Injury Crisis

[Libertine]

Never mind the question I asked in my previous comment. I saw on the teamwatch thread it is until the new calendar year. Still not good tho...

[CountryRoyal]

The problem is Ferdinand is still nowhere near being able to play football. People are saying he is still struggling just trying to walk.

McShane and Cooper at CB and move Hector to DM? Imo that's risky, and could just be an exercise in solving one problem to just create a new one.

I thought he was in full training already?

Even if not I have confidence in cooper playing, and Hector would add that defensive instinct in midfield.

[Libertine]

The problem is Ferdinand is still nowhere near being able to play football. People are saying he is still struggling just trying to walk.

McShane and Cooper at CB and move Hector to DM? Imo that's risky, and could just be an exercise in solving one problem to just create a new one.

I thought he was in full training already?

Even if not I have confidence in cooper playing, and Hector would add that defensive instinct in midfield.

From what I've read (here) people have said (recently) that Ferdinand was walking with a noticeable limp still.

And I don't disagree with you on Hector. I am just not sure that Cooper is ready for the prime time yet. I would be inclined to give Fernandez a look before breaking up our usually very effective McShane-Hector CB pairing.

[CountryRoyal]

And I don't disagree with you on Hector. I am just not sure that Cooper is ready for the prime time yet. I would be inclined to give Fernandez a look before breaking up our usually very effective McShane-Hector CB pairing.

Last season Cooper played pretty well tbh even if he showed moments of inexperience at times, which is completely understandable. He was immense against Everton and there's no reason why, next to an experienced CB like McShane, he won't perform well. We can't be afraid to use our young players when we can, especially when they've proved they are good enough to play temporarily.

True, I actually completely forgot about Fernandez.
He's most similar to Norwood out of our CMs, at least Tsh offered some tough tackling and some steel - although credit where credit is due even Norwood has put in some challenges this season, but that's obviously not where his game lies.

Since Quinn got injured we've looked on the whole a lot less solid, losing Tish is a massive blow. I'm sure Clarke will come up with something for Saturday which vaguely resembles a solid midfield.

Playing Hector at DM like we did Ledge except he can play as well. His occasional mistakes shouldn't be as punishable because he's got the defence behind him, but yeah bottom line I would be perfectly content with Cooper coming into the side if Ferdinand isn't fit, and more than happy for Hector to go DM.

[Libertine]

Actually we're not really in that much disagreement. I think Hector could do the job as a DM and I think Cooper, paired with McShane, could do a decent job at CB. But Coop is still relatively inexperienced even with the good showing against Everton. I do realize that Fernandez is not a Tish, or a Hector if in that role, when it comes to being a DM.

Agree with the Norwood comparison on Fernandez. But I think, like Norwood, he can also take care of his defensive duties. After the 6 minute defensive meltdown at Craven Cottage I think, going into a game with league leaders Brighton, it will be defend first and attack second. Not to say I think we'll set-up negative, just saying we'll be back to defending as a team and attacking as a team. Sa touched on that in his comments after the Fulham match. It definitely sounds like the forwards and midfielders forgot that "defending as a team" principle during the second half of last game. I expect that to be corrected no matter who is in the starting XI...

[CountryRoyal]

Of course Cooper is relatively inexperienced, and he's going to stay that way if he doesn't get any games. We've seen little of Fernandez, and even less to suggest he could do the physical side like Norwood's been doing, but you don't know until you try it so equally wouldn't be against him getting a go.

100% with you about the defensive duties as a team and the importance becoming less a necessity the further upfield you get, but still important. Piazon being played in midfield has obviously hurt us, but he's not alone.

The disappointing thing is the air of complacency we seem to adopt. Not too many games ago we'd blow away the opposition get a goal or two and then sit back and take our foot off. We've now dropped 5 points from winning positions in games that, once gone into the lead, we really should have seen out. I hope that the Fullham game can be the kick up the backside this team needs so they can reminded that they aren't invincible, they don't deserve anything, and they have to work and fight for every point they can.

[Royal Ginger]

Nothing against the lad, but I think Cooper's brace at Norwich flatters him a bit. Take that away, there's less hype about him and I think his horror show against Birmingham would feature more readily in people's minds. Not convinced.

[Snowball]

Nothing against the lad, but I think Cooper's brace at Norwich flatters him a bit. Take that away, there's less hype about him and I think his horror show against Birmingham would feature more readily in people's minds. Not convinced.

So a player (still maturing) who was part of a 6-1 defeat last season is somehow suspect
but a team who six days ago totally capitulated and shipped 4 goals in less than half a game, is...?

Didn't John Terry start his Chelsea career with a few own goals?

Most games Cooper has done well. v Everton he was outstanding and some here
said it was one of the best RFC CB performances they'd seen.

[Sutekh]

Nothing against the lad, but I think Cooper's brace at Norwich flatters him a bit. Take that away, there's less hype about him and I think his horror show against Birmingham would feature more readily in people's minds. Not convinced.

So a player (still maturing) who was part of a 6-1 defeat last season is somehow suspect
but a team who six days ago totally capitulated and shipped 4 goals in less than half a game, is...?

Didn't John Terry start his Chelsea career with a few own goals?

Most games Cooper has done well. v Everton he was outstanding and some here
said it was one of the best RFC CB performances they'd seen.

Very good player Cooper is, may even be a better centre back than Hector ultimately. Like to see him getting some game time somewhere to get the valuable experience he needs in meaningful game situations to start proving himself.

