And at Right Back

[Snowball]

If we continue to play 442 with two tough-tackling defensive midfielders
then it's only 2/3 from Elwood, Karacan and Guthrie, tough choice

Though if we play 451 away from home, maybe they's dowrk?)

At RB do we stick with Cummings who is already decent and will improve
or does the manager think (maybe) he's not up to being a Premiership fullback?

My question is, how about Jem for RB?

Personally I think he'd make a top-class attacking RB

[GSY-Royal]

My question is, how about Jem for RB?

Personally I think he'd make a top-class attacking RB

For me, that's something that we could easily get away with in the Championship, but no chance in the Premier League.

[SpaghettiHoop]

Only in an emergency.

[Blakey's Right Peg]

Played very well indeed at Millwall when moved to right-back after Connolly went off injured, solid defensively and bombed forward with pace at every opportunity.

Not too sure we'd get away with it in the Premier League though, and I don't think Karacan would be particularly pleased at being persistently played out of position. I'm also intrigued to see if Cummings has what it takes to step up.

[Ian Royal]

He'd be a cracking RB, but I don't think its an experiment to try in the PL though... and takes us back to having only two quality midfielders available and Tabb in reserve. Which is not nearly enough.

Oh and I think it's fairly clear he doesn't want to be a RB.

[Isaac Hunt]

Looked very comfortable there the season before last when we lost to City in the FA Cup.

I think we'd miss his energy in the middle of the park.

[Snowball]

Agree on Cummings. I think he will eventually be a very good RB

As for out of position at RB, my instinct is Karacan would be an awesome RB
and would start out very decent. I wouldn't think he was inferior to Cummings
right now, and his energy is fantastic.

I can't decide whether his buzz-saw energy will still work its magic in the Prem
or whether more skilful players will pass it round him and knacker him out.

I wonder (and it's only thinking out loud) whether in the Prem he'd make a better RB than Midfielder

[Linden Jones' Tash]

If I've learnt anything about Brian, it's that he is a pragmatist, as opposed to Brendan who was an ideologue.

I think he will start next season with a blank sheet and built the team based on the strengths and weaknesses of the squad he has at that point in time, as he did when he built the team around Gylfi, then changed it for Shane, then changed it again for Jason

There will be competition for places and he'll pick the team and formation to do a job

I'm more curious to see how Jem and Ledge step up - Cummings has pace and that is priceless for a fullback...

[leicsRoyal]

I think we need someone who really knows his trade as a RB with Kebe doing what he wants in front.

[Z175]

No chance, his tacklings not his strongest point by a long way.

I'm sure all 3 will get a chance in the middle, just hope Guthries attitude isn't that he's joined for guaranteed first team footy.

[Snowball]

I suspect we will be all about high energy, tough-tackling in midfield
with Karacan lasting 55-60 minutes and being subbed

(presuming he's the same player after his injury)

[winchester_royal]

No chance, his tacklings not his strongest point by a long way.

I'm sure all 3 will get a chance in the middle, just hope Guthries attitude isn't that he's joined for guaranteed first team footy.

It won't be his attitude, but there's a reason he didn't sign the contract offered by Newcastle. He wants first team football, and assuming he puts in the hard yards he is more than good enough to get it ahead of the current two.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Still hoping we sign Gunter

[pea]

No chance, his tacklings not his strongest point by a long way.

I'm sure all 3 will get a chance in the middle, just hope Guthries attitude isn't that he's joined for guaranteed first team footy.

It won't be his attitude, but there's a reason he didn't sign the contract offered by Newcastle. He wants first team football, and assuming he puts in the hard yards he is more than good enough to get it ahead of the current two.

This

Karacan is exactly what we'll need in central midfield this year, would be criminal not to utilise him there in my opinion. But he could comfortably do a job at right back against the more average teams if needed

[peterroyal76]

Guthrie has played also played at right back before.

[paultheroyal]

Karacan is a central midfield player HTH

What next, Federici upfront?

[peterroyal76]

Karacan is a central midfield player HTH

What next, Federici upfront?

To be fair Feds has a decent shots to goals ratio.

[Ian Royal]

Karacan is a central midfield player HTH

What next, Federici upfront?

Central midfielders can share quite a few traits with full backs. He's played at full back several times and has looked good there. His abilities fit the mold there. He's relatively quick, hardworking, can tackle, good awareness and discipline, decent cross, decent passing.

Players do change positions. It's really not a stupid suggestion that he'd make a good right back.

[Royal Ginger]

Karacan is a central midfield player HTH

What next, Federici upfront?

Central midfielders can share quite a few traits with full backs. He's played at full back several times and has looked good there. His abilities fit the mold there. He's relatively quick, hardworking, can tackle, good awareness and discipline, decent cross, decent passing.

Players do change positions. It's really not a stupid suggestion that he'd make a good right back.

Agreed, however, I think you were right with the point you made earlier, that he wouldn't want to. I remember him saying during last year's pre-season that he wanted to get forward more often, and didn't want to be thought of as a defensive player.

[John Madejski's Wallet]

Karacan is a central midfield player HTH

What next, Federici upfront?

Started his career at RB though didnt he?