The Caldwells

Here is an abridged version…..
Possibly 2 of Bob’s worst signings !

I hope JayT is right :lol: :lol: :lol:

If Alcaraz is fight then I’d imagine he will start him in the middle & we will have a right footed centre half playing at left back coz a) Bobby saw fit to only have 1 experienced left back in the squad &/or b) if he won’t take a risk on Mustoe playing in either FA Cup game he aint gonna chuck him in to a crucial premier league game &/or c) Bobby likes putting square pegs in round holes

From what I’ve seen of him I have my doubts as to whether Alcaraz is good enough for this level as he seems to forever get sucked out of position (remember S Caldwell’s scrap with him against Bolton at home & where exactly he was on the pitch when he committed the foul on Fletcher that got him sent off against Man U) & his distribution is awful
Gohouri tends to get himself in the right positions & is prepared to stick his head in where it might get hurt but his distribution is even worse than Alcaraz
The 2 Caldwell’s are just too slow at this level
So I don’t particularly have any confidence in any of the central defenders Bobby has signed in being up to the job. I’d say put Boyce in there but then that would mean putting Stam on at right back & I don’t think he’s much kop either

How bad the defence became so quickly in the 18 months or so Bobby has been in charge is a disgrace although the 62 goals the team are on scheduel to conceded this season is a bit of a step up from the 79 they conceded last year although I think in part alot of that is to do with the only quality defensive signing Bobby has made – Al Habsi

I’d agree that I’d rather have Alcaraz in the centre of defence ahead of any of our other centre halves with the exception of Boyce – although bearing in mind the competition he’s up against its like asking which terminal disease I’d prefer to die from!!!

I haven’t seen anything of Piscu at all to comment on whether I think he should start but based on Bobby’s other signings in that position I aint particularly confident.

I also think that the way Bobby has the back four playing doesn’t help – lets not forget that he turned Bruce’s excellent back 4 into a quivering mess within 3 months of starting in the job. Let them defend properly & then start worrying about zonal marking or passing their way out of trouble

i don’t think there can be any doubt that Al Habsi is the reason we haven’t taken any major kickings this season – start of the season kirkland is in nets & we concede 10 in 2 games. Since then Al Habsi has come in & as you mention we’ve taken some batterings in terms of possession & chances but no team has put more than 3 past him

I give you Arjan de Zeeuw & stephane henchoz, two of the slowest defenders I have seen, bet you would choose these slow defenders over todays centre backs.

Quality of the midfield covered for them properly, not like today.

I give you Arjan de Zeeuw & stephane henchoz, two of the slowest defenders I have seen, bet you would choose these slow defenders over todays centre backs.

Quality of the midfield covered for them properly, not like today.[/quote]
that is correct,but they could actually defend,unlike gaz and ste!! :oops:

out of the god knows how many centre back combinations we’ve had to try for one reason and another, imo the best pairing has been alcaraz & ghouri, the obvious worst, the brothers slow. so if alcaraz is not fit for satday i’d go with lopez and ghouri, i know this is one combo we’ve not had yet, but lopez seems quite similar but a bit shorter than alcaraz.
this pairing can’t be any worse than anyother. problem there though is who will play left back, put zoggy there and moses ont wing.
or failing all that just pretend every game is a FA cup game. and everybody will relax, feel no pressure
and we the fans will be entertained.

sorry, been out for beer, waffling on a bit.