[SCIAG]

Why don't we put Hector in midfield with Ferdinand and McShane at CB, that could work.

Because Hector's looked completely lost whenever we've played him in midfield.

Cooper's really coming along, but I'm still not sure he can tackle. Not doubting that he can necessarily, it's just he couldn't a year ago and I've not seen enough of him since to know if he's got better at it.

[Woodcote Royal]

Nothing against the lad, but I think Cooper's brace at Norwich flatters him a bit. Take that away, there's less hype about him and I think his horror show against Birmingham would feature more readily in people's minds. Not convinced.

So a player (still maturing) who was part of a 6-1 defeat last season is somehow suspect
but a team who six days ago totally capitulated and shipped 4 goals in less than half a game, is...?

Didn't John Terry start his Chelsea career with a few own goals?

Most games Cooper has done well. v Everton he was outstanding and some here
said it was one of the best RFC CB performances they'd seen.

Very good player Cooper is, may even be a better centre back than Hector ultimately. Like to see him getting some game time somewhere to get the valuable experience he needs in meaningful game situations to start proving himself.

+1 to all of that.

Some of our fans love to bang on about young players yet are never prepared to support what they see as the massive risks involved with putting them in the first team. With their mentality we might as well close the academy

Cooper was outstanding against Everton's Premiership strike force and must be up there as one of our best ever 4th choice centre halves. He's not in the squad to make up the numbers and should not be viewed as such.

I haven't a clue what's in Clarke's mind for Saturday but Hector in midfield and Cooper at the back is something I'd love to see at some point in the season.

[Snowball136]

Why don't we put Hector in midfield with Ferdinand and McShane at CB, that could work.

Because Hector's looked completely lost whenever we've played him in midfield.

Cooper's really coming along, but I'm still not sure he can tackle. Not doubting that he can necessarily, it's just he couldn't a year ago and I've not seen enough of him since to know if he's got better at it.

He'd be more of an advanced CB, playing in a 4-1-4-1


I genuinely believe, long-term that's his position

[Ian Royal]

The problem is Ferdinand is still nowhere near being able to play football. People are saying he is still struggling just trying to walk.

McShane and Cooper at CB and move Hector to DM? Imo that's risky, and could just be an exercise in solving one problem to just create a new one.

I thought he was in full training already?

Even if not I have confidence in cooper playing, and Hector would add that defensive instinct in midfield.

PTR said he looked like he could barely walk the other day. Butseeing as he used to be a ref I wouldn't tryst his eyesight or judgement.

[SCIAG]

Why don't we put Hector in midfield with Ferdinand and McShane at CB, that could work.

Because Hector's looked completely lost whenever we've played him in midfield.

Cooper's really coming along, but I'm still not sure he can tackle. Not doubting that he can necessarily, it's just he couldn't a year ago and I've not seen enough of him since to know if he's got better at it.

He'd be more of an advanced CB, playing in a 4-1-4-1


I genuinely believe, long-term that's his position

An "advanced CB"?! We don't need one of those.

Norwood's playing the deep midfield role perfectly well and offering much more than Hector ever has there. It would be strange to move him to another position in order to play Hector out of position.

I think it's pretty rare for a centre back to suddenly start playing in midfield midway through their career. Hector's been with us for six years. If he was going to be a midfielder then we would have converted him by now.

I understand the attraction, he's good on the ball, quick, strong, and aggressive. It's just that he doesn't look comfortable in midfield and he's not technically gifted enough to play in this team's midfield.

[CountryRoyal]

Tbf since Tish hasn't been in the side, and certainly Quinn, we haven't been as solid defensively. Our midfield has been overran the last 2 games even with the ever impressive Norwood.

Ledge wasn't exactly graceful on the ball yet his physicality and ball winning ability was fundamental in only our second ever team to reach the top flight.

[SCIAG]

Ledge wasn't exactly graceful on the ball yet his physicality and ball winning ability was fundamental in only our second ever team to reach the top flight.

Au contraire, he was excellent at pirouetting away from opposing players, bring the ball forward fifteen yards, then laying it off to Kebe or McAnuff. Excellent ball control.

Despite that, he wouldn't be right for this side. That was a team with full backs who didn't cross the halfway line and midfielders who didn't get into the box. We were relying on extremely talented wingers (and later, an extremely talented striker in Jason Roberts) to create chances and score goals. Clarke has a completely different game plan involving keeping possession, pass and move, and fluid attacking moves, which Legs wouldn't be suited to.

Unlike Hector though, Legs has (had) at least shown he can do it in midfield at this level.

[Snowball136]

If I were a manager/scout (cue half a dozen jokes here) I would play Hector as a DM

I think he would quickly learn the role and be a Prem top six quality player there
by the end of that first season.

I am NOT convinced he'll finish that high as a a CB and, sure I may be wrong,
but I can't imagine him as a regular CB at Chelsea


For me he is PERECT for a DM spot, being able to break etc (we've seen brief snippets
of that kind of play this season)

[PieEater]

As long as he doesn't put Obita there. Every game he played in CM was a shambles.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Ya man's said there's four more players with knocks now. My money's on McShane, Ferdinand, McCleary and Williams.

[Snowball136]

Ya man's said there's four more players with knocks now. My money's on McShane, Ferdinand, McCleary and Williams.

Hector, Cooper, John and Fernando covers that