Zokora Vs Huddlestone as DC

[T-Spur]

Who in your opinion has adapted better as a converted centreback.

 

[Mattspur]

Zokora looked shakey last night, but he's done ok whenever he's filled in before. Hud has put in MOTM displays at CB though. So hud for me.

 

[T-Spur]

Perharps yesterday Huddlestone should have played CB and Zokora DM instead

 

[Evolution]

Probably Huddlestone shades it just although he ponders on the ball a little bit to much sometimes and in that area of the field, it could spell disaster. Zoko looks good defensively too but Huddlestone's range of passing is out of this world from that position

 

[PT]

Evo has it spot on. If Hudd were just good at CB and Dawsonesque in clearances and moves out of defence he'd nail it. But he is better in that deep lying position.

Some of his passes to instigate attacking moves this season have been reminiscent of Carrick.

 

[tRiKS]

Huddlestone is the better player in both positions

Last night was a good tactic to play Zokora though becasue if you want one of them to step out and make a 5 in the middle Zokora is better equiped pace wise to cover back against counter attacks.

 

[Legend10]

Evo has it spot on. If Hudd were just good at CB and Dawsonesque in clearances and moves out of defence he'd nail it. But he is better in that deep lying position.

Some of his passes to instigate attacking moves this season have been reminiscent of Carrick.

I think that Hudd has a better passing range than Carrick, just at the moment he doesn't do the other things quite so well.

 

[yanno]

I suspect Juande believes in horses for courses, so it will partly depend on the opposition.

If he wants to play from the back, the Hud will usually get more time on the ball to use his outstanding pasing range in the back four, and he's shown that his reading of the game is good enough to compensate for his lack of pace and slowness on the turn. Whereas there are circumstances when having a very fast player like Zokora, who can use his speed both to negate balls over the top and to step up and break up opposition attacks can be very useful.

The real dilemma at the moment is, assuming a worst case scenario where Ledley isn't fit to partner Woodgate in the CC Final, (and Dawson is also out) who would you play against a really physical mobile striker like Drogba? Quite probably aided by Anelka (even if he may be coming in from a wide position).

Would you risk the Hud against Drogba's mobility?

Or play Zokora and hope he can cope with Drogba's strength and power in the air?

Physically, Kaboul probably matches up best against Drogba, but would Juande pick him for such an important match?

 

[Bobishism]

Drogba isn't all that fast though. And the Hudd could possibly compete with him for aerial ball.

 

[T-Spur]

Why is Tainio preferred to YP Lee for yesterday's match? Tainio did not look comfortable to be honest.

 

[DC_Boy]

I thought zoko and TT both did well yesterday - the goal was nothing to do with any defender it was a ridiculous mistake end of

TT is a better RB than Lee for me - and i suspect JR too

We should have Hutton for the final so no worries there

for me it's Hutton King Woody Chimbonda

if King isn't fit mmmmmmmm

maybe Gilberto will yet come to the fore and we can play Chimbonda at CB

I wouldn't be devastated if Kaboul started besides Woodgate either

obviously we'll know much more this time next week

 

[wildheart]

I thought zoko and TT both did well yesterday - the goal was nothing to do with any defender it was a ridiculous mistake end of

TT is a better RB than Lee for me - and i suspect JR too

We should have Hutton for the final so no worries there

for me it's Hutton King Woody Chimbonda

if King isn't fit mmmmmmmm

maybe Gilberto will yet come to the fore and we can play Chimbonda at CB

I wouldn't be devastated if Kaboul started besides Woodgate either

obviously we'll know much more this time next week

Have to agree with all of that

 

[tRiKS]

Have to agree with all of that

Thriced

 

[van_Pommel]

Thriced

Fourthded

 

[Paxtonite]

Whatever the general opinion, the fact that Kaboul is overlooked for either of these players in central defence says a lot about what JR thinks of him at the moment, which is a bit of a shame really.

 

[eViL]

Zokora isn't fit to lace Huddlestone's boots in any position.

 

[Krafty]

I would have gone for Huddlestone, and I think Ramos will next week. With them only having one upfront it gives Huddlestone time to make passes like he did against Sunderland.

I think Huddlestone is actually a better defender than Zokora, whose decison making defensively is poor (marking, pressing and positioning). For the first twenty minutes last night the ball just got passed around the centre backs, with neither loking to commit themselves forward nor having the vision to knock the ball forward.

 

[DJS]

To be honest I'd prefer to see Tainio in midfield and Woodgate alongside King preferably or Dawson so neither really!

Although reckon Hudd is better centre back than Zokora! :up:

 

[DC_Boy]

thanks for all the 2nding etc

 

[spurs12345]

To be honest I'd prefer to see Tainio in midfield and Woodgate alongside King preferably or Dawson so neither really!

Although reckon Hudd is better centre back than Zokora! :up:

I agree.

I like both players, however i think we have better options for CB.

I think they play well in midfield, however, can i see them as regular players to crack into the top 5 with next season? Maybe not.

Don't get me wrong, i value Hudd for the future, but at the moment i dont feel he's an accomplished player.

I still believe Zokora needs adapting, and will hold my judgement off to ive seen him play more regular in the squad. However my instinct would be good rotational player