What play an actual winger and solid full back as we do on the right. Carrick will never go down this route its far too simplistic. He would rather give our left back/wing back/winger a completely unrealistic task and also leave them exposed.Most of the goals conceded come from our left side so it’s perhaps a better discussion on what to do with beefing up that side of the pitch. As far as Ayling goes he’s basically on his last part of his career. At 32 he can add a lot of experience and know how to the younger lads. As for Djksteel I think like many he’ll be gone in the summer.
Probably a decent leader but pretty average as a player. Has been caught out a few times defensively and although he tries hard going forward, he has no real quality in that area. Tommy Smith was significantly better for me however it's still early days for AylingAfter the initial love in for luke which was fab to see
Where are we with him now Several games in ?
It appears leeds were OK letting him.go and I'm thinking we can see why now
I feel he is leggy and out of position frequently but then will produce a peach of a ball or a decent tackle and I think he still has the spark within him....
We need more than the occasional spark...
What do we think
Am I seeing this wrong ?
Our full back position has been a thorny issue since George friend and I loved Ryan Giles as well as an attacking full back
Totally agree, Tommy smith type player but surprisingly not as good as him. Smith is better on the ball, better positioning and I believe is tougher and a better leader. I think ayling is at the dog end of his career I’m afraid.He's been poor IMO, but still early days. I thought he was going to come in and be a Tommy Smith 7/10 every week sort of player but that has not been the case so far.
You cant have watched Dijksteel last night , he was shockingly bad , and lacked pace . He will be gone summer .He's an adequate stopgap, nothing more, nothing less.
I'd play Dijksteel ahead of him as he's our player and, for my money, adds a bit more going forward.
You cant have watched Dijksteel last night , he was shockingly bad , and lacked pace . He will be gone summer .
Ayling is not the answer either.
I'm not sure he ever started.Dijksteel is finished at this level
Pre injury I'd have thought Smith was enough as the starter for this year.
Now , with how we play / what we've on the books etc...
I'd be looking for a LB with pace / athleticism, and a level of threat the other end ( either delivery or just aggressive in the final third )
Djiksteel just isn't composed enough to offer a threat with delivery, as good as an athlete as he is.
I'd be very happy with either Smith or Ayling as back up to be the Mr reliable/ the LB has been booked and could be off here Sub.
Ayling could be a useful 4th or 5th choice CB in a squad
Yes, that might be the case, there’s no guarantee he’ll be fit in August either33 yr old Smith who has been injured for a year is finished at level we aspire to
33 yr old Smith who has been injured for a year is finished at level we aspire to
The thing is, smith offers so much more than we see, we badly miss his leadership qualities and his performances are 7/10 every game. He calms the defence down with his experience33 yr old Smith who has been injured for a year is finished at level we aspire to