Left Back

[Omegstrat6]

Belatedly noticed that the recently updated team list on the Albion site has Styles moved from defender to midfielder category. No issue with that (and makes even more sense moving him further midfield if Mikey goes) but the moot point will be who now plays LB? With Furlong at RB and surely Phillips and Heggem in the centre, will Caleb Taylor -despite being right footed and more suited to a central position slot in, or will Frabotta? The latter is left footed and certainly has experience in that role but he hasn't been particularly impressive when he has had his chances. What do others think or is this a recruitment need?

[baggieal]

Belatedly noticed that the recently updated team list on the Albion site has Styles moved from defender to midfielder category. No issue with that (and makes even more sense moving him further midfield if Mikey goes) but the moot point will be who now plays LB? With Furlong at RB and surely Phillips and Heggem in the centre, will Caleb Taylor -despite being right footed and more suited to a central position slot in, or will Frabotta? The latter is left footed and certainly has experience in that role but he hasn't been particularly impressive when he has had his chances. What do others think or is this a recruitment need?

We need two quality full backs in my opinion, Furlong good going forward but constantly loses his man when defending. Don?t forget too Palmer bailed Furlong out many times but Griffiths gets more nervous hence the blunders seen last season.

[baggiematt]

There is a player in styles but I dont think he is a left back. Certainly a good stand in but we have had better in that position over the years.

Frabrotta is possibly on his last chance with the club and I read they trialed him on the wing.

We will be in for a left back and probably a right back too. After that a decent winger and I think we are a good outfit this season.

[boingy]

Belatedly noticed that the recently updated team list on the Albion site has Styles moved from defender to midfielder category. No issue with that (and makes even more sense moving him further midfield if Mikey goes) but the moot point will be who now plays LB? With Furlong at RB and surely Phillips and Heggem in the centre, will Caleb Taylor -despite being right footed and more suited to a central position slot in, or will Frabotta? The latter is left footed and certainly has experience in that role but he hasn't been particularly impressive when he has had his chances. What do others think or is this a recruitment need?

Yes we do need a left back. Fine with the other positions. Will be interesting to see what transpires.

[WBA123]

There is a player in styles but I dont think he is a left back. Certainly a good stand in but we have had better in that position over the years.

Frabrotta is possibly on his last chance with the club and I read they trialed him on the wing.

We will be in for a left back and probably a right back too. After that a decent winger and I think we are a good outfit this season.

I agree with your point on Styles. I'd also say his best position might be LWB.

If we do end up selling Fellows, I think we might be stronger playing 3-5-2 next season.

Caleb Taylor in a back 3 with Phillips and Heggem. Furlong & Styles wing back.
2 of Diakite/Molumby/Mowatt/Price as holding midfielders
1 of Bany/Johnston/Price as a CAM
And then 2 up top, Maja/Dike/Heggebo

Might actually suit us better switching formation.

[baggieal]

I agree with your point on Styles. I'd also say his best position might be LWB.

If we do end up selling Fellows, I think we might be stronger playing 3-5-2 next season.

Caleb Taylor in a back 3 with Phillips and Heggem. Furlong & Styles wing back.
2 of Diakite/Molumby/Mowatt/Price as holding midfielders
1 of Bany/Johnston/Price as a CAM
And then 2 up top, Maja/Dike/Heggebo

Might actually suit us better switching formation.

Good shout! I prefer Diakite and Price personally! Mowatt too slow and JM lacks creativity and talent although has tenacity.

Rather have Maja and Heggebo as not a fan of Dike so far!

[Omegstrat6]

Good shout! I prefer Diakite and Price personally! Mowatt too slow and JM lacks creativity and talent although has tenacity.

Rather have Maja and Heggebo as not a fan of Dike so far!

Id agree with you about preferring Diakite over Molumby and Mowatt, and for the same reasons Al but unsure about which two to lead the line. Maja has proven himself but still not in full training with the first team squad after his injury and Heggebo looks promising on paper but obviously not seen him yet. Dike may then get his chance and I hope he is able to take it.

