Declan Rice

The O'Shea wrote: Maccatacca wrote: The O'Shea wrote: Maccatacca wrote: Didn’t see the game last night, but by all accounts it appeared that Rice started at left-back, before shifting to centre-half. He’s also supposedly just as capable in defensive midfield and at right-back. While we undoubtedly need a few promising attackers to come to the fore, it’s fantastic to see such a young Irish player comfortable in several posistions. He could be a big player for us if he keeps up these level of performances, but on the other hand, we need to cap him soon. Take a look on twitter and you’ll see several English journalists praising his performances, and it won’t be long before they start asking him where his international allegiances lie. He was the left-sided centre-back in a back 5, he's never played at left-back or right-back. Could be wrong, but I think he played left-back vs West Brom last week, replaced Cresswell, and they moved to a back four with Zabaleta-Reid-Ogbonna-Rice. Cresswell has predominantly been playing as a left-sided centre-back this season, with Masuaku at left-back. I'd imagine Rice replaced him in that position, but perhaps not. Either way, his long-term position is at centre-back or defensive midfield, he hasn't got the pace to be a top level full-back.

I’m actually agreeing with you, I hope he develops into a decent centre-half, but it’s nice that he offers us options in midfield, and can slot in nearly anywhere in the back line.

Donegalman wrote: Bob Hoskins wrote: Donegalman wrote: He has to be in the next squad. ffs he's 18 let him play some league games before this bullsh*t starts of get him into the squad, get him to start blah blah blah He’s getting game time in the Premier League. He’s started a few games and made another few sub appearances. Apart from Duffy and Ward that’s as good as the rest of our defenders. Clarke hasn’t even been first choose this season. Kevin Long hasn’t played much for Burnley either. He should be in the squad on merit.

Kevin Long had played more than Rice this year.
It will be used as a stick to beat O'Neill by the usual but there really hasn't been an opportunity to cap him yet. He was called up to Austria squad after just making his league debut. It was always unlikely for him to play in the last few group games with so so much depending on them.
He does indeed look special

I had an argument with many people on this forum months ago that Rice was ready for a call up and was able to deal with the pressure of international football if he could get In a relegation threatened premier league side, my argument was comparing him to Kevin long. Long had played a handful of games for Burnley and was called up and because of injuries he was give a competitive cap against wales, rice has now got more premier league experience than long, 12 premier league games for Rice to 9 for long and if he does not get a call up in the forthcoming friendlys questions need to be asked.
Imagine if we had a forward thinking manager who might try three at the back, Clark Duffy rice with Coleman and Brady as attacking fullbacks, a centre midfielde of McCarthy Arthur and hendrick with McLean in free role and long as lone striker, 10 premier league players playing well and all in natural positions!!

Edited by Adobolo - 08 Jan 2018 at 2:16am

Adobolo wrote: I had an argument with many people on this forum months ago that Rice was ready for a call up and was able to deal with the pressure of international football if he could get In a relegation threatened premier league side, my argument was comparing him to Kevin long. Long had played a handful of games for Burnley and was called up and because of injuries he was give a competitive cap against wales, rice has now got more premier league experience than long, 12 premier league games for Rice to 9 for long and if he does not get a call up in the forthcoming friendlys questions need to be asked. Imagine if we had a forward thinking manager who might try three at the back, Clark Duffy rice with Coleman and Brady as attacking fullbacks, a centre midfielde of McCarthy Arthur and hendrick with McLean in free role and long as lone striker, 10 premier league players playing well and all in natural positions!!

totally agree, Wed be a match for anyone. The likes of Doherty,o dowda,Horgan, Maguire and Hogan to come off the bench. We'd be a decent proposition.

The free role is hardly McClean's natural position. Its the left wing or nowhere for him (IMO) despite constant calls on this website to try him up front, in a playmaker role, or at left back.

I think MON could see Rice as an option at left-back.

Out of our four best defenders, Ward is the oldest, and is the worst player too. Not sure if Rice is physically strong enough to play centre-half with a flat back four (at the moment),I think West Ham get away with it as they play five at the back.

A year or two at left-full will allow him to integrate into the team, and will allow him to work on his strength and heading. (Which he seems poor enough at).

Nothing wrong with a back line of Rice-Clark-Duffy-Coleman. (Atleast on paper anyway).

Maccatacca wrote: I think MON could see Rice as an option at left-back. Out of our four best defenders, Ward is the oldest, and is the worst player too. Not sure if Rice is physically strong enough to play centre-half with a flat back four (at the moment),I think West Ham get away with it as they play five at the back. A year or two at left-full will allow him to integrate into the team, and will allow him to work on his strength and heading. (Which he seems poor enough at). Nothing wrong with a back line of Rice-Clark-Duffy-Coleman. (Atleast on paper anyway).

bar hoolahan and maybe Walters ...the rest   long kiss goodbye

They are our 5 best players (people may argue over rice but he will be our best) and as you say need to be tried out in a back 5, my only fear would be a lack of pace from any of the 3 centre backs.