Who plays in the back four?

[Guest Dave]

I think this is a critical question at this stage. I am hoping Yallop, unlike Holger, will be open to original approaches to resolve this longstanding problem.

Many have voiced opinions, including calling in Nsaliwa, or using Stalteri or Hutchinson on the back line.

My question is, given the personel we have for the Wales friendly, who would YOU put on the back line?

If I were Yallop my choice would be to start with

Jazic - DeVos - McKenna - Bircham

In my opinion Birch has enough bite and pace and "soccer sense" to easily play right back. And it's better than wasting Stalteri's considerable ball skills back there. At half time (or earlier if this wasn't working out) I would try Klukowski at right back... although I am not sure how well he plays on that side. Or possibly play Kluka on the left and switch Jazic to the right. Another possibility would be Imhoff at right back and try Kluka in McKenna's spot. Not seeing these guys regularly at their club sides makes it hard to project how they would play at different positions, but I sure hope Yallop is trying some experiments this week.

Anyhow, onward with our first true taste of the FRANK YALLOP EXPERIENCE!

[Joe Keeper]

Bircham could be an interesting option at right back, especaially with his crossing ability, he could also push up the wing and aid Stalteri in future matches. Hutchinson may also be vaiable, as would Klukouski.

Yallop has mentioned possibly playing a 4-3-3 I think.

If so I would say then yes try Bircham or Hutchinson there.

(L - r)

Onstad

Jazic DeVos McKenna Bircham (or Hutchinson)

Brennan De Guzman Hume

Peschisolido DeRosario Radzinski (with DD dropping back a bit in a supporting role and Radz overlapping a bit, allowing hume to get forward)

But pozniak is also worth a look atleast.

[matthew]

Though I don't like it, I think Stalteri is in the back for us in Yallop's eyes. For the Wales match, I'd say put Bircham there at right back with Pozniak out. Still can't believe Nsaliwa wasn't selected.

If Frank goes 4-3-3 I think he'll lineup like:

-------------Onstad

Bircham--McKenna-DeVos--Jazic

--------Imhof----DeGuzman---Brennan

Hume------Radzinski---DeRosario

I don't think he'd play Hume and Pesch while playing DeRo and Radz as well.

With Bircham in the back, I like the idea of starting Hutchinson at d-mid and playing Imhof at right mid, especially since the middle of the park should be winnable. Robinson and especially Fletcher both had strong games for Wales in Norway, but honestly we have no reason to fear them. Surely Hutchinson has more skill than those two and hopefully he can show it.

cheers,

matthew

[Cheeta]

Never realy given any thought of Bircham as a fullback.

Guess he could do it. He's got the tackling and grit for sure but no way the pace you'd like and that can sting.

Has he played fullback before I wonder? Boy, those back men have to be on the same frequency or it shows up real ugly real quick. Not so sure about this. May not be much choice.

Rather not see Bircham at all unless it's in the midfield for the last half hour or so. Sadly for me, I think Matthew may have nailed Frankie's starting 11. Expecting Hume to be all over the globe today.

Fu'k! Friendly or no against a water down Welsh side, this is a match that's going to be well worth watching.