Tue Jul 26, 2022 3:00 pm
‘ Curtis Nelson ‘
A victim of this change of tack is Curtis Nelson. Insiders say he is the best 1v1 defender at the club and one suspects he will play a sizeable role this season.
But Nelson, in the mind of some fans, was probably one of the players in line to be named captain this season in the absence of the injured Sean Morrison. If Saturday's lineup against Swindon Town is anything to go by, though, Nelson might be set for a watching brief at the start of the season.
If Cedric Kipre and Perry Ng are the preferred pairing in the back four, it is likely because of their ability on the ball, which they have shown in pre-season, to be fair. Attacks started from the back, typically from a goalkeeper rollout or short pass, have been a refreshing change this summer. While Nelson is good in the air, an asset which will have its uses this season no doubt, Kipre and Ng have a ball-playing side to them which is unrivalled among other centre-backs within the squad.
Mark McGuinness can perhaps be bracketed with Nelson, too. The former Arsenal defender might have expected a more pronounced role after his breakthrough campaign, but he, like Nelson, might have to bide his time.