Joël Matip

[danperkins]

Think you are being a little bit harsh on Joe there.

Yes Matip is a top drawer CB. Easily one of the best in the league, this season in particular.

However Gomez showed the last time he had a long run in the side alongside VVD that he was not out of place in the team and more than did his share of the defensive duties. He is good at, and quick in, bringing the ball out of play, he is decent in the air, maybe not VVD good but not far off of Matip.

His positioning is good for a young CB, more than good in fact. He is strong and pacy and more than willing to get stuck in. All he really has against him is he needs more minutes to gain more experience as he has shown in the past that he was getting better season on season with experience.

Is he as good as Matip right now? No probably not however he has shown more than enough to suggest that he could get to that level and long before he reaches the age Matip is at now.

And this season Joe has managed to stay injury free a lot too, he has just been unlucky that Matip came into the team and also stayed mostly injury free along with Konate coming into the squad. With a tiny bit of luck we could end up with a very good pairing of Gomez and Konate when Matip and VVD reach the stage of being phased out.

For me the answer is a no brainer, keep both and extend Joe's contract. If none of our four CBs want out, then keep them all. Not many clubs have that much quality in depth at CB and we would be mad to look to lose any of the four if they do not look to leave.

Gomez needs regular football but isn't good enough to be a regular starter and I disagree about his positioning, for me it is the weakest part of his game. He has done well at RB in recent outings. I find with Joe that his pace gets him out of trouble that his poor positioning has caused.

I would happy to keep him but I think he will be gone as he wants regular football.

[baitman]

In Paisley's day, we used to renew the team at the rate of about three players a season (so that over four years the whole team is renewed). Sometimes the players were no better; they were just younger. Kenny didn't do that, and all of a sudden everyone was old at the same time. We use rotating squads now, but the principle ought to be the same. And, if an 'oldster' is demoted from the first eleven, we'll need to be realistic and move them on unless remaining as a member of the rotating squad doesn't block anyone's path.

This season we have in effect added Ibu and Luis to the squad. Ibu was back-up in the first half of the season but has now become akin to Joel's alternate. I think in the interests of progression, that'll need to change next season (with Ibu a first 11 player and Joel at best as his back-up). But, if that is how it is, Joe will leave. These are the tough decisions managers have to make.

A consequence is that young players We neeI think that means looking at first team players and asking whether we have someone nearly as good outside of the first team

Agree.
And this is exactly where Nat Philips could be a decent 4th choice and cup game player.

[Fredo]

Agree.
And this is exactly where Nat Philips could be a decent 4th choice and cup game player.

Not a chance for a team competing at this level.

[baitman]

Not a chance for a team competing at this level.

So if gomez decides to go what do you do, totally abandon any strength in depth, or do we keep Philips as an emergency option.

What do you suggest...

[Fredo]

So if gomez decides to go what do you do, totally abandon any strength in depth, or do we keep Philips as an emergency option.

What do you suggest...

Get another centre back but Phillips is not good enough. By a long stretch.

[baitman]

Get another centre back but Phillips is not good enough. By a long stretch.

So what top quality centre back is going to be our 4th choice bench warmer

[Fredo]

So what top quality centre back is going to be our 4th choice bench warmer

Not Phillips as he’s not top quality.

Maybe Rhys Williams will be promoted?

[danperkins]

Williams won't make it with us.

[Fredo]

Williams won't make it with us.

So won’t be Nat Phillips.

[BobTheCharmer]

Not Phillips as he’s not top quality.

Maybe Rhys Williams will be promoted?

Yeah Williams is definitely going to make it here. Absolute class. Reminds me of a young hansen. So composed.

[Kenneth]

He’s soooo slooooowww. Can’t think of a worse attribute for our high defensive line strategy.

[Fredo]

He’s soooo slooooowww. Can’t think of a worse attribute for our high defensive line strategy.

And what about Phillips?

[Buzzo]

We are up against an ever improving City. We need to keep Gomez, looks at who City have on the bench. Phillips and Williams are nowhere near good enough.

[danperkins]

So won’t be Nat Phillips.

Never said he would but Williams but terrible

But I'd have Nat Philips over Williams any day of the week.

[danperkins]

We are up against an ever improving City. We need to keep Gomez, looks at who City have on the bench. Phillips and Williams are nowhere near good enough.

If Joe is happy to have limited game time then happy days, I suspect he won't though and will be off.