[Valley Blues]

I think we’d be unanimous in saying that the middle of the back four has been the area of the side that has raised the most concern for the past 18 months or so.

And yet it is this area that we’ve not strengthened during this time.

Grimes was a shoe in really but who went alongside him was a real head scratcher.

So what are the thoughts now?

Ash Palmer has served up a few clangers along the way and been given pelters on this board. I think I even recall him being referred to as one of the worst players we’ve had.
However, the last couple of months since coming in for the injured Williams he’s been really good. Pushing MOM good on a few occasions.

Miguel Freckleton was brought in, supposedly, as a quicker option in the central defensive position yet never had a look in and was shoehorned into the left back slot which clearly doesn’t suit him. The one real opportunity he’s had playing his preferred role ( against higher opposition ) he puts in a fantastic MOM performance.

Ty Williams had the shirt and was pretty much accepted as Grimes’ partner. But injury allowed others to step in and perform very well.
A return against Gateshead saw an accomplished performance back in the team, albeit against a poor side we allowed very little threat.

The captain and widely accepted most improved and most capable centre half has missed three games. His missing was viewed by many, myself included, as a real problem. But it didn’t work out that way. His understudies gave as all something to think about.

So there we have it. There’s left and right footers, leaders and commanding players, players with a bit more pace, players better with their distribution and so on.

Is it a conundrum? Or is it straightforward?

I think it’s much more the former than it was a month ago. We’ve got four centre halves all putting in very good performances, albeit some over longer periods than others.

I’m going for Grimes as he’s been brilliant for us, captain of the team and doesn’t deserve to not lead the side in the home stretch and Williams.
Williams offers a bit of pace and, again, was playing really well before his lay off.

Thoughts on a post card……,

This post has been edited by Valley Blues: 12 January 2024 - 10:44 AM

[Bonnyman]

Not even worth worrying about at present,im sure we bring one in if freckleton departs

[Sammy Spireite]

Palmer/Grimes is the best pairing currently, for me, against Non-league teams who lump it forward and try to play off the scraps. Palmer can be slow off the mark, but his reading of the game combats that to an extent and Grimes has the pace to cover certain situations where Palmer gets done for pace.

Freckleton performed well against higher opposition who played better football, mainly on the floor, and his pace was a massive benefit, I think he has the ability to make a decent EFL career at LCB.

I also think its hard to draw any conclusions from Williams and Palmer together from Wednesday night as Gateshead offered very little threat, I think with my at the side of either one of them we still might have kept a clean sheet!

I think the CB is an area that does need strengthening in the summer, though.

[ash_cfc]

You could argue we’d need a whole new back 4 going in to L2.

Personally, Williams starts every single game when he’s fit. And with Cooks preference of a left footer at LCB then it’ll be Grimes. No way Grimes goes in to next season as starting LCB IMO. Club captain and squad player. Naylor first team captain.

[Paragon of Virtue]

Williams is the pick of the bunch for me, if he's fit he should be starting at RCB. Harsh on Palmer but I'd probably put Grimes alongside just on account of being left footed and slightly better on the ball. Freckleton is a nice option to have but I'd go with the experienced lads particularly against the uglier sides in the division.

[ronpowellsbutler]

If all three are available I would have Grimes plus one.
The one being Palmer if the opposition bomb it long and Williams if the opposition have some pace.
It is “ shoo in “ by the way ( sorry ).

[Goku]

Grimes and Williams for me but Palmer has stopped his early season mistakes so I'm now comfortable with him at the back and Freckleton has shown to be an able deputy to Grimes when he's out. Would be considering signing another CB for next season though.

[CFC91]

We’ve got 4 good CBs who offer different qualities dependant on who we are playing.
Williams for me is the better of the 4, but not much in it. Palmer has improved a lot and Freckleton is a much better player there than he is at LB.
Our defensive record has improved a lot and that is testament to the improvement inform of these 4

[Osborne again]

Bonnyman, on 12 January 2024 - 10:50 AM, said:

Not even worth worrying about at present,im sure we bring one in if freckleton departs

If Freckleton doesn't get a new contract at United, I for one, wouldn't be upset if we gave him a contract. I'd certainly have him back on loan next season. You can see that both our on loan players have bought into the project, which is great because some loan players just don't blend.

