Right Back

[Branton Rover]

This isn’t a criticism of young Mason, moreover it’s an observation that we haven’t had a specialist RB since Paul Quinn left in 2014.

In fact until the signing of Danny Andrew we’ve basically operated without proper full backs on both sides for far too long. The point I’m making is that good sides are built on a solid defence and without decent fullbacks we are going to continue to leak goals on a regular basis

[BigKeif]

I have to agree with you there Branton. Mason isn’t a full back in my eyes and I agree that Andrews is the first proper full back we’ve had in a long time. Have to see how toffolo gets on but we definitely need a proper right back in January.

[red w(h)ine]

I wouldn't disagree with any of that either but I think Fergie likes 'versatile' players or jack-of-all trades types as it gives him options. Unfortunately there is a consequence of being a jack-of-all-trades.

[GazLaz]

Fullbacks play a massive part in the modern game. Especially as we operate with a midfield diamond a lot of the time, you need to get your width going forward from the fullback areas. That isn’t Masons strong point at all.

[Chris Black come back]

He plays them though even when there are only two centre backs, so these poor bas**rds are up and down pitch providing width to diamond and then closing down wingers. Crazy.

[steve@dcfd]

Fullbacks play a massive part in the modern game. Especially as we operate with a midfield diamond a lot of the time, you need to get your width going forward from the fullback areas. That isn’t Masons strong point at all.

Yet DF bollock him on Saturday and ignored him when he came off he is not RWB gets by at RB. If DF wants to play Wing Backs or RB with width in a diamond we have not got a specialist.

[GazLaz]

Fullbacks play a massive part in the modern game. Especially as we operate with a midfield diamond a lot of the time, you need to get your width going forward from the fullback areas. That isn’t Masons strong point at all.

Yet DF bollock him on Saturday and ignored him when he came off he is not RWB gets by at RB. If DF wants to play Wing Backs or RB with width in a diamond we have not got a specialist.

Depends what he hot bollocked for I suppose.

[wilts rover]

Isn't Alcock a specialist RB? I know he has played some of his career at centre half - but so did Jimmy O'Connor - but more of it at RB.

[balbyrover]

Losing Danny Andrew was a massive blow. He really looked the part from what I saw of him for us.

[Branton Rover]

Hopefully Harry Toffolo who in my opinion is getting better with every game he plays will stay for the season as he clearly wasn’t fit when he came in

[Rovers91]

Isn't Alcock a specialist RB? I know he has played some of his career at centre half - but so did Jimmy O'Connor - but more of it at RB.

Not sure you can even class Alcock as a footballer.

[Monkcaster_Rover]

That injury v Newcastle ruined Alcock. Hasn't been the same since. Shame.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Toffolo was one of the better players on Saturday despite his impression of Devon Lock, an error which was punished severely. He's improved and let's hope he maintains his performance level. Just wish other players would bring him into the game more.

Quite right though, we've not had a consistent performer on the right for quite sometime.

Unfortunate for Mason, who's been the one that's drawn the short straw being a jack of all trades but master of none.

Blair, master of wing play, has also been tasked to be flexible and asked to play wing back when defending is not his speciality.

Alcock, as said has just been woefully short of game time and his weakness is not being a natural attacker.

It's a position that needs addressing big time as this season we've seen you can't mend and make do in this higher league without consequence, particularly when DFs preferred style of play is dependent on good wing backs.

Without the opportunity to address this between now and January, you can foresee further tinkering between Mason, Alcock and Blair.

[esdailles left foot]

we have a good right back, he's currently on loan at Morecombe. good old Fergie.
 

[wing commander]

   What has happened to Alcock..When he came he looked a great signing for us,versatile and could cover most defensive positions to a really good standard always a 7.5/10 player and I really liked him...I know he's had injury's but crikey he doesn't look like he can play football right now...

[roversdude]

 

[drfchound]

Is Alcock this seasons ATS ?

[GazLaz]

we have a good right back, he's currently on loan at Morecombe. good old Fergie.
 

If people think Lund is the answer I think they are struggling to understand the question.

[Chris Black come back]

What I really struggle to grasp is what this set-up achieves?

