Enda Stevens

[INTERUNITED]

That should be his last game at centre back. He's being (rightly) targeted by every team we play and looks woefully inadequate there. Not sure who we can play there, as Robinson is poor as well, but for me it has to be a proper centre half. Max Lowe weakens us at left back as well, so need Enda back there (even though he's been average for a while). The left sided centre half position has to sorted in January, or we'll be certs for relegation.

 

[LS16Blade]

I'm afraid that Wilder has fallen into the mistake that some other managers have, over the years.

Having been unfortunately weakened in one part of his back 5 by losing JOC, he has then compounded it himself by weakening a second part of his defence. If you lose one, do not disrupt it further by shifting another one of your 5 out of position. All that tends to do, is leave you with 2 weakened positions. Injuries should be catered for by a like-for-like change. Just bring someone into left centre-half. Leave the other 4 in their usual places.

Blackwell used to make this mistake often, as did Clough. I thought Wilder had more oil in his lamp.

 

[GreasyChipBeattie]

Isn't Jags a centre half

 

[Ginger Gnome]

Stevens at centre back isn't the worst thing Wilder has done, Robinson isn't a proper central defender either, contributed nothing going forward and was a liability defensively, so trying something else made sense and it's not like Stevens was playing well in his normal position. Unfortunately Stevens offers nothing going forward and is a liability defensively, compounded by how abysmal Lowe was today.

Other than those two we have Jagielka, Ampadu or Bryan who could play there, none of which are perfect fits for the role and you still have the problem of Stevens playing like crap at wingback. It's an obvious area to target regardless of who plays there, although based on all the games so far, Stevens at LCB, Osborn at LWB was probably the least bad combination.

 

[Whiston Blade]

Isn't Jags a centre half

Nah he’s a goalkeeper mate.

 

[Kevincarterversion2.0]

Absolutely agree. Stevens at centre back needs to stop. I dont rate Robinson but at least he is more natural to that position. Lowe has shown he isnt not yet PL standard, so move Stevens back to LWB.

Ideally, we would have improved on Stevens in the transfer window, but CW decided to sign Lowe.

 

[TONY_TONY_AGANA]

Enda has been poor at LWB for the last few months, and even worse since moving to LCB.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Enda has been poor since we returned, not too hot so far on Max either. We are certainly very weak down the left side (you could throw Lunny/Osborn into that as well)

 

[CaptainMorgans]

I don't think we have a better alternative.

 

[robbiez666]

He has been poor but he's been given little help from the LWB or the LCM.

I think we have to play Ampadu there. Chris goes on about balance and square pegs in round holes but is happy to play Lunny at LCM. We're not playing overlapping CBs anymore. Not really. Certainly not down the left.

 

[Rochdaleblade]

I would be happy for any fucker who can head the ball to play lcb. The lack of a signing to replace JOC was mystifying at the time. Surely there must have been better options than playing full backs out of position.

 

[Rochdaleblade]

I forgot about Ampadu. Decent shout.

 

[blade789]

I would be happy for any fucker who can head the ball to play lcb. The lack of a signing to replace JOC was mystifying at the time. Surely there must have been better options than playing full backs out of position.

Hard one with having cover for JOC, a left footed CB who could replace JOC wouldn’t sign for united when JOC is for because he would have offers from other clubs where he would play week in week out. He’s so good and left footed it was always going to be extremely difficult to cover without spending massive money and we wouldn’t (and shouldn’t) spend that on cover.

 

[Rochdaleblade]

Hard one with having cover for JOC, a left footed CB who could replace JOC wouldn’t sign for united when JOC is for because he would have offers from other clubs where he would play week in week out. He’s so good and left footed it was always going to be extremely difficult to cover without spending massive money and we wouldn’t (and shouldn’t) spend that on cover.

I agree but surely there are players in the championship who could do a better job, e.g. Cooper or Davies.

 

[blade789]

Davies at Preston? Do you know how much money they wanted for him? You wouldn’t have wanted us to pay it mate honestly.

 

[SHOREHAMST.com]

Osborn in midfield at this level is criminal. Him and Enda to battle it out for LWB. Lowe clearly not ready.

We need a solution to LCB and quickly. Robinson is a liability. Which only leaves an untested Bryan or a right-footed Ampadu. we need Fleck back and the version of him that drives us up the pitch. Him and Enda hopefully rekindle some understanding and the chosen LCB watches YouTube videos of JOC on repeat and quickly adapts and gets involved.

 

[bromtom]

Enda is out of the upcoming RoI games, assume something to do with the knock he got at Stamford Bridge.

Hopefully nothing serious and we have him at Shirecliffe for 2 weeks of training.

Would be nice if Ramsdale and Brewster withdrew too if they're off with the yoof, it's not as important as staying up.

 

[Champagneblade]

When you've just shipped 4 goals, most of them self inflicted I'd say the question is not so much can they overlap, but can they defend? Can they defend, specifically against crosses into the box?

Lowe - not ready to start crucial games. May well be usurped by RND.

Robinson - ok sub, ok cup performer, costs us a goal per game when he plays in the league and his tackling is a red card waiting to happen.

Stevens - struggling a bit since lockdown. Could possibly be injured.

So potentially none of the above.

For LWB I'd go for Osborn. He did a very decent job away at Liverpool and if the Lunny situation hadn't escalated, then he would have been continuing there in my view. So for me, he starts the next game there. He's also naturally left footed.

