The Semi-Annual Jamie Carragher Revival Jamboree

By: Noel | October 3rd, 2011

In a season that has seen more than its share of less than stellar performances while discussion about his future has pushed to the fore, the reaction to Jamie Carragher’s composed performance at Goodison on Saturday was swift and unanimous. The club’s official website, never ones to shy away from hyperbole, gauged the prevailing mood and turned things up to eleven when they skipped obvious choices Lucas Leiva and Jose Enrique in favour of promoting a Carragher every-touch compilation. It was dubbed a “heroic display,” one that saw the defender once again at his “brilliant best,” while even less easily impressed outlets called him untouchable and still excellent, and we were happy to acknowledge him as one of the club’s standout performers on the day.

Given the opponents and Carragher’s tendency to still pull off a handful of classy performances each season even as his career winds down, it perhaps shouldn’t be a huge surprise that he had his strongest showing of the season to date against Everton—and that for some, it might have even been sign of a longer-term resurgence. And it’s hard to argue that it wasn’t a composed display that helped lay the foundation for a derby win, even if Everton going down a man early led to a situation where Carragher was put under less pressure defensively than would usually be the case. While it wouldn’t be fair to knock a player’s performance because the opposition didn’t hit the heights they might normally have been expected to, it still can’t be overlooked completely that as far as Everton versus Liverpool goes, Everton was put in a position where exerting heavy pressure on an at times shaky Liverpool backline would be extremely difficult. That Liverpool ended the day with 64% of the possession after trailing the home side for the twenty-three minutes leading up to Jack Rodwell’s sending off speaks to this.

Still, when it came to things that he could control, he was outstanding on the day. He kept the lofted long-balls to a minimum, leading to his second highest pass completion rate of the season as he easily cleared the 80% plateau that for Carragher seems to signal a dividing line with generally composed play on one side and aimless hoofs that hurt the team’s performance on the other. The clearest sign of this comes when one looks at where his passes went: Against Stoke, where the combination of a conceded penalty and frequently turning the ball over through agrarian punting led to widespread discussion as to his future in the first eleven, OPTA records him playing 63% of his passes forward, 10% backwards, and 27% to the right wing. Against Everton, on the other hand, he’s recorded as having only played 55% of his passes forward, 3% backwards, and 43% to the right.

There’s some room for ambiguity in the statistics, as any pass played within the center of the park to a level defender or nearby midfielder is counted amongst the forward passes, but combined with his passing charts on the day a clear pattern emerges in both cases: On one hand an unusually high percentage of forward passes reflecting a frequently bypassed midfield, and on the other an increased willingness to play it square to maintain possession while actively looking to launch attacks down the right with relatively safe medium-distance balls to the fullback and right midfielder. He was also more willing to use Lucas as an outlet against Everton, making 8 of his 36 successful passes to him while the only players Carragher attempted to pass it to more often were Skrtel and Martin Kelly. Meanwhile against Stoke, he managed the rather amazing feat of not completing a single pass to Lucas, choosing to bypass him constantly, often in favour of more risky passes that as often as not didn’t come off.

All of which speaks to a much better day in possession for the center back, though in defense the question of whether Carragher turned in a much improved performance against isn’t nearly as clear. Again comparing his day to the much maligned Stoke performance, he had two more aerial wins against Everton. Against Stoke, however, he had two more successful tackles, and until his rash challenge that led directly to Stoke’s winner from the penalty spot his overall tackling and challenging numbers actually look more sound against the latter, as do chalkboards illustrating his defensive clearances. Of course there was the penalty, an inevitable black spot, yet when looking instead for positives in his performance against Everton there’s very little in the numbers to suggest a dominant display.

Certainly that Everton were down to ten men played a roll, meaning he likely didn’t need to put in a wall-to-wall dominating shift for Liverpool to leave victorious. Nonetheless it’s intriguing that talk of a Jamie Carragher revival, with many post-match player ratings suggesting he was among the club’s best performers on the day and Kenny Dalglish singling him out for praise, comes on the back of what was in fact never a particularly special defensive display. Instead it comes after he did what most hope a defender in a side dominating possession would do: Keep it simple and get the ball moving up the pitch with high percentage passing. And if the high percentage pass isn’t there simply retain possession.

