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Defence is a (good) problem area for Monk.

 

Its a sign of strength when it’s difficult to choose between good players.

 

At full-back we pick from Palmer, Iorfa, Fox and Odubajo.

 

At CB we pick from Iorfa, Borner and Lees, with the excellent Hutchinson as a more than capable back-stop.

 

Palmer has done well at RB. But Iorfa offers more and allows Lees, one of our very best players, back into the side. Palmer did well at LB, but Fox’s left foot offers us a different dimension and hasn’t let us down at all defensively.

 

Borner has done really well, but I think he’s a decent Volvo where Lees is a BMW. However, his distribution and calmness on the ball adds confidence across the entire back four.

 

You’d have to be blind to leave Iorfa out of the side now. One of our must-start players without a doubt. But where? He’s been an athletic beast at CB. He scored 3 in 11 from RB and marauded up the wing. Slightly questionable - does he switch off when marking, and is this an issue at CB? I think so.

 

So, the obvious question - who would you pick? I suspect we will see lots of different opinions, including back 3s and back 5s.

 

Mine...

 

Iorfa - Lees - Borner - Fox

 

but it’s a tough call, and fills me with confidence that Monk could pick various permutations and they would all be very strong.

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Guest Kagoshimaowl

Iorfa Lees Borner Palmer 

 

Our best back four. Whether we should play that straight anyone Saturday is a different question entirely 

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9 minutes ago, Kagoshimaowl said:

Iorfa Lees Borner Palmer 

 

Our best back four. Whether we should play that straight anyone Saturday is a different question entirely 

 

I think that’s definitely our best 4 defenders. Fox or Palmer's a tough one. On ability it’s Palmer, but Fox being left footed helps hugely.

 

But yes I agree Iorfa-Lees-Borner should be the other 3

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Totally agree, our back line options are very good, with strength in depth, though I still have reservations about Iorfa at full back As a centre back though, he’s been a revelation Add Thorniley and Bates, and that is one area we shouldn’t have to worry about

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2 hours ago, twolaptops said:

"We didn't know the sale of the ground was breaking the rules "...................................................don't think the court will buy it !!

Think we’ll need our very best defenders out for that one. 
Five at the back?

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10 minutes ago, The Dukeries Owl said:

It has been interesting watching Palmer playing for Scotland. He appears to be playing more as a wing back and regularly pops up in the opposition's box to good effect.

He said, he’s learning that side of the game from his teammate Robertson. He’s by far our best full back, when it comes to defending, so if he can now work on the attacking side of his game, that will be a real bonus

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Guest Kagoshimaowl
1 hour ago, pazowl55 said:

So we have decided that we are dropping our Full International right back then for a centre back then.       WTF:

Yes but Scotland doesn’t count mate!

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Yet another defence thread when our defence is not a problem; if its not broke dont fix it so only change id consider is moses for palmer.

 

We've conceeded 14 in 16, 4th best, bar gk errors from corners we'd be 2nd best for goals conceeded, yet we're 8th, 3 points adrift of top 6.

 

However we're 11th best for scoring, much harder to score more goals tho, maybe thats why its discussed less!

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Noticed Palmer had tape on his hamstring for last night’s game.

Two full games during international break when everybody else has been resting.

 

Also he had a poor game after the last break, can’t remember who we played.

 

Big chunk of games coming up.

 

Might rest him Saturday 

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Defensive shape is excellent, however individual defensive lapses have cost us recently. We need to overcome this mental fragility.

 

Going back to the OP - I’m not sure whether Lees comes into this side. Personally think Iorfa is a much better centre half and I would keep him there with Borner. Both these 2 are better with the ball at their feet as well. I’m a big fan of Lees but those 2 have struck up an excellent relationship. On another point, who things Palmer played better at left back than he currently does at right back? 

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I'd pick Borner ahead of Lees, it's a good problem to have but Borner is much better on the ball, reads the game exceptionally well and is more of a goal threat. Much of what we do come via Bannan, Borner can find him. 

 

Further, gives us the right foot, left foot combo. 

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I'd go with:

 

Westwood

Palmer - RWB 

Iorfa - RCB

Lees - CB

Borner- LCB

Fox - LWB

 

Bannan

Hutch/Luongo

Reach/Luongo

 

Fletch

Harris

 

This would offer us flexibility with the formation and allow to go from a 352 to a 442, simply by moving Iorfa to RB (Fox to LB) and Palmer onto the right of midfield, Reach onto the left. To an extent you could change to a 451/433 moving Reach further forward and Palmer into midfield.

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