Srg Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Given the devastating news on George Thorne today, we now have to consider the alternatives. John Eustace did a great job through the majority of last season. His defensive instincts, experience and leadership were fantastic for our young team. He plays with a certain grit which is great to see and his has just enough passing ability to do the job. He did begin to tire quite quickly, which is where the biggest worry would be for me if we were to go with him as the primary option. Both on a game by game basis, and cumulatively, this was a big issue. Another major concern was his athletic ability back there. He no longer has the energy nor manoeuvrability to cover the pitch sideline to sideline which is so important giving the attacking system we play. This often resulted in silly free kicks, which consequently led him to a lot of booking. Being unable to keep up with players running at him was a worry. This is forgetting the "quarterback" roll in which Thorne played towards the end of the season. Thorne was much quicker with the give and goes between defence and his fellow midfielders and even had the class to pick out running forwards (see Russell goal). Eustace cannot do this, but that's not say he doesn't have the edge on Thorne in some areas. Ultimately, I think we do need an alternative and Eustace can be used as the back up. As the man who's experience and know-how can get us over the line. Who that could be obviously remains to be seen. Not just that, but SMc may disagree entirely. We shall see. Link to comment https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/15754-the-eustace-debate/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Coutts may well be someone to try there. It was the more conservative defensive side of his play that allowed Brayford to be the player he was in his last season with us, he knows how to pass, tackle and the centre of midfield seemed to suit him. He may at least be an option and could slot into that role. Time will tell on that front.We've also heard good things about young Jamie Hanson, so he may be an option there, although I'd hardly throw him in the deep end. I'm sure McClaren is best placed to know whether he'd be up to the task.There's also the question of whether we'd look to another signing. It's a key position and the plan was for Eustace to be playing behind Thorne in the pecking order, with this being his last season we may well look to another signing who would be viewed as Eustace's replacement for 2015/16. That is, when Thorne comes back, he would battle this signing for a place, as I seriously doubt Eustace would be in the thinking for 2015/16 at this point.This all said, if Coutts wasn't up to the role (that is, not good at the role rather than not good enough for the club, he's good enough) and we were left with Eustace and Hanson, I'd be fine with it should McClaren be. Link to comment https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/15754-the-eustace-debate/#findComment-657157 Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddie Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 I thought that Eustace did pretty well for the most part, but his lack of pace was exposed on a few occasions over the December / January period. A year older now, I doubt that he was seen as anything more than cover for Thorne or a 'see out the game' specialist. He's probably not going to be a 'play every week' option, so one must assume that a replacement for Thorne is already being discussed. Link to comment https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/15754-the-eustace-debate/#findComment-657160 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Srg Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 Should have probably added my opinion that Coutts would be terrible there. Yes he has size, yes he can pass. Yet he has zero defensive instincts to play the role - arguably the most important thing required. This is the exact same reason why Hughes shouldn't be considered and neither should Hendrick. I'd love Hanson to step up but I think it's a bit soon to be entering the season with just him and Eustace. Link to comment https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/15754-the-eustace-debate/#findComment-657161 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alph Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Eustace, decent enough. Won't do anything more than his primary role. That's the difference between him and Thorne. Thorne backs up play everywhere. He picks out Martin and the wide players too. Eustace just tidies up. Where Thorne has the mobility to make a recovery, Eustace needs to make clever fouls. Thorne offered more but Eustace can do the basics of that role. The only thing is obviously his legs. When he's tired he just can't keep up with the play. At the least we need somebody to be able to cover for Eustace. Ideally we want somebody who adds some of the stuff we lose out on now. I don't think I've been unfair on Eustace. He's just not enough on his own for the full season Link to comment https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/15754-the-eustace-debate/#findComment-657163 Share on other sites More sharing options...
