APART from minor stuff like actually signing any players, or appointing a number two, David Moyes has a tough call to make when the season kicks off.
No, not whether to make his Facebook status ‘..wishes Bill would call’ or ‘has just checked under the sofa and, no, still can’t afford a midfielder.eek’ - but how to accommodate one Leighton Baines.
The talented young left-back would vastly improve our attacking options, and overall help us crank things up a notch from last term.
Providing he can stay fit I reckon Baines is pretty much a must. But that creates the awkward problem of which central defensive pairing plays, if you consider Phil Neville automatic choice at right back.
I say awkward, one pick is easy enough....obviously Joleon plays. So that leaves the unwelcome task of dropping either Phil Jagielka or Joey Yobo.
Based on form last season it’s near impossible to call as they were both superb. After a bumpy start Jags flourished into a top centre half who, although he often has to look dynamic rectifying his own mistakes, even got England recognition.
Meanwhile Yobo has managed to limit the number of concentration-slips which traditionally plagued him. He has matured into a Mr Reliable and seems to have a great understanding with Lescott.
This is one where I don’t envy the manager and genuinely struggle to call it myself.
Overall though, because splinters in the posterior are always irritating in newspaper articles (let alone blogs) I’ll go for Yobo.
The Nigerian just has that slight extra edge of pace and strength, along with the occasional ability to put his foot on it and look up.
If I were Jagielka I’d be preparing to put in one hell of a pre-season and slyly trying to master the art of the right back.
What’s your call?
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oh ah Domo la wrote...
During a time when there is so many important issues surrounding around our club, i've been agoninsing over this decision for a while, almost as if it'll be me and not Moyesy wielding the axe.
It seems obvious to me that Baines has got to be a starter next season. He will definitely improve our side and bring better attacking options down the left side. As good as Lescott is on the left, we've got to play him in the middle, to keep him happy and because thats genuinely his best position.
Captain Neville will never be dropped and will play right back.
For some reason i think Moyes will go for Jags ahead of Yobo. I think he'll go for Jags all round sensibiltiy and soundness over Yobo's ice-cool defending.
Difficult decision either will do a good job. But i can't imagine Yobo being too happy at being dropped, its never happened to him yet, it will be interesting how he reacts. Me, i'd go for Yobo and his ability to bring the ball out a bit more, Jags only weak point last season was his occassional urge to just aimlessly tw*t it upfield.
Tough choice, takes the mind off Kirby anyway!
Posted by: oh ah Domo la | June 30, 2008 10:38 PM