by JC_81 » Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:50 pm
Our full backs aren't our strong point if we're honest. Finnan and Riise were fairly steady over the years for us, and were better imo than Arbeloa and Aurelio. Dossena I'm not convinced of either but it's still early days for him so I'm not writing him off. With our fullbacks finally being given licence this season to push forward a lot more, you wonder whether it was the right decision to let Riise go as this would've suited his game. It may not have suited Finnan however, who may have found it difficult to bomb up and down the flank at the age of 32.
On the Glen Johnson debate, I'm not a fan. He looks good going forward, but I'm far from convinced of him defensively - he can get caught positionally and he definitely does lose concentration at times.
Hutton I agree would have been a great buy, he's the best right back outside the top 4 by a mile. And take note Stu, you say players' attributes don't improve? Hutton is a living example of how they do. When this guy broke into the Rangers side he was awful, and I mean awful. No engine, couldn't pass, bad positioning, couldn't cross. He has absolutely come on leaps and bounds and went from boo boy to fans' favourite there in the space of a season or so.
In terms of left backs, surely Bridge is a realistic target? He can't be happy with being understudy to Cole, and how Chelsea have managed to keep him happy there I don't know, actually I do... money. That's the only thing that would put me off buying him, what is his motivation? In football terms though he's a top player. Bale is another one I like.
There have to be guys out there that are affordable and better than what we have though - Arsenal managed to pick up Sagna, Clichy and Eboue (who is a horrible right midfielder, but was a top right back before they signed Sagna).