How many minutes did Phillips play for Blackburn last year? I thought he’d only played a handful of games.I'd be worried more if Phillips hadn't been playing men's football in the Championship last year. We've seen time and time again that if a player performs in the championship, it's a good indication they'll play well in the Prem. And if Ange has sanctioned it, as Ali G has said he has, then he must trust him too. He's not starting let's remember, he's just the reserve option.
At some point you have to hand the reins over to a young player, and Sanchez has underperformed for 5 seasons and was gone in 12 months anyway. Now is the perfect time.
8 Championship games and 14 appearances in all comps. Not loads, but the fact he's been blooded in and knows how it feels to play and start at a high level of men's football is a big advantage compared to most youth prospects. As you say, normally I'd be worried, but i trust Ange 110%How many minutes did Phillips play for Blackburn last year? I thought he’d only played a handful of games.
While I think it’s probably a good thing to show these youngsters that there’s a direct path to the first team if they can step up, I still think it’s a little reckless to go into the season with only two centre backs that are established and suitable for the role.
But if Ange is happy, we should trust him.
Alfie Dorrington it is your time to shine
Yes, some of us have wondered similarly. Yeesh. Get someone in this Jan. No excuses.I hadn't thought about it previously but maybe Ange thinks Emerson can cover RCB til Jan?
Seems risky to me in a back 4, but maybe he knows something we don't
I agree but if Romero or VDV get injured, we're left with Phillips and Dier. I'm sure we'll see Dier have some minutes in such an event, despite it being clear we don't want him. We can't play with 10!i'm pretty sure Dier is on the naughty step and wont be seen no matter what happens. Club trying to force him out rather than let him leave for free next year.
Yep we are in a rebuild year, we probably aren’t going to be challenging for the league really, so between now and Christmas is a good time to blood youngsters and show the kids at all age groups that there is a path to the team if they work hard.Tin hat ready but I think this is fantastic news. If Ange feels confident that the 18 year olds are good enough then why stunt there growth by keeping deadwood? We’ve been complaining for god knows how long that managers haven’t given a clear pathway for the academy players, we have one that says if your good enough your old enough. It’s how we keep talent like Dorrington, Devine, Donley et Al, show them can make the first team
We have such a long history of losing our best centre halves through injury as well.F'ing hell. We're getting rid of Dav now.
We're an injury away from being right in the shit.
Is it a risk? We know Dier and Sanchez will cost us points we have seen it far too many times. No more likely Phillips or Dorrington do and maybe just maybe they step up and have a higher ceiling.The most important part is that Ange hasn't sactioned the move but fucking hell what a risk if VDV or Romero get injured/suspended.
At a push Davies can do a job as LCB but I don't trust Dier as a RCB in a highline. I suppose Ange might give Phillips a run if it comes to it but it's a massive ask of an 18 year old kid.
Ange HAS sanctioned the move though !The most important part is that Ange hasn't sactioned the move but fucking hell what a risk if VDV or Romero get injured/suspended.
At a push Davies can do a job as LCB but I don't trust Dier as a RCB in a highline. I suppose Ange might give Phillips a run if it comes to it but it's a massive ask of an 18 year old kid.
Fucking hell €15mil! Fair play
Is it a risk? We know Dier and Sanchez will cost us points we have seen it far too many times. No more likely Phillips or Dorrington do and maybe just maybe they step up and have a higher ceiling.
Ange HAS sanctioned the move though !
thats not true though is it he has been a catastrophe at times. He does have some good games but when it gets away from him he spreads panic through the whole team and we have seen it so many times. Poch played a high line and it was still obvious then. The young lads are no more or less likely to cause a mess than he is in fact if anything we know at somepoint he will we don't know that for sure with the younger players.Dier I agree absolutely won't work in Ange's system but Dav on the other hand has looked much more suited. As much as you might not rate him he's definitely less of a risk than two 18 year olds who have never played in the prem.