Leandro Bacuna - Sold

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Watching him yesterday when he received the ball in the RB position he turned and passed it back and inside every time...suggests to me that he is clearly uncomfortable in possession when in that situation, which he is obviously going to be in a lot of the time. At least Hutton will occasionally put on a bit of a burst forward, cut inside and use his left foot.
He is often caught on his heels inside the box (and unaware) when attackers are on their toes and inevitably beat him to the ball - eg Vardy goal.
He's simply not a confident defender.
Ilori is surely a considerable upgrade?

[Villafirst]

I still think Okore is the better option at RB. He's got pace and power and won't just hoof the ball. Surely a way better defender than Bacuna??

[aj2k77]

Ilori, Crespo, Okore, Hutton at least we have options, this time last season we had bugger all past the first choice option in most positions. I think Bacuna will be a prime target for the opposition much in the same way our left backs were last season and it's only going to make him look worse. Not good enough to play in midfield either so I'm not sure what to do with him, strangely I'm not too fussed about his new contract. I doubt it was for a massive pay rise and it guarentees us a fee for him when we do move him on.

[RussellC]

I still think Okore is the better option at RB. He's got pace and power and won't just hoof the ball. Surely a way better defender than Bacuna??

Okore always looks too clumsy in possession to make a decent full-back to me.

[Tom_Mc9?]

I like Bacuna but he's been very poor the last few games. I'm not entirely sure it's his fault though because as flexible he is, a right back he isn't.

[KRS]

Pretty sure he'll be dropped for the Baggies and Blues games...only danger with that is that Hutton is likely to get himself sent off. I may be wrong but I think the only reason TS pulled him off yesterday was because he took a knock towards the end of the game rather than his incompetence of doing anything football related.

[supertom]

I like Bacuna but he's been very poor the last few games. I'm not entirely sure it's his fault though because as flexible he is, a right back he isn't.

His best games have probably come at right back though. I've rarely seen him look good in midfield. I think he's one of those players doomed to be a bit shit no matter where he plays. Not comfortable enough with the ball to be a good winger. Too poor defensively to be a fullback. Not enough awareness or technical ability to play in the middle.

Not good enough.

[usav]

I like Bacuna but he's been very poor the last few games. I'm not entirely sure it's his fault though because as flexible he is, a right back he isn't.

You are entirely right.  It is not his fault his technique is flawed and that he is too poor for this level - he is doing the best he can.  It is the fault of the previous manager for buying him and the current manager for playing him.

[N'ZMAV]

I still think Okore is the better option at RB. He's got pace and power and won't just hoof the ball. Surely a way better defender than Bacuna??

Richards is the best right back at the club

[oldhill_avfc]

I like Bacuna but he's been very poor the last few games. I'm not entirely sure it's his fault though because as flexible he is, a right back he isn't.

His best games have probably come at right back though. I've rarely seen him look good in midfield. I think he's one of those players doomed to be a bit shit no matter where he plays. Not comfortable enough with the ball to be a good winger. Too poor defensively to be a fullback. Not enough awareness or technical ability to play in the middle.
Not good enough.

However much his endeavour and ability to do something decent once in a while makes you want him to succeed - this just about sums it up.

A poor mans Ian Taylor - not quite good enough to take us the next level.  Kind of sums up the state of recent years when the next level is being to play a moving ball, but there you go.

[Risso]

I'm not sure why we've persevered with Bacuna when we've got rid of equally crap defenders in Lowton and Luna. He reminds me of Ulises De La Cruz.

[class-of-82]

I know thIs is a bacuna thread
But for me with the players we have its crying out for a back three of Richards lescott and okore or Ilori
With Hutton and amavi wing backs
Worked out ok for sir Brian

[oldhill_avfc]

Luna was in another league of crapness altogether.  At least Bacuna doesn't play with his arms tied behind his back.

[oldhill_avfc]

I know thIs is a bacuna thread
But for me with the players we have its crying out for a back three of Richards lescott and okore or Ilori
With Hutton and amavi wing backs
Worked out ok for sir Brian

Amavi is a natural wing back.

Hutton proved against Sunderland when he had the freedom of the park down the right that he isn't.

Am I mad in thinking Westwood might do well there?

[saunders_heroes]

I know thIs is a bacuna thread
But for me with the players we have its crying out for a back three of Richards lescott and okore or Ilori
With Hutton and amavi wing backs
Worked out ok for sir Brian

I agree with this. I'd play with 3 centre backs and 2 wing backs which would take pressure off the problem right back position. We have strong central defenders and I'd love to see 2 wing backs bombing down the flanks. I'm pretty sure this is in Sherwood's long term thinking as well.