That leaves two slots to salvage the left hand side.

It's then a question of where you slot Ampadu, who seems comfortable on either even if he is right footed.

1. He plays at LCB and you then have Lundstram at LCM.

2. He plays LCM and someone else plays LCB.

For me, I'd play him and Norwood as 2 deeper midfielders and Berge a licence to maraud forward in more of a number 8 type role. Lundstram would probably be my first sub to keep the energy levels up.

Given the type of opposition coming up, Norwood's passing can be key in such games but we do need to be robust defensively.

I'd play Jagielka left centre back and set aside some of the overlapping expectations. He's played in a two for plenty of years so robust enough defensively, he's very experienced at the highest level and we simply have to stop crosses into the box being such a danger.

The only other options are Keen Bryan and Jack Rodwell. God knows how much we are paying these two to make up the numbers in training, but with limited options in both defence and midfield neither seems near at all.

Ramsdale
Basham Egan Jagielka
Baldock Norwood Ampadu Osborn
Berge
McGoldrick Brewster

 

[Sean Thornton]

Isn't Jags a centre half

Not these days.

 

[CoatesyBlade]

When you've just shipped 4 goals, most of them self inflicted I'd say the question is not so much can they overlap, but can they defend? Can they defend, specifically against crosses into the box?

Lowe - not ready to start crucial games. May well be usurped by RND.

Robinson - ok sub, ok cup performer, costs us a goal per game when he plays in the league and his tackling is a red card waiting to happen.

Stevens - struggling a bit since lockdown. Could possibly be injured.

So potentially none of the above.

For LWB I'd go for Osborn. He did a very decent job away at Liverpool and if the Lunny situation hadn't escalated, then he would have been continuing there in my view. So for me, he starts the next game there. He's also naturally left footed.

That leaves two slots to salvage the left hand side.

It's then a question of where you slot Ampadu, who seems comfortable on either even if he is right footed.

1. He plays at LCB and you then have Lundstram at LCM.

2. He plays LCM and someone else plays LCB.

For me, I'd play him and Norwood as 2 deeper midfielders and Berge a licence to maraud forward in more of a number 8 type role. Lundstram would probably be my first sub to keep the energy levels up.

Given the type of opposition coming up, Norwood's passing can be key in such games but we do need to be robust defensively.

I'd play Jagielka left centre back and set aside some of the overlapping expectations. He's played in a two for plenty of years so robust enough defensively, he's very experienced at the highest level and we simply have to stop crosses into the box being such a danger.

The only other options are Keen Bryan and Jack Rodwell. God knows how much we are paying these two to make up the numbers in training, but with limited options in both defence and midfield neither seems near at all.

Ramsdale
Basham Egan Jagielka
Baldock Norwood Ampadu Osborn
Berge
McGoldrick Brewster

I like this thinking. For me we have to bring back the No.10 role and offer more going forward. I like the idea of Berge in this role. I also agree that Osborn is the best LWB option at the minute.
For me I think we have to play our best players at the club in their best positions. Something I don’t feel like we’ve been doing lately. There will be a few eyebrows raised at the mention of Jags in the LCB role I’m sure. But I would genuinely be happy and excited to see your line up announced pre match against West Ham. It looks stronger right from the get go!

 

[William]

Think the best we’ve looked on the left this season was Liverpool when Osborn played there. I’d go with that again.

 

[ZxyBlade]

Could it be that no fleck and no joc make us realise how good enda actually is. Personally feel Osborne has played the best at left back. Woukd surely be best with ampadu in at cb for now. Main problem for me is we haven't had a settled side at all this season. We desperately need another in midfield and another center back.

 

[lakedistblade]

Enda is out of the upcoming RoI games, assume something to do with the knock he got at Stamford Bridge.

Hopefully nothing serious and we have him at Shirecliffe for 2 weeks of training.

Would be nice if Ramsdale and Brewster withdrew too if they're off with the yoof, it's not as important as staying up.

If Eagan gets injured during this break we are well and truly f*cked

 

[Farnboroughblade]

Read somewhere he's been withdrawn from all 3 national games. At least that's one we can wrap up in cotton wool for the next fortnight.

 

[Farnboroughblade]

Oops! Sorry, didn't read earlier threads.

 

[Bladesman]

Enda is out of the upcoming RoI games, assume something to do with the knock he got at Stamford Bridge.

Hopefully nothing serious and we have him at Shirecliffe for 2 weeks of training.

Would be nice if Ramsdale and Brewster withdrew too if they're off with the yoof, it's not as important as staying up.

All the players could do withdrawing from international duty with a knock.

 

[bromtom]

All the players could do withdrawing from international duty with a knock.

Indeed, but I get why proud Irishmen like Egan want to represent their country, but Under 21 internationals can get in the bin. Clubs should be able to overrule them if we need the players.

 

[dillis]

Why the fuck didn’t we sign a left sided centre half when we knew JOC was out for the season! Stevens and Lowe looked so far out of their depth on Sunday it was painful to watch.

 

[Lane Ender]

Recall Norrington-Davies from Luton

 

[bonobo]

I think our defence has been, our bread and butter. If it's working we will pick up points. So maybe imbalanced or not, Ampadu should go in. Stevens has been class for long enough, I won't write him off on current form, but maybe a run for Osborn at LWB. For his limitations, Osborn is a fighter, doesn't let his head drop or hide.