None of which suggests that Carragher didn’t have a good game, or that it isn’t worthy of praise when a player does his job helping to build the base on which others perform. Because he certainly did have a good game and it is praiseworthy—and noteworthy—when Liverpool’s aging throwback at center back restrains his long-ball urges to play an intelligent game in possession. It might not, however, be time to kick off a spontaneous ticker tape parade celebrating the revival of the oft maligned defender’s fortunes. It’s certainly true that even as Jamie Carragher’s overall game has declined, he has still managed to come to glorious life on a handful of occasions each season, beating back the tide of doubters and reminding everyone of just what sort of player he was in his prime. That match—or those matches—may come. If one was a gambling man, the safe money would be that it will come. This week, however, wasn’t that week, even if for Carragher it was a positive, noteworthy day.

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Category: Premier League, Team News

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redtrev73

Nice piece Noel, although as a Carra-loyalist I felt a little uncomfortable with the damning-with-faint-praise / grudging-acceptance-of-adequacy tone. However, as a relatively clear-headed Carra-loyalist, who's pointed out his flaws as much as anyone on here, it's impossible to argue with your take...or therefore, the tone.

I've suggested before that the guy seems to have fallen into a pattern of poor start followed by rallying improvement over the last 3 seasons and I hope his good form can see us through this campaign and we are in the market for a pricey Cahill/Shawcross or a classy Subotic in January.
Noel

I don't know if it makes things better or worse, but I came to praise Carragher, not to bury him. The problem was I went into it having bought into the overly rosy picture painted by many in the immediate aftermath, and so looking to put a bit more flesh on the topic took it down a road that led to a much less optimistic piece overall as I dug through the numbers and took another look at the match. You can still see the core of what I intended to write before icky facts and figures got in the way, especially in the section on possession and towards the end.
redtrev73

mmmm stats...I love stats...statty, stat stats....down into my belly
Suarez from the car park...

There's plenty of using the older players to bed in the newbies and a few mid-twenties personnel aswell now.
Noone's under any illusions, he's 33 and likely won't have his contract renewed.
NotTooXabi

Looking at the chalkboards, it seems Carra did not venture much beyond the half-way line at Goodison. I count 2 passes made in the attacking half vs. 10 or so against Stoke.

The difference? Skrtel vs Agger. (Don't want to request more intel...a chalkboard comparing Agger vs Skrtel passing would be illuminating. Perhaps.)

Agger moves the ball forward, forcing JC (and the rest of the team) further up the pitch...making us more adventurous in attack. I recall us creating loads of opportunities vs Stoke, just not the end-product. Downside for JC: He can't keep up...he forces the ball, makes mistakes and is exposed. At Goodison, with Skrtel in tow...we see a more reserved/deeper back line which means a more composed Carragher. Could that be it?

Thoughts from the peanut gallery?

(I'll save the idea that Agger in the side makes Charlie Adam both unnecessary and a liability for another day.)
Geoff Twentyman

Not a tactical expert myself, but it makes sense. It also then means the distance between the banks is larger and thus more difficult to keep possesion or the side won't be in the final third as much if the midfield and forward banks have to drop deeper to account for the defence being deeper.

One thing about Rafa was his high defensive line and his organisation about keeping the banks close together meaning when the attacking mids had the ball, the release to the forward line was always in and around the penalty box i.e. the danger zone.
Red2death

If Carra is going to play, I'd actually prefer he not venture too much into the opposing half, simply because he won't be able to track back in time from the counter. With Agger we really do create more chances because he acts almost between defender and midfielder, as opposed to Carra or Skrtel who are both just pure no-nonsense defenders - block the attack, hoof the ball away from danger, job done.

At Goodison, I do believe Everton's impotence in attack (as a result of the red) was a major part in making Carra and Skrtel look like a good partnership. Seriously, from what we know, what are the odds that both Carra and Skrtel have a good game? Either it's a welcome coincidence, or there's some other factor involved. I'm gunning for the latter, because in the first 23 minutes, they didn't look all that solid.

Btw, I just heard this interesting thought - having Agger in the side makes Charlie Adam both unnecessary and a liability. Hmm. Frankly, I think Agger would make a great midfielder. But on the rare occasion he's in working condition, we need him more in defence.

