We have a fine-looking list once everyone's fit again. (If everyone's fit again.)

But the one issue I have is about balance of right/left footers. I know that Fuchs and Thomas are left footers, but neither of them is going to be first choice left back/left wing back. Justin and Castagne can both play on the left, and it sounds like Ricardo has played there too on occasion, but all are right footed. And unless we switch Under over (no pun intended), there will be no natural left footer on that side. Which I find problematic when looking for overlaps, and providing the width often needed to break down deep defences.

I'd be interested to see how Castagne played on the left side, but it's worth noting that he was played primarily on the right at the start of the season with Justin picking up the mantle on the left, even though he looks far happier crossing with his right.

Will the money be spent though?

I know he was excellent last night down the Right, mainly because of the lack of defense that side for Brighton but I actually prefer Justin down the left.

He seems to be more solid down the left while still looking good going forward.

Nice problem to have once they are all fit.

comment by HB Fash - Never doubted Stevie G as manager (U21935)
posted 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
Will the money be spent though?
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Well, I guess, technically it was.

Castagne was a direct replacement and I doubt we’d have spent £30m on a teenaged CB without the Chilwell money

I did see the lack of left footed fullbacks as an issue until Justin proved he can play anywhere, and Thomas had a game to suggest he’s more than ready to fill in if he’s needed.

I also like Justin on the left, and we have no idea whether Castagne will be as effective on the left or not.

So I agree with Joby (obvs) in that we are rich in talent at full back both in first choice and two able back ups.

The question I’m left with is this - if Pereira and Castagne are fully fit, can you honestly drop Justin?

I guess we won’t have to worry as he’ll be covering as a centre back and right winger by then no doubt!

comment by Nuneaton_fox (U7936)
posted 1 hour, 7 minutes ago
Nice problem to have once they are all fit.
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To answer this directly, we sold Chilwell and we now have a much stronger team, and a better left back.

So yes.

Sorry to triple bomb this thread, but I didn’t think this worthy of a new article so I thought I’d say it here. How impressive and professional in Albrighton.

How many managers have come in, dropped him thinking “I can do better than that” and then ending up having him as pretty much a fundamental part of the first team.

Every. Single. One.

Every year the fans write him off and think “why are we not playing X, Y, Z ahead of him”, yet time and time again he gives us 7 out of 10.

He also seems to give Rodgers the flexibility to change formation in game.

Well done Marc.

I see Rodgers has been complimenting Albrighton's work-rate, which is something that manager after manager has found they can come back to and rely upon.

We were all moaning about the 5 at the back recently and the reason Rodgers wasn’t playing 4 is that at the back end of the last season without Ricardo and chilwell we were terrible.

He had to change it as no faith in the defence - hasn’t really gone back to it because Castangne has been injured as well however it now looks like Justin looking the business and once castangne comes back think we will see 4 all the time

We can the ease Ricardo back and if he’s fully fit sorry Justin will be on the bench