Defensive Options Are In Short Supply …
How we make out in defence will rely on two key things; Jullien’s injury and whether Jack Hendry returns to the club or not.
If those two are both available for pre-season training then we could put out a makeshift defence for some games with Taylor on the left, Hendry/Welsh and Jullien in the middle or Hendry/Ralston on the right.
We are badly short at the back. Badly. Seriously. Dangerously.
There’s no point in pretending otherwise.
The right side is especially grim; Hendry has played there but it’s not ideal, and Ralston is never going to be a fan favourite.
Taylor, likewise, on the left. We did play Adam Montgomery there for a game, but he’s more of a winger who we’ve hopelessly tried to convert, for reasons passing understanding.
On top of that, we have Nir Bitton still at the club who could be drafted into central defence in an emergency.
It would have to be a serious one as nobody thinks he’s good enough to play there on a long timeline.
And there’s one other option and it might be unpalatable for everyone at the club; Bolingoli is technically still on the books, although currently on loan.
It’s not a great idea but it’s a … possible.