Once Stevie G hits the wall and can't keep up with the pace in midfield anymore, what do you think about him becoming our veteran central defender?
Suarez from the car park...

he is that good he can play in a lot of positions, though never seen him as a centre back imho. I think we'll have purchased more by then anyhow.
I think his contract runs to 34 so it's all up in the air depending on his legs by then. I for one am hoping this 6 month layoff has done the business with the injury and that the enforced rest will add to his shelf life. I wouldn't be surprised if the break has made him wiser too. We're well past the raw Stevie G.
Geza27

Good man Carra, I thought that Skrtel did fine as well although he will be back on the bench when Agger gets fit (for more then a few weeks hopefully).

Btw have you heard about the news below? Refreshing and positive stuff me thinks.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/h...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/h...
Ryan

Positive stuff from the London Derby. Honestly, I don't care too much about the items being thrown, as long as it's nothing that could possibly hurt a player. Empty bottles? Bellamy's situation said it all, as he practically laughed off the trash throwing and took his corner anyway. And good luck to Everton on punishing the throwers, because from what I saw, probably half that crap thrown was from young boys...
JPR

All credit to Bellers for taking all the abuse and the small stuff being thrown with a sense of humor. Nothing appeared to be too dangerous from the video, but who knows. The whole scene was somewhat comical. The situation in the Spurs/Arsenal London was much sadder. No doubt the difficult economy and recent riots added to those tensions, but does not render that behavior acceptable. They need a high profile public education campaign that changes attitudes. Come on people. Banning large groups of fans there is pretty well impossible.

Thought Jamie had a very good game at Everton. He even laid down the law to Charlie before the 2nd half that he should play only shorter balls on the grass and maintain possession. And he did. Of course, the extra midfielder for us cetainly helped with passing.
Latortillablanca

its rly, rly important we find ourselves a reliable, top notch, ball playing CB that will enable carra to ride off gracefully into the sunset... i understand Kenny's got a blindspot in his squad selection when it comes to our top notchers (suarez, lucas, carra, steven), but this shit about playing #23 every single game is Not. Welcome. and if it doesnt change itll end badly.

sorry danny, i love u, but that cracked rib was the final straw. kelly & coates will maybe get there, but both are more carra than pique, and we need a pique real bad. like yesterday. and one that doesnt break apart like a 3 week old baguette... im thinkin subotic, hummels, otasmendi, Sakho wud be a dream, maybe something italian, i dunno, help me out here, but u get what im sayin...
Geoff Twentyman

All the names you mention; in fact most of the highly regarded early 20's defenders being looked at by the top clubs are already in CL sides. Subotic/Hummels, Otamendi, Musacchio, Sakho/Lovren, Bonucci/Ranocchia are all already at top lclubs, so the only way were' going to be able to prise them away is by their club not being in too god a position come January; us being in a nailed on CL position and the lure of a massive pay increase.

This is why we went for Coates and are probably on the look out for a bargain buy from around the leagues at the moment in time for January, but I would be suprised to see a big name.

Whats troubling for me is that Carra is 33 and we needed to have had his replacement in the squad already (b4 you all shout about Coates; he is still a 20r old prospect - admittedly with his track record, he is more of a propsect than a gamble, but he is not a likely starter)

Agger is permenantly injured, although I'll give him the benefit of the doubt about the cracked ribs; that might just be bad luck.

For me thats 2 top class centre backs we need to invest in - one 'out and out defender' and one ball playing centre back. 1 is needed in January, the other in the summer if Agger pulls up with another frustrating injury.

Skrtel for me is adequate 'experienced' cover; but not good enough to be considered our starting CB.

Our youngsters are also at a very important point in their career:
Kelly - is he a right back or centre back; I hope there's a plan in place.
Coates - he needs to be introduced to the British game.
Wilson - played out of position and hasn't had a look in since so maybe a loan out to a decent footballing side is required - perhaps the Portugese or Belgian league or something.
Latortillablanca

i agree - kinda over it on agger though. and u never know, liverpool is an attractive club for a lot of reasons, and we do have a storied history in the CL, so we prolly have an easier time than, say, tottenham trying to poach early 20s starlets from CL clubs... if we'd dont qualify for CL, itll be interesting how effective commolli will be at signing some of those top quality youngsters - maybe he'll fail, maybe he wont...
Ryan

