Fabio Aurelio

[Shaggy]

Yeah Aurelio was always one of Rafa's favourites, it's hard to see how Insua is keeping him out.

[JohnDoe]

Yeah Aurelio was always one of Rafa's favourites, it's hard to see how Insua is keeping him out.

Because Insua is an even bigger Rafa favourite. He's getting the Kuyt treatment this year.

[Matt]

Because Insua is an even bigger Rafa favourite. He's getting the Kuyt treatment this year.

This is true (the Kuyt treatment bit). I can't help but wonder if he's in the side because he's a success story from the reserve side.

I'm all for a settled back four, I just think it'd be a better side with Aurelio in.

Strange how some players can seemingly do no wrong yet others (I'm thinking mainly on the left of midfield) will be left out at the drop of a hat.

[Matt]

Anyway I don't want to be too down on Insua, it's obviously not easy for him. He seems to have bulked up over the past year at the expense of some agility so hopefully the coaching staff will keep working with him.

[Exiled_red]

This is true (the Kuyt treatment bit). I can't help but wonder if he's in the side because he's a success story from the reserve side.

I'm all for a settled back four, I just think it'd be a better side with Aurelio in.

Strange how some players can seemingly do no wrong yet others (I'm thinking mainly on the left of midfield) will be left out at the drop of a hat.

I think that's the problem, we can't have both, because of Aurelio's injury problems. Also a consistent run in the team will help Insua's development.

[Matt]

It's good experience for Insua but I think it's to the detriment of the rest of the team. He has had some shockers and at times is too easy to beat - in those games it's hard to imagine that he's enjoying himself.

Like I said, Aurelio did have a good run in the side last season. Not sure how many games but the back 4 had excellent balance.

[the rev leeroy brown]

i really hope he signs the pay and you play deal as he really would be a more than adequate backup to our ( hopefully ) new left back we buy in the summer.

[Matt]

I don't think he will. He was pushing for a place in the Brazil squad before summer and this season has most likely extinguished his one and only chance to go to the World Cup.

[Exiled_red]

i really hope he signs the pay and you play deal as he really would be a more than adequate backup to our ( hopefully ) new left back we buy in the summer.

I'd be surprised (and disappointed) if we spent what would be a significant portion of our transfer budget on a left back in the summer. There are other areas that need attention much more urgently particularly the creative/attacking side of the team. Also Insua is young and will improve.

[the rev leeroy brown]

I'd be surprised (and disappointed) if we spent what would be a significant portion of our transfer budget on a left back in the summer. There are other areas that need attention much more urgently particularly the creative/attacking side of the team. Also Insua is young and will improve.

IMO johnson ( when fit ) has been a very good outlet attacking wise down the right whereas insua has been poor on the left. i would spend whatever it takes to get a striker first and foremost but next in line must surely be a new left back if aurelio continues to be plague by injuries.

[Exiled_red]

IMO johnson ( when fit ) has been a very good outlet attacking wise down the right whereas insua has been poor on the left. i would spend whatever it takes to get a striker first and foremost but next in line must surely be a new left back if aurelio continues to be plague by injuries.

We need a striker and some creative player in midfield such as a winger before we consider a left back IMO

[Roboklopp]

I'd like to keep Fabs to be honest. I think he offers a slightly different skillset to Insua & his maturity means he can be relied on when fit. Have to be on the pay-as-you-play type contract tho.

[The Birdman]

Keep him, he is an ideal squad player who can cover left side and centre mid at a push, he's never fit enough over a long period to be first choice but as was mentioned earlier it would cost more to replace him than to keep him unless Rafa thinks Mavinga is good enough to make the step up from the reserves

[Paul12]

You cannot build a trophy winning team around injury-prone players. And they are no good as reserves either because there is a good chance they will be injured when needed. We need to buy a new first 11 full back, and Insua can then get back to learning the trade and playing a dozen or so games.

This comment about injury prone players applies wherever they play. I don't consider torres to be injury-prone yet (just overplayed and not given enough time to recover his fitness), but if he was injury-prone I would get rid of him too.

[Roboklopp]

You cannot build a trophy winning team around injury-prone players. And they are no good as reserves either because there is a good chance they will be injured when needed. We need to buy a new first 11 full back, and Insua can then get back to learning the trade and playing a dozen or so games.

This comment about injury prone players applies wherever they play. I don't consider torres to be injury-prone yet (just overplayed and not given enough time to recover his fitness), but if he was injury-prone I would get rid of him too.

You can't build a team around them, but they can play an important part. (Joe Cole, Robben etc).

Think we need to spend our limited money elsewhere than LB should we keep Fabs, & only a minimum there if we dont. Real shame we still dont have Arbs that could cover there.