Nine into two won't go
SO with the arrival of Richard Wood who's been much sought after by Chris Coleman we've reached a stage where including full backs Hall and Wright we have nine players who can play in central defence.
It remains to be seen whether West Brom will agree to the permanent transfer of Leon Barnett. But if they do and its the managers aim to make those two the central defensive partnership surely only another two choices are needed.
That would make four centre halves and the full backs able to be chosen in an emergency.
But who should the other two choices be?, I believe if the club wants to offer young players a genuine chance of progressing to the first team one of them should be Jermaine Grandison.
The four possibilities left are Ward,Turner,Crainie,and McPake.The first two have undoubtebly made a number of individual mistakes in the past.
The manager has shown his willingness to unload Ward quite recently. Like a lot of fans I believe in him more than the manager does
But clearly he's earmarked to go. I believe Turner hasnt fullfilled his potential and offers should be accepted for him if and when they are made
Crainie because his age fits the club profile and he can also play at full back,will doubtless be retained. I believe we have yet to see the best of him
That means the luckless McPake may be unloaded. He seemed a strong player in the Wood and Barnett mould when he played against Wolves last year.
Ironically Chris Coleman proclaimed him as the answer to our defensive problems less than a year ago. As he's been chasing Wood for two years perhaps really McPake was the player we brought in because we couldnt get our latest capture then
He could have a very short Sky Blue career if Barnett's move is made permanent
So my four choices would be Wood,Barnett,Crainie, and Grandison with Wright and Hall to cover. What do other people think?
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I think it's a shame most people seem to have forgotten about Ben Turner's good early season form. A couple of mistakes and an injury later, and suddenly he's considered surplus by some. I disagree.
Grandison is still just as a baby (as Coleman would say), and Cranie is a 'spare' really.
Barnett looks good, but whether we sign him permanently depends on McPake and how he performs after his injury. If he fulfills the potential Coleman saw in him last year, then there'll be no need to shed out cash on Barnett.
Good article Kev. Some good points made, i personally would agree with keeping Grandison, i went to the Hartelpool game when we lost 1-0 but he played the whole match and looked a decent player, he's only 18/19 but he was winning pretty much everything in the air, he looked confident when in possesion and quite strong.Give him a season or two and i think we could have a decent player. Cranie will stay i think too, and rightly so, he's got experience with the u-21's and has got obvious talent and i think we will see more from him also. I like Turner, he gives his all but whenever he's on the ball i always think that something might go wrong...a stray pass or he might fly into a wild tackle when tracking back. He lack's pace but is awesome in the air but you need both in this league. Up untill Fox and Dann came Ward was easily our best defender, classy on the ball, strong in the air and would always chip in with a few goals. This season though he has definatley looked off the pace, that challenge he made in the derby match was hurrendous!! I think he knows his days are numbered and although i do like him as a player , i DO have faith in CC and RR (unlike most city fans) and will stick by whatever decision's they make. Mcpake is a difficult one though, he's only had a handful of starts but given the fact he was given the number 6 shirt suggest's that CC was looking to start with him as 1st choice CB.He's got the build for this league and would like to see him get a run in the team,after all CC did pretty much pull out all the stops to get him here last January rather than wait till the summer. The jury is still out on him but he needs a chance to show his worth.
So in answer to your question....presuming we keep Barnett and Wood i would have Wright and Cranie battling for the RB spot, Hall/V.aanholt at LB (with Jordan Clarke filling in at either side if needs be)with Wood and either Mcpake/Barnett at CB. Although Barnett is a bit prone to the odd mistake but had got undoubted talent with Turner as back up. Think Grandison would really benefit from going out on loan, get some 1st team experience so CC can see what he is made of.
Away from the defence,i would just like to add that Sammy Clingan is absoloute class, CC has def picked a good player, he is just what we need in the middle of the park and his return can't come soon enough in my opinion. He is top notch.CCFC always!!!!!