Our leftbacks since Nicol

[Earl Hafler]

What's been the problem ? Souness selling Staunton was criminal when you look at Burrows ad Dicks but we seem to be in a constant struggle to find a leftback who matches the quality of our other defenders.

The aformentioned Dicks and Burrows were shocking, Stig was pretty good going forward and capable of a decent cross, Harkness was lower league standard.

Riise has a couple of good seasons, one of which i think his better games were at left midfield, but i think he got away with some poor defensive displays because of his freekicks and goals.

 

Right back has been the position Bob Wright could have written a dissertation on regarding curses and injuries. Rob Jones looked to be the next Steve Nicol but injuries cut short his career. Heggem, too, was plagued with injuries but looked lethal going forward. Babbel's year at right back during the treble season was just about as good as it gets but the curse struck again.

 

Personally, i think Rafa should promote Insua to first choice leftback and use him as much as possible to help his progression. Aurelio could be used as back up / rotation and Dossena sold back to Italy to help raise funds for the creative player we need in attack.

 

I'm not convinced by Arbeloa at right back and Angelina Jolie has been to Anfield more times than Degen has. With both Skrtel and Agger in the squad i think there's a case for asking Carra to switch to right back.

[Benzo-13]

Definitely need a new right back in the summer and Carra ain't the answer as his first instinct is to defend and is cautious by nature.

Losing out on Dani Alves hindered our attacking development and balance of the siade a lot as he's the epitomy of the modern full back.

Mind you we were buying him for RM at the start.

With our non-budget in the summer we'd still be taking risks for a new one with unproven talent.

Maybe Rafinha could be the answer?

[Earl Hafler]

Definitely need a new right back in the summer and Carra ain't the answer as his first instinct is to defend and is cautious by nature.

 

I don't mind that if we allow Insua to be attack minded and use a right sided midfielder who's in the side to attack and be creative. At the moment we applaud Kuyt for his defensive attributes more than his attacking ones. With someone like Kuyt in the side we can afford the right back to be like Cafu but we still suffer from lack of options on the right.

[RP]

Definitely need a new right back in the summer and Carra ain't the answer as his first instinct is to defend and is cautious by nature.

 

 

And they are the perfect attributes.

[Benzo-13]

And they are the perfect attributes.

Not when you've a compact side with not much width.

[RP]

I like defenders who can defend - "attacking full-backs" leave me cold.

[Benzo-13]

I like defenders who can defend - "attacking full-backs" leave me cold.

Unfortunately that's modern football for us and a lack of top wingers don't help either.

[MFletcher]

I like defenders who can defend as well, but Carra was garbage at right back when Arbeloa was injured.

[Chili Palmer]

Definitely need a new right back in the summer and Carra ain't the answer as his first instinct is to defend and is cautious by nature.

Losing out on Dani Alves hindered our attacking development and balance of the siade a lot as he's the epitomy of the modern full back.

Mind you we were buying him for RM at the start.

With our non-budget in the summer we'd still be taking risks for a new one with unproven talent.

Maybe Rafinha could be the answer?

 

 

I like Arbeloa, we don't concede much from his side and as RP says a defenders first priority is to defend.

[Benzo-13]

I like Arbeloa, we don't concede much from his side and as RP says a defenders first priority is to defend.

We need a new Babbel. A player that can do both.

[gkmacca]

Everyone needs a new Babbel.

[RP]

Unfortunately that's modern football for us

 

 

Agreed - just one of the (multitude of) reasons why modern football is sh**e.

[John am Rhein]

Nicol > all

[Raj]

Nicol > all

 

without a doubt

[Earl Hafler]

Nicol > all

 

I was watching a clip earlier of an old match against Leeds and Rob Jones was brought down when running through in the inside left position. I remember Nicol being everywhere. Even Lawrenson could end up on the right wing.

 

We're just too static at times.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

In a set up like Rafa's with 2 disciplined midfielders, then I would not like to see Carra play RB. There is very little fluency to his play.

 

On the other hand, if someone like Kevin Keegan was to be our manager, I would crave a Carragher at RB

 

Its all about balance really. So without seeing the rest of the team or what the manager has in mind then its difficult to say if I'd have Carra at RB.

 

But under Rafa, I'd say no given his disciplined midfielders and wingers that can hardly be called 'outrageously attacking' - if you have a Kuyt at RM and Mascher & Alonso in midfield then no harm having someone that looks to offer some thread at RB

[surf]

Am i the only one that thinks Arbeloa is a good player and worthy of a first team place? I'd rather look for wingers either side, backup for Torres and a better LB before i think about replacing Arbeloa. We could do with backup mind.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Am i the only one that thinks Arbeloa is a good player and worthy of a first team place? I'd rather look for wingers either side, backup for Torres and a better LB before i think about replacing Arbeloa. We could do with backup mind.

 

Not at all, I' stick with Arbeloa and even if we got an ultra-attacking winger - Carra would be balance at full back if needed

[Redwire]

Am i the only one that thinks Arbeloa is a good player and worthy of a first team place? I'd rather look for wingers either side, backup for Torres and a better LB before i think about replacing Arbeloa. We could do with backup mind.

 

No, Arbeloa is an excellent player.

[sean]

Ah Steve Nicol, now there's a player.

[Mike]

I like defenders who can defend as well, but Carra was garbage at right back when Arbeloa was injured.

he wasn't

[Rory Fitzgerald]

he wasn't

`

I will attempt to qualify the MFletchers post.

 

Carra does not offer as much as the next RB going forward. As a defensive RB that does not need to offer too much going forward because the rest of team is so good then .... yes, Carra is superb in that role.

 

But as I said above, Rafa has his disciplined players in midfield such that he strives to give Gerrard a different position than a CM spot in a 4-4-2.

 

So, in a situation with Kuyt and Riera as wide players and superb midfielders in Alonso and Mascherano as people that cohesiveness, solidity and an economical use of the ball then I think we need people a little bit more 'generous' with the ball than Carra.

 

 

FWIW - Carra is a LEGEND as a CB and its a pity he is versatile enough to play at RB as it might pollute some people's memory

[Mike]

mfletcher's hyperbole is generally amusing. if carra is garbage at full back, how would one describe dossena?

[MFletcher]

He was. He had a reluctance to go forward and his use of the ball was very poor. I was desperate for Arbeloa to come back into the side and offer some form of pace and attacking intent.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

mfletcher's hyperbole is generally amusing. if carra is garbage at full back, how would one describe dossena?

 

 

Unfortunately I have been on some fora that think Rafa is a worse manager than Mishter Shteve McLaren, but in MF's case I think he can recognise Carra's worthiness in different positions in different teams