Left back

[RedLars]

These stats are of Emiliano Insua and are taken from Here.

 

Season Games

2006-2007 2

2007-2008 3

2008-2009 13

2009-2010 42

Total games 60

 

Insua has without doubt been played too much this season. As a result his performance has been mixed to say the least.

 

Do you think we should buy a new first choice left back for next season or should we get a good backup to reduce the number of games and pressure on Insua?

[New York Red]

Buy Taiwo.

[Arazel]

I think we need to invest in a left back who has enough experience to play a key role in the first team, but wont mind playing second fiddle to Insua at times, as I do think Insua is our long term Left back.

 

I would put forward Jelle Van Damme. Hes strong, quick, good in the air and technically suited to support the winger in front of him in an attacking sense. He also has great teamwork and determination attributes. I dont think he would be overly expensive and has a decent level of experience in the CL and internationally.

 

 

He'd terrify attackers, looking as he does as well. All part of the image and would be a great addition to the squad.

Edited March 28, 2010 by Arazel

[Benzo-13]

Figueroa, de Ceglie, Fernando Navarro, Cissokho, Ansaldi, Gentner.

Few more out there if you dig a bit deeper.

[KIDORIGINAL]

Instead of using up any budget we might have on a 'pure' left-back, I think we should just go for Juan Vargas and kill two birds with one stone; we'd be getting someone who could capably fill in for Insua now and then but he is a primarily a winger and a damn good one at that, as he showed in our Champions League games against Fiorentina. Would probably only cost about £15m as well, which is a bargain given the lack of left-footed full-backs out there.

 

Alternatively, we could try shape Kelly into a left-back and see how that works. Not permanent or anything, he's too good a centre-half for that... But you look at Carragher and the good it did him to play on the left hand side and wonder if Kelly could be the same.

Edited March 28, 2010 by KIDORIGINAL

[dl2009]

Vargas is indeed an excellent winger, but he's a poor left back. Positionally, he's all over the place.

[lfc003]

Figueroa, de Ceglie, Fernando Navarro, Cissokho, Ansaldi, Gentner.

Few more out there if you dig a bit deeper.

 

I would imagine we would be looking at £6 million and upwards for them players and with the exception of Cissokho and maybe Ansaldi they're an average bunch for me and a waste of money. Insua has been below average at times this season but i'd be reluctant to splash the big money required especially considering our potential budget this summer unless we bring in geniune class.

[Raj]

I'd be over the moon if we could get Capdevilla. Experienced and quality.

[richwilks]

Buy Taiwo.

 

This

[Gray - YPC]

Buy Taiwo.

Nah... we only need the one as Insua's OK as back up.

[Dan]

Insua is nowhere near as bad as some people make out although we do need an alternative

 

 

[RedLars]

Buy Taiwo.

 

What do you think of Insua’s prospects at the club?

 

If you see him as a future first choice left back can we then really justify spending a lot on Taiwo or a similar type of player?

[johngibo YPC]

Nah... we only need the one as Insua's OK as back up.

 

That was rubbish Gray!

[baz2107]

an option to try not long term but for this season in my opinion would be to give Kelly a go there (he did well for Huddersfield there) is good on the ball, tall so won't getoutjumped like Insua and gets forward too. Only issue would be having no left footed players in the side bar Agger, alternatively I actually think Johnson could do a job there, he's equally comfortable on either foot, then Kelly could play right back.

 

Moving forward though we do need some competition for Insua, in the long run he's going to be a good player but an experienced left back would be a must in the summer

[KIDORIGINAL]

Vargas is indeed an excellent winger, but he's a poor left back. Positionally, he's all over the place.

 

He isn't the best left-back but he's alright there and would at least be willing to play there from time to time. If we actually attack teams like we did yesterday, there'd be little need for him to defend and he could play much further up without getting exposed, a la Glen Johnson.

[Arazel]

an option to try not long term but for this season in my opinion would be to give Kelly a go there (he did well for Huddersfield there) is good on the ball, tall so won't getoutjumped like Insua and gets forward too. Only issue would be having no left footed players in the side bar Agger, alternatively I actually think Johnson could do a job there, he's equally comfortable on either foot, then Kelly could play right back.

 

Moving forward though we do need some competition for Insua, in the long run he's going to be a good player but an experienced left back would be a must in the summer

 

While we're at it, shall we move Gerrard to left wing? I imagine his left foot isnt bad.

