So is Russell Martin a right back again now?

[Canaryboy]

In the space of 11 days we went from having three centre-backs if ignoring the ostracised Bassong, with Martin being one of them (with Bennett and Turner), to having 6 centre backs if we count Martin.

In the summer most people were talking of the need for a couple of defenders, I myself was saying that we needed one centre back and one right back if Martin was playing centre back this season, or at very least a right back.

The decision to go into the season without having signed a right back (and we were only linked to one, Will Vaulks) does seem to suggest that Martin is going to be competing for right back again this season, doesn't it? With Whittaker's injury record I'd have otherwise expected us to sign one, although there is the loan window.

I wonder whether this was actually always the intention, or whether Adams has just determined that Martin is both our best right back and not one of our best two centre backs? (as in, he wasn't even before we'd signed three new ones). In fairness the only reason that fans believed he was a centre back this season is because he has in the past said that he will have to move in the middle as he gets older, neither Adams or Martin have said anything about him being a centre back this season?

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

Id be surprised. It would make sense, but Russ has said he wants to be considered a CB. I know squad numbers mean less now than they used to, but why make a point of changing Russ from 2 to 5? Clear message you want to be thought of as a CB, and taking it from the captain in the process? Id be very surprised if Russ was content to play RB all season. Maybe Adams has had a rethink about Whittaker, or is planning on trying EB there. Either way its odd a new rightback wasnt brought in. Doesnt Cuellar play RB also?

 

[Canaryboy]

Cuellar has filled in at right back at both Sunderland and Villa, but I've found old forum threads suggesting that he was absolutely terrible there because of his lack of pace. I'd honestly rather have Elliott Bennett there than trying to play a right back with no pace. 

If Russell Martin was given a choice between playing right back or sitting on the bench, I'm sure he'd choose right back! He has said that he wants to move in the middle as he gets older, and it did look like it would happen this season - but at 28 I'm sure he could do another season in the Championship at right back and bag himself a few goals in the process.

If we go up this season though I'd seriously question his ability to play either position in the Premier League again! 

 

[BarclayBoy88]

This is definitely an interesting one because Martin has said he prefers to play at centre back, he has also said that Neil Adams prefers him at centre back and finally he commented that Gordan Stracham wanted to see him at centre back. So all that would indicate he's a centre back, he's going to stay one and that's just the way it is.

However, we saw against Ipswich that Adams is willing to play him out right and he is such a team player that I can't imagine he will complain about that, also as team captain he can't really moan anyway (take note Bassong). However I think if you ask 100 Norwich fans where they would want him to play, 90%+ will say right back. Mainly because he's better there and it means Whittaker is out of the team.

 

[Bethnal Yellow and Green]

Adams played Martin as a centre back in every Prem game he had in charge, played him there all pre-season, gave him the number 5 and has played him there in every Championship game so far. It's pretty clear where he wants him to play.

However (hopefully), after seeing that he isn't great in that position, and gets beaten in the air pretty regularly and the addition of a turn of new centrebacks does suggest that Martin's days at CB are numbered. I always felt it was an experiment that would be short lived, as despite Martin and Strachan's comments - he just isn't a particulary good centreback.

Fingers crossed we see a back four or Martin, Turner, Hooiveld and Olsson against Cardiff (if everyone is fit) as I personally think this represents the best defence we have - although there is an obvious lack of pace there (or in any of the current Norwich centrebacks).

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

From outside it does look like a bit of a vote of no confidence in Martin at CB. Bringing in these players might be seen as undermining him. Not a big deal if he's an ordinary player, but Russ is our Captain. But then again so was Bassong (allegedly...)

 

[ncfcvet]

I wonder if NA is showing his hand here. First 5 games he's used a 4-2-3-1 system, partly due to injuries. Now he's got players coming back and with the purchase of 3 CBs, 3-2-3-2 with wing backs appears to be an alternative, strong option. Martin can play CB as one of the three with two 6ft 4in CBs (Turner and Hooiveld) to provide the muscle; Olsson and E Bennett/Whittaker as the wing backs; a centre midfield three from Tettey/Johnson/VO-O/Howson/Hoolahan and a front two from Grabban/Laffs/Hoops/Jerome/Redmond. Can switch between both options during a game with a very strong bench.

4-2-3-1: Martin/Turner/Hooiveld/Olsson - Tettey/Johnson - Redmond/Hoolahan/Lafferty - Grabban (Bench: Rudd plus 6 from 12 outfield players if there were no injuries)

Would like to see:

3-2-3-2: Turner/Martin/Hooiveld - E.Bennett/Olsson - Johnson/VO-O/Hoolahan - Grabban/Hooper (Bench: Rudd, Whittaker, Howson, Tettey, Redmond, Lafferty, Jerome) [Omitted: Cuellar, Murphy, R Bennett (injured), Garido, Miguel]

What an array of talent!

 

[Din]

I wonder whether this was actually always the intention, or whether Adams has just determined that Martin is both our best right back and not one of our best two centre backs? (as in, he wasn't even before we'd signed three new ones). In fairness the only reason that fans believed he was a centre back this season is because he has in the past said that he will have to move in the middle as he gets older, neither Adams or Martin have said anything about him being a centre back this season?

