DominanceUK wrote:Is Nathan Collins an upgrade on our current CB's? No. I don't want him, I would like to see Cresswell given an opportunity instead
I tend to agree and although some will argue our goals conceded suggest we need to strengthen our CBs.
However in the modern game defending is a team job and all too often our CBs got left exposed and outnumbered when the rest of the team bombed forward and then gave the ball away cheaply. Any CBs would (or should struggle) with 3 players coming at 2 of them.
Also take out Kalvin out leaves them relieved of what little protection they get (although Forshaw did well).
Initially JM tried to improve things by playing our wingers narrow but that left us exposed on the flanks imho.
The solution as much as different formations is better quality that can hold the ball up and not give it away, play sloppy passes when we have numbers forward (that's the real problem). BA may be part of that solution.
Some will point to set pieces but think the issue is CBs its difficult when you have only 2 or 3 6 footers marking 5 or 6 players that height. The issue is exaggerated with not having Paddy to help out and smaller players taking the role.
Compare us to Burnley where the whole team is set up to get behind the ball and not to concede and hope to snatch one from a set piece due to filling the team with big players.
Maybe that is a over exaggeration to Burnley but think their set up is based more on survival than competing, despite the poor season we have higher ambitions.
What I'm trying to say is a CB is certain to look better if playing in a system like Burnley than ours (but doubt their wingers score as many as ours).
I'm also not saying Collins isn't a very good prospect but not sure he would do better than what we have given the other factors. Other positions are more of a priority.
Of course if anyone leaves then we should be looking and also if we go to 3 at the back we need another.
Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you.