 

Ridiculous idea. Negating one of our best players.

 

[MFletcher]

I thought Insua played very well yesterday. He's a very good player indeed when we're going forward, but isn't quite there yet with the defensive aspect of his game. This will only improve with games and experience, so we'll have to accept the rough with the smooth for a period if we believe he's capable of developing into a first choice left back.

 

I think he has a lot of talent. He's shown tremendous mental strength to come back into the team and try and do the right things even if he's been torn about by a winger in the previous game. He needs more protection when he's up against a fast winger to give him confidence, but I think there's already a noticeable difference in the quality of his defending in the last month or so and he seems to be getting himself between winger and ball more often. Still lets them get down the outside for a cross too often, but he's young and he'll get there.

[downunder]

I thought Insua played very well yesterday. He's a very good player indeed when we're going forward, but isn't quite there yet with the defensive aspect of his game. This will only improve with games and experience, so we'll have to accept the rough with the smooth for a period if we believe he's capable of developing into a first choice left back.

 

I think he has a lot of talent. He's shown tremendous mental strength to come back into the team and try and do the right things even if he's been torn about by a winger in the previous game. He needs more protection when he's up against a fast winger to give him confidence, but I think there's already a noticeable difference in the quality of his defending in the last month or so and he seems to be getting himself between winger and ball more often. Still lets them get down the outside for a cross too often, but he's young and he'll get there.

 

How can you tell what his positioning etc is like? TV only shows part of the pitch. One can't judge players properly unless they see them live.

 

He squares up to the attacker too much, he needs to cut that out or else he will not be a success for anyone,

[Leo No.8]

Think people do forget how young Insua is in expecting him to be the finished article, which he isn't.

 

Would have been ideal if he could have played a bit less but Aurelio is injured so often they've given him an orange badge for the club car park. I actually think Insua has played fairly well over the last month or so after an extended period of poor form either side of Christmas, but we need to bring in competition for him.

 

Aurelio is such a good footballer its hard to say it, but his injury record is so awful we really should let him go this summer and move on. I can't imagine its going to get any better at his age and he's stopping us from bringing in another player in that position.

Edited March 29, 2010 by Leo No.8

[MFletcher]

How can you tell what his positioning etc is like? TV only shows part of the pitch. One can't judge players properly unless they see them live.

 

He squares up to the attacker too much, he needs to cut that out or else he will not be a success for anyone,

 

Because the TV camera follows the ball and shows how the player is dealing with the incident.

 

Fairly basic stuff.

[Mike]

How can you tell what his positioning etc is like? TV only shows part of the pitch. One can't judge players properly unless they see them live.

 

He squares up to the attacker too much, he needs to cut that out or else he will not be a success for anyone,

 

yes he does, you're right. im sure that'll be coached out of him.

positionally he has been a nightmare a lot of the time this season. ideally he wouldn't have been playing every game obviously, but we've bought badly and had a permacrock for that slot.

[baz2107]

While we're at it, shall we move Gerrard to left wing? I imagine his left foot isnt bad.

 

Ridiculous idea. Negating one of our best players.

 

 

Why would it negate him, he could still get forward from left back as he does at right back, watch Johnson and he cuts onto his left foot 75% of the time (like Finnan also used to) I said it wouldn't be ideal but if Insua's knackered/injured then I'd rather we brought Kelly in either at left back or shift Johnson than put a Carra/Agger there.

 

As for ridiculous ideas, I'm surprised you haven't suggested we sign Paul Konchesky to play left back yet

[Maldini]

While we're at it, shall we move Gerrard to left wing? I imagine his left foot isnt bad.

 

Ridiculous idea. Negating one of our best players.

 

 

Yeah, we should sign a guy who was nowhere near good enough for a really s*** Southampton team instead.

[downunder]

Because the TV camera follows the ball and shows how the player is dealing with the incident.

 

Fairly basic stuff.

 

Without getting personal, that is ridiculous. If the ball is on the right, on TV (we) can't see what a LB is doing. As you said, the camera follows the ball, a good player does a lot of his stuff without the ball, tracking the opposition, covering etc.

 

Basic Stuff

[Arazel]

Haha tbf positioning off the ball is pretty basic. If you need to be in the stadium to confirm where a player is standing off the ball, you really dont know much about the tactical side of football, and how well trained pro's are.