Forget a striker - our priority has to be a commanding Centre Back to partner El-Abd

[West Upper Seagull]

Having finally got over the disappointment of yesterday, it's so obvious to me now that we desperately need to replace Greer. His weaknesses are becoming more and more apparent with every game :
1. he wins very few headers - has no presence in the air at all.
2. he too often gives the ball away when not even under pressure.
3. his lack of pace causes him to sit very deep which then invites pressure on our goal - particularly when we are up against pacey forwards.
4. he has lapses of complete stupidity, as shown in the conceding the second penalty against Palace.

We desperately need a centre back that is far more dominant in the air, Murray had a field day against him yesterday and I can recall our trip to Wolves where he was blatantly at fault for their last minute equaliser because the Wolves player wanted the ball more than Greer and left him on his arse.

Greer is our biggest weakness at the moment - if you can't see it yet, just watch him over the coming weeks at how often he gets beaten in the air and how frequently he gives the ball away when not under pressure. Initially I thought he was having a bad day but when I watched his performances more closely it seems to me that he is past his best. With a more commanding centre back we may even stand a chance of looking a bit more dangerous when we have a corner !

 

[Freddie Goodwin.]

On the Albion Roar they described our tallest player as 6'3 standing and 5'11 when jumping. Sums it up really.

 

[West Upper Seagull]

On the Albion Roar they described our tallest player as 6'3 standing and 5'11 when jumping. Sums it up really.

It does indeed - he doesn't know how to get off the floor !

 

[seagurn]

It puzzles me that these days you never hear the back 4 talking to each other y'know geeing each other on etc. I remember fozzie ,horton,Grealish and Butters always giving instructions and getting poeple involved. It just doesn't seem to happen anymore ? are they all telepathic? must admit adam seems the only one to do this that should be a captains job imo and i'd give adam the captaincy .To the OP i think your dead right about GG but i dont know who we'd get in probrually no one.

 

[BensGrandad]

This has become more apparent since El Abd has been out injured as Adam doesn't so much win the headers as stop the opponents getting a clear header. With ElAbd out we have 2 central defenders neither of whom are good enough in the air. This coupled with full backs that aren't particularly good in the air either compounds the problems the best header of a ball is the smallest man on the field Liam Bridcutt as he gets up so high.

 

[Hyperion]

Greer is not a leader. He is one season too far for me. We need a new CB IMO and Dunk and El-Abd are the ones for me to stay and fight for a place. Greer is too powder puff for my liking. GG only ever mouths off at the wrong time. Not a natural leader

 

[Sussax]

Dunk isn't ready yet, and Gus ain't replaced any since letting Cook, Elphick and Hall go.
I like Greer though

 

[8ace]

Second best defence in the league

 

[West Upper Seagull]

This has become more apparent since El Abd has been out injured as Adam doesn't so much win the headers as stop the opponents getting a clear header. With ElAbd out we have 2 central defenders neither of whom are good enough in the air. This coupled with full backs that aren't particularly good in the air either compounds the problems the best header of a ball is the smallest man on the field Liam Bridcutt as he gets up so high.

You are spot on BG - I've always felt we look much more fragile at the back when El-Abd isn't playing.

 

[West Upper Seagull]

Second best defence in the league

I was waiting for that one ! but I'd attribute that more to Kuzcszak, Bruno, Bridge & El-Abd. Are you saying that you disagree with my observations ?

 

[BensGrandad]

I think the best argument against our central defenders was Murray yesterday as he was a constant threat in the air but then he is good in the air. Pity Gus hadn't noticed that sooner but as has been said a striker isn't our major problem.

 

[West Upper Seagull]

I think the best argument against our central defenders was Murray yesterday as he was a constant threat in the air but then he is good in the air. Pity Gus hadn't noticed that sooner but as has been said a striker isn't our major problem.

Even Kevin Doyle was winning headers in the air against him when we played at Wolves !

 

[Sussax]

I was waiting for that one ! but I'd attribute that more to Kuzcszak, Bruno, Bridge & El-Abd. Are you saying that you disagree with my observations ?

Bruno is worse than Greer in defence...

 

[8ace]

I was waiting for that one ! but I'd attribute that more to Kuzcszak, Bruno, Bridge & El-Abd. Are you saying that you disagree with my observations ?

I think the best CB partnerships are when you have one player who wins the tackles and headers while the other one is a more controlling/organising influence, e.g: Morgan and Cullip. Greer and El Abd do that job well.
A signing like Jason Roberts for Reading is a billion times more urgent.

 

[BensGrandad]

Bruno hasn't been anything like the player he was before his injury, perhaps he is not fully fit and still being played.

 

[Springal]

Bruno hasn't been anything like the player he was before his injury, perhaps he is not fully fit and still being played.

He isn't fully fit. Put on Facebook that he is in a lot of pain with his rib injury so explains yesterday at least. But I think he was rushed back from his other injury

 

[Weretheweststand]

When Orlandi was down injured yesterday, GG spent the whole 2 minutes he was being treated to yell at Calde, I really think he needs to go, if the captain is just shouting abuse at his teammates rather than encouraging them, there's going to become a point when the team stops bothering to listen to him altogether

 

[dingodan]

Greer is quality.

You people need your heads checked.

 

[Weretheweststand]

Greer is quality.

You people need your heads checked.

I still think he's good enough, it's just the way he conducts himself on the pitch. He is so quick to blame and shout at others for his own mistakes it's crazy. I think the team are starting to get pissed off at him.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

It's about time we bought a load more midfielders as well.