Posted May 7, 201114 yr This has occurred to me before and I think its worth a discussion. We've seen how adventurous he is and its returned some goals so far which is brilliant. He's got some pace on him, watching him beat Hernandez to the ball on several occasions at the Bridge to clear it was an eye opener and he seems to spend a lot of time on that right hand side defensively - probably because he's so much faster than Ivan that he can catch pacey wingers more effectively. His passing has been brilliant, picking out our strikers from long distances and setting up good runs, he can cross the ball and he has a strong right foot. I think it'd be worth an experiment. In that position he'd be allowed to come forward as he so often likes to, pick out crosses and hit on the counter as well as cover that right flank like we see him doing frequently anyway. Anyway I thought it'd be a good idea to try him there, what's the general consensus?
May 7, 201114 yr Its a gamble we don't need to take tommorrow ahead of our biggest game of the season. I remember ivan and terry didn't have a great partnership which lead to a couple gaols against. What I'm saying is no need to take this risk now, and finally the comment about ivans pace is ridiculous as he is pretty quick imo.
May 7, 201114 yr I'm sure Luiz would be able to play on the right, but Terry needs someone with pace to partner him in the middle of our defense.
May 7, 201114 yr Author Its a gamble we don't need to take tommorrow ahead of our biggest game of the season. I remember ivan and terry didn't have a great partnership which lead to a couple gaols against. What I'm saying is no need to take this risk now, and finally the comment about ivans pace is ridiculous as he is pretty quick imo. No clearly not a good idea to suddenly try it tomorrow and I didn't mean to come off as if I was diminishing Ivan's ability as a right back, because I wasn't. He's good in that position, I just feel that Luiz would offer more offensively there than Ivan does and suggesting that Luiz is faster isn't ridiculous to me.
May 7, 201114 yr They both have pace mate, you stated so much faster which isn't the case, maybe a bit but ivan can shift
May 7, 201114 yr Author They both have pace mate, you stated so much faster which isn't the case, maybe a bit but ivan can shift Well my main basis of comparison was Luiz and Ivan vs Hernandez. In the league Luiz thwarted Hernandezes runs pretty easily and generally showed him up, in the CL Hernandez managed to get passed Ivan for quite a few runs. I believe Hernandez was clocked as the fastest player in the world cup which is quite an achievement, so I think judging Luiz' pace against his is relevant - especially considering he's one of the likely scorers tomorrow. That said Ivan contained Bale very well last weekend who is also fast, if not as fast as Hernandez.
May 7, 201114 yr Ivan's not slow for a big fella, but he isn't as agile and quick as Luiz. Terry's never really been fast and has been at his best when he's been played with a pacy center back like Gallas or Carvalho. Edited May 7, 201114 yr by Maksimov
May 7, 201114 yr He has played there for us, though. :unsure: Him and Ivan swap a fair bit. They cover for each other, but that's not the same as playing in that (other) position.
May 7, 201114 yr Author He has played there for us, though. :unsure: Him and Ivan swap a fair bit. Thats exactly why I've been thinking about it. People say Luiz ends up out of position and Ivan ends up covering for him, it just looks like they'd rather swap places.
May 7, 201114 yr People say Luiz ends up out of position and Ivan ends up covering for him, it just looks like they'd rather swap places. It's what good full backs and center backs do. They cover for each other. It doesn't need to be a rigid system.
May 7, 201114 yr Obviously not for tomorrow but I think its a good idea. I think I'd equally try him as a holding midfielder or winger! Used to think the same about lebouef though!
May 7, 201114 yr We should try it, his passing is great so why not? Maybe the Man U game is not the best match to try this out...
May 7, 201114 yr Author It's what good full backs and center backs do. They cover for each other. It doesn't need to be a rigid system. Thats a fair point but it has lead to the criticism of Luiz when he is caught out of position and miscommunication with Ivan resulted in an open flank. Surely it'd be more productive to have Luiz in a position where he is expected to make advanced runs and where Ivan is expected to stay back and cover. Thats basically what I was trying to say as thats what their preferred movement seems to suggest so far.
May 7, 201114 yr Obviously not for tomorrow but I think its a good idea. I think I'd equally try him as a holding midfielder or winger! Used to think the same about lebouef though! I heard that he was tried here before coming to us and the result ; he was better at cb
May 7, 201114 yr I think I read that in his youth days he was told he wasn't skillful enough to play further forward - not sure that is true now! But players don't often change that much positionally especially when already established international
May 7, 201114 yr Only if he wants to. We've forced players to be RB far too many times with them ending up being p*ssed off.
May 8, 201114 yr He played LB a bit for Benfica and was pretty average from what I heard. Reminds me of Sergio Ramos, who also started out at CB and was then moved to right back. I'm not a big fan of changing a players position though.
May 8, 201114 yr He played LB a bit for Benfica and was pretty average from what I heard. Reminds me of Sergio Ramos, who also started out at CB and was then moved to right back. I'm not a big fan of changing a players position though. The thing is that sergio ramos can't defend and luiz can
May 9, 201114 yr Long term I am not sure that Centre Back will be Luiz's position. He offers so much going forward and if Ivanovic can play right back there is no doubt Luiz can. Carlo in has last two games would do well to try Luiz at right back or holding midfielder. I'd also reat JT against Newcastle and pair Alex with Ivanovic.
