Your back four

Who would/should be in it?

I can only go off one game (the game at t'Turf was down to the midfield being awful) but two of them Alonso and Dawson would be in it for me.
Dawson was good on the ball and decent with the head in our box. Alonso was tidy without being really special.

Knight is a big lump and could have been sent off if Foy had his silly head on
Mears had his gloves on as usual. Players that wear short sleeves and gloves should be made to work down t'pit.

So, Alonso and Dawson with two others?

Ricketts has been a pretty solid pro. A decent wing back on occasions. If Wheater recovers from injury he will certainly be in strong contention for a centre back place.

Lonergan hasn't done anything wrong and looks more confident in goal than Bogdan. Young Joe Riley hasn't had the rub of the green and has had a few injuries but he could be one for the future.

Copper Dragon wrote:So, Alonso and Dawson with two others?

I think you've nailed it already with just that!

I've no right to comment much seeing that I've not seen most of them play life but I've never been a Knight or a Wheater fan - I said as much when we signed them.

I thought Ream looked ok on the streams I saw last season but I was shocked at how easily bullied off the ball on the clips I've seen of him this.

I wasn't at all impressed with the clips I've seen of Mills either so far.

I can't really make a view on Mears as I've not seen anything like enough of him to make my mind up - I don't know if he IS bad, or made to look bad having to play alongside our central pillars (or should that be pillocks) of Knight and whoever else was picked on the day.

As for Ricketts, although his position is supposed to be right back, the best I've seen him play at the club is that time he covered for the injured Cahill at centre back.

I've never seen Riley play.

Tbh I've still got a massive question mark about Alonso as a defender but he does seem to be a threat attacking these days and Dawson as only ever played one game for us – so we don’t really know how he will turn out but the early signs are promising!

I think think therefore that for my back four I'd probably have Ricketts as centre back and Mears as right back to go with Alonso and Dawson.

One final thing - why is it if a player is out of the team he suddenly becomes a better player in everybody's mind!

The talk seems to be we will be a great deal better when Wheater returns - I didn't think he was much good before he got knackered - so what's all that about then?

I do hope he proves me wrong though.

I think copper dragon is converting to the wanderers to be honest.

You've seen the light, good on you

Ricketts--Wheater--Dawson--Alonso


Depending on form it could be Mears or Ricketts. Ream should be first back up, Mills second back up, Knight can be given a job as a bouncer outside The Beehive.

Wheater was good last year, we looked far stronger in defense with Ream-Wheater than we did with Knight-Cahill.

Boggersbelief wrote:I think copper dragon is converting to the wanderers to be honest.

You've seen the light, good on you

When you've been hit with coins, bricks, bottles and a minibus, it's hard to change your allegiance over night.

I thought Ream was unlucky to be dropped on Saturday over Knight to be honest, though my best back 4 would be the same as Loftys.

Lofty_Love wrote:Ricketts--Wheater--Dawson--Alonso


Depending on form it could be Mears or Ricketts. Ream should be first back up, Mills second back up, Knight can be given a job as a bouncer outside The Beehive.

Wheater was good last year, we looked far stronger in defense with Ream-Wheater than we did with Knight-Cahill.

Agreed by and large, although I believe our best CB pairing has been Knight & Ricketts statistically.

Will probably end up Wheater & Dawson, but suspect it will be rotated.

i would love to see the back four Lofty Love picked, always preferred Ricketts to Mears and Wheater will be a big improvement on Knight

Agree with LL, except Tyrone Mears would never ever be in contention to play if I were picking the team.

Lofty Loves Back 4 is what id go for.

I was actually expecting a better thread when I saw the title, I misread it. I thought it said 'your back door'...

I was expecting Bolton hater to be a prominent poster on it.

Dawson had a good game Satdy, and an Albion fan I work with rates him very highly, so that's a plus for him. Alonso has bucked up considerably in the past few weeks, must be contract renewal time. Mears is a donkey and could find himself in a lasagne! Ricketts has a measured amount of brain, so may be at CB with Dawson, leaving Riley, when fit, to have a punt at right back.

Copper Dragon wrote:

Boggersbelief wrote:I think copper dragon is converting to the wanderers to be honest.

You've seen the light, good on you

When you've been hit with coins, bricks, bottles and a minibus, it's hard to change your allegiance over night.

So... next week, then?

Riley Wheater Ricketts Alonso but all four are never fit at the same time so its toss half a dozen names in the air and see who lands in favour,at least thats what Douggie with his normal team selections because form doesnt seem to matter diddly squat !!!

Dawson article on home page refers to him looking forward to building a partnership with Knight. Read into that what you will.