January Transfer Window

[dazfrancis]

Is Moyes a bit enamoured by beanpole full backs then?

[TheRam]

Don’t a lot of teams plays centre halves or big unit centre mids at full back these days?

I think the days of having two flying full backs are gone.

It’s why the reds have been so shit this season.

[Bumble]

If we had traditional wingers I could see the logic in another tall defensively sound right back.

When we have shocking pass maps like we have seen the last few games the last thing we need is another JOB clone.

[Bluedylan1]

I think the issue is that the Premier League is now the land of the giants. Even the majority of the tekky players are massive. Managers just don't feel like you can have full-backs who are on the smaller side, because they will be targeted with big forwards on far post crosses.

So you can still have flying full-backs who overlap, but they need to be tall and relatively powerful.

[TheRam]

Also has a lot to do with build up.

Ten years ago it was your DM dropping between the centre halves, your fullbacks getting high up the pitch and your wingers coming inside.

Now it’s one of your full backs being narrow to have a three, and having two centre mids infront to create a five to build up with.

This is what moyes is trying to do, but our left back isn’t good enough to be an option going forward with the ball, and Jake doesn’t really know what he’s doing out there.

Do think people need to get rid of the idea of us getting two flying full backs. Those days are gone.

[Gary1878]

Don’t a lot of teams plays centre halves or big unit centre mids at full back these days?

I think the days of having two flying full backs are gone.

It’s why the reds have been so shit this season.

I think this season has seen taller fullbacks because of the increased threat of set pieces. More long throws has meant a bigger aerial threat in the box and so it makes sense to try and counter that, especially for more defensive minded managers like Moyes.

High quality full backs are very rare. I think it could be argued that they are the most potent attacking force on the pitch if used properly.

You can’t mark them, it’s difficult to track them, you can’t press them if they play deep, and if they invert into the centre of the pitch, then they can also add to numbers in midfield.

Baines and Coleman were great examples. Also Trent from a deeper position where he sprays passes around, Cancelo/Nunes inverting and then also Lahm, who inverted/moved central to a greater extent.

I think there also could be a trend of midfielders moving into full back. It’s not uncommon now, and it can work quite well if the system is adapted to suit.

[Shogun]

Who are the massive full backs/CBs at the likes of City, Chelsea, Spurs, Newcastle, etc then?

Arsenal basically play with a backline of CBs but it isn't prevalent through the league.

[Cozzie]

He looks good, but by God, do NOT put him on free kicks! Lol.

[UnsyisaRhino]

I’d still go van ewijk at Coventry

I know 2 season ticket holders who say we'd be stupid not to go for him, they are just counting down the days till they lose him.

[Bluedylan1]

Who are the massive full backs/CBs at the likes of City, Chelsea, Spurs, Newcastle, etc then?

Arsenal basically play with a backline of CBs but it isn't prevalent through the league.

For City Nico O'Reilly is 6ft 4, Nunes is 6ft. Gvardiol is 6ft 1.

Chelsea, I agree they are a bit of an anomaly as they don't have particularly tall full backs.

Arsenal's entire defence is massive.

For Spurs Udogie is 6ft 2, Djed Spence is 6ft.

Newcastle Dan Burn is 6ft 6, Livramento is 6ft, Emil Krafth is 6ft.

I'm obviously not saying every single full-back is huge, but the trend is definitely much more than way than it was previously.

[AjaxAndy]

For City Nico O'Reilly is 6ft 4, Nunes is 6ft. Gvardiol is 6ft 1.

Chelsea, I agree they are a bit of an anomaly as they don't have particularly tall full backs.

Arsenal's entire defence is massive.

For Spurs Udogie is 6ft 2, Djed Spence is 6ft.

Newcastle Dan Burn is 6ft 6, Livramento is 6ft, Emil Krafth is 6ft.

I'm obviously not saying every single full-back is huge, but the trend is definitely much more than way than it was previously.

Krafth never plays, Trippier is 5ft 8" and Lewis Hall is 5ft 10"

But yeah it's rare to have small or smallish full backs these days.. but I'd definitely prefer a Hall to a Burn.

[Bluedylan1]

Krafth never plays, Trippier is 5ft 8" and Lewis Hall is 5ft 10"

But yeah it's rare to have small or smallish full backs these days.. but I'd definitely prefer a Hall to a Burn.

Yeah there are definitely exceptions. Players like Cucurella and Gusto are so good at their position that the lack of height isn't prioritised, but it's clear that there's a widespread trend towards taller full-backs (and players generally) in recruitment in the Prem, whether the players start or not.

[4evablu]

You said people were saying they weren't good enough or 2 expensive. So people want players that are good enough and reasonably priced

Ben white is on 150k a week apparently that was the going rate as an arsenal first teamer. Its not the going rate for him now. If we take rejects from top teams you take them on the going rate when they were on the up not at their current level.

Its really a mystery that people dont want poor players or overpriced 1s. You dont either. We just might disagree who them players are

ypu've lost me now round and round in circles and backtracking....shall we end it here please

[MayorFarnham]

The guy we tried to get on a free from Fulham wasn't particularly tall. Is it a change of direction or are we just struggling for options.

[Shogun]

For City Nico O'Reilly is 6ft 4, Nunes is 6ft. Gvardiol is 6ft 1.

Chelsea, I agree they are a bit of an anomaly as they don't hhave particularly tall full backs.

Arsenal's entire defence is massive.

For Spurs Udogie is 6ft 2, Djed Spence is 6ft.

Newcastle Dan Burn is 6ft 6, Livramento is 6ft, Emil Krafth is 6ft.

I'm obviously not saying every single full-back is huge, but the trend is definitely much more than way than it was previously.

But they're not CBs playing fullback like Arsenal. They're tall players but the likes of Udogie and Spence are very much traditional fullbacks. Same with the likes of Livramento and Hall. Sure they're taller than in years gone by generally but they don't have to be massive lumps to be a fullback these days. The attacking fullback is still very much alive.