Nathaniel Clyne - left back

[Billy Shite]

Just found out that he played a few games for Palace and England age group teams as a left back. If Fox continues to struggle, maybe he could play there and Richardson on the right.... or we could play Ryan Dickson of course...

[JPTCount]

why would richardson on the right be any better than fox on the left?

[S-Clarke]

why would richardson on the right be any better than fox on the left?

Has he even played a game this season? No.

He was our most unsung player last year. He had an excellent campaign. Would do a job for us for sure.

[St Chalet]

My initial thoughts are no, based simply on the fact that when he cuts inside he is very reluctant to use his left foot. I generally have that as a qualification to play left back.

[cellone]

It would be an option if Richardson or Butterfield were on the bench.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Another round peg in a square hole. It'll probably happen before too long then.

[Cheese on Toast]

I thought Richardson was one of our best players last season, and clyne must be better than fox on the left. My grandad is better than fox on the left, and he's dead.

[Saint Charlie]

No. Clyne doesnt have a left foot and is playing well with Puncheon. Dont mess up a success to cover up another failure.

[Cheese on Toast]

Fox is league 2 quality at best

[Saint Garrett]

Since when did Fox go from one of the best Left Backs in the Championship last year to one of the worst left backs we've ever had. Yes we could do with another LB but I'd rather play a LB at LB and a RB at RB. Fox will do a job this season - is Fox the new Guly?

[Cheese on Toast]

Since when did Fox go from one of the best Left Backs in the Championship last year to one of the worst left backs we've ever had. Yes we could do with another LB but I'd rather play a LB at LB and a RB at RB. Fox will do a job this season - is Fox the new Guly?

No, he's the new forecast

[Minty]

Since when did Fox go from one of the best Left Backs in the Championship last year to one of the worst left backs we've ever had.

Since it was decided on here. Pretty spectacular really. I'm all for a reasoned and constructive criticism but some of the stick Fox has had is ridiculous. People need to remember the likes of Lee Todd and Graham Potter before they start making silly judgements on Fox. He has made mistakes, he has been poor at times, but some of the reaction has been way OTT IMO.

Anyway, *if* Fox is injured then Clyne at left back is an option. Richardson won't be the best right back in the Prem but I suspect he can do a job and arguably deserves a chance if it comes his way.

[pingwing]

Has he even played a game this season? No.

He was our most unsung player last year. He had an excellent campaign. Would do a job for us for sure.

Yes he has he played CB against Stevenage....

He wasn't very good as CB, it was like having 2 right backs on the pitch and Seaborne being some sort of sweeper with no defensive line in front of him. Thankfully Stevenages forwards weren't all that.

[southamptonfclegend]

Richardson and Butterfield aren't good enough for this level, so playing Clyne left back would be pointless.

[Cheese on Toast]

Richardson and Butterfield aren't good enough for this level, so playing Clyne left back would be pointless.

Richardson is better than Fox

[Minty]

Why do fans make these outright judgements without any kind of justification (especially given that Richardson hasn't even played a game yet).

These threads are a bit pointless if that's all it's going to be:

Fox is ****.

No he's not.

Richardson is ****.

No he's not.

We need to recognise that the squad we have is the squad we have, and options like Clyne at left back may need to be looked at, not just dismissed out of hand.

[Frank's cousin]

Another round peg in a square hole. It'll probably happen before too long then.

Well Lahm plays LB for Germans as right footed player and RB for his club....

[captainchris]

Since when did Fox go from one of the best Left Backs in the Championship last year to one of the worst left backs we've ever had. Yes we could do with another LB but I'd rather play a LB at LB and a RB at RB. Fox will do a job this season - is Fox the new Guly?

Fox was not one one of the 'best left backs in the Championship' - in fact he was a very long way from it and it's of little surprise that he's way off the pace in the Premier League.....The only surprise is that actually playing there!

[HK_Phoey]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/l...h/273495/facts

Suggesting here that Yoshida is playing left back for Japan against UAE on Thursday

[Saint Garrett]

Fox was not one one of the 'best left backs in the Championship' - in fact he was a very long way from it and it's of little surprise that he's way off the pace in the Premier League.....The only surprise is that actually playing there!

Name better ones who were in the division last season ? McCartney ? Harte? Crainey? I'd much prefer Fox over them three.

[Cheese on Toast]

Name better ones who were in the division last season ? McCartney ? Harte? Crainey? I'd much prefer Fox over them three.

Harding

[Saint Garrett]

Harding

Do not be ridiculous, Harding is dreadful

[Cheese on Toast]

Do not be ridiculous, Harding is dreadful

Moron

[swannymere]

So Fox hasn't been great against the two best teams in the country, might it be better to judge him after he's played a few against some of the lesser lights in he league and had time to raise his game to the expected standard?
I do love how all fans write a player off after a couple of below par performances, i seem to remember Schneiderlin getting the same treatment in the last two seasons.

