Who should partner Fonte?

[Saint Charlie]

I would go for Dan Seaborne. Thought he was excellent against United and also when he came on Vs Exeter. He can hit some great passes with his left foot, is not as good in the air as Jaidi but miles better with the ball.

 

Thoughts?

[Cricketphilly]

Horses for courses I guess. If the oppo are playing battering rams up front you would want Jaidi.

[ottery st mary]

There are even games where I would play Seaborne with Jaidi ..for the battering lump and Fonte as the third centre half come defensive midfielder..

 

Pushing Spiderman forward or out on certain away games..

 

Fonte would have been a lot better in that position just in front of the back four against Exeter.... Allowing the full backs to push on..

 

Horses for courses and the coach knows best.....

 

WIFM

[Smirking_Saint]

Horses for courses I guess. If the oppo are playing battering rams up front you would want Jaidi.

 

This

 

Depends who they are up against TBH

[Toomer]

I rate young Martin I think he could forge a good partnership with Fonte in the future.

[Minty]

I rate young Martin I think he could forge a good partnership with Fonte in the future.

 

Agreed, for me Martin is the long term solution as he has more awareness and intelligence, and is also a very effective communicator and a natural leader on the pitch. It would be wrong to just put him in now, but he needs game time and I think within a season or so, he can start to command a regular place and, more importantly, can grow with the team as it climbs the leagues.

[Smirking_Saint]

I think Martin will go out on loan for a bit.

 

FWIW i think we have four good centre backs at the club.

 

I was never overawed by Seaborne and thought he was a week link but he has grown in stature and is beginning to look a solid player at this level and would probably do ok in the championship.

 

Fonte is just quality.

 

Jaidi still has it but his star is fading, he is slow and sometimes gets caught daydreaming but in this league he is a beast, will probably need replacing next year.

 

Martin from what i have seen he looks like he has a good future in the game.

 

All in all i am happy with the back four really.

[david in sweden]

I really don't think we can say that " so-and-so " is the ideal partner for Fonte.

It depends a lot on form, fitness, opposition + ground conditions.

Playing at SMS... is not the same as the sand pit they played on at Exeter on Tuesday night (even though we won at the death).

 

Jaidi isn't as fast as he was, but having a central defender with his build is a good thing- it can't be denied.

Fonte is the most consistant (best) defender we have but a quick analysis of results this season looks like this ;

of nine defeats ; 3 were with Fonte and Jaidi together, 3 with Fonte and Seabourne together, 2 with Martin and Fonte and

one with Jaidi and Seabourne.

Fonte has made 23 League starts, Jaidi 14 ...and Seabourne 12 . Martin has made onle 3 league starts (we lost twice and he was out a omg time after being injured in the Swindon game.

........AND the Jaidi and Fonte pairing is the most common pairing in those games that we've won.

 

At present it looks like Fonte + A.N. OTHER but I'm glad that we've got others to choose from.

Jaid may have one more good season left in him but at some time NA will decise on Seabourne provided he continues to improve.

Martin is a good prospect (note West Ham rumour in the window) but is a long way from first choice material , but I'd definitely keep him.

 

On a hot day, and a dry pitch as SMS I'd probably take the mobile Seabourne, but I don't want to see Jaidi disappear too soon.

[West End Saint]

I think Martin will go out on loan for a bit.

 

FWIW i think we have four good centre backs at the club.

 

I was never overawed by Seaborne and thought he was a week link but he has grown in stature and is beginning to look a solid player at this level and would probably do ok in the championship.

 

Fonte is just quality.

 

Jaidi still has it but his star is fading, he is slow and sometimes gets caught daydreaming but in this league he is a beast, will probably need replacing next year.

 

Martin from what i have seen he looks like he has a good future in the game.

 

All in all i am happy with the back four really.

 

In genral I agree with you Fonte is class Jaidi is a rock Seaborne is getting better & Martin will be a very good player

 

I think Martin would benefit from going on loan & getting games experiance is key for a centre back but he is 1 for the future

 

If we get promoted I think we may need another top quality centre back Jaidi cant go on for ever Seaborne is good but not 100 % sure & Martin is not quite ready

[saintmatt]

seaborne, no question. i feel bad saying that cos i met jaidi in ikea once so we're kind of mates

[LGTL]

Depends on the striker we are playing against. If big, stocky and slow I always think Jaidi has the advantage. If he's short, quick and runs in behind, then i'd prefer Seabourne.

[K,Billy's supersound]

jaidi played with fonte the last time out against the posh and was the stand out defender on that day, so for me it would have to be them together again. big game call for big players with experienced heads.

[Charlie Wayman]

Dan Seaborne is OK but is lacks quality, his main strength is up-and-under to keep high balls out of the area. Not so confident on the ground and it shows. We don't have too many quality centre-backs in the building right now, Jaidi is experienced but getting slow - he can't turn or chase - and is probably only good for 60 minutes but you don't want to be switching centre-backs in a match unless forced by injury as it closes your options in mid-field and up-front.

 

Martin is good at times but lacks experience and could be found wanting under pressure each match. He is one for the future and like Oxo needs a couple of good seasons behind him against top quality opposition. I'm not sure Hammond can get airborne long enough to be a CB. he seems to be more of a bulldozer just charging through everything in his way. Too many penalties from him I'm afraid if he was further back.

 

I wonder if its worth risking Richardson there for a match or two with Butterfield at RB, this way you get them both on together, he certainly has the height and strength and speed.

 

When it comes down to who gets on the bus it has to be Jaidi & Seaborne at the moment but we'll always leak goals until we can find a big lad with a smile on his face to partner Fonte

[Andy_Porter]

Seabourne IMO great footballer just needs to get a bit of a ruthless streak about him if he's going to step up with us.