-JW- Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 According to to the man in the know, we are signings Chalobah on loan. Link to comment https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/15754-the-eustace-debate/#findComment-657166 Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoungUttoxRam Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Long live the Eust, more than capable of doing a job but I'd prefer is to pick and choose his games rather than rely on him. A loan's perfect for me. Link to comment https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/15754-the-eustace-debate/#findComment-657175 Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Coutts, Hughes, Hendrick.....square pegs in a round CDM hole. I expect we will see a season long loan in the next month. Please not Chalobah. Link to comment https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/15754-the-eustace-debate/#findComment-657181 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Srg Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 I think that's about the size of it. Square pegs in round holes takes us back to he who cannot be named. Link to comment https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/15754-the-eustace-debate/#findComment-657184 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Should have probably added my opinion that Coutts would be terrible there.Yes he has size, yes he can pass. Yet he has zero defensive instincts to play the role - arguably the most important thing required.This is the exact same reason why Hughes shouldn't be considered and neither should Hendrick.I'd love Hanson to step up but I think it's a bit soon to be entering the season with just him and Eustace.It was exactly his defensive instincts that made him develop such a good partnership with Brayford. He mightn't be a fit for the role, but before seeing him there I wouldn't rule him out of it.I do recall before Thorne was mentioned that he was specifically mentioned as an option there in the DET, so if they give him a go there, and he performs, I don't see why not giving it a go. He's stronger defensively than Hughes and Hendrick, and unlike them he's also not had a shot there, having been injured since we used this system.Again, I wouldn't pen in him as being an option there, but I wouldn't rule him out either. Link to comment https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/15754-the-eustace-debate/#findComment-657187 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Srg Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 It was exactly his defensive instincts that made him develop such a good partnership with Brayford. He mightn't be a fit for the role, but before seeing him there I wouldn't rule him out of it. I do recall before Thorne was mentioned that he was specifically mentioned as an option there in the DET, so if they give him a go there, and he performs, I don't see why not giving it a go. He's stronger defensively than Hughes and Hendrick, and unlike them he's also not had a shot there, having been injured since we used this system. Again, I wouldn't pen in him as being an option there, but I wouldn't rule him out either. I'd disagree. He was so good with Brayford because he was not a winger who attacked to the touch line, he tucked in happily as he didn't have the pace. He slowed it down and allowed the overlap time after time. I don't think that it had much to do with him defending. Link to comment https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/15754-the-eustace-debate/#findComment-657198 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tombo Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Eustace just got tired towards the end of the season. But I actually think he's okay. If we can't get a loan in Thorne's place, we at least have options there in Eustace and Hanson, and perhaps it could be worth a try with Bryson or Coutts. Coutts certainly has the build to hold a midfield and I think he played there before for Preston. Link to comment https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/15754-the-eustace-debate/#findComment-657202 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Eustace just got tired towards the end of the season. But I actually think he's okay. If we can't get a loan in Thorne's place, we at least have options there in Eustace and Hanson, and perhaps it could be worth a try with Bryson or Coutts. Coutts certainly has the build to hold a midfield and I think he played there before for Preston.Bryson has the legs, but that's not really what's needed there. It would be an awful waste of him too. Link to comment https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/15754-the-eustace-debate/#findComment-657206 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 I'd disagree. He was so good with Brayford because he was a winger who attacked to the touch line, he tucked in happily as he didn't have the pace. He slowed it down and allowed the overlap time after time. I don't think that it had much to do with him defending.Fair enough, we'll see what comes of this all come opening day. Link to comment https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/15754-the-eustace-debate/#findComment-657207 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tombo Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 http://mobile.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/brighton-hove-albion-1-2-derby-county-983348.aspx "Paul Coutts was implemented in defensive central midfield role to protect the back four in a fresh 4-1-3-2 formation." That was last season against Brighton and we won 2-1 at the Amex (No, not that 2-1 Amex victory. The other one) And he was more much exposed in that game than he would be in a 4-3-3. Also the subtitle is "Rams seal 3 points on the road for only the second time in 2013" Oh how things change... Link to comment https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/15754-the-eustace-debate/#findComment-657214 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tombo Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Bryson has the legs, but that's not really what's needed there. It would be an awful waste of him too. He would be wasted, but I'd rather have Bryson being wasted in DMC than not play at all. We would still have Hughes and Hendrick in front. Link to comment https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/15754-the-eustace-debate/#findComment-657217 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 http://mobile.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/brighton-hove-albion-1-2-derby-county-983348.aspx "Paul Coutts was implemented in defensive central midfield role to protect the back four in a fresh 4-1-3-2 formation." That was last season against Brighton and we won 2-1 at the Amex (No, not that 2-1 Amex victory. The other one) And he was more much exposed in that game than he would be in a 4-3-3. Also the subtitle is "Rams seal 3 points on the road for only the second time in 2013" Oh how things change...I'm now even more interested in whether this is something that's a possible option.He would be wasted, but I'd rather have Bryson being wasted in DMC than not play at all. We would still have Hughes and Hendrick in front.To be honest Bryson is probably an even worse option than Hughes or Hendrick there. Link to comment https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/15754-the-eustace-debate/#findComment-657225 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Srg Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 He would be wasted, but I'd rather have Bryson being wasted in DMC than not play at all. We would still have Hughes and Hendrick in front. Are you Clough?! Those 3 cannot play together in any form or manner. Link to comment https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/15754-the-eustace-debate/#findComment-657229 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tombo Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 The more I think about it, the more I think Coutts is our answer... Link to comment https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/15754-the-eustace-debate/#findComment-657231 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 The more I think about it, the more I think Coutts is our answer...We'll see what we do with the rest of preseason. Link to comment https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/15754-the-eustace-debate/#findComment-657254 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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