[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35623.msg937929#msg937929 date=1251973678]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=35623.msg937924#msg937924 date=1251973441]
I think Insua's done alright.
But I just see him as another Steven Warnock. I don't think he's half as good as he's made out to be, nor do I see huge potential within him - just a solid Premiership footballer.
Defensively he's been fine and has made few mistakes, but over the half way line he's been pretty poor which is a shame because he's got a good cross on him. It'll improve with Riera in front of him but I'm not convinced it's enough to displace Aurelio, who had his finest year for us last term.
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I think you just hit the nail on the head with the last bit. So far he's had (for the most part) Babel or Yossi, who've both cut in and generally done little defensively.
I swear Insua and Johnson have looked like they've been playing the fullback and wide midfield berths almost singlehandedly so far.
Regards Insua, he's less spectacular than Johnson, but he's looked a good, solid capable fullback in the Arbeloa/Finnan mould. I think as time goes on he'll gain more confidence offensively. He's certainly got a good left peg and looks like he can provide good delivery and the occasional goal - He also set up Torres' goal against Villa, with a good run in beyond the defense.
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I agree with this. Insua's mistakes thus far look mainly down to inexperience rather than anything else, and if all he turns out to be is a solid, capable fullback, well, that's a step up for our youth system isn't it!
For the moment I think Aurelio is the better bet, simply because our defence looks prone to panicking at the moment, probably due to the new faces and a bit of familiarity and experience may settle things. If aurelio had any sort of physicality he'd be a really top fullback, but i wouldn't put him in midfield at all. He's got the passing range all right, but if teams knew he'd be playing there they'd hustle him out the game sharpish. He did ok in that game, and in emergencies sure, but if rafa put him there for an extended period i could see him getting slated at seaon's end for another 'insane' team selection. For now lucas is our midfield partner to mascherano, for better or worse, he's the best option (unless we're willing to drop Gerrard back and blunt our attack)