Bradley Locko

[Wig]

I don’t really like VDV playing LB often. As emergency cover yes but the role requires a lot more running than LCB and I worry for his hamstrings.

It looks like Davies will be playing backup to Udogie at LB (and perhaps also backup to VDV at LCB), so hopefully we won't need to push VDV to breaking point.

 

[Wig]

Appreciate your info as always, but surely we need more than Ben alone to cover LCB and LB. I am not sure if there is someone else already in the squad to cover those roles with Ben or we sign someone.

Dragusin can play LCB when VDV is out.

 

[Finchyid]

When I heard he was taking his badges I did wonder if he would do that. I get the impression he's highly thought of at the club.

Hes been here 10 years through numerous managers so would say the club like him

 

[felmani26]

Rightly or wrongly, the distinct impression I had was that Davies was only ever going to leave if he pushed to go to play more regular football.

 

[WiganSpur]

Appreciate your info as always, but surely we need more than Ben alone to cover LCB and LB. I am not sure if there is someone else already in the squad to cover those roles with Ben or we sign someone.

I agree but I think the big problem is if it’s not Ben, which prominent first team player do we sacrifice to get somebody in? For me it’s probably one of our senior number sixes. Either that or a loan and perhaps contract extension for Spence.

We struggled with a lack of LB cover last season and it will be a lot worse this season as we will likely play 40% more minutes across the campaign.

 

[Jiminio]

Not signing a cb makes a lot of sense to me given we have three promising youngsters, Davies as fourth choice is decent enough. But I don’t think he can play the left back role in this system, Donley more effective as it’s more a midfielder role. So I do think a left back should be a high priority this window, given volume of games can’t really count on VDV as an option there either

 

[WiganSpur]

Rightly or wrongly, the distinct impression I had was that Davies was only ever going to leave if he pushed to go to play more regular football.

If he’s staying I imagine whether he leaves or not next summer will depend on how easy it would be to register him in the squad. In theory it should be easier given a lot of the youngsters we have signed of late will have been here a couple of years.

Hard to see him retiring at 32 though, perhaps he would go back to a Welsh club on a free transfer for a couple of years.

 

[Basil Brush]

I agree but I think the big problem is if it’s not Ben, which prominent first team player do we sacrifice to get somebody in? For me it’s probably one of our senior number sixes. Either that or a loan and perhaps contract extension for Spence.

We struggled with a lack of LB cover last season and it will be a lot worse this season as we will likely play 40% more minutes across the campaign.

I am not sure of our squad numbers, but are you saying we need to sacrifice somebody in the squad to get another left sided defender?

I do totally agree with your last paragraph though.

 

[felmani26]

I agree but I think the big problem is if it’s not Ben, which prominent first team player do we sacrifice to get somebody in? For me it’s probably one of our senior number sixes. Either that or a loan and perhaps contract extension for Spence.

We struggled with a lack of LB cover last season and it will be a lot worse this season as we will likely play 40% more minutes across the campaign.

The makeup of a squad right now including the emergence of talented CM's in Gray, Bergvall, Hall, Devine et al that I would personally be willing to sacrifice a Bentancur to bring in a Jorrel Hato who would be fantastic in the LCB/LB role with the added caveat of being CT eventually or go for Kadioglu to bring real utility which we know Ange appreciates and a skillset undoubtedly needed in a squad when you're competing on multiple fronts.

 

[sam1972]

*goes to the Davies thread to read about Locko

 

[McFlash]

I genuinely think it'll be Ben tbh and I think he'll gradually move into the youth set up as a coach(loves coaching and has been doing his badges working within the youth set up). looked like he was going to leave a few months ago for game time, but now that doesn't appear to be the case.

That would be brilliant if you ask me.
Gentle Ben is a lovely bloke and a thorough pro with vast experience, so to have him involved with the youth would be great.

I love it when a true servant to the club sticks around and he more than deserves to be given the opportunity.

 

[Trix]

Appreciate your info as always, but surely we need more than Ben alone to cover LCB and LB. I am not sure if there is someone else already in the squad to cover those roles with Ben or we sign someone.

