So is Russell Martin a right back again now?

[Keckers]

Not trying to be controversial, but I prefer Whits at RB with Martin on the bench. I think Whits has a better all round game and has had a great start to the season so it would be unjust to unseat him just to accommodate Martin.

 

[Din]

I sort of agree with that. I don't think Whittaker is a better all round player, but I have been more impressed with him than Martin so far, and I agree though that it wouldn't be right to leave Whittaker out just to accommodate Martin. I can see Adams leaving Olsson out, and playing Whittaker left back, Martin right back, and Hooiveld and Turner in the middle. But I can't see him dropping Martin all together. Certainly wouldn't be against that. I do like Olsson but Whittaker certainly doesn't deserve to be left out.

 

[GJP]

Yes, I think that is a problem. Martin isn't really the best choice at CB and there are plenty of other options. But to move him to either of the fullback slots would require dropping someone who doesn't deserve to be dropped.

But it is obviously very hard to see Martin being left out.

 

[Gaffer]

It would be harsh to drop Whittaker as he's done little wrong so far this season but it would also be difficult to drop the captain. I think NA may persevere with Martin as centre back and Whittaker as right back. The sensible thing to do would probably be to rotate at the back, but that requires good management skills to keep all the players happy.

 

[Chris Brown]

With the players we've got at CB, he's neither choice 1, or 2 for me.

RB aswell, he's not first choice for me, because, well, what has Whittaker done wrong?

 

[Paul Handscombe]

So Neil Adams and Gordon Strachan are both wrong then and everyone on here with all their years of managing football teams at the highest level are right???

 

[Yellow Fever]

NA is going to have headaches like this at virtually every position in the team. It's a problem (but a very good problem) that he's created for himself. Apparently Russ had a groin problem with Scotland, so it might be wise to rest him.

 

[Gaffer]

So Neil Adams and Gordon Strachan are both wrong then and everyone on here with all their years of managing football teams at the highest level are right???

Strachan doesn't have Cuellar and Hooiveld to choose from and that's a choice that Adams has only just been given so it isn't a case of anyone being wrong or right.

 

[Paul Handscombe]

Strachan doesn't have Cuellar and Hooiveld to choose from and that's a choice that Adams has only just been given so it isn't a case of anyone being wrong or right.

No starch an has every Scottish defender in the world to pick from and he chooses Martin as his first choice centre back and have him the captains armband against the world champions.

 

[splutcho]

So Neil Adams and Gordon Strachan are both wrong then and everyone on here with all their years of managing football teams at the highest level are right???

So because somebody is involved in football, everything they do and say is right then? Because I've got some evidence to the contrary.

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B: 

And of course, Exhibit C:

 

[Din]

So because somebody is involved in football, everything they do and say is right then? Because I've got some evidence to the contrary.

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B: 

And of course, Exhibit C:

Very true.

 

[Canaryboy]

So Neil Adams and Gordon Strachan are both wrong then and everyone on here with all their years of managing football teams at the highest level are right???

The decision to sign three centre backs and no right backs does seem to suggest that Adams will be moving Martin out to the right. 

 

[mustard gas]

The decision to sign three centre backs and no right backs does seem to suggest that Adams will be moving Martin out to the right.

I can see no other option given the current defensive squad. Buying three central defenders but zero full-backs would seem Martin is now deemed a full-back. Plus the only left footed CH's are the latest two recruits. To have a balanced defence one of them, Hooiveld I would presume, should play, which leaves Turner out if Martin plays CB. I cannot see that even being considered. No, Martin is now surely a FB only.

 

[Yellowfuture]

Definitely a full back now, NA has changed his opinion on this IMO and I'm pleased he has, firstly because I think that Martin is a better FB than CH but also because it shows that NA is prepared to change his view and isn't dogmatic.

 

[mustard gas]

Agree Yellow. It is nice to have a manager that is flexible. Adams is impressing me more and more with every new situation. I was ambivalent about his appointment, but am fast coming round to being very pleased that he is in charge. It may still all go tits up, but for now everything is rosy.

 

[Lake District Canary]

I don't mind Martin at full back or centre-back. My only concern  is that as our captain he can focus on his playing ability and do well enough to be picked - whether its centre or on the right.  It does no good for a captain to be out of the team - so he has to do well and be in the team.    I quite like the fact he can do either job - in fact he is one of those players that wouldn't let you down wherever he played on the pitch imo.  I hope the CB/RB issue is not one that will affect him - we need him to be at his best, wherever he is in the team.

 

[ZLF]

Definitely a full back now, NA has changed his opinion on this IMO and I'm pleased he has, firstly because I think that Martin is a better FB than CH but also because it shows that NA is prepared to change his view and isn't dogmatic.

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?

 

[Lake District Canary]

Not seen the team train, but with Whittaker and Martin doing well for Scotland against Germany, it would be a bit strange if they weren't picked for Norwich...... 

 

[Monty13]

I will be genuinely surprised if he doesn't start at CB against Cardiff, why change this team, bar injuries, and both him and Whittaker did well against the Germans.

But at the same time I'm not sure why we recruited 3 new CBs when we aren't going to play any of them. When Bennett returns we will have 6 CBs (not counting bassong), its the only part of our summer dealings I don't quite get yet.

 

[Gaffer]

I will be genuinely surprised if he doesn't start at CB against Cardiff, why change this team, bar injuries, and both him and Whittaker did well against the Germans.

But at the same time I'm not sure why we recruited 3 new CBs when we aren't going to play any of them. When Bennett returns we will have 6 CBs (not counting bassong), its the only part of our summer dealings I don't quite get yet.

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