We need a new LB. That's top priority. Aurelio is fine, but he's out injured too often. His injuries was the reason Insua played so many games last season and it's the reason we've played so many other players at LB this season. We can't depend on Aurelio. The tricky thing now is that he's got a contract and he's quality once he's fit. Robinson cannot be trusted yet. He can be given games, but he can't be expected to play half a season or more as first pick. He's just not ready yet.
We have Aurelio who is class, but can't play many games. We have Robinson who is on his way up and will need games. The problem is, apart from the obvious first pick LB being signed, it's likely that we are still not OK. Bring in another LB (Insua back?) and it would make sense. IF we offload Aurelio (and Konchesky, but that goes without saying). We can't stand there with four LBs. Once again, this was an easy problem to spot last summer, but we fucked up and we will have to pay the consequences for it in the next transfer window.
If it was up to me, I'd get Insua back, sign a top quality LB, offload Konchesky and Aurelio and use Robinson as 3rd pick.
Johnson has shown himself to be a better/as good a left back as right back and a player that can play eitherside is very useful. The fact he can also play wingback even better.
Aurelio can play left back, wing back or left mid again all useful - if only he could stay fit.
If we are going for a genuine quality XVIII to keep costs down then that type of flexibility is essential isn't it?
Can't agree on Insua unless we are going with wingbacks - a back four with Insua and Johnson as the fullbacks would be and was proven to be unworkable last season.
Presumably Flanagan and Robinson need to go out on loan next season or will Segura somehow solve the problem of turning 18 year old reserves into first team players?
Upside of a loan - more physical competition, first team experience - downside working with poorer coaches and poorer players and a different system.
Interesting summer ahead - if its true we've signed Enrique and Marveaux then its either going to be a whopping clear out or most of the expectations in this thread are way
too high.