Should Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings both start?

[Footy-Vill]

Sometimes play them both, sometimes play 1 or the other and sometimes play neither, that's how a squad works.

It will be a hot topic of debate by Villa followers and actually general football followers and pundits.
There was a lot of debate about finding a way to play Ings and Watkins, as well as Buendía and Coutinho.  There may be a lot of debate about Pau and Mings. As the season progresses, I'll look forward to reading your thoughts on this topic other than your mocking in your replied statement above.

How is that reply mocking you?

He is making a good point, we need to stop thinking in terms of starters and back ups (not referring to you here, but you see it a lot on here), and rather think of a squad of the most talented players we can find, and at any point in the season, those who are playing best / those who most suit the opposition / those who impress most in training, all of these can influence who starts.

The thats how a squad works comment. But I've moved on.

If i may ask
There's an inability or disregard to focus on the question both by you and by Paul E?
If you don't want to engage in discussion on where your head is at with two left centre backs both playing then perhaps you will start forming more of an opinion when they do or don't play.
I've started a conversation on this, which could turn out to be a hot topic, and I believe it's really useful for people to think about it now if they want to.

I made it simple for people to comprehend, similar to how Watkins, Ings, or Coutinho, and Buendía fit into the team.

Of course, I have foresight, but I recognise and summise that proof and games being played may be required for some before they choose to participate in this conversation seriously

I understand some need evidence before commenting before giving a contribution on Mings and Pau both starting

[paul_e]

The thats how a squad works comment. But I've moved on.

If i may ask
There's an inability or disregard to focus on the question both by you and by Paul E?
If you don't want to engage in discussion on where your head is at with two left centre backs both playing then perhaps you will start forming more of an opinion when they do or don't play.
I've started a conversation on this, which could turn out to be a hot topic, and I believe it's really useful for people to think about it now if they want to.

I made it simple for people to comprehend, similar to how Watkins, Ings, or Coutinho, and Buendía fit into the team.

Of course, I have foresight, but I recognise and summise that proof and games being played may be required for some before they choose to participate in this conversation seriously

I understand some need evidence before commenting before giving a contribution on Mings and Pau both starting

I engaged in the discussion, you ignored my reply and created a new thread to repeat yourself. The "that's how a squad works" comment was being glib more than anything because I find the 'what will our starting 11 be' style conversations a bit silly when we all know that we need 18-20 'starters' to compete.

I'll repeat myself though.

left footed central defenders have, for years, invariably been played on the left because coaches/managers prefer their stronger foot to be 'outside' because it makes them more likely to shepherd players on the outside. This is a bit outdated now though because so many attacks come from wide players driving in onto their stronger foot which puts them on the CBs 'weak' side. On top of that players with limited passing ability tend to 'open up' on their stronger side and have a fairly narrow 'passing segment' that they're comfortable with, on their 'weak' side that segment tends to be much squarer and results in playing passes across the face of the goal, which was a massive no-no in the past. As technical ability has increased and a focus on retaining possession has come into the game both of those reasons have largely gone as well.

We still see left-footed players on the left more often because that's where youth coaches will have put them because they don't know any better and it just sticks because it's rare for 2 lefties to end up playing together. A few years ago we had Mings and Hause together and the latter, who is a far less gifted footballer than Torres, adapted to playing on the right of the pairing very quickly.

Getting Torres and Mings to play together is as simple as deciding which one will go on the right and then giving them time to get used to playing together. The comparison between this and Watkins/Ings and Coutinho/Buendia is false because the former was a problem because the style to get the best out of Ings and Watkins was different so we could only play in a way that suited one or other and the Buendia/Coutinho thing is mostly a physicality problem, you can't really get away with 2 playmaking midgets in the same team in the premier league, when they did both play we often got out fought in midfield, although Gerrards tactical genius of having 2 of the 3 in behind cover his fullbacks didn't help with that.

Question in return, would you be so vocal if we had to play 2 right/right-footed CBs together?

