2020/21 Ben Godfrey

[Nealroy]

He's exactly the type of player to trigger a packed Goodison into full bear pit mode. Dont lose many once that happens.

 

[Zatara]

We literally have a world class defender in Michael Keane. People are sleeping on what a golliath Keane really is...

I beg your pardon?

Digne you could make a strong argument for. Godfrey is on the way to 'potentially' become world class.

Mina on his day is up there with the best and our best option to partner Godfrey. He can still be improved upon.

Keane doesnt have the athleticism or the reading of the game + not really the 'killer' mentality imo

I think Keane has been great this season, but overall our defence has been not so good when you look at goals conceded. Godfrey has been a great addition as well, so does that mean the others just aren’t good enough?

The lack of a top quality right back has impeded us along with having to sit deep to get the best out of Keane.

....I said the day he signed he was already the most effective CB at the club. I asked why folk want him to play LB or RB when he’s our best CB. I said as soon as he plays there, he will become first choice & then it was a matter of who plays alongside him.

I’d like to think I was right on this. Whilst others are rested, Godfrey plays. I’m not surprised. Here’s my taxi queue for who partners him:

Mina
Keane
Holgate

In a deep 4 then id agree.

In a 3 or if we want to play a higher line then Keanes at the bottom.

Id say you have the silver medal with Godfrey. @Neiler called it as we were signing him

Do you think we need to bring someone else in and move one of the others out or are you happy with the 4 we have?

I know this was directed at @Eggs but ive been prattling on about the need for not only a Right back (which anyone can see) but also a massive upgrade at centre back.

Imagine how we'd look with another athletic beast with the same will to win next to Godfrey and a rapid top notch right back.

 

[messymascot]

I beg your pardon?

Digne you could make a strong argument for. Godfrey is on the way to 'potentially' become world class.

Mina on his day is up there with the best and our best option to partner Godfrey. He can still be improved upon.

Keane doesnt have the athleticism or the reading of the game + not really the 'killer' mentality imo



The lack of a top quality right back has impeded us along with having to sit deep to get the best out of Keane.



In a deep 4 then id agree.

In a 3 or if we want to play a higher line then Keanes at the bottom.

Id say you have the silver medal with Godfrey. @Neiler called it as we were signing him



I know this was directed at @Eggs but ive been prattling on about the need for not only a Right back (which anyone can see) but also a massive upgrade at centre back.

Imagine how we'd look with another athletic beast with the same will to win next to Godfrey and a rapid top notch right back.

I'd love a left footer then we have a perfect combination. I think he has done really well this season but Keane is the one I would sell. Holgate has versatility on his side and I would keep Mina until Branthwaite is hopefully ready then I would move him on. The reason I would keep Mina is him and James are clearly friends so will help in keeping him here for the full 3. It's tough on Keane and I actually think he's Godfreys best partner but if we buy someone else to come in as a starter this means Keane drops out and I'm not sure how his confidence will cope.

 

[Zatara]

I'd love a left footer then we have a perfect combination. I think he has done really well this season but Keane is the one I would sell. Holgate has versatility on his side and I would keep Mina until Branthwaite is hopefully ready then I would move him on. The reason I would keep Mina is him and James are clearly friends so will help in keeping him here for the full 3. It's tough on Keane and I actually think he's Godfreys best partner but if we buy someone else to come in as a starter this means Keane drops out and I'm not sure how his confidence will cope.

Im not a fan of Keane and really like Mina.

However id sell both of them to fund one really top notch centre back around the same age as Godfrey.

You nailed it about Keanes mentality and also how will he fare when crowds return? He also constricts us to play deep every game as he has limited athleticism.

Take a look at Bastoni (Inter) or Tapsoba (Leverkusen) and even the smaller chap Kounde (Sevilla) who would work in a 3....all of them would add another dimension to our defence.

Bastoni next to Godfrey could become the best pairing in the league for a long time.

 

[messymascot]

Im not a fan of Keane and really like Mina.

However id sell both of them to fund one really top notch centre back around the same age as Godfrey.

You nailed it about Keanes mentality and also how will he fare when crowds return? He also constricts us to play deep every game as he has limited athleticism.

Take a look at Bastoni (Inter) or Tapsoba (Leverkusen) and even the smaller chap Kounde (Sevilla) who would work in a 3....all of them would add another dimension to our defence.

Bastoni next to Godfrey could become the best pairing in the league for a long time.

Are any of them left footed. If you are going to play a 3 the one on the left really needs to be left footed.

 

[MACCA75]

Keane isn’t being sold in the summer like.

 

[Zatara]

Are any of them left footed. If you are going to play a 3 the one on the left really needs to be left footed.

Bastoni is naturally left footed but can also use his right.

Tapsoba and Kounde are right footed but no problem pinging balls with their left.

All three are able to play on the left or the right side comfortably.

Kounde could really only play in a 3 i think as hes a bit small. The other two walk into our team next to Godfrey.

 

[Zatara]

Are any of them left footed. If you are going to play a 3 the one on the left really needs to be left footed.

Bastoni is naturally left footed but can also use his right.

Tapsoba and Kounde are right footed but no problem pinging balls with their left.

All three are able to play on the left or the right side comfortably.

Kounde could really only play in a 3 i think as hes a bit small. The other two walk into our team next to Godfrey.

 

[Zatara]

Keane isn’t being sold in the summer like.

He should be.

 

[messymascot]

Bastoni is naturally left footed but can also use his right.

Tapsoba and Kounde are right footed but no problem pinging balls with their left.

All three are able to play on the left or the right side comfortably.

Kounde could really only play in a 3 i think as hes a bit small. The other two walk into our team next to Godfrey.

I see Bastoni can also play LB which means he ticks every box.

 

[MACCA75]

He should be.

Man Utd have done fine without 2 lightening quick CB’s.

 

[Zatara]

I see Bastoni can also play LB which means he ticks every box.

He's very good.

 

[messymascot]

He's very good.

How much do you think he would cost?

 

[Zatara]

Man Utd have done fine without 2 lightening quick CB’s.

Yet their weakness is widely considered to be at centre back...

The partner for Godfrey doesnt have to be "lightening quick". It could be someone who can lead the defence and read the game very well like a Ramos or a Romagnoli type (we'd still be deep then). Effectively the 'captain' of the defence.

Alternatively my preference would indeed be someone with pace and athleticism and just all round quality like a Tapsoba or Bastoni -- Bastoni is next level imo.

The third option is to go with the 3 at the back with a Kounde who lacks height but is great at everything else.

Playing Godfrey next to a Ramos for a season i think would bring his game on enormously and next to one of the athletic players would unleash them both--and the team--with us being able to play higher up the pitch.

 

[MACCA75]

Yet their weakness is widely considered to be at centre back...

The partner for Godfrey doesnt have to be "lightening quick". It could be someone who can lead the defence and read the game very well like a Ramos or a Romagnoli type (we'd still be deep then). Effectively the 'captain' of the defence.

Alternatively my preference would indeed be someone with pace and athleticism and just all round quality like a Tapsoba or Bastoni -- Bastoni is next level imo.

The third option is to go with the 3 at the back with a Kounde who lacks height but is great at everything else.

Playing Godfrey next to a Ramos for a season i think would bring his game on enormously and next to one of the athletic players would unleash them both--and the team--with us being able to play higher up the pitch.

Obviously a Ramos would be an upgrade.
But realistically we’ll be looking at a right full back and an attacking player to replace Bernard.