Well after yet another fine performance from the defense of the boys in Blue i was wondering just what you lads might think our best back line is? The goal today was unfortunate, but more a case of Petit messing up than the defense per se. How 'bout the line up of... Gallas....Terry.....Desailly....Babayaro. Couple of good games from Gallas at the right full position.He was given MOTM today by many that were there.Probably our best right back, what a pity he is also one of the two best center halfs also.Much easier for him to get forward from the wing position as the worry of holding back because of leaving a hole in the middle is not there, also easier to burst thru the middle without notice if the LM or RM is taking the ball up the wing on a run.Another problem though is his stated desire to play in the middle of the defense only.Another plus though is that it gives us the opportunity to push Melchiot up to RM where he has played before and is quite capable. Then we have... Melchiot...Gallas...Desailly....Babayaro Can't really find fault with this line up as it has held the best defense in the league to date.Melchiot is a little off at times and Baba can be caught out of position which draws Desailly too far wide, but really the only glaring think that opens up this line up is when Gallas turns himself into an old fashioned English full forward and charges up the field.Having Terry on the bench is great for strength in depth, but he won't be happy with that for long.Then again Desailly won't be around for long more either and Terry is the auto choice for Captain when he takes his place. Decisions, decisions.........
Melchiot - Desailly - Gallas - Babayaro. Terry and Le Saux were stiff to miss out. But I believe that's the back four I would field against Man United.
If Terry is healthy he should play at CB. United's forwards don't have the pace of Henry, Bellamy or Owen so we can afford to use Billy at RB to neutralize Giggs and put pressure down the Scum's left flank. I'm more worried that Carlo will lose his appeal and/or CR will tinker with the wingers and forward line.
No question about it When we play with Babayaro and le Saux on the left wing we are a very potent side. We played with Gallas and gronkjser on the right yesterday and they gave a vintage baba/GLS performance on that side of the pitch. Coupled with the fact that Gronkjaer seems to be geting better as he plays more, and (gasp), actually crossed balls into the middle of the box rather than the stands, would we be better off with this... Gallas....Terry...Desailly....Babayaro Gronkjaer....Lampard....Petit.....Le Saux The problem here being that again gallas is in a position that he has stated that he doesn't want to be in.However, given the way it blended yesterday it might be worth playing again. It would also be a stronger Bench if Melchiot was available for cover.
You think Billy might change his mind if he keeps scoring goals from the RB spot? He seems to be a team player and I think he will see that there are enough matches to go around for him, Terry, Desailly and Melchy to play the 3 available positions. This also makes Ferrer more expendable although I'd like to have a young RB somewhere in the reserves/youth team to be called upon if Melchy is out and Billy must play at CB.
He may now that he has established himself in the national team, for i think that was his main reason for not wanting to move out of the center back position.I imagine he felt it would be easier to break in there rather than on the ends. If he keeps geting the chance to go forward like that i really can't see him objecting to it.Hard one to call really because the first time it backfires everybody will be moaning about him being played out of position ala Viking...although that i think was more of a case of playing Terry long before he was ready. The idea of having baba and GLS on one side and Gallas and Gronkjaer on the other really appeals to me.Plenty of pace for both overlaping runs to attack and also to get back and cover.