KMT’s State Of The Squad: Centre Backs

[Kitch’s Magic Toes]

Building a successful football team is, in my opinion at least, all about creating complimentary partnerships all over the field. And not having Chris MacKenzie in goal. That last one is probably the most important to be honest. But think about the 2006 promotion side for a minute. We had players whose respective strengths brought the best out of each player (and covered for their respective weaknesses). Simpson & Easton. Alexander & Steele. Zak & Mack. Locky & Joe Keith. Shane Tudor & the refs giving him a free kick for every dive. Now think about Big Marv and Happe. Same thing, right? Now imagine a full season of Josh Coulson and Dan Happe. Ruh-roh...


Retained: Josh Coulson, Dan Happe, Shadrach Ogie, Jamie Turley
In:
Out: Marvin Ekpiteta (Blackpool)

First Choice
Dan Happe
Pros: Indisputably the best CB at the club; aerially strong; nice left foot.
Cons: Lacks pace; not overly composed in possession; could get flogged in January.

Josh Coulson
Pros: Vast experience; dominant in both boxes; massive forehead.
Cons: Legs have basically gone; complete liability when he gets dragged out into the channels; turning circle of an oil tanker.


In reserve
Jamie Turley
Pros: Much more mobile than the other two senior CBs; enjoys a physical tussle with opposition lumps; doesn’t try to overplay.
Cons: Decidedly injury-prone; gives away silly fouls by attacking balls he can’t win; loves an aimless hoof to no-one.

Shadrach Ogie
Pros: Looks like a bit of a unit; great goal on loan at Dover (RIP).
Cons: Not seen enough of him to judge.

In a pinch
Ouss Cissé, Joe Widdowson

Top 7 Bound?
Not likely. Whilst a centre back pairing of Happe and Coulson would cope admirably with sides that prefer an aerial bombardment, the thought of either of them being faced with anything remotely resembling pace is a terrifying one. I’m 18 stone & nearly 40 and I’d genuinely fancy myself in a foot race against both of them. Turley would be a better stylistic fit for either of the first choice pairing, but in the unlikely event that he’s not injured he’s a bog-standard League Two clogger at his absolute best.

FFS Ling?
No blame attached to our DoF for not hanging on to Big Marv - who clearly wasn’t going to sign a new deal - but he needs to find a new first choice CB to partner Dan Happe pretty sharpish. Perhaps controversially, Josh Coulson was one of the players I would have binned off after promotion. Whilst he marginally outperformed my expectations last term, I think it would be actively irresponsible squad management to have him as first choice this year. The new man needs to be quick, comfortable in possession, right-footed and in his prime. No pressure, Martin...

[Rich Tea Wellin]

Agree again. Josh is a good leader and a decent enough backup to rest players or when we get injuries, but his lack of pace alongside Happe (who I rate but not as highly as others do) will cause us all sorts of problems and teams will be aware of that weakness.

There's lots of people thinking Widdowson will play there but he's not exactly Usain Bolt and I question his positional sense at left back never mind centre back.

It's a gap still for me and wouldn't mind seeing us get in either a loan from a prem u23s or something who has pace or someone permanently who's a bit more experienced.

[Rich Tea Wellin]

Or if we need pace, and considering some boarders are desperate for us to play him out of position, i'd stick Brophy back there...

[ComeOnYouOs]

For me, its Happe & Turley all day long. Coulson isnt league 2 quality any more, but I agree we need another centre back

[Millennial Snowflake]

Happe not overly composed in possession

Don’t agree, easily the most comfortable CB on the ball we’ve had the last few years. Probably since Baudry

[Kitch’s Magic Toes]

Happe not overly composed in possession

Don’t agree, easily the most comfortable CB on the ball we’ve had the last few years. Probably since Baudry

He strikes a nice ball. But I’m talking about his composure/ability in tight situations when pressured by an opposing player. Think about the amount of times that, when facing his own goal, Marvin Ekpiteta body-swerved a forward and brought the ball back into midfield. Happe is content to knock the ball off for a throw-in in those situations. No problem with that approach, but it’s one of the reasons that Marv is playing League One football next year and Dan Happe isn’t.

KMT

[Real Al]

Turley is mighty fstwhen he builds up a head of steam, but he's not so quick out of the blocks.

Have to agree with needing someone back there having a turn of speed

[BiggsyMalone]

Happe not overly composed in possession

Don’t agree, easily the most comfortable CB on the ball we’ve had the last few years. Probably since Baudry

He strikes a nice ball. But I’m talking about his composure/ability in tight situations when pressured by an opposing player. Think about the amount of times that, when facing his own goal, Marvin Ekpiteta body-swerved a forward and brought the ball back into midfield. Happe is content to knock the ball off for a throw-in in those situations. No problem with that approach, but it’s one of the reasons that Marv is playing League One football next year and Dan Happe isn’t.

KMT

Harsh on Happe’s ability on the ball. Marv would bring the ball in midfield then panic and give it away or pass it sideways. He also got caught out losing the ball a lot when he had to cover Ling’s lack of any kind of speed or awareness. A lot of it with Happe is the lack of movement infront of him.

The reason he’s playing League 1 next season is because they got him on a free. Happe will be playing for a Championship club at the end of next season.

[Rich Tea Wellin]

Happe not overly composed in possession

Don’t agree, easily the most comfortable CB on the ball we’ve had the last few years. Probably since Baudry

He strikes a nice ball. But I’m talking about his composure/ability in tight situations when pressured by an opposing player. Think about the amount of times that, when facing his own goal, Marvin Ekpiteta body-swerved a forward and brought the ball back into midfield. Happe is content to knock the ball off for a throw-in in those situations. No problem with that approach, but it’s one of the reasons that Marv is playing League One football next year and Dan Happe isn’t.

KMT

Harsh on Happe’s ability on the ball. Marv would bring the ball in midfield then panic and give it away or pass it sideways. He also got caught out losing the ball a lot when he had to cover Ling’s lack of any kind of speed or awareness. A lot of it with Happe is the lack of movement infront of him.

The reason he’s playing League 1 next season is because they got him on a free. Happe will be playing for a Championship club at the end of next season.

Nah

[Long slender neck]

We need some pace there, in 2021/22 that may be Ogie but we cant throw him in yet.

[DuvB]

Turley is mighty fstwhen he builds up a head of steam, but he's not so quick out of the blocks.

Have to agree with needing someone back there having a turn of speed

Turley is second fastest in the club after Brophy

[Rich Tea Wellin]

Turley is mighty fstwhen he builds up a head of steam, but he's not so quick out of the blocks.

Have to agree with needing someone back there having a turn of speed

Turley is second fastest in the club after Brophy

Imagine how fast he'd be with both hamstrings!

[Top of the JES]

Good summing up so far by KMT so far, very balanced.

[AckneyAwks]

Any names spring to mind for a right footed pacey centre half?

[gshaw]

Turley is our best option at RB and as a partner for Happe. Problem is whichever position he doesn't play in gets considerably weakened. Agree we need someone in to replace Ekpiteta.

[Top of the JES]

Any names spring to mind for a right footed pacey centre half?

Had a look at the PFA free agents list today, Didn't see anyone obvious who jumped out, the stand out defender on there for me is Kristian Pearce released bt Mansfield last Season had a good turn of pace and made the League Two team of the season two years ago and very experienced not seen him of late but of all the players on the list he would be a realistic option

Another option might be worth taking another look at Toby Stevenson he was highly thought of here got a trial and a contract at Burnley and then Charlton and released last season.

tbh I think we may look at a London clubs under 23 centre half in the end on a seasons loan or stick with what we have until January.