No mention of Grant by 123 and, of course, he may yet leave as Derby and others have expressed interest but whilst he is certainly no CF he has a demonstrated a great work rate and I believe he can still offer us something as a number 10. If Mikey ends up staying he will have competition from both him and Bany though. Bany too missed games last season due to injury so will be interesting to see what he can do.

[baggieal]

Id agree with you about preferring Diakite over Molumby and Mowatt, and for the same reasons Al but unsure about which two to lead the line. Maja has proven himself but still not in full training with the first team squad after his injury and Heggebo looks promising on paper but obviously not seen him yet. Dike may then get his chance and I hope he is able to take it.

No mention of Grant by 123 and, of course, he may yet leave as Derby and others have expressed interest but whilst he is certainly no CF he has a demonstrated a great work rate and I believe he can still offer us something as a number 10. If Mikey ends up staying he will have competition from both him and Bany though. Bany too missed games last season due to injury so will be interesting to see what he can do.

Evening Omeg
Dike will be an interesting one and I sincerely hope he does well. Whilst I hope not - I can see him pulling up again and I still fancy Maja in front of goal more to take chances. The new lad is the future so hope he?s thrown in.

Grant to his credit worked hard last year but lacks the magic that Mikey can produce.

Starting off well is crucial for Mason and this will instil confidence in the squad.

If we can offload Bartley and Wallace then brilliant but on their wages can?t see them wanting to leave or anyone meeting their wage demands.

[Omegstrat6]

Evening Omeg
Dike will be an interesting one and I sincerely hope he does well. Whilst I hope not - I can see him pulling up again and I still fancy Maja in front of goal more to take chances. The new lad is the future so hope he?s thrown in.

Grant to his credit worked hard last year but lacks the magic that Mikey can produce.

Starting off well is crucial for Mason and this will instil confidence in the squad.

If we can offload Bartley and Wallace then brilliant but on their wages can?t see them wanting to leave or anyone meeting their wage demands.

Hi Al
Certainly agree with you about the importance of starting off well. Mason should have everyone back from international duties soon so hopefully 6 plus weeks to bed in and get to know players and develop tactics and formations accordingly. I'm sure there may be a few twists and turns in the transfer window to come but pleased so far with our acquisitions.

As for the likes of Bartley, Wallace and Cole, I think we're going to be stuck with them for a while. How much we see of them this season will be interesting!

[WBA123]

I think our squad at the end of the window will look very different to today.

Personally, I can see Maja, Grant and Dike all leaving as they have 1 year left on their contract so the club will want to cash in.

There's a good chance Fellows still goes. I wonder if Johnston may still leave as well.

I think Wallace and Bartley could leave, both of them have a year left on their contract too - perhaps it might even be a loan if another club pays for their wages for the season. They'll probably want 1st team football so they put themselves in a shop window for another contract.

I heard rumours at the start of the window that Furlong may be out the door too if we get an offer in.

No doubt we'll look at the loan market also, perhaps some Spurs youngsters may be arriving. Mikey Moore looks a real player and was linked with us a couple of weeks ago.

But, if all of the above happens, we should have some decent cash to play with. I don't mind any player leaving the club if we get the right price for them. I just hope our recruitment is up to scratch....More Heggem's and less Frabotta's ideally!

[stargazer_1962]

most of the players you mention will run out their contracts as no-one will pay good money for them and we supposedly have a 'shadow squad' 2 players for each position so wont just get rid without known replacements.

[Yarmbaggie]

Harry Amass left back at Man U looking for a loan to get first team experience.

Surely the type of player we should be looking at and one who would get plenty of opportunities at left back with us.

[Omegstrat6]

Harry Amass left back at Man U looking for a loan to get first team experience.

Surely the type of player we should be looking at and one who would get plenty of opportunities at left back with us.

True, but I guess it's all about priorities and the money available. We have already bolstered our defence in recruiting Phillips and Campbell and Mason is reported to want to improve our midfield so that may be his next target.

Styles is not a natural LB as he proved in the Blackpool game and is listed now as a midfielder on the Albion site so I was a bit surprised tbh that he played in that position in the match and that Heggem didn't drop back to his old position instead.