So do we switch our focus to a central defender now

It depends on how much we trust Hall staying fit. If Hall is going to be the new Ayla then we need another CB even if Fry is fine.

We can't just have 2 CBs and Wood for the remainder of the season. That said whoever comes in must know he isn't going to start when Mcnair and Fry are fit. So it's only a squad player.
 
When is Grant Hall back?

To be honest I wasn't at all impressed with him early in the season, our defensive performances seemed to improve markedly after he was sidelined. His history also suggests he's not the most reliable injury wise anyway.

Even if he is back and ready, it still leaves us without any real cover. I honestly would have offered Shotton another year on low wages.
 
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So 1st choices: McNair, Fry, Dijksteel
Backups: Hall, Wood
Bola played centre back in the cup.

Howson could probably play there as a last resort.
 
So 1st choices: McNair, Fry, Dijksteel
Backups: Hall, Wood
Bola played centre back in the cup.

Howson could probably play there as a last resort.

But one of them is our starting (and probably best) midfielder and the other one is our starting (and probably only real) leftback.

So they're not really cover. The point is to not weaken the team in other areas surely?
 
Yeah - your not wrong. I was just trying to get my head around the squad depth. We are 1 more defender injury away from real trouble as it stands, but if they are all back and fit things look OK.

Now that Fletcher is back, we seem to have a lot of players who can play up front by comparison (whether they are any good or not is a different matter).
 
I'd say we should be bringing in a senior defender on loan even if Fry hadn't been injured.

Loan in a back up, loan out Wood.
 
I'm sure their must be a few hardend early 30s champo CBs knocking about for a short term deal.

I think its almost just a case of getting one in as cover. We could maybe find a utility type he can play at RB/LB as well if needed.
 
You don't sign a new player because another is out for two games.

We've got enough in the squad that can play in the centre at the back but Hall was a poor signing.

He's a poor signing as he's never available, without going in to his merits as a player.

I'm not condoning signing a player to cover two games, I'm saying we need cover anyway.

McNair was moved back there as we had nobody else when Hall was injured. We started the season with Fry & Hall as our only recognised CB pairing.

Dijksteel, Bola, Howson and Wood can maybe cover there, but three of those weaken us in other areas and the other looked like he was well out of his depth last night. A reliable-ish squad player who can cover RB and CB would be a good idea. Someone exactly like Shotton in fact.
 
Liam Lindsay LCH age 25 Strolled through the game v our u23s today , he would suit on loan or permanent .
Played along side Ryan Shawcross , he's 33 now , so I stick with Lindsay or
Other cheap options we could consider
Lewis Montsma , Lincoln RCH age 22 h1.91m
Zak Jules , Walsall , LCH , age 23 , h1.9m , interest in him .
Declan Gallagher, Motherwell Captain LCH age 29 , h1.9m 7 caps .
Jon Guthrie , Livingston ,age 28 , h1.93m LCH 5 goals .
Cedric Kipre , WBA , age 25 , loan
Natt Phillips LFC CH age 23 , h1.9m on loan .
 
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Given Fry didn't go to hospital I'd assume he'll be back relatively soon?

Maybe Dijksteel would cover that right sided position, if Hall is still not fit?
 
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