' BRAYFORD OR FABIO? '

Sunday 30th November 2014

By Terry Phillips

' Brayford or Fabio? '

Brayford is in, Fabio has to wait. I love watching Fabio on the ball and darting forward, but Brayford adds so much defensively.

Brazilian Fabio still has a major role to play in Slade’s plans – and he went on for the injured Connolly during the second half.

Right now Cardiff need defensive stability. That means Connolly on the right, Brayford on the left in the starting line-up.

Fabio, no doubt, will return. He is working hard to improve his defensive capabilities – and so is Welshman Declan John.

Those four make up a decent quartet of full-backs. It’s just that Brayford and Connolly have the edge defensively.

Hopefully, Cardiff’s season will develop and Fabio will be able to demonstrate his attacking talent from left-back.

Perhaps a good idea might be to play them in thei correct positions. Brayford on the right and Fabio left. They both played very well earlier in the season until Fabio fell mysteriously out of favour. In my opinion they were both deserving of MOM on a number of occasions. But present selectors seem to prefer to play men out of position and to leave the natural choices on the bench. e.g. Jones etc.

Perhaps a good idea might be to play them in thei correct positions. Brayford on the right and Fabio left. They both played very well earlier in the season until Fabio fell mysteriously out of favour. In my opinion they were both deserving of MOM on a number of occasions. But present selectors seem to prefer to play men out of position and to leave the natural choices on the bench. e.g. Jones etc.

I love fabio and his attitude and bite but he is prone to a mistake and does leave gaps. I would however use him at home. Has a big part to play and will do!!

Play Fabs as a left midfielder when pilks is injured and see how that works

Play Fabs as a left midfielde
r when pilks is injured and see how that works

Would do that but ralls will be preferred, think an only person who thinks he's not a bad player

Play them both. I really like Connely at centre back but at full back he offers nothing going forward. It's goals that will see us promoted and we just don't score enough. At least Fabio gets forward and can get the ball in the opposition box.

Brayford for me Fabio can't defend crucial for a full back in my opinion

I havent got confidence in fabio defensively so brayford all day long

BRAYFORD AND Fabio for me. Brayford RB and Fabio LB

its no surprise we have looked better defensively with fabio out of the side.



for all of fabio's endevour going forward, hes contributed the sum total of 0 assists.

its no surprise we have looked better defensively with fabio out of the side.



for all of fabio's endevour going forward, hes contributed the sum total of 0 assists.

That Stat doesn't do it for me. If you sit back and defend you invite your opponents onto you.

Push forward as a team and the other side will always be on the back foot and not as willing to commit themselves to an attacking style.

Play them both. I really like Connely at centre back but at full back he offers nothing going forward. It's goals that will see us promoted and we just don't score enough. At least Fabio gets forward and can get the ball in the opposition box.

Connolly wasn't far behind our leading goalscorers when we got promoted 2 seasons ago and he's more solid defensively than Fabio, who I'm sure will improve in that department eventually!

its no surprise we have looked better defensively with fabio out of the side.



for all of fabio's endevour going forward, hes contributed the sum total of 0 assists.

That Stat doesn't do it for me. If you sit back and defend you invite your opponents onto you.

Push forward as a team and the other side will always be on the back foot and not as willing to commit themselves to an attacking style.

thats what happens on football manager is it?

Why do people not like connolly at right back? Can someone explain because I don't see what he's ever done wrong. He was our first choice right back when we got promoted and we have been very solid since he's been back in that role. Does he let us down? No. He's tough to beat, times challenges superbly and is excellent in the air. If anyone wants to question that then the Watford game will be the best example. He was superb. That back should remain how it is. Brayford was excellent at left back and every footballer should be able to play left and right and use both feet for 10/20k a week. I like fabio but I can overlook that fact he's skinned a few people and used to play for man utd.

I believe Connolly offers us balance at the back and is a threat from set pieces in this division. Big Russ has it correct now.
Will playing Fabio on the left in-balance our midfield as Pilks seem to sit in more when Noone is attacking ?
Be interesting choice. Personally id prefer to see Morrison or Daehli given the chance out wide. Both of them are known for coming in centrally and hopefully will keep a similar shape that seems to be currently working.
Lets hope he has a Plan B at home when things don't start to go our way is my main concern

Fabio cannot defend ..... its a simple as that , Im sure Man U and QPR fans will agree !!!

its no surprise we have looked better defensively with fabio out of the side.



for all of fabio's endevour going forward, hes contributed the sum total of 0 assists.

That Stat doesn't do it for me. If you sit back and defend you invite your opponents onto you.

Push forward as a team and the other side will always be on the back foot and not as willing to commit themselves to an attacking style.

thats what happens on football manager is it?

Connolly is the better defender for me. Keep a winning team & leave him there.
Fabio's defending as is Johns is not the best, however, I would like to see Fabio given a go on the left side of midfield especially now Pilks is out.

both

drop connelly

both

drop connelly

may i ask why?

Brayford for me ,Fabio can't defend we lost our shape on Saturday when he came in for Connolly

Fabio & Brayford for me especially at home

Put Fabio on the wing with Brayford behind him, they can both defend attack.The two together will give pace for both attacking and defending.With No one on the right with Connolly the wings will have added pace with sure cover behind them.

Fabio can't defend? I have seen him at home make plenty of last ditch tackles and blocks on the line mainly the one v Sheff Wed.

Connolly defensively as a full back or centre back is one of the best in the Champ for me and doesn't get the credit he deserves.

Could try Fabio on the wing but he has only made one error v Ipswich this season that's all I can remember.

Surely the article should have read Fabio or Connolly, as Brayford has rightly been a mainstay of our team this season and it was Connolly that was brought in to replace Fabio and Brayford was merely moved to accommodate Connolly?

Don't get me wrong, I love Fabio's commitment, but he has to learn when not to over commit himself, thereby leaving us exposed when he bombs on forward, irrelevant of whether we've got cover at the back should we lose possession and committing himself into challenges that he doesn't win, also leaving us exposed!

As soon as Fabio gets the balance right of when and when not to commit himself, as Brayford has already mastered, then that'll be the time to consider him as a first choice full back again IMO!

As I stated in another thread, 2 wins and a draw since we got stuffed at Bolton and all coinciding with the dropping of Fabio and the return of Big Ben Turner!