I like Joe Rafferty. He always comes across as a genuine lad who gives his all & is bursting to do well. I do, however, think it would be best if his immediate future was at a top League 1 team... Which isnt a bad thing really
One thing that this thread highlights is that an injury to Bauer would be catastrophic
Therefore for me, JR is the tried and tested cover until at least January where we can ship out if needed and if he has the opportunity to play more First Team football elsewhere.
I can see why really. He can cover both sides, and play RWB ok and lets face it that might mean the odd game here or there (which is all Lindsay would have played) I doubt anyone is asking for him to be used ahead of the others if they're fit.
But Barkhuizen hasn't been seen for 10 games now, Browne clearly has a problem (2 minor sub appearances in the last 7 games) and shouldn't really be used at RWB and VDB might need to move to CB if one of the usual back 3 are out.
Olosunde, who knows but he barely finished a game for Rotherham last season and has been out for 10 weeks after "a kick".
Or register Hunts who has been a great servant over the years but has had virtually no pre season, didn't play in a single friendly, wasn't involved last night and had only managed 1 reserve game since playing 2 games back in March.
4 options is great, but literally only Rafferty wants to play in that position. Not even Sepp wants to play there!He is tried and tested, but the results were pretty horrible.
It's not ideal for Browne, but as it stands he cant get in the first team in either of his usual positions. But I'd much rather him start there than Rafferty.
In 2 weeks we could find ourselves with 4 options for the Rwb slot all of whom are far superior to Joe Rafferty.
It could be months before our only "capable" central defensive cover is back available. Hunts or a free agent, we need a centre back capable of playing in the centre of the 3.
4 options is great, but literally only Rafferty wants to play in that position. Not even Sepp wants to play there!
Yet Rafferty is still fifth choice. I don't give a rat's arse if he wants to play there, he's not needed, and wasting a squad place on him when we're so short at center back would be negligent.
Lets clear up one awful myth.There isn’t much of a case to put him imho. Not just because I don’t think he’s Championship standard, but because I don’t think he’d be used at all.
He hasn’t been able to get on the pitch in the Championship despite Olosunde and Barkhuizen being unavailable. Those two, plus Browne who can play RWB, are now closing in on a return. He isn’t going to get a kick ahead of all of those guys plus Sepp. And he won’t be playing on the left anymore either because we have options on that side now too.
If Lindsay is out for a while then the last slot simply has to go to Huntington to act as cover for Bauer imho.
Lets clear up one awful myth.
Alan Browne CANNOT play at RWB. Shocking.
Do I think he’s particularly good there or it’s his best position ? Absolutely not but for the odd game he can fill in there and be better than Rafferty. I’d rather as a last resort use him there for 1 or 2 games if required than give a squad space to Rafferty who may only be needed once or twice. I’d rather use the 25th slot on decent centre back cover than a 4th choice right back.Lets clear up one awful myth.
Alan Browne CANNOT play at RWB. Shocking.
It’s something we should seriously consider imo. If people like Thomas or Wickham were worth having in training for weeks then Wisdom is worth getting into train. He’s a better right back than Rafferty and a better centre back than Huntington. Would be a better option for the 25th slot than either of them, as long as he’s reasonably fit.Would rather sign Andre Wisdom
Browne is useless out wide.I'd take him there in a heartbeat over Rafferty. Same reason I championed Earl. A wingback MUST be capable when going forwards. Joe Rafferty, at Championship level, is not. Alan Browne is. He's not the best one on one defender, obviously, but it simply doesn't matter as much as people seem to think, when there are 3 centre backs covering behind you.
I'd take him there in a heartbeat over Rafferty. Same reason I championed Earl. A wingback MUST be capable when going forwards. Joe Rafferty, at Championship level, is not. Alan Browne is. He's not the best one on one defender, obviously, but it simply doesn't matter as much as people seem to think, when there are 3 centre backs covering behind you.
The guy is slower than Lindsay. Move Sepp into CB if needs be.
The worry with AB is 2 fold at rwb, even though I do agree with you overall.
1) He'd have Storey behind him, so being able to defend 1vs1 is more important than say for Earl who is covered by Hughes.
2) The biggest issue with AB at rb/rwb was always his inability to defend the back post. Earl did a great job at the back post against West Brom getting his body in the way and allowing the ball to sail long out of the box on numerous occasions. Had that been Browne, we'd have conceded a lot more headed chances as he is pretty shit positionally