[DIFH]

Sammy Spireite, on 12 January 2024 - 10:51 AM, said:

Palmer/Grimes is the best pairing currently, for me, against Non-league teams who lump it forward and try to play off the scraps. Palmer can be slow off the mark, but his reading of the game combats that to an extent and Grimes has the pace to cover certain situations where Palmer gets done for pace.

Freckleton performed well against higher opposition who played better football, mainly on the floor, and his pace was a massive benefit, I think he has the ability to make a decent EFL career at LCB.

I also think its hard to draw any conclusions from Williams and Palmer together from Wednesday night as Gateshead offered very little threat, I think with my at the side of either one of them we still might have kept a clean sheet!

I think the CB is an area that does need strengthening in the summer, though.

So is your pairing good enough for L2

[danblue]

Let me just drop this on -
Palmer was released by Stockport when they got promoted to L2
Grimes has signed a new contract
Williams has signed a new contract

Palmer is having a good spell atm tho

This post has been edited by danblue: 12 January 2024 - 12:38 PM

[Duckys Moved]

DIFH, on 12 January 2024 - 11:29 AM, said:

So is your pairing good enough for L2

Barring the youngsters I think every member of this squad is good enough for L2. Someone mentioned on another post that we may be in for a quite summer and I agree providing they want to stay, some may not be happy with the rotation in a lot of areas.

[HaslandBlue58]

Duckys Moved, on 12 January 2024 - 12:41 PM, said:

Barring the youngsters I think every member of this squad is good enough for L2. Someone mentioned on another post that we may be in for a quite summer and I agree providing they want to stay, some may not be happy with the rotation in a lot of areas.

I'd prefer a quiet summer.(Apologies)

[JonB]

danblue, on 12 January 2024 - 12:37 PM, said:

Let me just drop this on -
Palmer was released by Stockport when they got promoted to L2
Grimes has signed a new contract
Williams has signed a new contract

Palmer is having a good spell atm tho

Palmer wasnt released, it was reported we paid an undisclosed fee for him to bring him in from Stockport.

[danblue]

JonB, on 12 January 2024 - 03:34 PM, said:

Palmer wasnt released, it was reported we paid an undisclosed fee for him to bring him in from Stockport.

Oh, fair enough

[Osborne again]

Palmer is a decent centre back, but he has this bad habit of allowing the ball over his shoulder before dealing with it. He hasn't got the pace to get himself out of trouble, so better give the ball a seat in row z, rather than lose the race with a speedy striker.

[Nitrous Oxide]

Osborne again, on 12 January 2024 - 05:28 PM, said:

Palmer is a decent centre back, but he has this bad habit of allowing the ball over his shoulder before dealing with it. He hasn't got the pace to get himself out of trouble, so better give the ball a seat in row z, rather than lose the race with a speedy striker.

Probably why Stockport released him. It is a weakness that he keeps doing, along with getting caught in possession. If it's a plain and simple clearance or block he's the one you'd want doing it.

[Osborne again]

Nitrous Oxide, on 12 January 2024 - 06:26 PM, said:

Probably why Stockport released him. It is a weakness that he keeps doing, along with getting caught in possession. If it's a plain and simple clearance or block he's the one you'd want doing it.

It doesn't help when Mike Jones doesn't play, because he's saved us more than once when Palmer has allowed the ball to drop over his shoulder. It shouldn't be hard to get out of it, because he's an intelligent player. I was told, if in doubt boot it out, and if the player went with it, so much the better 😁😁.

[philly8mt]

Thought Williams looked assured on Wednesday night and I’d say he’s possibly our best CB?
I reckon Grimes has the passion and the love of the majority on here, but he doesn’t always fill me with confidence tbh. Naylor has to be the League two captain doesn’t he?
Freckleton pleasantly surprised me at CB and would get better with more game time there presumably? He’s got the pace we badly need.
Palmer is a tough one, perhaps his lack of pace is going to be his downfall as we go up a league? Can’t argue with the improvement in form though and that’s got to be welcomed.

This post has been edited by philly8mt: 13 January 2024 - 01:26 AM