Just realized that you did mention Kelly. How is Kelly like Carragher when we haven't really seen him play center back? From what I've seen, Kelly has been solid, fast, and attacking. Polar opposite to Carragher past 31.
Latortillablanca

dude, kelly and flanagan are basically identi-kits of young carra, breakin into the squad at RB right before/around houllier era... flanagan's a true RB, but kelly played plenty at CB for reserve and youth teams before breaking through the first team under rafa as an RB out of necessity.

its obviously not a fair comparison physically between a 21 yr old and a perhaps the oldest 33 yr old in professional football... otherwise, carra has been solid... i mean, he made ONE mistake against Stoke, which 7 times out of 10 wudn't get called because he's carra, and he's suddenly not even solid?

what i meant more than anything in stating that coates and kelly are more carra than pique is in the type of CB they are. In my mind, there are two types of CBs - you got your pitbull, take no prisoners, clear first ask questions later, old school CB (think carra, terry, puyol, chiellini), and then you got your class-act, ball playing, versatile, good first touch, elegant on the ball, cultured, positionally astute CB (think mertesacker, beckenbauer, nesta, pique,and agger). To have the perfect partnership, ideally, you have a world class level player of each type, one right footed, one left footed. thats the ideal CB pairing to me. Kelly and Coates may develop their passing range and positional sense, but so far have proven to be more apt as the pitbull CB, rather than the beckenbauer-esque CB, with perhaps coates having more potential in that latter position than kelly. i think the plan right now is just that - kelly is carra's replacement and coates is agger's, but that still leaves us short a starting cb cuz agger cant be counted on.

I wud also say that finding a world class, young, left-footed, pique-style CB is wayyy wayyyy harder than finding a right-pegged pitbull. that's why someone like Sakho wud be a dream. Young, experience, cultured, left-footed, maestro at the heart of defense. Agger is that guy for us when he's healthy, but im through typing those words "when he's healthy" when talking about agger, the plain truth is its just not good enough if you're not on the pitch and you can't be relied upon to have a defense built around you...
Ryan

As far as centerback replacements go, it's going to be hard to lure a quality defender until the end of the season, given that we have European football by then. What I mean is, I don't think we are going to be seeing anyone new this winter in defense at least. Rolando and Hummels are 2 options that I really would want to see, but being first choice at a champions league club, it's kinda hard to give that up to play for Liverpool, especially if Carragher keeps getting picked first. We would be looking at the likes of Shawcross, Cahill, or possibly even Alex. Let's pray that Coates steps up really nicely.

We could always just put Lucas as a centerback you know...it's kinda the new fashion trend around Europe: put your best defensive midfielder in the back four. Barcelona does it(Masche and Busquets), Real Madrid does it (Albiol, Pepe to midfield), Arsenal does it(Song), AC Milan has done it (Silva to midfield)...We've got to get with the times!

But I like the idea of Kelly playing centerback more than anything. He could cover right back when Johnson and Flanagan can't, and like I said a few days ago, if Manchester United can throw random English youth in defense and get away with it, like fuck we can, too!
Latortillablanca

its crazy how many dope south americans the portuguese league produces, in particular porto, but it seems like every year there's a 25m euro defender comin out of that league to a european giant...
Suarez from the car park...

a lot of skill coming out of Spain and Portugal generally. Big emphasis on skill and speed rather than strength (UK). United finally started working on this since Ronaldo.
Geoff Twentyman

Talking about tactical trends, does it bother you that most European clubs are utilising very adaptable attacking players with multiple skillsets able to play in multiple positions; whilst we have bought players with very distinct skill sets in mind?

Note: This isn't LFC player bashing or a Bayern appreciation post; simply an observation.

Think Bayern - Muller/Kroos/Ribery/Robben can all play in at least 2 of the 3 positions behind the striker. All can play wide, stay wide and hug the touchline as well as play as an inverted winger (or narrow) attacking the box with their natural foot allowing them to shoot. All can play off the striker as well.

Our players seem to have 1 very strong position and then seem to be able to 'do a job' elsewhere. Certainly for all Kuyt's admirers (and I am one), there's no doubting that when he plays right wing, you wish he had some of the attributes of the players mentioned above.
Suarez from the car park...

Is that a good comparison? Those are top top players.

We go for players happy to be challenging for CL footy and prepared to stay at the club - generally because they won't get into a top 4 side and they are not looking to move to another league.

It's a delicate balancing act particularly if you're not prepared to spend money on older opportunities as per FSG policy - Scott Parker comes to mind.

