Headline Today, Adams after new Centre Back.

[simmo_2 6]

After only 2 friendlies Adams has realised R Martin is not good enough. Wonder who will be captain now.

[BroadstairsR 2,138]

I think most of us expected a central defender to be high on Adams''s wish list in any case, especially with the lack of clarity regarding the situation with Bassong.

 

In fact, I see this news as more to do with SB than Russell Martin or his captaincy role.

 

I also thought that there was a question mark against Michael Turner''s contract. Has this been resolved? I would like to keep old ''Stonewall'' on the books.

 

In many ways Hughton''s defensive acquisitions were fairly sound. I was surprised that we missed out on Curtis Davies though as I, like many, expected him to be a shoe-in due to their connections at Birmingham.

 

Too late now but we could do with similar at the moment and as much as we could have done with him last season.  

[ZLF 271]

While I might hope that even I dont think thats the case;   its simply a case of numbers;   we do need to have adequate cover (injuries, suspension,  partnership not working, loss of form) and thats precisely what the article mentions.

 

The right thing to be doing,  even before the additional possible loss of a player or two.

[simmo_2 6]

[quote user="BroadstairsR"]

I think most of us expected a central defender to be high on Adams''s wish list in any case, especially with the lack of clarity regarding the situation with Bassong.

 

In fact, I see this news as more to do with SB than Russell Martin or his captaincy role.

 

I also thought that there was a question mark against Michael Turner''s contract. Has this been resolved? I would like to keep old ''Stonewall'' on the books.

 

In many ways Hughton''s defensive acquisitions were fairly sound. I was surprised that we missed out on Curtis Davies though as I, like many, expected him to be a shoe-in due to their connections at Birmingham.

 

Too late now but we could do with similar at the moment and as much as we could have done with him last season.  

[/quote] I agree the Curtis Davies not coming to NCFC was probably Hughtons major transfer mistake and things went downhill from there. His goals alone would have kept us up.

[Bethnal Yellow and Green 1,557]

[quote user="BroadstairsR"]

I think most of us expected a central defender to be high on Adams''s wish list in any case, especially with the lack of clarity regarding the situation with Bassong.

 

In fact, I see this news as more to do with SB than Russell Martin or his captaincy role.

 

I also thought that there was a question mark against Michael Turner''s contract. Has this been resolved? I would like to keep old ''Stonewall'' on the books.

 

In many ways Hughton''s defensive acquisitions were fairly sound. I was surprised that we missed out on Curtis Davies though as I, like many, expected him to be a shoe-in due to their connections at Birmingham.

 

Too late now but we could do with similar at the moment and as much as we could have done with him last season.  

[/quote]

 

There was an option on Turner''s contract for a year extension to keep him contracted until 2015. He''s here for another season at least.

 

As for centre backs, even if Martin was the best defender in the division, the club would still need another one at least. Can''t go into a season with only 3 centre backs and one youth player who has never played a senior game.

[Tetteys Jig 830]

I hope it stops us relying on this silly Martin at CB Whitts at RB experiment. We need the three we''ve got and one more. Martin can act as useful back up there. By the looks of the players we''ve been linked with and had on trial, it appears we''re after a physically strong and quick guy, presumably to compliment Bennett or Turner. A Bassong alternative/ replacement whatever happens there.

[SwindonCanary 455]

We let in far too many goals last season, it''s clear the defence needs sorting out.

[Yelloow Since 72 54]

I think it''s reasonable, given that even if Bassong stays we need another defender. Nothing to do with Martin''s abilities.

[GJP 79]

Getting another centreback in is a tricky situation, I think. Especially if you want them to be any good.

 

It would seem quite clear that Martin is going to be used there (rightly or wrongly) and it''s hard to see past Turner partnering him. You''ve then got Bennett as backup. So any new player has got to look at that and wonder what his chances are of getting a game.

 

I think we might have had the same problem last summer. It looked like we needed another CB then but with Turner and Bassong coming out of the season as PPOTS and POTS who would have wanted to come here thinking they''d get in the team?

 

This must be a big season for Bennett though. People keep saying he''s got lots of potential etc. If he''s not going to make his mark at this club now then when will he?

[lake district canary 4,531]

[quote user="Jimmy Smith"]I hope it stops us relying on this silly Martin at CB Whitts at RB experiment. We need the three we''ve got and one more. Martin can act as useful back up there. By the looks of the players we''ve been linked with and had on trial, it appears we''re after a physically strong and quick guy, presumably to compliment Bennett or Turner. A Bassong alternative/ replacement whatever happens there.[/quote]

I think that we have to get used to the idea that Martin is going to be a main centre back - captain, number 5 on his shirt, played for Scotland at centre back, did well for us when playing at centre back sometimes under Lambert - its the way its going to be.  

But we still need back up and a right back for competition for Whittaker - although Gafaiti may be seen as good enough as cover for that, maybe more than just cover....

[Salopian 1]

We have three centre backs - Turner, Bennett and Bassong, with Martin stretched across two positions. Even if, as seems unlikely at the moment, Bassong stays, we shall need a specialist CB. Four is the minimum, with Martin possibly needed at RB.

This seems wise as any youth players are not yet ready, and with the possibility of injury.

[Trevor Hockey's Beard 526]

Is Yobo still available? he had a good World Cup and seemed better than Bassong last season, so might he do for cover in this division?