In regards to a new signing centre back to replace White, Potter all but ruled that out today.
So, I think White will be replaced by two players from within the club, especially with Burn limping off. Not these 3 after they weren’t in the group today:
Roberts - Loan
Van Hecke - Loan
Clarke - Already loaned
But perhaps two of these:
Duffy
Băluță
Østigård
Duffy and Ostigard will both get a look in now White gone
Ostigard I suspect will reduce the number of games that BDB plays
Baluta nowhere to be seen - not even on the 'missing' list today. Starting to think that a flat back four might be the preferred formation for this season, so no replacement fr White required.
Im not convinced Duffy will be in the squad.
Not sure if a wind up but he's at the Olympics...
Not sure if a wind up but he's at the Olympics...
Following Duffy's assured display today, Hearts have just walked through Celtic's defence to go 1-0 up.
Celtic have a lot of problems, huge rebuild needed. Shame their fans targeted that on one loan player, particularly as they believe they don’t do that kind of thing generally
Duffy should have acted professionally and kept well clear of them. He was too interested in being a fan boy. Delighted that Rangers put them in their place.
Duffy still has nopt been turned into a 'Potter player' from what i saw. None of the surging runs with the ball that BW and Webster does. Doesnt detract from him being a good defender, some lovely defensive blocks vs Luton today, but not that ball playing player and can't ping the ball across the field accurately like Dunky, BW, AW, Veltman can.
You can see he's trying, but he's too slow on the ball, needs too many touches -- it really isn't going to come by now. That said, I can see him staying and playing this season. Probably not starting much, but he's got clear attributes, and we'll need them at certain points this season. If he's happy with being used in that way, he'll be a good addition to the squad.
Last season the team needed many of Duffy's best attributes for the first 6 months of the season.
Sanchez does rather negate much of that but not all of it, esp Duffy's 'wall' like qualities.
As for up the other end, as hard as they tried Webster/Burn/White ain't no Duffy and it's hard to believe the next guys up will be either.
Duffy's attacking heading is a tad overrated. In the 17/18 season, he relentlessly placed his many winning headers over the bar (BDB suffers from this affliction). In 18/19, he was spot on, but not up to much in 19/20, and planted his only header over the bar this afternoon.
Thank you for the information.
Edit: (post googling) - and not any more he isn't! Will be taking a week ot two break now, no doubt.