The surprise Cardiff City duo who could switch position to t
Thu Jun 25, 2020 2:40 pm
The surprise Cardiff City duo who could switch position to tackle right-back shortage
With Bluebird Jazz Richards departing the club, it leaves Dion Sanderson as the only recognised right-back
By Glen Williams
Thursday 25th June 2020
Joe Bennett and Brad Smith might be forced into switching flanks after Jazz Richards' exit has left Cardiff City desperately short of right-back options.
It was announced this week that Richards and youngster Cameron Coxe would not have their deals extended and would therefore leave the club next week.
It means Dion Sanderson, the 20-year-old Championship rookie who signed on loan from Wolves back in January, is the only recognised senior right-back at Neil Harris' disposal.
Ahead of this Saturday's crunch clash up at Deepdale against Preston, Harris said it is unlikely, barring perhaps the goalkeeper, that all players will be able to play every minute of the Bluebirds' eight remaining fixtures.
But with no other obvious right-back available, it means the left-back duo of Bennett and Smith might be forced to swap sides if Sanderson is pulled.
"Dion has come in and done extremely well," Harris said in his pre-match press conference. "We have got Joe Bennett and Brad Smith as left-back options and I’d have no concerns whatsoever with playing either of them at right back.
"And, as we know, Leandro Bacuna has done really well at right back, at times for me but also in the last few years and at previous clubs."
The pair have not trained at right-back just yet, but Harris does consider them as genuine options for that spot should Sanderson become unavailable for whatever reason.
"If needs must, we have got options like that we can use," he added.
"Curtis Nelson has also played in that position, so we have players who can do it."
Harris confirmed that right-back is "100 per cent" an area they are looking at heading into the summer transfer window, so any notion of Bennett and Smith's long-term futures, should the latter sign on a free in the next window, lie at right-back are off the table.
"We need to recruit in that area," he said. "I've really enjoyed working with Dion. He's a great lad, desperate to keep improving.
"I'd certainly like to work with him for a longer period moving forward, that's for sure, but obviously there are no answers from anyone because of budget, positions and leagues. The footballing world doesn't know at the moment but right back is definitely a position we need to recruit for next year."
With Bluebird Jazz Richards departing the club, it leaves Dion Sanderson as the only recognised right-back
By Glen Williams
Thursday 25th June 2020
Joe Bennett and Brad Smith might be forced into switching flanks after Jazz Richards' exit has left Cardiff City desperately short of right-back options.
It was announced this week that Richards and youngster Cameron Coxe would not have their deals extended and would therefore leave the club next week.
It means Dion Sanderson, the 20-year-old Championship rookie who signed on loan from Wolves back in January, is the only recognised senior right-back at Neil Harris' disposal.
Ahead of this Saturday's crunch clash up at Deepdale against Preston, Harris said it is unlikely, barring perhaps the goalkeeper, that all players will be able to play every minute of the Bluebirds' eight remaining fixtures.
But with no other obvious right-back available, it means the left-back duo of Bennett and Smith might be forced to swap sides if Sanderson is pulled.
"Dion has come in and done extremely well," Harris said in his pre-match press conference. "We have got Joe Bennett and Brad Smith as left-back options and I’d have no concerns whatsoever with playing either of them at right back.
"And, as we know, Leandro Bacuna has done really well at right back, at times for me but also in the last few years and at previous clubs."
The pair have not trained at right-back just yet, but Harris does consider them as genuine options for that spot should Sanderson become unavailable for whatever reason.
"If needs must, we have got options like that we can use," he added.
"Curtis Nelson has also played in that position, so we have players who can do it."
Harris confirmed that right-back is "100 per cent" an area they are looking at heading into the summer transfer window, so any notion of Bennett and Smith's long-term futures, should the latter sign on a free in the next window, lie at right-back are off the table.
"We need to recruit in that area," he said. "I've really enjoyed working with Dion. He's a great lad, desperate to keep improving.
"I'd certainly like to work with him for a longer period moving forward, that's for sure, but obviously there are no answers from anyone because of budget, positions and leagues. The footballing world doesn't know at the moment but right back is definitely a position we need to recruit for next year."
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Re: The surprise Cardiff City duo who could switch position
Thu Jun 25, 2020 5:48 pm
Wouldn’t mind Gavin Whyte having a go at right back if needed.
Re: The surprise Cardiff City duo who could switch position
Thu Jun 25, 2020 6:05 pm
maccydee wrote:Wouldn’t mind Gavin Whyte having a go at right back if needed.
its a good shout , maybe it would work ,maybe not... i wonder if NH has tried it in training ?
Re: The surprise Cardiff City duo who could switch position
Thu Jun 25, 2020 6:22 pm
Not sure why we would play a played on his wrong foot when we have a few better options already in the squad
1. Patterson has played that position a lot in the past in Scotland and at International level
2. Bacuna is known as a utility player and has played right back on a few occasions for us. He's fine to fill in if needed
3. Curtis Nelson would be a better option than a left footer. We could bring in bamba to play centre back and move Nelson over or go to a back three
Also what about Cunningham ?
He's fit again who says he won't win the left or right back place back
1. Patterson has played that position a lot in the past in Scotland and at International level
2. Bacuna is known as a utility player and has played right back on a few occasions for us. He's fine to fill in if needed
3. Curtis Nelson would be a better option than a left footer. We could bring in bamba to play centre back and move Nelson over or go to a back three
Also what about Cunningham ?
He's fit again who says he won't win the left or right back place back