Poll: Russell Martin At Centre Back?

[Canaryboy]

If Martin is going to be a centre back this season then I'd at least expect the club to sign a good right back to compete with Whittaker, because at the moment I think doubts about Whittaker (looks very short on confidence) are making people want Martin back at full back.

I don't think our defence was good enough last season to justify going into this season without any new defenders at all, we've let Yobo go home, Bassong is training with the kids - we could really do with two new defenders, perhaps one centre back and one right back.

The argument that Martin is a good centre back because he plays there for Scotland is a poor one - because you could use the same argument for Whittaker, who plays right back or left back for Scotland. Would you want Whittaker at left back next week? I'd much rather go for Garrido, who isn't an international - because he doesn't happen to have a Scottish grandfather. 

 

[Paul Handscombe]

I dunno did you see Garido on Sunday, he was as bad as olson was

 

[Lake District Canary]

I dunno did you see Garido on Sunday, he was as bad as olson was

Its curious, but Garrido does have some class about him, but as with a lot of our players imo, deep self-confidence seems low. He needs games - had precious little playing time under Hughton.    Same with Whittaker.  The confidence will come with a few good results, but to expect the likes of Whittaker and Garrido to produce their best form straight away is asking a lot.   Martin is still inexperienced at CB but will I believe improve there.   They only let in one goal last week - and imo it was a good goal with a runner and an inch perfect cross - difficult for any defence. 

 

[Yellowfuture]

Garrido needs game time, he was skinned last Sunday by a very quick winger who exposed his lack of pace and lack of match fitness, he will not come up against players like that every week and I think he will be ok.

Russell Martin is a right back and that's his best position, I think we should start with Bennett on Saturday and move Russ across.

Nice to see you on board LDC, assuming you are the original?

 

[yellowarmy]

If the Scottish national team thinks he is a good enough centre back for them,then surely he can do a job for us, oh wait a minute it's the same Scottish national team who has picked Chris Martin as an Iternational? a player we decided wasn't good enough at all for us.....Then he has to play right back simple as

 

[Lake District Canary]

Garrido needs game time, he was skinned last Sunday by a very quick winger who exposed his lack of pace and lack of match fitness, he will not come up against players like that every week and I think he will be ok.

Russell Martin is a right back and that's his best position, I think we should start with Bennett on Saturday and move Russ across.

Nice to see you on board LDC, assuming you are the original?

Thanks YF, yes it's me.   Thought Martin had a good game at CB yesterday - and perhaps more relevant was that Whittaker had the look of the marauding player that we know he can be - on form he can be a good attacking force, remembering that goal at Swansea for instance.   Building confidence is the key for the whole team after last season.  Yesterday was a good start!