France Pre-Euro Poll: Who Should Our Backup Leftback Be?

I am troubled by the premise that Abidal is a lock at left back. If Domenech is to put in a really stellar performance, then no one is a lock, and he’ll pick the best side regardless of who he has the habit of picking.

1st choice – Evra
2nd choice – Clichy

Those two are so good, Ray might want to consider starting both of them, one at left back and one at left midfield. Ray’s not actually brain dead, is he? That’s just a caricature people paint of him, right? Malouda isn’t a lock at left midfield if there are better options available, is he?

An interesting tidbit I think is that Evra actually started out as an attacker. It’s too bad none of the 3 (Abidal, Evra, Clichy) has any experience at right back, as that could certainly come in handy.

If things get really dire at right back, Domenech could play himself. That was his position from his playing days.

I like Evra very much, but I must admit that his “head play” is not so good. And we know that the most important weakness of the French Team is defending from free kicks and corners.

Seb, Evra has played rightback at Manchester United at least once — that ManU over Roma blowout in Champions League. He even scored a goal! I also found myself wishing he’d develop that.

But it would be a waste of a great left foot.

Although it’s probably even more of a waste to have that on the bench. Although Yaz, you’re absolutely right — he is a little to small to be good with his head. That’s one area Abidal wins out.

Also, just read yesterday (or maybe the day before) that Escude’s probably out — he’s give up on league play and gone back to France for treatment on a groin injury.

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And Inara, the visual made me smile. I’d particularly like to see him play against Itally.

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That’s a good point, Laurie. I’m not entirely certain, but I think when Evra actually first came up as a Nice player, he was able to go down both wings, though alas, that was only in an attacking capacity.

Although I’m not concerned about his height. Yes, he’s 1m70-1m75, around that, but I’ve seen him outjump taller EPL strikers (Sagna is much the same, I think he has a tremendous leap/vertical) while obviously anyone who’s been watching the Champions League would realize that he’s a very, very good defender now. Nevertheless, I do think Abidal will and should get the nod at his favored position since he hasn’t done anything to lose it.