Martin did an interview a few weeks ago, and said that he prefers playing there because he plays there for Scotland, and he also says that Adams prefers him to play there.

Here it is, just after the Watford game, skip to 1:07.

 

[Yellowfuture]

He is the right back now, we discussed this on another thread, I think Neil Adams saw in the Blackburn game that we had a better balanced back four with Martin at RB. What pleased me was that NA didn't stick dogmatically with RM at centre half and recognised that he had initially maybe called it wrong.

 

[yellowarmy]

He is the right back now, we discussed this on another thread, I think Neil Adams saw in the Blackburn game that we had a better balanced back four with Martin at RB. What pleased me was that NA didn't stick dogmatically with RM at centre half and recognised that he had initially maybe called it wrong.

But there is no evidence of that, the only time Martin hasn't played centre back was because of injuries

 

[Surgeryman]

For the love of god Neil, Russell Martin is a FULL BACK.Please play him there!!

Think of league one and the championship promotion campaigns where he was superb being there. That's why we chant "the Norfolk Cafu". He plays CB for Scotland as they have no one any better to play there! Have you seen photos of him challenging in the air? Always has his eyes closed!!

Please not 3 at the back either!!!

Olssen, Hooiveld, Turner, Martin that is the way to go IMO.

 

[yellowarmy]

For the love of god Neil, Russell Martin is a FULL BACK.Please play him there!!

Think of league one and the championship promotion campaigns where he was superb being there. That's why we chant "the Norfolk Cafu". He plays CB for Scotland as they have no one any better to play there! Have you seen photos of him challenging in the air? Always has his eyes closed!!

Please not 3 at the back either!!!

Olssen, Hooiveld, Turner, Martin that is the way to go IMO.

No arguments from me on Martin, don't know if Neil will hear you though

 

[Yellow Fever]

Interesting discussion, in light of the new CB recruits. It's significant that both are left footed CBs. Ryan Bennett is our only other left footed CB. Will Adams go on playing Martin and Turner together (both right-sided) now that he has two new left footed CBs? It would be very strange, IMO.

 

[yellowarmy]

Interesting discussion, in light of the new CB recruits. It's significant that both are left footed CBs. Ryan Bennett is our only other left footed CB. Will Adams go on playing Martin and Turner together (both right-sided) now that he has two new left footed CBs? It would be very strange, IMO.

You would certainly hope he would use 1 of the new recruits in place of Martin and although Martin has stated he would prefer to play CB, you would hope he would be profesional enough to realise the team would have greater balance using a left footed CB

 

[ZLF]

No arguments from me on Martin, don't know if Neil will hear you though

He will hear you,  but we will all probably end up training with the development squad for sharing such an opinion  h34r:

 

[ZLF]

But there is no evidence of that, the only time Martin hasn't played centre back was because of injuries

Agreed;   so the rumours of a fan stalking whittaker to cause a minor injury could have some substance after all 

 

[Din]

Interesting discussion, in light of the new CB recruits. It's significant that both are left footed CBs. Ryan Bennett is our only other left footed CB. Will Adams go on playing Martin and Turner together (both right-sided) now that he has two new left footed CBs? It would be very strange, IMO.

Ryan Bennett is right footed isn't he? Bassong is left footed but I'm pretty sure Bennett isn't.

It's a good point you make though, it does seem odd to have two right footed centre backs on the pitch when we have 2 left footed centre backs available to us.

 

[KeiranShikari]

Bennett is right footed.

 

[Salopian]

In the space of 11 days we went from having three centre-backs if ignoring the ostracised Bassong, with Martin being one of them (with Bennett and Turner), to having 6 centre backs if we count Martin.

In the summer most people were talking of the need for a couple of defenders, I myself was saying that we needed one centre back and one right back if Martin was playing centre back this season, or at very least a right back.

The decision to go into the season without having signed a right back (and we were only linked to one, Will Vaulks) does seem to suggest that Martin is going to be competing for right back again this season, doesn't it? With Whittaker's injury record I'd have otherwise expected us to sign one, although there is the loan window.

I wonder whether this was actually always the intention, or whether Adams has just determined that Martin is both our best right back and not one of our best two centre backs? (as in, he wasn't even before we'd signed three new ones). In fairness the only reason that fans believed he was a centre back this season is because he has in the past said that he will have to move in the middle as he gets older, neither Adams or Martin have said anything about him being a centre back this season?

Canary Boy may well be right, - that Martin is considered more as a right back. I am not sure which is his best position. Both he and Whittaker struggle against pacey wingers, and neither is particularly dominant in the air.

Add to this the fact that he has signed two more tall centre backs, Hooiveld admittedly only initially for the season, With Bennett on his return also good in the air, and Turner no midget and playing well, we should win most of the aerial battles. In addition Hooiveld and Turner are strong, and unlikely to be shoved around by bulky strikers. Stoke built up a central castle with Shawcross and colleagues, and may seem daunting.

 

[SussexYellow]

He will hear you,  but we will all probably end up training with the development squad for sharing such an opinion  h34r:

Am I supposed to know who this Neil is?

Ok alright point me in the direction of the development squad!