There are occasions when Blair can put in some decent balls but other than those, whoever has been dumped in at left/right ‘wing back’ adds very little to attacking play and our midfield is painfully narrow.

This is then coupled with some rather ineffective full back play, and how many times have we seen Mason or others totally exposed or outnumbered.

It just seems nonsensical. It delivers no attacking threat and if anything detracts from defensive solidity. What does it add?

[Donnybax]

we have a good right back, he's currently on loan at Morecombe. good old Fergie.
 

Christ, Lund is awful.

[BigKeif]

Is Alcock this seasons ATS ?

I’ll be honest hound, I’ve never rated Alcock but just my opinion of the bloke. I never understand why we have to pick a player out and treat them like we did ATS but it’s a game of opinions I guess.

[ctay]

I have been saying for a long time we have no right back.

Alcock is a funny one. He was a 7 out of 10 every week, but this season looks slow, cumbersome and way of the pace.

[steve@dcfd]

we have a good right back, he's currently on loan at Morecombe. good old Fergie.
 

Christ, Lund is awful.

He’s not getting into the Morecambe side and he hasn’t since he arrived.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Can't agree re Lund either.

Most succesful wing backs are born out being good defenders first.

JO'C & Gareth Roberts for example were very good going forward and comfortable joining in passing sequences but, they were defenders first and were able to balance off their defensive duties v getting up the pitch.

Substitute these two in to our current team and I think we'd be more successful at both ends.

[GazLaz]

Can't agree re Lund either.

Most succesful wing backs are born out being good defenders first.

JO'C & Gareth Roberts for example were very good going forward and comfortable joining in passing sequences but, they were defenders first and were able to balance off their defensive duties v getting up the pitch.

Substitute these two in to our current team and I think we'd be more successful at both ends.

Kyle Walker and Dani Alves are two of the percieved best and are good going forward and not going the other way! Speed and athleticism are key these days. 

[DMnumber4]

Fullbacks play a massive part in the modern game. Especially as we operate with a midfield diamond a lot of the time, you need to get your width going forward from the fullback areas. That isn’t Masons strong point at all.

What about your mate Wabara, Gaz?

Remember going to Crewe a few years back (1-1) and they played a 3-3-2 formation with a wide man on either flank who could attack / defend as necessary. It was completely different from anything else in L1. Safe to say, the reliance on the two lads was massive!

[GazLaz]

Fullbacks play a massive part in the modern game. Especially as we operate with a midfield diamond a lot of the time, you need to get your width going forward from the fullback areas. That isn’t Masons strong point at all.

What about your mate Wabara, Gaz?

Remember going to Crewe a few yearrs back (1-1) and they played a 3-3-2 formation with a wide man on either flank who could attack / defend as necessary. It was completely different from anything else in L1. Safe to say, the reliance on the two lads was massive!

Wabara, what a useless shithouse he was. Terrible. Currently without a club. Says it all.

[albie]

Lund has made 9 appearances for Morecambe, according to this;
Morecambe | Appearances | Football Web Pages.co.uk

Not sure if that includes as a sub or not. As we loaned him out for the season I think, he is out of the reckoning anyway.

The other option is that young lad Tyler Walker, out on loan with Fielding at Biggleswade. No idea if he is near making the step up.

They are both playing every game, so getting some worthwhile experience.

Walker was only given a contract till January, so a decision will need to be made shortly.

[DMnumber4]

Lund has made 9 appearances for Morecambe, according to this;
Morecambe | Appearances | Football Web Pages.co.uk

Not sure if that includes as a sub or not. As we loaned him out for the season I think, he is out of the reckoning anyway.

Morecambe have had 18 games this season. Lund has played for just 506 minutes of those. Is it worth doing, really?

I actually thought, initially, he'd been transfer listed???

[The Red Baron]

Tyler Walker played in the Checkatrade game against Sunderland and will probably play next Tuesday. The deal the two lads are on at Biggleswade allows them to play for us in the Checkatrade.

If anyone went to the Sunderland game I'd be interested to hear what they thought of Walker.

I don't know if Lund can be recalled in Morecambe in January although all our loanees are reviewable then.