do we need another defender?

The coin has stopped rio from playing football?

If Rio and Vidic leave with should bring in an experienced head.

But if Rio plays like he did today and Vidic gets back to full fitness we should be fine.

No.

Smalling and Evans routinely demonstrate they are top defenders. We have 5 centre backs. When Rio leaves then it's up to Evans, Vidic, Smalling and Jones to fight it out. 4 is enough, and currently we have 5 fit. Also, we didn't spend about 35m on Smalling and Jones for nothing.

I say 5 fit as I envisage Evans will probably be alright. If he was that bad he wouldn't have been playing on.

yes as i think rio and vida will leave in the summer, i would love hummels

What makes you think Vidic will leave?

I think Rio proved today that he is far from finished. I know fans like to mock the manager when he goes on about experience, but the fact is Rio's really is vital for our otherwise pretty young back line. Particularly in big games such as today - he was immense. He can go on for at least another year after this I think. The Smalling/Evans patnership will come evetually, but Rio is still first choice for me.

I think we've genuinely just been quite unlucky with injuries to our defence. I dont think we need another defender. In fact, I would consider giving Phil Jones a loan move. I dont see his long term future anywhere but the centre of defence, but I just dont see how he's going to get the games he needs to develop with the quality of CBs at the club.

bloodred

Loaning out Jones wouldn't be a bad move at all. Especially if we consider that Fabio comes back next season and he can cover Rafa at right back.

I disagree on Rio, however. He was very good today, but against teams with a bit more aerial presence then the partnership of Rio and Evans is flawed. On the deck they're class, but in the air we miss Smalling and Vidic. This should be Rio's last season, in my opinion, unless he is willing to play a Carragher role and let Smalling really step up.

Smalling will be 24 next season and seeing as Roy regularly name checks him and used to manage him, I think he'll be first choice centre half for the national team by the end of this season too. At that age he should be playing every week and forming a partnership with either Evans or Vidic.

comment by -bloodred- (U1222)




posted 5 hours, 8 minutes ago



I think Rio proved today that he is far from finished. I know fans like to mock the manager when he goes on about experience, but the fact is Rio's really is vital for our otherwise pretty young back line. Particularly in big games such as today - he was immense. He can go on for at least another year after this I think. The Smalling/Evans patnership will come evetually, but Rio is still first choice for me.
_________________

spot on imo.