A footballing centre-back

[Red Rover]

Right, I've got no problem whatsoever with Lockwood, Martis and Hird, but I can't help but feel we are missing a footballing centre back. Some1 who is confident on the ball and can play a bit of football. Lockwood, Martis and Hird are good old-fashioned no nonsense defenders, which is good, but I feel we are missing some1 like Mills, Shackell or Elliot Ward. All three of them looked very composed on the ball and gave us another angle to our game. So whether it be on loan again or not, it would be nice to bring in a ball player at the back.

[DRFC MYERS]

in some ways i agree.. i am annoyed how sam hird sometimes messes around at the back passing along defenders... and martis with his big punts up to no one :/

[kybone]

Not sure i would describe Sam Hird as an 'old fasioned no-nonesense' defender. To me someone like Chris Morgan or Darren Moore are 'old fasioned no-nonesense'. I think Hird shows a certain amount of composure and always tries to pass rather than lump it.

[Chrisd_123]

I personally don't think a \"footballing\" centre back is a priority. I'm more than happy with the no nonsense defending of Martis and the rest. As long as they do their job of stopping goals then i don't think how they do it is an issue. Much rather leave the ball playing to Stock and the rest of the team. That said, it would be nice to have a centre back like Mills and Ward as it does add something different as you say, But as long as the defence stops goals then their footballing style isnt really an issue imo.

[dumbroofer]

you are missing the centre half that is mr webster

[i_ateallthepies]

kybone wrote:

Not sure i would describe Sam Hird as an 'old fasioned no-nonesense' defender. To me someone like Chris Morgan or Darren Moore are 'old fasioned no-nonesense'. I think Hird shows a certain amount of composure and always tries to pass rather than lump it.

Quite agree Kybone, Sam is quite a cultured CB, always tries to keep us in posession instead of just lumping it.

[bradford exile]

dumbroofer wrote:

you are missing the centre half that is mr webster

Quite agree dr  before he got injured at Shef Utd he was showing quite a bit of class.

Everyone sems to have forgotten about him.

Regards

Ray

[stuey]

DRFC MYERS wrote:

in some ways i agree.. i am annoyed how sam hird sometimes messes around at the back passing along defenders... and martis with his big punts up to no one :/

So, you're annoyed when it's passed along the back 4, and annoyed when it's lumped up front? Jesus, no pleasing some people.

[bobbymax]

Chrisd_123 wrote:

I personally don't think a \"footballing\" centre back is a priority. I'm more than happy with the no nonsense defending of Martis and the rest. As long as they do their job of stopping goals then i don't think how they do it is an issue. Much rather leave the ball playing to Stock and the rest of the team. That said, it would be nice to have a centre back like Mills and Ward as it does add something different as you say, But as long as the defence stops goals then their footballing style isnt really an issue imo.

I think the rose-tinted spectacles are being used to view Elliott Ward's contribution last season. Apart from that goal, I thought he looked decidedly shaky when in possession and was bailed out by JOC and company on more than one occasion.

[Wellred]

Short memories some of you seem to have.
How many times did Matt Mills welly the ball out to the left wing and over the head of whoever was there for a throw in to the opposition?

[redbrez]

Red Rover wrote:

Right, I've got no problem whatsoever with Lockwood, Martis and Hird, but I can't help but feel we are missing a footballing centre back. Some1 who is confident on the ball and can play a bit of football. Lockwood, Martis and Hird are good old-fashioned no nonsense defenders, which is good, but I feel we are missing some1 like Mills, Shackell or Elliot Ward. All three of them looked very composed on the ball and gave us another angle to our game. So whether it be on loan again or not, it would be nice to bring in a ball player at the back.

would disagree about shackell being a good ball playing ch,but i would of loved him to have signed because he is one of the most dominant defenders i have seen,very rarely gets beat in the air ,good tackler and hardly ever gets out muscled.

[Red Rover]

Wellred wrote:

Short memories some of you seem to have.
How many times did Matt Mills welly the ball out to the left wing and over the head of whoever was there for a throw in to the opposition?

Yeh very very true! That diagnal ball to the left used to be infuriating, but apart from that, he could play it around and had a sweet touch

[CusworthRovers]

First and foremost they need to do what they are paid to do ie defend. For me it's about having the belief/confidence as a fan in backing your defender in a 1 on 1 situation, be it on the ground or in the air. Will he get the tackle right, will he win the header, will he time his run right, will he read the ball or the forward, will he sweep up, will he usually make the right decision in his thought process. Is he fully confident in his ability to deal with all situations, whatever the occasion. Of our recent current crop:

Mills 9/10
Shacks 9/10
JOC 9/10
Martis 7/10
Locky 6/10
Hird 6/10
Webster 6/10

Obviously, some of the above look to be stronger in some areas and weaker in others.

[BillyStubbsTears]

CusworthRovers wrote:

First and foremost they need to do what they are paid to do ie defend. For me it's about having the belief/confidence as a fan in backing your defender in a 1 on 1 situation, be it on the ground or in the air. Will he get the tackle right, will he win the header, will he time his run right, will he read the ball or the forward, will he sweep up, will he usually make the right decision in his thought process. Is he fully confident in his ability to deal with all situations, whatever the occasion. Of our recent current crop:

Mills 9/10
Shacks 9/10
JOC 9/10
Martis 7/10
Locky 6/10
Hird 6/10
Webster 6/10

Obviously, some of the above look to be stronger in some areas and weaker in others.

Can't argue with the philosophy there Cussy. We're not yet at a level where we want culture as a pre-requisite in a centre half. Give me the choice between one who would make a centre-forward bab himsen in fear but couldn't pass a hard question on Mastermind, or one who could pick out a 70 yard pass but was built like Julian Clary and it's a no brainer.

Webster is an interesting one. Watching him get beaten up by Darius Henderson last season was a painful experience. It felt like being strapped down and made to watch a snuff vid. But if the lad has put a few inches on his chest this summer like some have suggested, there might be a decent defender there yet.

[CusworthRovers]

The signs were there at Notts County that he could be a winner though. He looked pretty assured, composed and classy, granted the opposition was not Dolph 'The Limb Breaker' Henderson.

But age, experience and a bit more of a pigeon chest is easily achieved in modern football. I'm hopeful for this 'fella mi lad', but I fear his downfall might just be a quick change of direction or immediate turn of pace.

This season may tell us a great deal more about Lord Byron.