Kyle Bartley

[Flatulent_Bob]

I think we need them all to be honest our squad isn't big enough to be loaning out young players who are on the brink of the first team. I think Lowton is in blackwells plans this season but don't forget we need back up.

Centre Half: Nos, Morgs, Bartley, Ertl
Right fullback: Nos, Kozzy, Ertl, trailist?

Where do you think we are short Dave where Lawton might get a game?

This was my point when he signed Kozzy. I'd rather have Lowton on the bench than him but if Kozzy is there Blackwell obviously considers him over the youngster.

 

[LouTheBlade]

Centre Half: Nos, Morgs, Bartley, Ertl
Right fullback: Nos, Kozzy, Ertl, trailist?

Where do you think we are short Dave where Lawton might get a game?

This was my point when he signed Kozzy. I'd rather have Lowton on the bench than him but if Kozzy is there Blackwell obviously considers him over the youngster.

I think this is where the difficult balancing act comes in. Its a delicate situation IMO and despite the options we have I would personally be loathed to send Lowton out on loan. When we think about what happened last season we need as many bodies as possible and I think Lowton could possibly be considered for right back instead of signing a trialist.

Lowton has the opportunity to get games here purely on his ability to play several positions. I wouldnt loan him out personally. I understand Jim's point in that he would gain valuable experience, but I think he's good enough to challenge for a place here and would benefit more from learning how we go about things day to day at our own club.

I think we can afford to carry all the defenders we have and judging from our success rate with injuries we'll need all of them. If they do loan him out I hope they would insist on a recall option. If we release a player for loan it should be on our terms not the receiving club!

 

[Balham]

Centre Half: Nos, Morgs, Bartley, Ertl
Right fullback: Nos, Kozzy, Ertl, trailist?

Where do you think we are short Dave where Lawton might get a game?

This was my point when he signed Kozzy. I'd rather have Lowton on the bench than him but if Kozzy is there Blackwell obviously considers him over the youngster.

Surely if we send Lowton out on loan we could put the dreaded recall clause in? Then it definitely is a win-win: he gets games in a competitive league and we can recall him if we get an injury at the back.

Personally, I'd rather see Lowton at RB than Nosworthy (I can't think of any CBs who look comfortable at FB) but given how Blackwell sees things, that's probably the best way forward.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I'd agree if we are going to start with him at right back. If he need taking out for a while we could always shift Nos across and put Bartley in at centre half when fit.

 

[davidpinder]

Centre Half: Nos, Morgs, Bartley, Ertl
Right fullback: Nos, Kozzy, Ertl, trailist?

Where do you think we are short Dave where Lawton might get a game?

This was my point when he signed Kozzy. I'd rather have Lowton on the bench than him but if Kozzy is there Blackwell obviously considers him over the youngster.

I'd hope at RB bob with koz as back up. I think ertl will be used in the middle and the rest at CB. They can't all fit but i can see blackie rotating depending on who and where we are playing. I hope Lowton will play in a lot of home games getting forward.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I wouldn't disagree but you can see my point, he either starts as our first choice right back or go out on loan. No point having him sat on the bench behind one of the trailists or (heaven help us) Kozzy. If Blackie doesn't sign up a trailist then keep him as first choice, if he does then loan him out.

 

[davidpinder]

I wouldn't disagree but you can see my point, he either starts as our first choice right back or go out on loan. No point having him sat on the bench behind one of the trailists or (heaven help us) Kozzy. If Blackie doesn't sign up a trailist then keep him as first choice, if he does then loan him out.

Yes see your point, it wouldn't even surprise me if McCabe see him as the next chance to sell a young star for a few million.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Well that will depend on him/his agent engineering a move. If we can get a Premiership team to overpay as they did for Walker and Naughton then fair enough. If someone wants to throw £5 Million at us as they did after one season for Kyle N it would enable us to buy both Walker and Naughton back. We'd probably get change too.

 

[LouTheBlade]

I wouldn't disagree but you can see my point, he either starts as our first choice right back or go out on loan. No point having him sat on the bench behind one of the trailists or (heaven help us) Kozzy. If Blackie doesn't sign up a trailist then keep him as first choice, if he does then loan him out.

You know what? I'm starting to think lets forget the trialists, play Lowton at right back and look to sign a left footed winger instead. I still think we need one, as well as Yeates did on sunday.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

My biggest concerns going into the season is the wide spots. I'm not convinced on Yeates (its very early days) and think Ward has plenty to prove.
I just don't buy into this myth that Wardy is some sort of world beater even at our level. As with Walker last season the lad has potential but so much to learn.

 

[Balham]

My biggest concerns going into the season is the wide spots. I'm not convinced on Yeates (its very early days) and think Ward has plenty to prove.
I just don't buy into this myth that Wardy is some sort of world beater even at our level. As with Walker last season the lad has potential but so much to learn.

I agree. He's also got some conditioning work to do as he seems to be forever picking up injuries.

 

[Pinchy]

Surely if we send Lowton out on loan we could put the dreaded recall clause in? Then it definitely is a win-win: he gets games in a competitive league and we can recall him if we get an injury at the back.

Personally, I'd rather see Lowton at RB than Nosworthy (I can't think of any CBs who look comfortable at FB) but given how Blackwell sees things, that's probably the best way forward.

Noz made his name as a very good right-back at Gillingham. It was his prowess in that position that persuaded Sunderland to take him. He has played many more games at right-back than centre-back!

In truth a centre-back pairing of Noz and Morgs is simply too short for the demands of modern football (neither is over 6ft. tall and it shows against big opponents). Bartley, at the latter end of his loan spell, began to show us why he is an Arsenal defender and will only get better. He is 6-4, athletic and can play football. He will, I think, blossom in the next 12 months.

The solution, to me, is simple. Noz, Morgs, Bart, Dicko - Not a bad abbreviated back four!

 

[Jim Chimmerney]

Noz made his name as a very good right-back at Gillingham. It was his prowess in that position that persuaded Sunderland to take him. He has played many more games at right-back than centre-back!

In truth a centre-back pairing of Noz and Morgs is simply too short for the demands of modern football (neither is over 6ft. tall and it shows against big opponents). Bartley, at the latter end of his loan spell, began to show us why he is an Arsenal defender and will only get better. He is 6-4, athletic and can play football. He will, I think, blossom in the next 12 months.

The solution, to me, is simple. Noz, Morgs, Bart, Dicko - Not a bad abbreviated back four!

I agree yet in his post signing interview, KB said Nyron's future was at CB which clouds the issue somewhat. That back four would also allow Lowton a permanent place on the bench (at worst) where he would also be cover on the right hand side when Wardy gets injured.

 

[LouTheBlade]

In truth a centre-back pairing of Noz and Morgs is simply too short for the demands of modern football (neither is over 6ft. tall and it shows against big opponents).

Chris Morgan - 6'1" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Morgan_(footballer)

Nyron Nosworthy - 6'0" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyron_Nosworthy

They're big enough IMO. You dont need to be goliath to play centre half. Ive been a centre back for most of my playing days and enjoyed great success there at only 5'11" - Ive played against some big fookers as well and I generally win the ball in the air more often than not. Its all about timing and technique with winning headers. Extra height only gives you an advantage if you are better at both than the person you're playing against.

This is not to be argumentative, I just dont agree with that theory - although a lot of people would agree with you.

The best example of what I'm saying is Fabio Cannavaro. One of Europe's all time greats and only 5'9" but admittedly he doesnt play in the Championship. Interesting debate this though!