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People here don't seem to notice / value how dominant that Gareth McAuley is in the air.
Obviously he will need to be replaced soon, because at 37, realistically he's already surpassed the age that most people can play to at this level.
But the difficulty is finding someone as good as him in the air. It's no surprise that we've pretty much dominated all of the set piece stats both defensively and offensively since McAuley came into the team and almost everyone I can think of is a downgrade in that department.
Evans is good on the deck and composed on the ball, but I think a McAuley type needed next to him. Curtis Davies and Evans IMO would be too lightweight at defending set plays, which is huge for us as we concede so many. Davies is a big bloke but can be bullied in the air. In actual fact McAuley scored at Hull away and it was Davies who was marking him - big Gaz bullied him for that goal.
So while I agree that he will need to be replaced soon, I think the task is near on impossible as Gareth is probably the best aerial defender in the league. A few years ago we were linked with Fazio, who is a similar type, but that ship has sailed. Off the top of my head, I can't think of anyone in this 'mould' who is currently available.
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(18-01-2017, 12:40)Slick_Footwork Wrote: People here don't seem to notice / value how dominant that Gareth McAuley is in the air.
Obviously he will need to be replaced soon, because at 37, realistically he's already surpassed the age that most people can play to at this level.
But the difficulty is finding someone as good as him in the air. It's no surprise that we've pretty much dominated all of the set piece stats both defensively and offensively since McAuley came into the team and almost everyone I can think of is a downgrade in that department.
Evans is good on the deck and composed on the ball, but I think a McAuley type needed next to him. Curtis Davies and Evans IMO would be too lightweight at defending set plays, which is huge for us as we concede so many. Davies is a big bloke but can be bullied in the air. In actual fact McAuley scored at Hull away and it was Davies who was marking him - big Gaz bullied him for that goal.
So while I agree that he will need to be replaced soon, I think the task is near on impossible as Gareth is probably the best aerial defender in the league. A few years ago we were linked with Fazio, who is a similar type, but that ship has sailed. Off the top of my head, I can't think of anyone in this 'mould' who is currently available.
I think you're absolutely right and I'm sure everyone recognises Gmac's aerial strength. However, maybe you've identified the problem in not being able to name a replacement as he's pretty unique (we were looking at Lewis Dunk from Brighton and he seems a big bloke but I'm assuming that's off the table now), so that the solution may be not to replace like for like but to think differently. I'm not saying that Curtis Davies is the right replacement but I think he's very good. Not all successful teams in the Premier League have someone as big as Macaulay, maybe we move to smaller, more mobile defenders who are still good in the air but maybe not as dominating as Mac. I appreciate we would lose some advantages but we'd gain others; if there's no obvious replacement, it would be one alternative. James Chester anyone??
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18-01-2017, 20:39
(This post was last modified: 18-01-2017, 20:57 by Salopbaggie.)
We all seem to be forgetting that Craig Dawson is naturally a centre back and is not to bad in the air and is only 7cm shorter than Gmac.
30 year old striker I hope not, would I take Messi? Well yes he is a year younger and only will cost 100 mil 
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Don't really get why Dawson is still classed as a CB. Has he ever actually played there for us? He's spent all of his career in the prem as a right back - does he have the ability to move over now at this level? Not sure myself
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(19-01-2017, 00:43)HarryJAllstarWBA Wrote: Don't really get why Dawson is still classed as a CB. Has he ever actually played there for us? He's spent all of his career in the prem as a right back - does he have the ability to move over now at this level? Not sure myself
Yeah, Dawson has definitely played CB for us. Was used a fair few times as a fill-in under Hodgson and Clarke, and then in 2014 Alan Irvine dropped Olsson & McAuley and went with him and Lescott as the first-choice central defence. It was Pulis who first shifted him to right-back, so that's two years in that position against six months plus odd cameos as a centre-half.
It has to be said that he never looked entirely comfortable in the centre at Prem level. That said, in defence an older head can often be a wiser head, so it's possible he could still grow into that role.
"I would rather spend a holiday in Tuscany than in the Black Country, but if I were compelled to choose between living in West Bromwich or Florence, I should make straight for West Bromwich." - J.B. Priestley
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19th Jan today.
WBA getting their new players in early....
Makes you wonder if we think we actually need to strengthen?
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19-01-2017, 11:26
(This post was last modified: 19-01-2017, 11:34 by drewks.)
Stoke and Sulky Boy :
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/footbal...nsfer-news
Let's frikkin' well get this done and move on 
(19-01-2017, 01:43)Ska Wrote: (19-01-2017, 00:43)HarryJAllstarWBA Wrote: Don't really get why Dawson is still classed as a CB. Has he ever actually played there for us? He's spent all of his career in the prem as a right back - does he have the ability to move over now at this level? Not sure myself
Yeah, Dawson has definitely played CB for us. Was used a fair few times as a fill-in under Hodgson and Clarke, and then in 2014 Alan Irvine dropped Olsson & McAuley and went with him and Lescott as the first-choice central defence. It was Pulis who first shifted him to right-back, so that's two years in that position against six months plus odd cameos as a centre-half.
It has to be said that he never looked entirely comfortable in the centre at Prem level. That said, in defence an older head can often be a wiser head, so it's possible he could still grow into that role.
.....also, he was actually purchased as a CB, a position that he occupied for a good few years with great success at his previous club (OK, only in League 1 I know) and also a long stint for the England U23 team (scoring quite a few goals here too, I seem to remember) .
RE conversion??!!
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http://readwestbrom.com/2017/01/19/west-...livermore/
opinions divided on this one, however, with an ageing squad not a bad start !?
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Hull accepts Livermore bid and we are talking to player - looks like it could happen. But being Albion this could still be too soon to crow
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