Chris Hughton will have to figure out who to play in the back four against a strong Chelsea side, in our next home game, now that Steven Taylor and Sebastien Bassong are likely to be missing.
Geremi – could play right back against former club, Chelsea
21 year-old Canadian David Edgar has not played for Newcastle United since the Sunderland gamed in early February, and it looks like David will be on his way out of the club in the summer, unless we get relegated, in which case he may get a one year contract.
The 21-year-old has made only nine Premier League starts, but has hardly let the side down when he’s played, and he’s played in all back four positions at Newcastle.
An alternative may be to recall Claudio Caçapa, but when Claudia’s played he’s just made far too many crucial errors, and seems too slow to be effective in the Premier League, and will definitely be moved on when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The Brazilian defender has not played for the first team for a long time, and in his last start at Fulham in November, he was at fault for Fulhams’ second goal, which turned out to be the winner.
Of the two we’d prefer Edgar, but why wouldn’t Chris play Geremi at right back, since he’s played there for Chelsea many times, and he would love to start against his former club. He’s also been in decent form recently when he’s played, and he has good experience, which the team needs right now.
Of course there’s also Ryan Taylor, who is more than adept at right full back, but we also need his crossing skills up front.
Habib Beye will be fit to start the game alongside Fabricio Coloccini in central defense, and we have full confidence in Habib, to put in a steady performance there.
He will no doubt be getting some practice in the position in the lead up to the Chelsea game on the training fields, but he’s also played there when he was captain of Marseilles.
So a back four of Geremi Coloccini Beye and Enrique would seem quite strong. Our second choice would be to replace Geremi with Ryan Taylor.
What do you think the back four should be – assuming that both Taylor and Bassong will not be available?
Let us know – comments very welcome.
15 comments so far
RyanToon
Mar 24, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Comment #1dont agree with you there ed, id play ryan taylor right back, beye in the middle and bring jonas back in the side
RyanToon
Mar 24, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Comment #2my team for chelsea
harper
r.taylor coloccini beye enrique
lovenkrands nolan butt jonas
martins owen
ronaldeano
Mar 24, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Comment #3Agreed Ryan
Ericles
Mar 24, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Comment #4That is about it Ryan. Not a bad side considering things as they are. Would like to see Ranger and LuaLua on the bench too. What is this item in the Sun today? A dressing room decision or just media bollocks?
shearerbliss
Mar 24, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Comment #5Beye Edgar Colo Enrique
I would leave the rb position as is. Play players in there strongest position is my belief!
ieffrey
Mar 24, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Comment #6As you said, Edgar has hardly let us down when he has played, so I would rather play him alongside Coloccini in central defense. Not only because CB is Edgar’s best position, but also how helpful would his height could be!
In the meantime, Beye could use his crossing ability in the right back position. That’s what I missed most when he was out.
Whumpie
Mar 24, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Comment #7Nice to see that we have options, and I can see the merit in all these suggestions.
Personally, I think Ed is right but only for the Chelski game – the experience and strength should count. However, that depends on making a decision now and drilling that structure into them until they can function as a unit. Can Hughton do that? Dunno – he is a decent coach, if not the best manager.
But against Stoke, I think Beye-Edgar-Col0-Enrique may be worth a punt.
spiderpig
Mar 24, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Comment #8dont be daft ed.he has no pace and cant even beatthe first man on set pieces anymore.he is last resort.would sooner play smudge or ryan taylor there,even edgar.beye must play in the middle with colo tho
zico martin
Mar 24, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Comment #9ryan taylor for right back , geremi far to slow my dads quicker than him
Danish_Magpie
Mar 24, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Comment #10I disagree with you there, Ed. I believe we should line up as follows, assuming no Bassong and no S. Taylor:
…………………….Harper……………………….
R. Taylor…..Beye…..Coloccini…..Enrique
Duff………….Butt……..Nolan………..Jonas
……………….Owen………Martins……………
Subs depend on the game’s developments of course, but some ideas to freshen things up:
Guthrie (if fit enough to play a part) for Butt
Carroll for Owen
Løvenkrands for Duff
hodnufc
Mar 24, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Comment #11Geremi shouldnt be anywhere near the first team. In my opinion we should just accept defeat, play 451 with Martins upfront on his own. No point in playing Owen as we wont create any chances. Accept a defeat and keep the score line as low as possible. Last thing we need is any injuries right now! Might even scrape a 0-0 if Chelsea have an off day.
…………………….Harper……………………….
Beye…..Edgar…..Coloccini…..Enrique
………………..Butt………………………..
RTaylor..Nolan…Lovenkrands..Jonas
………………..Martins…………………….
WELSHMAG
Mar 24, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Comment #12Please dont put edgar in CD against one of the strongest teams in the world!! it’s a critical position and he’s a youngster with very little firt team experience.
Taylor/geremi – Beye – Collocini – Enrique
that’s a pretty experienced back for to be honest and it’s not the end of the world with taylor and bassong out.
heavyhittas
Mar 24, 2009 at 1:28 PM
Comment #13At the moment Colocinni couldnt wipe Edgar’s arse and by the way Ed, Edgar WAS offered a new contract a few months back but could almost make the same money working on the rigs so he told them to shove it. He WILL be away so count him out for next season.
Tom_Toon
Mar 24, 2009 at 5:43 PM
Comment #14I worry for Geremi at RB, too slow.
Ryan Taylor is a right-back but he has been truly awful so fr and I dont agree we need his crossing and set play skills, aint seen a good one yet. Duff and Jonas on the wings.
Beye-Colo-Edgar-Enrique for me.
As for the comment about Cacapa beign slow, he is actually very quick, Shay Given stated this on soccer AM, he is certainly quicker than Coloccini.
Toon_Factor
Mar 24, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Comment #15Beye-Coloccini-Edgar-Enrique for me too, Beye was awful when he got moved to Centre back v Arsenal