Centre backs

[CJ]

Carra getting older
skrtel - not consistent
agger - injury prone
soto- mad but has his uses

then the younger ones

ayala
kelly
wilson

etc

do we need one or two new centre backs?

i personally think we need someone like agger as he has too many injuries? Its not i dont think that agger isnt good enough as i think he is top class

[Rich]

Not a priority for me.

Agger plays every game he's fit. Carragher plays every game he's fit.

Skrtel and Kyrgiakos fill in. Wilson, Kelly and Ayala could get the odd run out if we're winning by a load in a game.

Come the summer then perhaps we need to look at selling Skrtel and Kyrgiakos for a top class dominant centrehalf. If only we could find a young Hyypia.

[Rudo]

Selling Skrtel would just be stupid.

[Craig_H]

As has been mentioned elsewhere, i'm pretty sure Kelly could become a very reliable (and eventually first choice) CB for us.

The problem is, given GlenJo's performances of late, we might need him for RB

I'd look to buy someone who can play RB and CB. By doing that, you have added another CB to the squad, but also freed up Kelly to play CB if needed (or even LB), plus you potentially free up Johnson for the much-discussed but as yet never tried RM position.

[Craig_H]

Selling Skrtel would just be stupid.

Dont you think he's rubbish?

Or were you being sarcastic with your post above?

[Rich]

Selling Skrtel would just be stupid.

Of course you're entitled to your opinion. Personally, I think we can and should do better than Skrtel in that right hand side centreback spot. There have to players out there comfortable on the ball but hard as nails, that are better in the air than Martin.

He's a good player but I'd probably sell if I could.

[Rich]

As has been mentioned elsewhere, i'm pretty sure Kelly could become a very reliable (and eventually first choice) CB for us.

The problem is, given GlenJo's performances of late, we might need him for RB

I'd look to buy someone who can play RB and CB. By doing that, you have added another CB to the squad, but also freed up Kelly to play CB if needed (or even LB), plus you potentially free up Johnson for the much-discussed but as yet never tried RM position.

I think Kelly will spend a couple of years be used in different positions for us but long term it'll be centreback for him I reckon.

Johnson is another I'd look to sell in the summer too...

[Rudo]

Skrtel's the dogs bollocks

I keep changing my mind on whether we need a new centre back tbh.

I look at the reasons for needing one: Agger's injury record, Carragher's age, sometimes Skrtel can look uncertain when the whole team's struggling, etc

Then i look at the reasons for not needing one: when Agger, Skrtel, Carra and the Greek are all fit and on form we're sorted in that department. No reason at all to add another. Then there's the young lads like Kelly and Wilson that can come in if required.

Overall i don't think it should be the top priority for us to get a new centre back but i suppose the rest of this season will tell the tale.
One things for sure, that Agger and Skrtel partnership looked damn impressive against the Mancs. Positive signs.

[Mattshark]

David Luiz and Per Mertesacker would be nice.

[Rich]

David Luiz and Per Mertesacker would be nice.

Left footed though? So would be competing with Agger for that spot IMO.

[Lee]

It wouldn't hurt to strengthen but I don't think it's a massive priority.

However if Agger continues to get injured so regularly then I think it will soon become a priority. Like Rich said - if he's fit then he plays every game.

The thing is, the other three are all average - they each have certain strengths and are fine for certain games. Carragher is a worry these days for me, Skrtel's form blows hot and cold, and whilst Kyrgiakos is a beast in the air, he's not good on the ground.

I think with Kelly (if he can continue his RB form if he plays CB) and Ayala the future looks good. Can't comment on Wilson as I've only seen him a handful of times.

I can't think of anyone who is available and realistic though. Neither of the other options like Shawcross and Cahill excite me so I'm not sure.

[CJ]

i dont think it is top priority but i do think its something that needs to be looked at soon.

i think we have too many players in important positions that are injured. the fact that the same players are of the more technically gifted players makes it more important.

i mean

agger
aurellio
and torres

[Rudo]

It wouldn't hurt to strengthen but I don't think it's a massive priority.

However if Agger continues to get injured so regularly then I think it will soon become a priority. Like Rich said - if he's fit then he plays every game.

The thing is, the other three are all average - they each have certain strengths and are fine for certain games. Carragher is a worry these days for me, Skrtel's form blows hot and cold, and whilst Kyrgiakos is a beast in the air, he's not good on the ground.

I think with Kelly (if he can continue his RB form if he plays CB) and Ayala the future looks good. Can't comment on Wilson as I've only seen him a handful of times.

I can't think of anyone who is available and realistic though. Neither of the other options like Shawcross and Cahill excite me so I'm not sure.

Skrtel's not average at all dude - he's played many, many blinding games for us since joining. I do think he can be easily unsettled when the team is playing ****/low on confidence and when the defence is being chopped and changed regularly.

When you have an organised and settled back 4 i think Skrtel would hit top form again and when he does he's a top player.

[Rich]

Skrtel's not average at all dude - he's played many, many blinding games for us since joining. I do think he can be easily unsettled when the team is playing ****/low on confidence and when the defence is being chopped and changed regularly.

When you have an organised and settled back 4 i think Skrtel would hit top form again and when he does he's a top player.

His distribution is suspect, always has been. That said I do take your point that at times he's looked like a right beast at the back for us.

What both he and Agger appear to lack however is real on-the-pitch presence, a captain even if he doesn't have the armband. Now out of the two of them I'd prefer Agger in the team, so for me that leaves the right hand side of the partnership available to be improved.

[Lee]

Skrtel's not average at all dude - he's played many, many blinding games for us since joining. I do think he can be easily unsettled when the team is playing ****/low on confidence and when the defence is being chopped and changed regularly.

When you have an organised and settled back 4 i think Skrtel would hit top form again and when he does he's a top player.

I think this will be an agree to disagree type thing mate.

Skrtel does have games - or a run of games - where he's very good. He's also prone to a run of games where he's crap. He can't head the ball and he makes a lot of rash challenges from behind.

He's far from class but he's not as bad as a lot of people make out either.