[Dogtanian]

This thread reminds me of that Star Trek episode where the man and his anti-matter doppelganger end up trapped and at each other's throats for all eternity in the tunnel between their dimensions!

[edgysatsuma89]

I can't ever imagine playing two centre backs with the same preferred foot, it's just beyond imagination, it's never happened before.

[Footy-Vill]

So I summise you have Mings and Pau both starting?
Actually I fantatsic comparison regards the debate of both Watkins and Coutinho and Buendía and Coutinho you just choose to never give acknowledgement my way.

Mings and Pau
The style of play would be different with two left-footed centre backs and would not bring out the best in Mings or Pau because one is out of place.
Furthermore, it's about therefore fitting both players is the same as the debate on forwards and midfielders

This is where my thoughts are, rather than a hypothetical right-footed centre back scenario and I opened a discussion because its a situation and wonder about people's thoughts specifically on both startingon who should be starting under Emery.

Come and debate when you have your evidence, as that is clearly required for you.

[Dave P]

We could have upwards of 50 games this season against teams of varying styles.  A squad has never been more important.  The correct pairing will be decided upon form, fatigue, injuries, who we are up against etc.  I don't think any selection is binary.

[pablo_picasso]

Your vote does not reflect your question.

If you are asking, either, both or neither, then there needs to be a selection of either, both or neither for the vote.

Otherwise its just who out of these two should play...

[KevinGage]

Not sure this needs a second thread, TBH.

[Footy-Vill]

And, certainly, if there are two right-footed centre backs, I would have that conversation and see possible cause for concern, especially if they have a weak right foot and are asked to play left. I would then anticipate one guy being benched.

On the Pau and Mings situation well Mings, too, does not have the best ball-playing right foot. He also appears to only play on the left side during his career and because his balance is difficult to maintain on the right he could be falling over at worst . I mean we've seen his poor distribution at times from the left. Its challenging for him to learn a new role. Why increase the risk factor?

[Footy-Vill]

Not sure this needs a second thread, TBH.

No need for comment!
If you don't want to involve yourself then don't.

It is an issue and cause for discussion as both may or not start and people want to think and debate it and will be ongoing this season.
It's a great thread actually

[Footy-Vill]

Your vote does not reflect your question.

If you are asking, either, both or neither, then there needs to be a selection of either, both or neither for the vote.

Otherwise its just who out of these two should play...

I wanted to put both on there as option could the moderators paid or unpaid sort this out as it not allowing me

[Axl Rose]

Not sure this needs a second thread, TBH.

No need for comment!
If you don't want to involve yourself then don't.

It is an issue and cause for discussion as both may or not start and people want to think and debate it and will be ongoing this season.
It's a great thread actually

Come on now Footy, manners maketh man.

[Footy-Vill]

We could have upwards of 50 games this season against teams of varying styles.  A squad has never been more important.  The correct pairing will be decided upon form, fatigue, injuries, who we are up against etc.  I don't think any selection is binary.

Sure. That's fair.
And if we see if it works or not as a pairing I'm sure you and many will give thoughts to that as a discussion on who should be our left centre back and if they can both play together.

[Footy-Vill]

Not sure this needs a second thread, TBH.

No need for comment!
If you don't want to involve yourself then don't.

It is an issue and cause for discussion as both may or not start and people want to think and debate it and will be ongoing this season.
It's a great thread actually

Come on now Footy, manners maketh man.

Well, I apologise if it came out as abrupt, but people are ignoring the future!
I've merely provided some foresight to a discussion that will take place this season and I wanted others to join in and be interested in what they had to say now and as season progresses. However, very few people are willing to speak up or are likely just waiting to see how the pairing may or may not work.

They are both excellent defenders, so this will be a hot topic

And sorry KevinGage just found it a negative contribution to a thread. Come on I have good intentions for all and the centre back situation well it's up for debate.

[Hookeysmith]

As good as Pau is meant to be i see Konsa and Mings have the shirts at the moment and it is theirs to lose or at the very least until Pau is up to speed with everyone and everything.

This guy was bought for the long haul so no need to rush him