Pau Torres

[brontebilly]

Next season should be fun watching Pau and Mings battle for the left centre back position and hopefully, Konsa becoming a dedicated right sided centre back.

As we've seen with Longlay and Pau today two left footed CB's can function as a partnership.

Plenty of successful teams have coped with two right footed centre halves in the past.

It might just be that the other qualities Pau and Mings possess can work well together when required. Mings is more comfortable coming out and cutting off opposition moves with a key header or bone-crunching tackle. Pau is better as the quarterback dictating from deep. Might complement each other well.

I guess Emery was looking at 3 x CBs over pre season and we might have gone that way for a while if Mings didn't get injured at Newcastle. But to be honest I don't think any combination of it would have worked really. Mings, in our first season up under Smith, was awful playing in the centre of a back 3 at times. I know he improved a lot since and was outstanding after Emery came in last season. But he is incredibly one sided, turning onto his right side unbalances him. Mings can only play on the left. Torres shifting over to the right would negate his biggest strength. Taking the ball constantly on your weaker foot would mean safer passes. Konsa for me is very average at RB too and I'd hate to even see him attempt LCB. I just never really saw it working.

Torres being able to step into midfield and play those passes on the front and back foot is critical to how we play. For all Mings strengths I think Torres was going to replace him at some point this season and partner Konsa.

[darren woolley]

I'm so pleased he's back.

[ChicagoLion]

Mings could play LB in the same way Konsa RB.
That would need a better option than Cash as an attacking RB though.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

Mings could play LB in the same way Konsa RB.
That would need a better option than Cash as an attacking RB though.

I’d think they’d be looking to upgrade Cash anyway, unless KHH develops, irrespective of the possibility of playing Mings at left back on occasions.

[ROBBO]

Will we keep Lenglet? I think he has earned a contract.

[Demitri_C]

Will we keep Lenglet? I think he has earned a contract.

Probably not. 3 left sided cbs seem excessive when mings returns

[Mister E]

I'd like to think that Carlos is replaced and Chambers jettisoned. But I suppose some CB decisions will have to wait until we see what state Mings is in after this long lay-off.

[KevinGage]

Aye. A younger development-style right centre back. Who, I have no idea.

[LeeB]

Aye. A younger development-style right centre back. Who, I have no idea.

Josh Feeney hopefully.

[PaulWinch again]

How’s Kerr Smith getting on?

[Brazilian Villain]

How’s Kerr Smith getting on?

I've wondered the same, don't hear him mentioned much.

[KNVillan]

How’s Kerr Smith getting on?

I've wondered the same, don't hear him mentioned much.

Currently on loan at St Johnstone (sub today against Rangers)

[Ads]

Lenglet is better than Carlos for me.

[LeeB]

Lenglet is better than Carlos for me.

Yeah, significantly so. Monchi must wince that his 'I Saw You Coming' sale is now his mess to clean up. Maybe someone in Saudi Arabia can look us in the eye and offer a huge sum to take him off our hands.

[Risso]

Lenglet is better than Carlos for me.

Yeah, significantly so. Monchi must wince that his 'I Saw You Coming' sale is now his mess to clean up. Maybe someone in Saudi Arabia can look us in the eye and offer a huge sum to take him off our hands.

I think that's a bit harsh. Carlos isn't great, but Lenglet looked better yesterday because he had the imperious Torres next to him. Carlos has looked OK next to Torres as well. Both Lenglet and Carlos aren't good enough to play as a pairing next to each other.