Destiny Udogie

[Muttley]

We need another left back because we have nowhere near enough left footers in the squad
It’s painfully and to see at times and makes us one sided …and it’s not a frank issue but I hope he pushes the club

I keep wholeheartedly agreeing but can never think of too many 21-25 year old LBs that can come in. I see some older stopgap names like Rico Henry but I'm more hopeful Lange / Paratici can find us a younger gem. Leif Davies is at a great age to come in but I wonder whether he has the top 4 qualities required. He certainly drives his teams forward down the left.

 

[billyiddo]

With potentially Dragusin Vuskovic Danso and Romero next season maybe we can afford to use VDV as backup LB if the right player isn't available

 

[Bedfordspurs]

With potentially Dragusin Vuskovic Danso and Romero next season maybe we can afford to use VDV as backup LB if the right player isn't available

Backup
That’s the word though
I just think if we’re aspiring for better it can’t be back ups
I do think we will shift a CB or 2 too

 

[braineclipse]

I've actually thought that and can't really figure out why. To me he hasn't looked that good going forward on the right, but the sample size is a lot smaller of him playing on that side.

As a right footed winger with a very limited left foot, I always enjoyed much more playing on the left - not even for coming inside to shoot, I just found it easier there dribbling with the ball for some reason. Maybe he's just genuinely better on that side, but should be worth him getting more games on the right before coming to any real conclusions....

The way we've often played under Frank may have something to do with it. Wonky with the LB given more attacking freedom, LW often cutting inside leaving some space to be exploited. RB typically more of a supporting role with Kudus hugging the touchline much of the time.

That also makes the RB role more of a passing and crossing from deep role, which suits Porro better than Spence. I also think we as a team really miss Porro's passing when he's not there making us less effective.

 

[tommysvr]

VDV would be my #1 left back (ideally LWB). Seriously think he has Bale-levels of growth in his game. Said it before but:

VDV Vuskovic Romero Porro
Udogie Danso Dragusin Spence

 

[braineclipse]

I keep wholeheartedly agreeing but can never think of too many 21-25 year old LBs that can come in. I see some older stopgap names like Rico Henry but I'm more hopeful Lange / Paratici can find us a younger gem. Leif Davies is at a great age to come in but I wonder whether he has the top 4 qualities required. He certainly drives his teams forward down the left.

A younger gem would be really good. As far as I know we don't have any super highly rated left backs in the academy and we have several options for that role. And hopefully Udogie gets past his injury problems at some point.

 

[DubSpur]

Can Spence find Porro's intensity levels from the first whistle though. Porro has a massive character that should not be underestimated.

He doesn't need to. They have a different skill set, depending on the game one will fit better over the other e.g. Porro will be better against a team where we have a lot of the ball, Spence better when we are up against a top class LW.

 

[braineclipse]

He doesn't need to. They have a different skill set, depending on the game one will fit better over the other e.g. Porro will be better against a team where we have a lot of the ball, Spence better when we are up against a top class LW.

I agree that they have different skill sets and that's fine.

In isolation it would make sense to play Spence when up against a better LW, Porro for games when we have more of the ball. But most teams with top class left wingers will be really good teams where we'll struggle to progress the ball and be useful with the ball ourselves, games where we also need Porro and his passing.

Unless we get better technical players starting elsewhere I'm not sure Spence against the best left wingers works overall.