2021/22 Ben Godfrey

[Armaghtoffee]

...and what does he do at CB that warrants such enthusiasm?

This manager wont put him in there whilst there's a permutation of 2 from the 3 we've used so far.

That he has the pace that Keane and Mina don’t. We can’t play a high line with the latter 2 but Godfrey at CB means we have someone who can make the recovery runs if needed.

On his own merits he is solid now and still developing and he needs to be played where his future lies.

 

[TheBigIguana]

I don't know , I'm genuinely intrigued by what one of the most complete defenders of all time had to say .

There's a famous quote where he says something along the lines of if I'm tackling I already made a mistake.

 

[davek]

That he has the pace that Keane and Mina don’t. We can’t play a high line with the latter 2 but Godfrey at CB means we have someone who can make the recovery runs if needed.

On his own merits he is solid now and still developing and he needs to be played where his future lies.

Benitez wouldn't play a hign line unless ALL defenders could fit into that system and recover quickly.

No good having a high line if 3 out of a back 4 cant do that.

I just cant see Godfrey as a CB even though he's played there for Norwich and a few times here.

 

[Yarrgh]

...and what does he do at CB that warrants such enthusiasm?

This manager wont put him in there whilst there's a permutation of 2 from the 3 we've used so far.

For me it's the absence of enthusiasm for the other 3 that's what gets other people demanding him to start as a no-brainer.

Personally I am glad it's not my decision to make about which CB to pick as they all have certain issues that need to be catered for. In terms of current level he's at number 3 in the list, but has the highest potential to improve.

Anyway I have no idea what I'm talking about now as I started this post about 2 team calls, a bike ride, and a bizarre tale about squirrels ago.

 

[Blue Roo]

That's a very defensive line up but I could see it being used against the likes of City or Liverpool, teams that dominate the ball and that, history confirms, it's far better to play deep against than try and go toe to toe with them.

It isn't a back 7 I'd be against in such circumstances, provided we played 3 quick players up front, like Gray Richarlison and DCL, who I think could expose their 3 at the back. high defensive line. I think that, for us, it's a far better option than going

Yeah Richarlison, DCL, Grey, Doucs and either Digne or Alan as the attack could do well enough against the better teams
And if your going for it bring on James for Digne, or Godfrey

 

[Armaghtoffee]

Benitez wouldn't play a hign line unless ALL defenders could fit into that system and recover quickly.

No good having a high line if 3 out of a back 4 cant do that.

I just cant see Godfrey as a CB even though he's played there for Norwich and a few times here.

Benitez is risk averse and wouldn’t go for a high line at all here I think but Godfrey does leave the potential.

CB is all about a partnership and as long as Godfrey has a partner beside him like Mina to claim the highballs I think that is where he will settle.

As for him at RB- no evidence he can be as creative as modern wingbacks need to be.

As for him in midfield? Maybe due to pace and defensive ability but personally the Holgate in midfield experiment has left me wary of round pegs in square holes.

 

[davek]

Benitez is risk averse and wouldn’t go for a high line at all here I think but Godfrey does leave the potential.

CB is all about a partnership and as long as Godfrey has a partner beside him like Mina to claim the highballs I think that is where he will settle.

As for him at RB- no evidence he can be as creative as modern wingbacks need to be.

As for him in midfield? Maybe due to pace and defensive ability but personally the Holgate in midfield experiment has left me wary of round pegs in square holes.

He needs to add to his game if he wants to be a CB; same difference at RB - he has the pace and athleticism to get up and down the line, he'd learn to link play and get a cross in if he's ropey at that now.

Honestly, from what I've seen I'd keep him away from a central defensive position as he'll be found out there and Pickford isn't exactly a sweeper keeper.

Best get him on the flank and let him rip up and down that line.

 

[Rooney_Tunes]

He needs to add to his game if he wants to be a CB; same difference at RB - he has the pace and athleticism to get up and down the line, he'd learn to link play and get a cross in if he's ropey at that now.

Honestly, from what I've seen I'd keep him away from a central defensive position as he'll be found out there and Pickford isn't exactly a sweeper keeper.

Best get him on the flank and let him rip up and down that line.

I'm agreeing with Dave...

 

[Armaghtoffee]

He needs to add to his game if he wants to be a CB; same difference at RB - he has the pace and athleticism to get up and down the line, he'd learn to link play and get a cross in if he's ropey at that now.

Honestly, from what I've seen I'd keep him away from a central defensive position as he'll be found out there and Pickford isn't exactly a sweeper keeper.

Best get him on the flank and let him rip up and down that line.

I think either way we can agree he needs to be starting week in week out in this team.

 

[davek]

I think either way we can agree he needs to be starting week in week out in this team.

He's got a big future with Everton. But I'm anxious he secures a position. If it's to be CB, then great. But Benitez doesn't look like he's going to see past Mina plus Keane/Holgate.

 

[Carloblues]

He needs to add to his game if he wants to be a CB; same difference at RB - he has the pace and athleticism to get up and down the line, he'd learn to link play and get a cross in if he's ropey at that now.

Honestly, from what I've seen I'd keep him away from a central defensive position as he'll be found out there and Pickford isn't exactly a sweeper keeper.

Best get him on the flank and let him rip up and down that line.

Dave you don't just learn how to go from a cb to a full back who gets up and down the wing and puts crosses in.

He's a cb all day and potentially a very good one.

Coleman has been running up and down the wing for over 10 years and still can't put a cross in what makes you think Godfrey is just gonna start whipping them in.

Fulls back in this day and age need to be able to had a final product.

 

[Armaghtoffee]

He's got a big future with Everton. But I'm anxious he secures a position. If it's to be CB, then great. But Benitez doesn't look like he's going to see past Mina plus Keane/Holgate.

Well history tells us that Mina won’t be long until he’s injured and both Keane and Holgate are gaff machines. Godfrey really won’t be stuck for chances to prove himself at CB.

 

[terryefc]

I personally can't see Godfrey being a centre back long term. I worry about his positioning as well as his height. I think with his pace he's best suited to playing right back. He should base his game around Kyle walker who also lacked strong technical ability in his younger days and has improved it and become one of the best also given his excellent speed and tackling attributes.

I think you are right here. He certainly has the pace. If Coleman wasn't fit I think Benitz would play him at r-b. He has the potential to develop like Walker as you say. A few of our team have raved about him so we definitely don't want to let him go.

 

[TheBigIguana]

I personally can't see Godfrey being a centre back long term. I worry about his positioning as well as his height. I think with his pace he's best suited to playing right back. He should base his game around Kyle walker who also lacked strong technical ability in his younger days and has improved it and become one of the best also given his excellent speed and tackling attributes.

There's a pretty massive technical gap between Walker and Godfrey though

 

[johnjoeefc]

There's a pretty massive technical gap between Walker and Godfrey though

Now there is perhaps, but at his age walker wasn't all that