Rio as a defensive midfielder?

[Motterman]

Yes, No, Maybe So?

[Vermont Red]

No.

[BennyNL redded]

No.

[StrikerCW]

Yes, but not now, as that puts Silvestre or Oshite in the CB, we need Heinze and, hopefully, Vidic back there to keep everything cleaned up.

[Sapphire]

Well, I'll bite. YES.

He looked great in the position against Burton.
We have 2 new defenders to play around with in formations.
We need a strong DM.

Where is the problem with a little experimenting?

Of course, that is said with the assumption that our first absolute priority is to get Oshea and Silvestre as far away as possible from our pitch. All other priorities are second.

[bigdush]

Nope. Not until I see him willing get his hair messed up, break a fingernail or put the hurt on an opponent if need be.

[Howard Zinn]

Depends on who we are putting in the backline. If Vidic and Evra come good, then we could have a back 4 of Neville--Vidic--Brown--Evra, with Rio playing in front of them. I would like that only if Vidic and Evra show quality.

[Motterman]

Depends on who we are putting in the backline. If Vidic and Evra come good, then we could have a back 4 of Neville--Vidic--Brown--Evra, with Rio playing in front of them. I would like that only if Vidic and Evra show quality.

I agree. We shouldn't risk what stability we have left in our backline just to try Rio at DM at this point.

[achyx]

dont doooo it!

[Dark Savante]

If Brown had a reliable partner at CB then yes, but until we see what Vidic is made of it'd be foolhardy.

btw, the very, very best DM/CM's in history barely had a speck of dirt on their kit after 90minutes. Being a hardman and being a great DM is most definitely not synonymous.

Keano, Robbo and Ince - I'm sure people think of when they think defensive minded CM's - were more thunder going forward then going back. If you actually study tapes of any of the 3, in the defence they rarely go to ground or have to put the hurt on anyone.

Quite curious that people don't think of a player like Makelele, all 5'6 of him and very lightweight, yet, he's the best DM on the planet, he rarely goes to ground is crap in the air and he hardly ever goes in all guns blazing..

[Achtung]

Nah. At the end of the day, it was only Burton. He's a top-class CB, and Heinze has been a top-class LB for us. No reason to mess with that.

[StrikerCW]

Nah. At the end of the day, it was only Burton. He's a top-class CB, and Heinze has been a top-class LB for us. No reason to mess with that.
Whats Evra for then after this season?

[K_19]

Perhaps worth experimenting, but overall probably not worth it. May as well sign a specialist for that position instead.

[bigdush]

Quite curious that people don't think of a player like Makelele, all 5'6 of him and very lightweight, yet, he's the best DM on the planet, he rarely goes to ground is crap in the air and he hardly ever goes in all guns blazing..


I know that Makelele doesn't seem like a hardman, but I believe he is. I think, for the most part he is good enough that it's a tool that he doesn't need to pull out of the shed all that often. But in a pinch, I don't think I'd question his ability to bring the hurt, or his willingness to put his body on the line for the sake of the match. I don't get the same warm fuzzy from Rio.

Maybe I would stand totally corrected if the two directly behind him were far-out, solid and right on.

[Achtung]

Whats Evra for then after this season?

At this point, with a fully healthy squad, probably a backup to Heinze. But its tough to say after just one game. It also depends on the fate of O'Shea and Silvestre this summer. I just don't think that because we signed Evra, it means the entire backline needs to be changed up.

[StrikerCW]

I guess its ok to sign backups for a half a season then. But we could have done the same with Graveson or someone else for a more important position if you want to look at it that way.

[johno]

Would it be a risk to try Rio at DM?

Of course it would be, but less so if Vidic turns out to be quality. Even if we needed to buy another quality CB and sold Silvestre to make some room in the squad and wage bill if Rio turns out to be very good at D/CM its a helluva lot cheaper to buy a quality defender than it is to buy a D/CM who is capable of shielding the defence, running the midfield and supporting attack as well.

Some of us think Rio is capable at D/CM and when you think about what prospects we've got for the D/CM position, only Gattuso, Diarra and Mascherano are sure to be better than Rio, whilst we could easily and cheaply find a quality CB to partner Brown/Vidic with Heinze also being cover as he rotates at LB w/ Evra.

The question shouldn't be whether or not we should make this move, but whether or no we can find a DM or CM who is currently better than Rio would be at that position who isn't too old. If we can do that, then fine, keep Rio where he is... but if we can't, then its worth a shot.

[McTide]

Nah. At the end of the day, it was only Burton. He's a top-class CB, and Heinze has been a top-class LB for us. No reason to mess with that.

Absolutely agree.

[Uniteder]

well I like the idea but not so soon , Maybe at the end of the season when all results are set and done or during pre-season where he can have a good time traning for the job, If he and vidic turn out good we only need a back up and a right back (brad still too young IMHO )

so it could be liek this

gary/brad/ someone else --- vidic/rio/heinze/wes------Gabby/evra
-------------------------Rio/backup------------------------

So no matter what WE STILL NEED TO BUY but it certianly would help .

[billyireland]

well I like the idea but not so soon , Maybe at the end of the season when all results are set and done or during pre-season where he can have a good time traning for the job, If he and vidic turn out good we only need a back up and a right back (brad still too young IMHO )

so it could be liek this

gary/brad/ someone else --- vidic/rio/heinze/wes------Gabby/evra
-------------------------Rio/backup------------------------

So no matter what WE STILL NEED TO BUY but it certianly would help .
1. Who is Brade?
2. Are you suggesting a single-CB formation?
3. If you are suggesting a 3-man backline, who will be the wingbacks if they are being used in the back-3?