Leandro Bacuna - Sold

[Toronto Villa]

I think Sherwood will play him and others based on the situation. There will be times Hutton, a very good defender, but not as good in attack is the better option based on the opponent and venue. Right now we need wins and goals and Bacuna has played well enough in Hutton's absence. Won't surprise me to see him play next week and then Hutton at Southampton.

[Somniloquism]

Be interesting to see if Bacuna continues to get the right back nod for the next game with arguably our most consistant player this year back to fitness, do we sacrifice creativity going forward for some much needed defensive steel?

He could always be moved to the current N'Zog position and have Hutton in behind.

[eamonn]

Yeah, why can't we move him to right midfield with Hutton behind him?

[supertom]

Yeah, why can't we move him to right midfield with Hutton behind him?

Bacuna's never quite done it from a more advanced position. He does seem to relish bombing forward from right back and getting a run on. I dunno, with more confidence at the moment he might be better in an advanced role now.

In terms of Bacuna vs Hutton. I don't think there's a game left that we particularly need a more cautious approach with. Going for it seems to be the best way of getting the results, so I'd stick with Leandro for now. I would possibly consider Hutton for the final though, but if Leandro keeps his performance levels up, it would be harsh to drop him.

[dave shelley]

I think Bacuna is a player in transition, ostensibly a mid-fielder but learning the full-back trade.  If given time, I'm sure he will turn into a very good player.  That's probably a stating the bleeding obvious observation but I can't help noticing the similarity to Kenny Swain and, look how that turned out.

[Caiphus]

I hope when he becomes more consistent with age and experience that it isn't because he eliminates the brilliance from his game to become a good but mediocre player.  He is our best provider at the moment, so it would be great to see him keep his end product but eliminate the lazy touches and errant passes that happen a little to regularly between the killer balls.

[Matt Collins]

Yeah, why can't we move him to right midfield with Hutton behind him?

Bacuna's never quite done it from a more advanced position. He does seem to relish bombing forward from right back and getting a run on. I dunno, with more confidence at the moment he might be better in an advanced role now.

In terms of Bacuna vs Hutton. I don't think there's a game left that we particularly need a more cautious approach with. Going for it seems to be the best way of getting the results, so I'd stick with Leandro for now. I would possibly consider Hutton for the final though, but if Leandro keeps his performance levels up, it would be harsh to drop him.

completely agree

[DrGonzo]

Increasingly assured. His range of passing alone warrants a place in the first 11, the ball for Cleverley couldn't have been played better, and Tekkers loves him.  The problem for me is that he is caught between two roles, he's a decent right back that can get forward but is suspect from time to time in coverage, he's a competent midfielder but doesn't seem to offer any more than he would from RB.  Hutton is certainly a better defender, but what Bacuna offers us in terms of creativity is far more important.  Keep playing him, please.

[Louzie0]

I think he's wonderful.

[phantom limb]

The pass to Cleverley for the goal was almost sexual.

[Louzie0]

That, as well

[Steve R]

It's likely that Hutton will not make the starting 11 between now and the end of the season unless Bacuna gets injured/suspended.

Lowton has surely played his last game for the club unless Sherwood gets the elbow before he can be offloaded. We may well buy the rounded right back that we need in the summer. In which case Hutton could find himself back in the chilly zone.

[Matt Collins]

With delph, grealish and benteke favouring the left hand side or play is focused down that flank

Bacuna' energy and crossing ability means he's very well suited to providing a balance to that down the right in the current formation which is why I'd keep him in there

[OCD]

You can coach a creative player how to defend but you can't teach a defensive player to be creative.

[Dante Lavelli]

You can coach a creative player how to defend but you can't teach a defensive player to be creative.

There was a quote from Sherwood that he was giving bacuna extra lessons/showing videos in order to teach him to be a right back.  This was a few months back but hopefully shows that; 1. Bacuna's defending will improve 2. we have a thorough manager prepared to properly coach players.

He and Hutton could be a pretty perfect pair over the next few years, Hutton is your meat and potatoes defender whereas, with time bacuna could develop into a very adapt modern full back (with a mean free kick too).  I certainly would not be looking to buy a new one in the summer.