Left back cover problem: is the solution right under our noses?

[mr happy]

Temporarily at least anyway.
Whats wrong with Cohen? I believe left back is where he started his career at west ham and whenever I've seen him play there I've been impressed.
Its not ideal as like many on here I agree we get far more out of him in the middle of the park but surely we now have enough options in that area:
Mckenna, Majewski, Mcgugan, Anderson, McCleary, Moussi, Mcgoldrick and Garner; that should Lynch pick up an injury and Cohen be required to play as a full back we can still field a very strong midfield.
Don't get me wrong I definately feel it is imperative we strengthen that position in the long term, I just think for the time being this is a decent option I havent seen mentioned on here.

 

[Marshall.]

Yep, Lynch is our current left-back due to Bennett being injured and if Lynch also got injured then I guess Cohen would have to go there or maybe put Gunter there and Perch at right-back until Lynch or Bennett is back.

 

[It's Baggio]

He didn't start his career there. He's always been a midfielder, just that West Ham elbowed him in at left back for a few games.

He'd be a decent short term fix there, wouldn't want him spending too long out of the midfield, though.

 

[weasel]

I'd like to think the days of players being out of position were long gone, but since we've now got Lynch and Bennett to come back playing Cohen there would only be 3rd choice, which is about how it should be.

 

[Carvel]

Bennet and Lynch are both better LBs than Cohen. Cohen was constantly caught out of position whenever he played there last year.

Hes too good in MD to move around.

 

[marshal99]

Problem with Cohen is with his boundless energy , he tends to drift to where the action is and vacate his position leaving others to cover for him before he goes back to his starting position. Same thing when he plays on the left side of midfield , he'll drift to the center and to the right at times . He needs to be played in the center of midfield where his energy to run all over the place is better used.

 

[Annesley Red]

when Cohen is missing from midfield we are pudding and give the middle of the park up every time

 

[ThePatriot]

Bennet and Lynch are both better LBs than Cohen. Cohen was constantly caught out of position whenever he played there last year.

Hes too good in MD to move around.

To be fair Bennetts biggest fault his him running out of position. He wants to be up all the time and the stress it left at back was mad. Much of the time Chambers went up too so you only had 2 back and midfielders being pulled out of position to plug the holes. You then have no shape.

I think Mckenna and Ade -whom I have warmed to right off- will teach te lads how to play their positions properly.

 

[thehockleyhustler]

With the squad currently as it is I would have Cohen at left back and we have plenty of options midfield.

I would still though make signing a left back priority and as soon as we get one in move Cohen back to the midfeild

 

[king_congo_red]

The problem with playing Cohen at left-back, is who do you then play on the left-wing? Now, I know some people have been pushing for Tyson to start as the left-winger, but assuming we go 4-4-2, then with a weak or out-of-position left-back, then you really would need the left-winger to track back and help the full-back, that's not something I have faith in Tyson to do.

In fact, against sides where we are likely to come under pressure, Cohen is a much better option for the left-wing position because he will do the tracking back and hard work. Obviously if he's playing left-wing, then he can't also be playing full-back...

 

[clusternakker]

For all the money we have spent and signings we have made it would be scandalous not to sign a quality 1st choice LB

 

[marshal99]

Lynch is adequate enough , he just needs support from his left midfielder.

Our weakest link is in the center of defence.

 

[Bridgfordred79]

Cohen is a midfeilder.

Square pegs, round holes.

 

[PSR]

Yep, Lynch is our current left-back due to Bennett being injured and if Lynch also got injured then I guess Cohen would have to go there or maybe put Gunter there and Perch at right-back until Lynch or Bennett is back.

Perch himself will be out until Christmas or even longer depending how quick he heals.

BD doesn't like square pegs etc. so this will not happen - he will have bought a LB before too long. :wink:

 

[red robbo]

Cohen played left back against Sporting Lisbon in Portugal and got turned inside out for most of the game looking like a midfielder out of posistion, Lynch to me gets better each game he plays

 

[BeestonRedz]

Cohen is probably our most tireless midfielder, i'd always put him in mf first.