I've no doubt we will buy again, and surely we can't buy another 21 year old, but let's give Agger the benefit of the doubt. It's ribs, not calves, knees, calcifying bones, metatarsals or the like.

It might be a different matter in a couple of years given his past record, but fingers crossed his injuries are behind him.

tbh I'm more concerned about sorting the midfield out with an absent Gerrard. We've moved backwards, hopefully temporarily, with Adam and Hendo.
Geoff Twentyman

I was highlighting the style, attributes and skillset rather than the quality...
Latortillablanca

how nice wud scotty parker look in red right about now... missed opportunity for every team in the league that one...
JPR

Should we go for Eden Hazard if the transfer fee is $30 mil? He'll be 21 in January, but could probably help our midfiled. I hear he can play 2 or 3 positions, but have not seen Lille play. Possible CL qualification would help us, if we're close in Jan.
Geoff Twentyman

He is certainly highly regarded and of course an important figure at Lille in Ligue 1. Will he be good enough to make the switch to the EPL? Most reports I hear of him would suggest so.

He, along with Mario Gotze would be my picks; to operate with Downing as 3 attacking players behind Suarez.

This time last year I would have gone for Hazard along with Pastore and Sanchez but you saw how much money they went for....

I peronally think we aren't in a position to attract the next big things which is why we've had a punt on Henderson and Coates. My thoughts on going to that level of player is that they need minutes to develop and my recommendation would be to loan them out to teams in leagues where they play the right type of football for our culture, but where they will be guarantyeed games in order that they can develop.
Latortillablanca

yes. yes we should.
Red2death

Well, evaluating our most recent signings, the only one I'd really have a problem with being too one-dimensional is Charlie Adam. He can only operate in central midfield and he can only pass the ball under certain conditions (acres of space, unpressured), with the occasional shot. And he can't defend, or run.

Aside from him, Enrique is also a set-in-stone attacking left-back - but I wouldn't have it any other way with our perennial problem position. Downing is a true winger, but good on either flank. Henderson is young and can really play anywhere in midfield, there's a lot of flexibility regarding his eventual position. Carroll was bought because he can be either target man or regular forward (at least that was the intention - nevermind what he's shown so far). And Bellamy is versatile as a first striker, second striker, or winger.

I think we have versatility in our squad, just not the 'class' yet. For that, we'd need a CL spot and more money to attract those types of players. Or we could wait for our youth to break in. If they come of age as one batch, they'd have played with each other for years and would be very comfortable with each player in multiple permutations and formations.
Suarez from the car park...

yes, the class isn't what it was a few years ago, albeit mainly in Rafa's 1st 11.

However, we have bought good players, and our chance creation demonstrates that. The youth factor also disguises some of that class which is good news looking 2 years down the road.For me the only question is midfield. We'll cover that in the short term with Gerrard. We seem to have lost that ability to control midfield and resist teams, all of whom have got more coordinated / fluid coming forward. that used to be a very strong point of ours. Even when KK/SC set us up last season we had some terrific midfield performances.

It doesn't solve everything, dealing with midfield. We still have to develop Carroll, learn to take our chances bring the new defenders on, but currently it's the midfield that makes us look unconvincing.
Geoff Twentyman

Again, I'm only an amateur tactician, but 4-4-2/4-2-2-2 will always struggle in a midfield battle with 4-3-3/4-2-3-1....
Suarez from the car park...

seems that way. Will be good to see how we're setup against Utd.
Mich

can you do one on enrique on how many times he is beaten by a man, how many crosses he allows to be put in and how how many crosses he overhits into the oppo area
CheekyFellow

Q1 - not much if at all
Q2 - not much
Q3 - A lot
Signalflash

My son, who is a United fan, watched the game with me and his observation about Jamie was fair - he is fine as long as he isn't up against anyone with pace. He also pointed out Jamie loves to grab people the way he did when he conceded the penalty to Stoke. As you say, time is marching on and Coates will need to step up sooner than later in the next year or two, or else Jamie will end up being remembered more for a poor end to his career than what he did before that. Our opposition will run at him knowing he is becoming our weakest link.

As an aside, I don't think his yelling at everybody is that helpful, especialy if his teamates begin to feel he is a liability.
Latortillablanca

wow, did u really just throw ur own son to the wolves like that? thats cold, pops...
AdamSonOfIstanbul

Geez! Agree with all here, calling a Utd fan a twat should be reserved for face to face when they are there and have a chance to either rebuke or roll you up like an enchilada and leave you covered in sauce. Ripping a kid on an online forum takes less chutzpah than walking outdoors to retrieve your mail.

