Is the defence the real problem?

[Cal]

I think Castillo needs to have a run of games in the defensive midfield position and let's see what happens.

After the United game though. He can't hold his position at all and doesn't track his runners. United will rape us if he was put into defensive midfield for that game.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

After the United game though. He can't hold his position at all and doesn't track his runners. United will rape us if he was put into defensive midfield for that game.

True, in a 4-5-1 it's very different though. Carsley used to struggle to track people and hold his position in a four man midfield.

Maybe Castillo would be better with five in midfield, there he can just sit and concentrate on his defending. Having Osman/Fellaini and Cahill alongside him with Pienaar and Arteta on the flanks.

Saying that though we all know it's going to be Neville, he'll play the majority of the season in midfield in my opinion.

 

[Cal]

True, in a 4-5-1 it's very different though. Carsley used to struggle to track people and hold his position in a four man midfield.

Maybe Castillo would be better with five in midfield, there he can just sit and concentrate on his defending. Having Osman/Fellaini and Cahill alongside him with Pienaar and Arteta on the flanks.

Saying that though we all know it's going to be Neville, he'll play the majority of the season in midfield in my opinion.

But he played his games in a five man midfield though? Liege and Stoke were in 5 man midfields, Anichebe was playing wide right.

I hope not, he is proper [Poor language removed] there.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

But he played his games in a five man midfield though? Liege and Stoke were in 5 man midfields, Anichebe was playing wide right.

I hope not, he is proper [Poor language removed] there.

Anichebe played on the right for about 20 minutes and then moved upfront. We played 4-4-2 for the rest of the game.

Stoke was a freak game, none of the goals where his fault. None of the balls even came from open play.

Carsley took 2 years to make that his role, Castillo has had 4 games. We may aswell give him a go and see how he does. Alongside experienced players like Arteta, Cahill, Osman and Pienaar I'm sure he'd be alot better.

 

[Cal]

Anichebe played on the right for about 20 minutes and then moved upfront. We played 4-4-2 for the rest of the game.

Stoke was a freak game, none of the goals where his fault. None of the balls even came from open play.

Carsley took 2 years to make that his role, Castillo has had 4 games. We may aswell give him a go and see how he does. Alongside experienced players like Arteta, Cahill, Osman and Pienaar I'm sure he'd be alot better.

I agree, i think we should give him a goal as i think he's a good player. But at times in that Liege match, he just let his runner run into the box and made no attempt to track him back, leaving us very exposed.

He also needs to put himself about abit more, i thought he was some cruncher, obviously not. But he's just came into England, he will take time to adapt. He has the ability on the ball and the brain to play in that role, he just needs to work on his positioning.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

I agree, i think we should give him a goal as i think he's a good player. But at times in that Liege match, he just let his runner run into the box and made no attempt to track him back, leaving us very exposed.

He also needs to put himself about abit more, i thought he was some cruncher, obviously not. But he's just came into England, he will take time to adapt. He has the ability on the ball and the brain to play in that role, he just needs to work on his positioning.

That's it, spot on.

I don't care who Moyes picks to be honest, I just want him pick a side a stick to it. All this moving players around and picking different systems isn't working.

4-4-2 or 4-5-1.

Neville, Rodwell or Castillo.

Osman or Fellaini.

Cahill or Fellaini.

Yakubu or Saha etc.

Pick a team and [Poor language removed] stick to it.

 

[coyney]

I have to agree that we need a settled side,if the guys know they are safe for a few games it will take the pressure off them.I also think the main problem is confidence ,when we have the ball in defence every other player should be looking to receive the ball and its not happening enough.

 

[Tennessee Blue Mike]

If there is ever a game they could regain their confidence it's this one. If we keep all their firepower at bay that should bode well going into Bolton.

 

[Blue Ray]

How long time ago is it since Arteta had a good game? Maybe time to put him on the bench for a game?

I think I'd have to agree with that. He hasnt looked himself lately. Maybe dropping him to the bench might help sharpen his game up a bit. Confidence is missing from last season throughout the squad.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

We can't afford to drop Arteta to be honest, we just don't have the players there to come in and even do half a job.

We could move Osman outwide but that limits him impact, he's a nothing player outwide. After that we don't have any other options.

When did he last have a good game? He was top quality against Standard Liege in the first leg. He's been average ever since.

 

[Dutch Toffee]

We can't afford to drop Arteta to be honest, we just don't have the players there to come in and even do half a job.

We could move Osman outwide but that limits him impact, he's a nothing player outwide. After that we don't have any other options.

When did he last have a good game? He was top quality against Standard Liege in the first leg. He's been average ever since.

Missing out on Obinna is really hunting us this season. Always liked Arteta, but he's just not playing up to his standards. Do agree however, we can't afford to drop him. We definately could have done with a new winger and a playmaking central midfielder.

 

[Toffe3m4n]

I've said this god knows how many times now...

For some reason, Moyes has his defenders sit as deep as possible in order to "shut games out"... and it hardly ever works. What he is essentially doing there is increasing the gap between them and the midfield, which just invites droves of attacking options for the opposition and even allows some of the more capable players to hit an easy strike at goal.

If he really wants to defend a game, have the midfielders (in particular the holding man) playing closer to the defenders, leaving one man up top and utilising our wide players for counter attacks. Playing the back line too deep with little support infront of them is just asking for trouble.

It's so simple... so why don't the coaching staff see this??

 

[ToxtethBlue]

Missing out on Obinna is really hunting us this season. Always liked Arteta, but he's just not playing up to his standards. Do agree however, we can't afford to drop him. We definately could have done with a new winger and a playmaking central midfielder.

Agreed, we'll have to buy a winger in January. Either that or Moyes starts using Van der Meyde, I can't see that happening though.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

I've said this god knows how many times now...

For some reason, Moyes has his defenders sit as deep as possible in order to "shut games out"... and it hardly ever works. What he is essentially doing there is increasing the gap between them and the midfield, which just invites droves of attacking options for the opposition and even allows some of the more capable players to hit an easy strike at goal.

If he really wants to defend a game, have the midfielders (in particular the holding man) playing closer to the defenders, leaving one man up top and utilising our wide players for counter attacks. Playing the back line too deep with little support infront of them is just asking for trouble.

It's so simple... so why don't the coaching staff see this??

We do sit far too deep, even when where winning. It's stupidy because we do have pace at the back. We can afford to keep a high line with the likes of Lescott, Jagielka, Yobo and Baines back there.

Playing further forward would also make up for our lack of pace outwide, the wide players would be further up the field. At the moment your seeing the likes of Pienaar and Arteta very deep. They don't have the pace to hurt teams from those positions.