VDB

Ex Footy Legs said:

That’s your opinion.
My opinion is there is little to choose between lenihan, VDB and Fry. Lenihans vocal leadership comes through which puts him slightly ahead, Fry has huge experience in the championship, is passionately committed to Boro and talented. VDB has pace, great reading of the play and is also passionate, but without the experience of others however, fractionally ahead of fry when listing qualities versus cons..

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Little to choose between Fry Lenihan and VDB is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve seen on this message board

VDB will play champions league football

The other two could end up at Rotherham

Diego said:

We are a better team with Clarke than Fry. Both poor on eye on the ball but I’d back Clarke defensively every time.

Honestly is Fry so overrated it’s incredible.

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Fry's passing stats are amongst the best for championship centre backs and Clarke is comfortable on the ball, albeit not always easy on the eye.

So I can't agree that neither are good in possession.

I think it's a case of familiarity breeds contempt with Fry. He's a top centre half at our level, but not sure he'll play PL football in his career, unless it's with us.

Fry can defend, but he can’t play out the way Carrick has us set up. When he has the ball at his feet and an opposition player with 5 meters of him, my heart is in my throat.

Jonny Ingbar said:

Fry's passing stats are amongst the best for championship centre backs and Clarke is comfortable on the ball, albeit not always easy on the eye.

So I can't agree that neither are good in possession.

I think it's a case of familiarity breeds contempt with Fry. He's a top centre half at our level, but not sure he'll play PL football in his career, unless it's with us.

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Not disputing that, but feel it may be that he just panics and chooses the easy option. Better than giving it away, but when he gets the ball watching him try to work out what to do next is like waiting for the slow kid in maths to solve quadratic equations.

Chutney said:

Not disputing that, but feel it may be that he just panics and chooses the easy option. Better than giving it away, but when he gets the ball watching him try to work out what to do next is like waiting for the slow kid in maths to solve quadratic equations.

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It's noticeable that we've not played out as much recently and I think that's partly due to the change in formation and also because Hackney's ability to break the lines of missed.

Regardless of the merits of each centre half I think we're lucky to have 5 good options in there, all with different strengths.

Is he OK for tomorrow ? Noticed as he walked towards the crowd after the win at Brum he was holding his groin and explaining something to Carrick.

Absolute donkey - he’ll be plodding around league two within three years, mark my words

unpopular opinion - we have more than good enough centre backs but this season has been difficult due as no one has been able to build up a partnership due to injuries, plus they been let down by what’s in front of them and to the sides

Rav & Clarke in a 4 but need new RB and LB
McNair Rav Clarke in a 5 but need to play Jones as RWB and buy a new LWB or persist with Bangura

Ex Footy Legs said:

That’s your opinion.
My opinion is there is little to choose between lenihan, VDB and Fry. Lenihans vocal leadership comes through which puts him slightly ahead, Fry has huge experience in the championship, is passionately committed to Boro and talented. VDB has pace, great reading of the play and is also passionate, but without the experience of others however, fractionally ahead of fry when listing qualities versus cons..

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experience in the champo, what does that mean? how is that an advantage over Rav exactly. because Rav is clearly our best defender in his first season in this league and is only 19yo. if fry is talented then Rav is a wonder kid.

Dynamo Kev said:

experience in the champo, what does that mean? how is that an advantage over Rav exactly. because Rav is clearly our best defender in his first season in this league and is only 19yo. if fry is talented then Rav is a wonder kid.

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Rav is clearly a cracking talent.

What I mean about fry is he has proven himself to be one of the best centre backs in the championship (obviously not to some fans which is hilarious for me)
I’m always comfortable knowing fry is playing in the back four. I can’t say the same about Clarke.
Fry is a warrior

Rav is having a great season BUT how many defeats have we had ? So, although he has played well I would’ve preferred lenihan and fry in there with smith and Engel, LOB or bangura left back which, I’m sure you’d agree would’ve been a superb back four and enhance a good chance of securing top 2 place or playoffs at least.

Rav couldn’t get a game at centre half earlier in the season because others were better and he was shoehorned into right back and did OK no more than that.
Let’s just enjoy watching him develop rather than jumping to, he’s a world beater!