Degrading a man's son is without class and I know you are always trying to post as often as you can on this forum, to build up your rep and forum cred, but FFS leave the man's son alone, in favour of posting less for all of our sake.

Perhaps his son is too young to remember any of the glory days of LFC, and has naturally gravitated to a side that has flourished as the kid has matured. Right or wrong success earns you fans, and when I became a LFC fan, they were flavour of the month and as such I jumped on the LFC bandwagon, and never got off. I believe there are some racist gooners chanting in N. London, perhaps your contempt and name calling might find more traction down south. Or if you prefer, check our Liverpool-kop.com a blog written by a perturbed redman by the name of Jaime Kanwar. He is always good for inciting baseless abuse, misleading facts and ranting about the problems of the modern game, with LFC as his primary target.

Noel, I cannot believe you didnt erase this one. I know the proud father Ed is doing everything he can to raise his offspring the right way ie (LFC Fan).
Latortillablanca

hah, ok man, fair take - this is me taking my medicine in the corner.
Ryan

no no, he said Manchester Uuuunnitted fan, not an Everton fan...he can live!
Zach

For me, United fans are worse than Everton fans. United fans are all just dicks and shove it in your face everything they've won, Evertonians are just bitter but we usually do well against them so they don't have much room to talk.
JPR

Zach, if you know any United fans that are giving you a hard time, just bring up the subject of the Glazers. Most United fans are somewhat knowledgeable about how they are in the process of financially raping the club and are really upset about it. If they get into specifics, mention the secret Delaware corporation that was set up last November which arranged $250 million pounds of financing that flowed to the club to pay off the clubs PIK debt. No one knows what the exact arrangements were, since it was done secretly, but no doubt that debt in Delaware will have to be repaid at a massively increased amount, when, and if the Singapore IPO goes down. Probably half of the expected $600 million pounds from the IPO will have to go to the Delaware group. With the Glazers pocketing massive fees and dividends. All of which leaves United in massive debt.

Anyway, don't mean to bore you. All of these shenanigans are going to end very badly for United Fans when the Glazers orchestrate all of this. They are all Very suspicious about it, and very pissed about it! So, normally just mentioning it to a clued in fan gets them crazy!!
Zach

Ha thanks I'll keep that in mind! Only problem is that anyone following the EPL at Uni are most likely ManU gloryhunters... out of the literal 35 ManU fans I know personally only 2 are clued in... So it looks like I'll be sticking it to the two of them. ha thanks again JPR.
CheekyFellow

Eaaaaasy hoss
Latortillablanca

i know, i know, cudnt resist, sheepishly apologetical, my bad...
Noel

While I think a joke at dad's expense for having a child who cheers for United is fair game, let's try to keep things at least moderately civil—we'd rather avoid becoming an insult-strewn, intelligence-free Soccernet clone.
Latortillablanca

fair enough.
Signalflash

My son is 21, and his 18 year brother is also a United fan - that's life. Living in Canada we don't get the unfortunate hatred that permeates the game in England. Their team wins a lot more so they are very magnanimous about Liverpool's problems. When I was a teenager my Father was a Toronto Maple Leaf fan, and he watched my Canadians win all the time - what goes around comes around.

Regardless, we don't really enjoy watching our two teams play together. But it is a good lesson in humility for someone at the time.

My point in the above comment was from someone with an objective opinion - i.e., he doesn't care who Jamie Carragher plays for - Carragher is slow and a liability who he won't mind playing against in two weeks, and I see his point.

I'll ignore anyone calling him names, but thanks for keeping it civil, Noel.
Latortillablanca

i agree with noel's decision, was kind of expecting it, just having a go at a united fan, nothing personal...
Guest

You're a Habs fan and a Liverpool supporter? Gosh, you must really hate George Gillett.
Suarez from the car park...

damn.
ejbauer11

Thanks for the post. Happy for Carra, but nothing changes the fact Kenny and Comolli should be on the lookout for another central defender, assuming Coates isn't quite ready to be blooded against top-of-the-table competition yet. Here's hoping Carra gives us that vintage performance on the 15th, as he's certain to get the start.