Ricketts/Knight Out: The New Back four

[seanworth]

The latest casualty is Ricketts who has damaged his achilles. While he still needs to be examined it is certainly likely he is out for the season. With Knight going down a few days earlier there now will have to be changes to the back four.

Steinnson has an injury and not sure when is expected to return.

Will Robbo switch to the RB and Alonso take over at RB. Are there any reserves capable of playing RB?

[elfil76]

might want to try putting moo there.

[t_o_molloy]

I actually had quite an extended chat with the reserve right back (Joe Riley) on Facebook after the Wigan reserve game, and I said to him what will happen for you if Ricketts gets injured.
His reply was: 'Depends if the gaffer can trust me or not'
My guess would be the same back 4 that ended yesterday's game with young Connolly on the bench.

[Lord Kangana]

Robbo did as good a job on the right as on the left last night. Alonso looked much improved, and JLO isn't the worst reserve fullback in the league. Fullback isn't a problem.

We might need SKD at centre half soon, though.

[t_o_molloy]

JLloyd isn't anywhere near fitness according to the B(E)N

[Lord Kangana]

Fullback might be a problem.

[thebish]

Fullback might be a problem.

[TKIZ!]

Is fullback a problem, here?

[TANGODANCER]

Jussi.
Muamba Cahill, Wheater,Robinson.
Lee, M Davies, Holden, Taylor.
Two of Elmander, KD, Sturridge.

We have Bogdan, Alonso as full-back cover,Cohen as a spare midfield, Petrov and Moreno for wide, Klasnic and one other striker for the middle. Could be worse.

[t_o_molloy]

I don't get the Muamba suggestions.

[Tombwfc]

I don't get the Muamba suggestions either, other than the fact that you'd probably catergorise him as a defensive midfielder, he looks as unsuited to me to be a fullback as anyone in our team.

Alonso and Taylor would both be stuck there before him and I think Coyle would even stick Elmander a la Henrik. That should last us until Samuel, Steinsson and Gardner are back.

[TANGODANCER]

I don't get the Muamba suggestions.

What's to get? It's pure suggestion, but, he can tackle, has some pace and can work with Lee. Davies and Holden won't leave him isolated and we're not exactly rich in options for that slot. Granted, I don't know the reserve strength there. Both Robbo and Alonso are left-sided players and Steinsson not available so what's your take?

[HMX]

I fear for Muamba's clearances ala Nicky Hunts touchfinding hoofs.

[Lord Kangana]

I think Robinson right and Alonso left is our first port of call Tango.

After that, I reckon Toms onto something mentioning Taylor, Gardner and Steinsson.

Its whether any of the above stay/get fit as and/or don't pick up any bans as to when we enter the Muamba as fullback territory.

[t_o_molloy]

Well Coyle had the opportunity to play Muamba as Right back last night, and reshuffle the midfield but he brought Alonso on, therefore I don't see why he'd do it in a full game.

[superjohnmcginlay]

I haven't seen anything of this Alonso chap. Is he any good?

[thebish]

I haven't seen anything of this Alonso chap. Is he any good?

he's the saviour...

[t_o_molloy]

He'll get better.

[Verbal]

I haven't seen anything of this Alonso chap. Is he any good?

He was fine. One lapse in concentration when he first came on but apart from that relatively ok. Certainly improved since the start of the season.

[kt22cliffjumper]

Sturridge is cup-tied I believe

Jussi.
Muamba Cahill, Wheater,Robinson.
Lee, M Davies, Holden, Taylor.
Two of Elmander, KD, Sturridge.

We have Bogdan, Alonso as full-back cover,Cohen as a spare midfield, Petrov and Moreno for wide, Klasnic and one other striker for the middle. Could be worse.