fully expected to move to a club like us, or like the ones you mention if not a championship side. Possibly didn't fancy moving too far north?

Oxford have lost Roofe and O'Dowda, but seems to have signed some very decent players and look quite strong on paper. Maybe this season's surprise team?

 

[Grizzly blade]

Agree, but from doing a bit of research, it seems that Davey is far from good enough, at least at the moment. The likes of Sean McGinty and Jasper Johns shows that even the top rated academies have a few squad fillers.

Quite right sir. They have been released generally because they are not good enough. However premier sides wanting to keep a lad who's early twenties suggests they have something about them. However they need to be playing, so getting these lads out to lower leagues is the answer.

 

[Barney]

Oxford have lost Roofe and O'Dowda, but seems to have signed some very decent players and look quite strong on paper. Maybe this season's surprise team?

Just had a look through their signings and you're right, some very promising ones in there.

On that basis you'd have to have them down as a surprise package. Them and Scunthorpe.

 

[finlaytheblade]

I thought Wilson had a good game against Derby, didn't do anything wrong, and probably deserves his chance starting the season.

Agreed Antony nice to have a centre
back with pace,a necessary ingredient when playing a high line.
An under achiever according to our manager so I expect good things from him.

 

[wesleysnipesmen]

Would you like two left footed cbs? The problem is because lefties are at a premium they are brought up playing left side so when they play right it's completely different

Doesn't bother me what footed they are, I just don't agree with discounting central players because of what footed they are.

Wilder is pretty clear on wanting one right and one left footer, which means fans have to "accept" that rule when discussing who's going to play there. As it's more common to be right footed, right footed centre halves haven't always had a left footed partner, meaning they've been forced to adapt to playing on the left. Left footers usually have a right footed partner and are therefore played on the left.

When we play it out from the back, it's more and more common that the full backs push forward to be a part (later on) of the attack that starts with a centre half. The opposition left winger will often follow. A right sided centre half will therefore find more space on the right side of the pitch, which means he can pass it forward with less pressure. I think this is the main advantage.

Fair point about lefties not being adapted to playing on the right, but why would the opposition left winger often follow as oppose to the right winger?

 

[ThroughThinAndThinner]

Doesn't bother me what footed they are, I just don't agree with discounting central players because of what footed they are.

Id imagine if we want a right-sided centre back then the scouts would look at players who can play there, so Beevers wouldn't be discounted because he's left-footed, rather the scouts didn't think he played well there...or they never saw him play there and didn't want to be the club to gamble playing him there. That's how I'd hope it would work anyway. Kinda like the whole "if you're good enough you're old enough" argument, one would hope players are signed/not on merit for playing a certain position as opposed to their foot/age/etc.