Agree fully with Spiller86 regarding a lack of respect. BranoIvano has been a fantastic player for us; a modern day David Webb who gives his all and very rarely lets us down. Can anybody think of an out and out stinker of a match that he's had barring the Swansea game?

Well, if we are on the topic then he had some pretty poor games last season at RB but he went on some ridicloius run of scoring in 4/5 games straight or something like that so it was sort of brushed under the carpet.

It's not that he does anything wrong, he puts it all in every game and is a very important player for us, but he really does need to improve his crossing ability because when the wingers are cutting in, the width can only come from him, and if he can't find a target in the box then a team can just pack the middle and keep us out, a lot of games this season I've seen teams not even bother to mark Ivanovic when he's out wide because they know its unlikely he'll find a telling cross.

I can see Jose maybe changing to 3 at the back next season. 

Worst full back going forward in any of the big teams.

Best full back defensively at any big club.

I don't agree with spiller that a full backs main job is to defend. In a top team, in the modern game, full backs need to be able to do both well, but I'd say the majority attack better than they defend.

It was fine when we played mainly on the counter, and we left anelka up with drogba, but it's been a hindrance for a couple of seasons.

An unsung hero who you would miss when his not there so good or bad I would rather have him in our team than not.

Iva gives at least a 100% every game and is defensively fantastic. Not his fault he is having to play right back when his position as stated by himself a few years ago is centre back.

I can see Jose maybe changing to 3 at the back next season. 

 

Based on what? i dont think Mourinho has ever started a game playing 3 at the back.

Lack of respect for Ivan being shown here.

Guy is arguably our most consistent player since he first broke into the team. People seem to forget that the primary role of a fullback is to defend, something he does mightily. Also is and always has been the scorer of important goals. City at the Eitihad ring any bells?

Would be very happy to see him continue at RB with Dave on the left. Defence was the strongest part of our team all year, no idea why we need to tinker with it.

Im so glad someone said this. I was reading this and had to leave the thread because it was annoying me. People on here moaned at me for slagging off Torres but the thing is Torres is sh*t and we all can see that. Brana has been a great player for us. He is a real force in the team and a rock at the back.

At 31, we should be looking for a new left back regardless. To allow Dave to move to RB

Don't think a tone is questioning Ivanovic defensively, I think he's as a good a centre back as cahill.

I think the question is whether we need to play such a defensive full back in the games against the so called lesser teams, we struggled with last season.

As a centre back he is a huge player for us and ever an RB in certain games he can be a real weapon.

However in games where we are on the front foot his impact can be limited because his crossing and play from the wide area are pretty dire when compared to other natural RB's who cause problems.

The thing about leaving Ivan out is we lose out on a great physical asset especially at corners and Freekicks. You can't break up the partnership of Cahill and Terry while you risk losing out by not playing Ivan.

It's a tough one as a proper RB like Azpi can offer far more attacking wise but I doubt Jose will risk losing Ivan's physical strength by leaving him out.

Can't see him being disloged from RB next season, I think Jose feels he has to play.

As a centre back he is a huge player for us and ever an RB in certain games he can be a real weapon.

However in games where we are on the front foot his impact can be limited because his crossing and play from the wide area are pretty dire when compared to other natural RB's who cause problems.

The thing about leaving Ivan out is we lose out on a great physical asset especially at corners and Freekicks. You can't break up the partnership of Cahill and Terry while you risk losing out by not playing Ivan.

It's a tough one as a proper RB like Azpi can offer far more attacking wise but I doubt Jose will risk losing Ivan's physical strength by leaving him out.

Can't see him being disloged from RB next season, I think Jose feels he has to play.

Any injury to cahill or Terry and Ivanovic would play CB, the likelihood of Cahill and Terry playing the same amount of games together at CB next year is slim, with Terry being a year older, and cahill coming back from a world cup.

We have a top class RB in Azpiliucuta, and we are only delaying the inevitable by keeping Ivanovic at right back.

Mourinho has in general made long try decisions since he came back, surely it would better in the long run to play Dave RB, and rotate Terry, cahill, and Ivanovic at centre back.

Any injury to cahill or Terry and Ivanovic would play CB, the likelihood of Cahill and Terry playing the same amount of games together at CB next year is slim, with Terry being a year older, and cahill coming back from a world cup.

We have a top class RB in Azpiliucuta, and we are only delaying the inevitable by keeping Ivanovic at right back.

Mourinho has in general made long try decisions since he came back, surely it would better in the long run to play Dave RB, and rotate Terry, cahill, and Ivanovic at centre back.

I agree but just can't see it panning out like that.

Cahill does nto get injured often and JT went nearly all season without problems despite playing every week so there is no guarantee he will be missing many games again.

I just can't see Jose leaving out Ivan and I suspect he will continue with the back 4 as he did last season.

If we are talking helping the team score, Brana scored more than Dave and Cole put together. I would be interested to see some stats of our fall backs to see goals scored and created the last two seasons. I think it would make an interesting read.

No doubt Ivan scored the more and thats due to his pressence in the box in which I touched on in the above posts.

However crossing and general full back play he lacks in, however because of the danger he presents it's a tough decision.

I don't see him losing his place.

If we are talking helping the team score, Brana scored more than Dave and Cole put together. I would be interested to see some stats of our fall backs to see goals scored and created the last two seasons. I think it would make an interesting read.

Azpiliucuta has 1 goal and 10 assists in the last 2 seasons, compared to Ivanovic who has 11 goals and 5 assists.

But if you take into account Ivanovic' goals are mainly from set plays, and he would still be in those positions from centre back.

Also Azpiliucuta has played out of position at left back, most of his assist are from the right 7/10.

What a player!! Our Branna. One of the best players in the Prem and one of our most important players. He can defend, pass, head, score, shoot, lead and all this he does LIKE A BOSS!

Arguably player of the month, even ahead of Costa however a striker in the goals will always grab the headlines

Ivan gone up a level this month, a great attacking outlet. Maybe with Felipe Luis and Dave touted for RB, Ivan has felt under pressure to perform. Excellent start to the season by him.

Absolute beast of a player, can imagine he won't be able to play RB all season so we may see Luis come in as time goes on with Apzi moving to RB

Absolute beast of a player, can imagine he won't be able to play RB all season so we may see Luis come in as time goes on with Apzi moving to RB

 

He clocked up the most minutes last season I think. He'll have no problem playing week in / week out.

 

Luis has not impressed me tbh.

Luis has barely kicked a ball competitively! How can he have impressed or not impressed anyone yet?

He clocked up the most minutes last season I think. He'll have no problem playing week in / week out.

Luis has not impressed me tbh.

Luis has barely played

He clocked up the most minutes last season I think. He'll have no problem playing week in / week out.

 

Luis has not impressed me tbh.

 

Something about his posture as he sits on the bench, is it?

I have to say Branovic has to be, in my humble opinion one of the best RBs the league has

seen in the last 5 years. I know he can play CB too but I really think his game as RB is awesome.

He's really unsung by the press and pundits to a large degree, but I like that about him.

This picture sums it up for me...just beastly!

I think we are so blessed to have 2 of the best RBs AND GKs in the league, how many teams can boast

that? Also have you ever noticed how he always seems to get goals early on in the season?