Centre Back Pairings

[Mr Gandosaur]

Thought our defence was decent again today apart from the wee lapse for their goal. Thought after Partick that Extabeguren and Konrad had looked our most solid pairing and today strengthened that view further.

Had a look at each of the different pairings and here are the numbers. 

Mcpake & Konrad - 333 minutes played together - 12 goals conceded. 

Mcpake & Extabeguren - 160 minutes played together - 3 goals conceded. 

Konrad & Extabeguren- 294 minutes played together - 1 goal conceded. 

All 3 together (Aberdeen + Dunfermline in a 3-5-2) - 141 minuted played - 2 goals conceded. 

I didn't include Aberdeen's 2nd goal, or Dunfermline's late 2nd & 3rd goals as one of the 3 centre backs had come off at this point and we were effectively playing 2 at the back in order to chase the game when these were scored so didn't think it was fair to include them. Obviously there are a couple of variables too. Mcpake and Konrad played in the Celtic debacle, where as Konrad and Extabeguren played most of the games against Motherwell, Partick and Killie - probably the 3 poorest sides we have played. 

What does everyone think our centre half pairing should be? Although the stats don't tell the whole story, I think we have at least got to give Konrad and Extabeguren a run together seeing as they have only conceded one goal in over 4.5 hours of football. 

Edited 3 October 2015 by Mr Gandosaur

[Ludo*1]

I personally believe McPake and Konrad are our best two CH's. However, it's as clear as day they don't work as a partnership. Extebeguren seems to complement Konrad. Can't say I'd be confident in them two (Bearing in mind I wasn't there today) starting every week but they seem to each be good at the things the other CH is not.

Matty Allan seems to be progressing well, is next season too soon for him still?

And we can't discount big Gadz as of yet either, despite less than glowing reviews from the U20's game!

[Pablothedee]

Julen the best centre half we have.

[Cobra]

I'd be wary of reading too much into the stats. Konrad and Julen played together against Killie and Motherwell and we've won our last seven games combined against those two quite comfortably. They just don't cause our defence many problems for some reason.

Julen and McPake would be my preferred pairing although McPake isn't enjoying the best of form.

[chomp my root]

I'd be wary of reading too much into the stats. Konrad and Julen played together against Killie and Motherwell and we've won our last seven games combined against those two quite comfortably. They just don't cause our defence many problems for some reason.

Julen and McPake would be my preferred pairing although McPake isn't enjoying the best of form.

That's how I see it, Konrad is a good ball player but he seems to just forget where he is sometimes. 

[87DEE]

Not seen too much this season, but Extebeguren looked good yesterday, him and McPake would be my preferred pairing

[Prince Buster]

I just think it's grat that you guys can have this conversation.

Three decent centre halves at Dens vying for a starting jersey - when was the last time we could say that?

[Boba Fett]

Julen and McPake for me.. McPakes recent form has dipped however.

[an-dee]

I think Julen is our best CH. Both him and Konrad had a good game yesterday. It's a shame Konrad has his bombscare moments in the bigger games because it seems he and Julen are developing a decent partnership. Both have earned the right to start the next game, even if McPake is fit IMO.

[SuperDee]

With the way that we play it around, Konrad and Julen for me. Don't get this love for McPake, can be very dodgy, lacks pace. 

[fairplaydee]

Julen and Konrad for me. I've been saying for a few weeks that the only games we've defended well all season has been when McPake has been out for whatever reason. McPake's pace isn't great but i think his positional sense is even worse at times. Felt we defended very well for most of the game yesterday apart from there goal but they looked to get all the luck in world for that (not seen the highlights yet) definitely think Julen and Konrad deserve a wee run together. But McPake will push them hard for his place back. Can only be a good thing.

[DeiDonum]

I'd have Julen first. Then dependant on the opposition, decide from there who partners him.