Hodgson Encourages Defensive Duo

Roy Hodgson has told Pablo Ibanez and Abdoulaye Meite to prove their first team desire in training.

Speaking to wba.co.uk the manager called on the two players to remain patient and show their first team fight in each and every training session between now and the end of the season.

Ibanez has only managed 8 starts since his Bosman arrival in the summer, and Meite has been limited to 3 Cup outings with former gaffer Di Matteo preferring our other centre halves.

Hodgson has previously said that every member of the squad has their part to play in our bid to survive relegation, and he's certainly not discounting our forgotten men in that statement.

'Centre back positions are always difficult if a coach has decided on two he likes, then it leaves few opportunities. I've said to Ibanez and Meite that they will have to be patient and work hard in training. Every training session has to be like a game for them where they say 'you're not making the right choice in not letting me play'.'

Hodgson adds that (short of Olsson who he once tried to sign at a former club) as of yet he simply hasn't made a determination on which players are the better options yet and who will be his preferred first team selection, as he simply hasn't seen enough of all the players to make a competent judgment.

'I can't hold my hand up and say I'm 100% convinced 'this one is better than that one'. I have sympathy for Pablo, he's a nice man but until I see more of him, then he has to get on with it. I am happy with the training sessions, everybody. There is nobody who has stood out and made me think they're not working very hard to be a member of the team.'

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