VDV can cover both with Dragusin filling in at CB when he does, and Donley is showing he can also do it if we are pushed. It all comes down to how Ange see's the kids coming through. Is Phillips seen as an alternative at CB yet in his mind? How much of Dorrington has he seen for instance prior to his injury. It's a fine line right now with how well you the younger ones have been doing. I'm not saying it's not something that needs serious consideration because it does, but we can't keep blocking these kids if they are not too far away from it. I don't know enough about Locko to post an informed opinion but if he's not seen as a long term fit, we shouldn't be considering it.

 

[mil1lion]

*goes to the Davies thread to read about Locko

It's natural to discuss another of our players in the same position to the player being linked though isn't it

 

[McFlash]

*goes to the Davies thread to read about Locko

Yes, let's stifle all discussion about the position he'd be coming in to and how that would affect the squad and team.

 

[Albertbarich]

Don't know or care about locko but want to say I'll be happy if Ben is used. He has never let us down, versatile and a good person in the changing room. Deserves more respect.

 

[felmani26]

VDV can cover both with Dragusin filling in at CB when he does, and Donley is showing he can also do it if we are pushed. It all comes down to how Ange see's the kids coming through. Is Phillips seen as an alternative at CB yet in his mind? How much of Dorrington has he seen for instance prior to his injury. It's a fine line right now with how well you the younger ones have been doing. I'm not saying it's not something that needs serious consideration because it does, but we can't keep blocking these kids if they are not too far away from it. I don't know enough about Locko to post an informed opinion but if he's not seen as a long term fit, we shouldn't be considering it.

There needs to be a far larger sample size of 'Donley at LB' to suggest that's viable going forwards in a campaign on multiple fronts.

LB/LCB, whilst not at the top of the recruitment agenda granted, is still very much an area to improve if we want to be bridging the gap to the City's of this world.

 

[spursfan77]

100% but a lot on here are denying reality. Any time you mention moving on Davies you get told that it won’t or shouldn’t happen. I love Davies as a pro and in an ideal world he would be around in a bit part role but you simply cannot keep a squad of players happy that you cannot register for every competition. If you bring in this guy it has to be the end for Davies.

Either Davies goes or he ends up starting 20-30 games imo. Maybe some are fine with that but that is the reality.

Seeing too many on here saying we can’t sell X, Y and then at the same time saying they want players in.

At least one of Richy, Kulu, Bissouma, Bentancur, Davies, Spence will need to leave to accommodate the 3 signings mooted imo.

It’s also why I think that I would prefer a centre back or someone who can play both to come in over a pure left back, since Micky could cover Udogie. Also early days but Donley has done OK there so far as well.

I'd be astonished if Davies goes. We definitely have to buy another left back to help Udogie out though.

 

[ClonedFromSandrosBeard]

There needs to be a far larger sample size of 'Donley at LB' to suggest that's viable going forwards in a campaign on multiple fronts.

LB/LCB, whilst not at the top of the recruitment agenda granted, is still very much an area to improve if we want to be bridging the gap to the City's of this world.

You don't get a sample size without trying it. Important to remember City won the league with Fabian Delph playing left back semi regularly. If the player knows the job and can do it, it can work

 

[WiganSpur]

I am not sure of our squad numbers, but are you saying we need to sacrifice somebody in the squad to get another left sided defender?

I do totally agree with your last paragraph though.

Pretty much I think if we want Eze and Neto on top. Depends whether we could get away with something unconventional like not registering Forster for Europe etc

 

[WiganSpur]

The makeup of a squad right now including the emergence of talented CM's in Gray, Bergvall, Hall, Devine et al that I would personally be willing to sacrifice a Bentancur to bring in a Jorrel Hato who would be fantastic in the LCB/LB role with the added caveat of being CT eventually or go for Kadioglu to bring real utility which we know Ange appreciates and a skillset undoubtedly needed in a squad when you're competing on multiple fronts.

If you’re talking about Hato for example then yep surely in an ideal world you’d replace Davies with him. If Davies understandably doesn’t want to move on then you’ve either got to tell him he won’t play European football or we accommodate him by moving on someone else. My pick would be Bissouma but I think Ange would be more likely to sell Bentancur, or loan Spence.

Another thing we may be able to do is not register Forster for Europe. But that could be a risky move if Vicario gets injured. Austin has impressed in pre season but untested competitively.

If Ben’s staying though I honestly reckon we will just not bother bringing anyone in at the back which imo is a mistake.