[Saint Garrett]

Moron

says the person who rates Harding over Fox. Jesus.

[Cheese on Toast]

So Fox hasn't been great against the two best teams in the country, might it be better to judge him after he's played a few against some of the lesser lights in he league and had time to raise his game to the expected standard?
I do love how all fans write a player off after a couple of below par performances, i seem to remember Schneiderlin getting the same treatment in the last two seasons.

Yeah and where's Schneiderlin now?

[Cheese on Toast]

says the person who rates Harding over Fox. Jesus.

That's because Fox is utter sh!te and Harding and Dicksin are quality left backs

[Saint Garrett]

Wum

[Dig Dig]

Has he even played a game this season? No.

He was our most unsung player last year. He had an excellent campaign. Would do a job for us for sure.

Hmmmm, don't disagree that he had a good season but I have to agree with JPT and say that Richardsons short comings would be exposed in the prem, same as Fox. Neither really get tight enough and Richardson wouldnt be as effective going forwards IMO as he is a bit of a 1 trick pony. Think he'd get found out quickly

[JPTCount]

That's because Fox is utter sh!te and Harding and Dicksin are quality left backs

double lol

so why is fox chosen before them? do u also think NA is a moron?

and i misread that as dickskin

[Cheese on Toast]

double lol

so why is fox chosen before them? do u also think NA is a moron?

and i misread that as dickskin

Even the best managers make mistakes

[Ken Tone]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/l...h/273495/facts

Suggesting here that Yoshida is playing left back for Japan against UAE on Thursday

Worth noting. Thanks for posting this. If accurate and yoshida can play LB, this could be our short term solution -- I reckon Fonte is a better CB than Fox is a LB (defensively to be fair. Fox is ok going forward) , so we might do better to put yoshida at LB until we sort out a longer term solution.

[Bearsy]

Nah they've got him and Komano the wrong way round. Probably got the guys from the sun to set it out for them.

[Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd]

Worth noting. Thanks for posting this. If accurate and yoshida can play LB, this could be our short term solution -- I reckon Fonte is a better CB than Fox is a LB (defensively to be fair. Fox is ok going forward) , so we might do better to put yoshida at LB until we sort out a longer term solution.

That could work. I Thought Richardson did a good job at RB last season so if Clyne can play at LB and things with Fox don't improve then I see no harm in switching Clyne to the left. That said, he's done a great job at RB, far better than I expected, so I don't think I'd want him to be over on the left as a long term solution.

[sammysaint]

Shaw sounds like he will be the real deal, so i think the more he plays the better he will get and end up being our 1st choice LB next season, i thought foxs best game this season was man u.

Fox just needs a bit of support he cant handle too much pace, and to be honest he will be ok he just needs to learn hes got to defend more this season.

[david in sweden]

[QUOTE=Billy ****e;1470165]Just found out that he played a few games for Palace and England age group teams as a left back.
If Fox continues to struggle, maybe he (Clyne) could play there and Richardson on the right QUOTE]

He maybe even better on the left.....it's not unknown and we have (historically) had a few full backs who could play on either flank.

Extra note: the list is longer than even I thought when I wrote it.

of course the legendary post war full backs Ellerington and Ramsey could play on either flank, as did Peter Sillett, and John Gregory in the 1950's...as well as John Page who also played CH.

Roy Patrick, Ken Jones and Stuart Williams also played in both shirts in the 60's. The (late / great) Steve Mills could play in either position ...as did Peter Rodrigues and Bob McCarthy on occasions.

One of my all time favourites... Jimmy Gabriel played in 4 different positions including CF in season 67/68, and even went as emergency goalie on one occasion.

FA Cup winning CH Jim Steele started with Saints as a LB as did Manny Adruszewski. Colin Waldron and Nick Holmes both played RB at times, as well as every left-sided role in the team, as did David Peach.

Dennis Rofe and Reuben Agboola could play on either side, and legendary RB Ivan Golac - even filled in as LB (in his second spell with Saints in 1984).

Both Dodd and Benali played both sides, and Ken Monkou and Claus Lundekvam both started as LB before converting to central defenders.

Why is it we can't ever think of players moving to another role / position in the team?

Who amongst us oldies can forget Lawrie McMenemy converting one-time apprentice goalie... Forbes Phillipson-Masters ... into a fairly respectable centre-half in one emergency situation?

[Cheese on Toast]

[QUOTE=david in sweden;1471057]

Just found out that he played a few games for Palace and England age group teams as a left back.
If Fox continues to struggle, maybe he could play there and Richardson on the right QUOTE]

he maybe even better on the left.....it's not unknown and we have (historically) had a few full backs who could play on either flank.

You've made a bloody hash of that quote dave

[Bearsy]

Hi cheese! I was reading the pompey takeover thread in the lounge just now and someone called you a girl! You might want to get over there, earn yourself another fraction! Stat!