So is Russell Martin a right back again now?

[Lake District Canary]

I hope we're not planning to play 3-5-2.

Unless I'm mistaken, this happens anyway in matches thos season  - one or other of the full backs gets forward and stays forward, effectively leaving three at the back, with Lafferty or Redmond getting back to cover if needed.  It works if everyone does their job.   The Bn'mth goal was one where Redmond let his man go....

 

[Yellowfuture]

Has this been stated anyway or is it just a (reasonable) assumption?     While we have signed three cbs Neils strong preference has been to play Martin at CB whenever possible,  ahead of existing cbs.    If this has not been confirmed will the first we know for sure be at 2pm tomorrow with the team sheet?   

I hope he reverts to RB,   but while I am sure that he will start I am not certain where it will be.

Has anyone seen the team training this week to be able to comment?

Just a reasonable assumption for my part ZLF, not seen anything official. Based of course on the transfer activity, plus the starting line up for the Ipswich game following our second half against. Blackburn.

 

[Gaffer]

Unless I'm mistaken, this happens anyway in matches thos season  - one or other of the full backs gets forward and stays forward, effectively leaving three at the back, with Lafferty or Redmond getting back to cover if needed.  It works if everyone does their job.   The Bn'mth goal was one where Redmond let his man go....

True but we don't want to see 3 CBs and two wing backs. I recall we tried it once under Lambert in the PL without success.

 

[Canaryboy]

True but we don't want to see 3 CBs and two wing backs. I recall we tried it once under Lambert in the PL without success.

Agree. It would be stupid for us to play 3 centre backs in this division, considering we have the players to dominate possession and in most games will spend more time in the oppositions final third than they will in ours. It could only really work if we had a really talented sweeper who could support attacks, like a poor mans Lothar Mattheus. But we just don't. 

 

[The Great Mass Debater]

Thought Russ had a great game today. Great to see him making a consistent offensive effort down that right hand side. A different type of threat to Olsson going forward, but no less useful. Think he makes a better contibution here than at centre-back. Both he and Whittker are good going forward in a game when you have the oppostion penned in, but pace lets them down when they have to defend as well. In this division though, Russ can do some real damage from RB

 

[Din]

Agreed, thought he was very good. Harsh on Whittaker that he was dropped as he's started this season well, but I was impressed by Martin today, particularly going forward.

 

[Keckers]

Have to say that I wasn't that impressed with him today from my not so good stream. I thought it was very harsh on Whits. I didn't think he was particularly good going forward either. Not bad, but just not good enough to be picked out the crowd. Apart from the foul throw that he bounced off his head. That deserves to be seen again.

 

[ZLF]

I am pleased that we have two recognised cbs playing in the middle.  RM was involved in a couple of our goals so am not sure he did not offer anything going forward,  but likewise he was not great for their goal either (both the pass to lafferty and closing down ralls).   Mind you I have seen little criticism about how far out of position Olsson was for their second.     

As for RM v SW,   I continue to maintain that I dont see much difference between them, both have significant weaknesses to their game,  with RMs greater consistency (usually a 6 performance,  while Whits can go from a 3 to an 8) and the fact he is captain meaning he probably edges it for me - will be ok which ever starts this season,  although would like us to buy better for the prem season come the january sales. 

But as a fact to consider since Whittaker joined,  teams starting with RM at rb have conceeded just over a goal a game,  compared to over 2 for SW.

 

[Canaryboy]

As for RM v SW,   I continue to maintain that I dont see much difference between them, both have significant weaknesses to their game,  with RMs greater consistency (usually a 6 performance,  while Whits can go from a 3 to an 8) and the fact he is captain meaning he probably edges it for me - will be ok which ever starts this season,  although would like us to buy better for the prem season come the january sales. 

But as a fact to consider since Whittaker joined,  teams starting with RM at rb have conceeded just over a goal a game,  compared to over 2 for SW.

Its just my opinion, but I just think that Martin is head and shoulders above Whittaker. Feel much more confident with him in the team, and he just looks so much more comfortable and composed on the ball. Thought he was another one who was excellent in the second half on Saturday, and showed precisely why he should be playing right back. But then saying that, the whole team was excellent in that 2nd half. 

 

[Din]

I do like Whittaker, but he does worry me at times. He does have a tendency to try and take people on in dangerous areas on the pitch, I generally feel safer with Russ playing there. 

I think it's also no coincidence that Redmond played better on Saturday with Martin behind him. As Darren Eadie said after the Bournemouth game, Whittaker likes to bomb forward, meaning that he leaves Redmond less room to run into. Against Cardiff Martin pick and chose his moments to get forward to good effect. Hence perhaps why Redmond had a better game.

 

[Yellow Fever]

IMO, the signing of Hooiveld and Miquel suggests that Martin will now play mostly at RB. Turner, Bennett and Cuellar are all right-sided CBs, while Hooiveld and Miquel are left-sided. If Adams had wanted Martin to play CB, he'd have signed another RB. He hasn't.