[Albion] Will Dunk struggle to get back in the starting 11?…

[The Mole]

I was wondering the same thing after Liverpool. As a lot of people have said defensively probably not but from a leadership and experience perspective yes. I’ll leave it to Fab to decide - he’s a little better at this than me

 

[HalfaSeatOn]

FH has talked a lot about game management the past week ….cue Lewis.

 

[AstroSloth]

many of our best attacking moves over the last couple of seasons have started with a pass from Dunk.

The issue is, I think JPVH is actually looking better at this than Dunk was. He didn't get to do it as much when he was next to Dunk though. With him taking the main role of distribution he set up a lot of attacking moves yesterday.

 

[Justice]

Top defenders don’t go to ground Igor never does JPVH needs to stop doing it as per Peps talk to him after the game.
Dunk can’t seem to kick the habit.

 

[dwayne]

Even a broken clock is correct twice a day.

(I must admit I can't see the dials on this particular clock as I..... you can guess the rest.)

So bitter for no reason. What have I ever done to you ?

 

[Mustafa II]

Dunk is an absolute Brighton & Hove Albion legend, so I daren't criticise him. He still performs week in, week out and is a true leader and captain of this squad.

HOWEVER...

He is not a top 4 quality centre half. I would confidently say that van Hecke has developed into our best centre half now, and it's highlighted that if we are going to continue to be REALLY ambitious, we may need to think about signing a centre half which can compete for Dunks spot in the first XI in future seasons...

Out of Dunk and Igor though, Igor has been really good in the last few games... but Dunk is still better. If I was the manager, I would reward Igor's good form and stick with him for the time being, but I think Dunk will be back in the first XI sooner rather than later.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Straight back in, as soon as he is fully fit. I wouldn’t hesitate for one second.

Easy to get giddy off the back of a great win, and forget that two weeks ago we threw away two points that we wouldn’t have with Dunk there - or that we got caught in the headlights last week at Anfield.

He’s still our best leader, our best option in his spot, our best player defending set pieces - and as a bonus, is our only centre back who ever offers an attacking threat.

 

[METALMICKY]

It's tricky. It's easy to say this after a win Vs city but the defence fell apart Vs wolves, wasnt great in the pool cup game. The commentators were also saying he was struggling first half Vs city as well. Haaland got between both CBs for his goal, 2 against 1, that also wasn't good enough !!

Dunk back in for now. But not sure dunk is the answer in this system either with his lack of pace .

Your last statement is the key one. The one weakness at the back is the lack of pace

 

[Rdodge30]

What a situation we are in! Never dreamed I’d see a thread like this but it’s valid. I’m uncertain… first thought is of course the skipper starts when he’s fit … as nd I think the game management and experience would still tip the balance for me but he’s no certainty to step straight back in.

While we have more than one player capable for the same position then rotating for fitness throughout the season will be a positive

 

[OzMike]

Strength in depth.

 

[A1X]

I think the strength means we don’t have to rush Dunk back in and can ease him in gently, ultimately a spot will open up through injury or suspension

 

[ROSM]

The key is being fully fit. We have rushed players back too often. We need a fully fit Dunk and/or Milner in the squad. When fully fit Dunk will be a starter. Probably for Igor.

However next season will be jpvh plus one other as our 1st choice centre back pairing

 

[Questions]

Where is the new incoming Dutch boy going to play in January

 

[ChickenDipper]

No chance he starts for us next season though.

Really?!

 

[drew]

Both for me - when we are playing the Champions League next season we’ll need 2 or 3 of everything

I thought Solly could never be challenged for the no7 shirt when he was off last season with injury, until we signed players like Minteh and Gruda over the summer, now I’m not so sure - guess it depends on his pace when he comes back.

I would say that ‘pace’ is going to probably be an issue for a few players under FH’s fast and more direct attacking system but it’s also good to have players who are impact subs and who can score off the bench. Aston Villa have been particularly effective this season with impact subs - under FH’s tactical substitutions, I think we are also becoming pretty effective in using impact subs too.

Of those three, it's Gruda, March, Adingra then Minteh in that order.

 

[pigmanovich]

I think the strength means we don’t have to rush Dunk back in and can ease him in gently, ultimately a spot will open up through injury or suspension

Indeed, Igor is already on three yellows

 

[pigmanovich]

Where is the new incoming Dutch boy going to play in January

Err, no guarantee Boscagli is joining then (or at all really!). Gomez is the only known incoming.

Boscagli is French, by the way.

 

[Bozza]

Straight back in, as soon as he is fully fit. I wouldn’t hesitate for one second.

Easy to get giddy off the back of a great win, and forget that two weeks ago we threw away two points that we wouldn’t have with Dunk there - or that we got caught in the headlights last week at Anfield.

He’s still our best leader, our best option in his spot, our best player defending set pieces - and as a bonus, is our only centre back who ever offers an attacking threat.

Any reason why you didn't mention "best at taking dangerous free-kicks just outside the box"?

I'm getting fed up with watching Danny Welbeck curl them agonisingly wide game after sodding game.

 

[chickens]

All I would say with regard to our captain is that I think he, more than any other player at the club, wants us to succeed.

He’s giving us his career, which is far from finished, and while there will inevitably come a point where he isn’t automatically on the team sheet, we will lose something rare at this level when the day does come. May it be far in the future.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Dunk will be 33 years old in a couple of weeks time. Time looks to be sadly catching up with his legs. Hopefully Hurzeler will have the balls not to pick him on purely on sentiment and perceived leadership. Think we've now moved on beyond that. For everything there is a season...