Players transformed under Coyle.

[truewhite15]

Thought Robinson was very poor in the first half, but some of his towering headers and MASSIVE tackles were amongst the highlights of the second half.

Would still like a new left-back though. That should also end the debate on Steinsson (for now) - Ricketts is streets ahead.

I disagree with everything written on the second line

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

PremierLeague.com has both Knight and Robbo on four yellows.

Only Taylor played left-back for Bolton was in a right bumming at Villa.

[hisroyalgingerness]

Ricketts had a much better game than the Blackpool debacle. I don't think Rovers really hurt us down either wing in truth

[Odelay]

Is Gardner fit? Can't he play left back?

[thebish]

Is Gardner fit? Can't he play left back?

yeah - sure he can...

has JLoyd gone?

[Odelay]

Is Gardner fit? Can't he play left back?

yeah - sure he can...

has JLoyd gone?

He's injured, but suspected to also be dead.

[thebish]

Is Gardner fit? Can't he play left back?

yeah - sure he can...

has JLoyd gone?

He's injured, but suspected to also be dead.

[Worthy4England]

Is Gardner fit? Can't he play left back?

yeah - sure he can...

has JLoyd gone?

He's injured, but suspected to also be dead.

He's always been suspected of at least one of those.

[TKIZ!]

I thought Gardner was also still injured?

[Ianmooreslovechild]

At risk of stating the bleeding obvious both Ricketts and Robinson looked better against Blackburn because they didn't have to deal with quick footed wippet like wingers.Blackburn lump it down the middle so full backs get to play with a bit more freedom against them

[Puskas]

Why are folk arguing about left-backs?

Didn't we spend our biggest transfer fee of the summer in buying a shiny, new left-back?

Surely he's a shoe-in, then?

[BWFC_Insane]

At risk of stating the bleeding obvious both Ricketts and Robinson looked better against Blackburn because they didn't have to deal with quick footed wippet like wingers.Blackburn lump it down the middle so full backs get to play with a bit more freedom against them

Blackburn used quite a bit of width as it happens.

But where has this idea that a full backs job is to "mark the winger" and thats it.

Robbo's best work was covering in the middle, winning headers and tackles. He did well because when down to 10, he was our talisman at the back, like Davies was up front. Whole hearted body on the line stuff.

I do think when we're really up against it that we don't have quite enough players in that mould who take the responsibility for ensuring we are as hard to break down as possible.

[Lofthouse Lower]

At risk of stating the bleeding obvious both Ricketts and Robinson looked better against Blackburn because they didn't have to deal with quick footed wippet like wingers.Blackburn lump it down the middle so full backs get to play with a bit more freedom against them

Blackburn used quite a bit of width as it happens.

But where has this idea that a full backs job is to "mark the winger" and thats it.

Robbo's best work was covering in the middle, winning headers and tackles. He did well because when down to 10, he was our talisman at the back, like Davies was up front. Whole hearted body on the line stuff.

I do think when we're really up against it that we don't have quite enough players in that mould who take the responsibility for ensuring we are as hard to break down as possible.

Umm....no they didn't

[Ianmooreslovechild]

I remember Diouf and their left back having a bit of the ball but the point I'm making is that the players Blackburn had out wide didn't have the pace and skill to make our fullbacks look poor.A full backs game isn't just about stopping wingers but I would suggest that in most games the left winger is principally dealt with by the right back.As a result when the winger is talented the full backs tend to look less secure.Blackburn didn't have anyone capable of making the fullbacks look poor which allowed the full backs to get forward and play a bit.I doubt you'd have seen Ricketts haring forward quite so much had for example Jarvis or Adam Johnson been the Blackburn winger.
Our primary fullbacks are whole hearted and solid but one on one with a decent winger they all struggle. infact in that situation Steinsson is probably the best of the 3.

[Lofthouse Lower]

I remember Steinsson being substituted against Liverpool when Ryan Babel was tearing him to pieces. Might have been after half an hour too, unless my memory is playing tricks. Can't recall Ricketts or Robinson suffering that one.

[TKIZ!]

That's because Robbo usually gives them a little kick early doors to let them know he's there.
SWP will attest to that

[Ianmooreslovechild]

I remember jarvis passing Ricketts at will for wolves a couple of weeks back. Robbo is generally good with the early kick approach.I can't think of specific examples but his little legs do struggle to keep pace with a genuinely quick winger.There's not much point moaning about the fullbacks as really there isn't much significantly better around the league beyond the likes of Baines and Cole and they get valued at 10 mil plus.Ricketts,Steinsson and Robinson have their limitations but have an excellent attitude.