Neill and Heitinga

[Bruce Wayne]

The defence has been shaky this season but I think we need to remember that defence is a team thing, not just the responsibility of our centre backs. For some reason that team hasn't really got going defensively this year. The absence of Neville is playing a big part in that I think as he did a lot of the unsung work.

 

[Richard Parker]

Neill is a poor player.

Heitinga looks very comfortable at centre half. I reckon he & Jags will do very well together.

 

[Brownie]

Incidentally, not really anything to do with this thread, but did anyone hear David Moyes telling Rodwell to do the wrong thing AGAIN from the touchline. There was a little move on our right hand side and he shouts at Rodwell, "GO ON JACK, GET UP THE LINE!", so he diligently does as his manager instructs despite the ball having absolutely no chance of getting anywhere near him, we lose the ball and they nearly score on the break. **** UP THE LINE DAVID.

 

[ChicagoToffee]

Neill is a poor player.

Heitinga looks very comfortable at centre half. I reckon he & Jags will do very well together.

I certainly do not agree that Neill is poor but I agree with the rest - Heitinga wants to play CB. Pairing him with Jags could be excellent.

 

[Goat]

I dont think I care for your tone lid.

Browns, that is, damn you quick posting.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

Lucas Neill was all over the place against Spurs but I thought he had a decent game against Chelsea. He's a good player, although he does need a decent run in the side to build momentum. He didn't have a pre-season and that would effect any player, it's not like he's played week in week out here.

When are Arteta, Jagielka and Neville back? It really is horrible seeing the likes of Stewart Downing returning for Aston Villa and Aquailani for Liverpool yet our injured players seem miles away. There's barely a mention of any of them.

 

[micknick]

The centre backs need someone to pass to otherwise the hoof is inevitable. It's far from a given that any of our midfielders will make themselves available for the short pass from the defence.

Thats why we miss Arteta in the middle as the ball carrier, I do think Rodders will be able to make that link soon though.

 

[Goat]

Lucas Neill was all over the place against Spurs but I thought he had a decent game against Chelsea. He's a good player, although he does need a decent run in the side to build momentum. He didn't have a pre-season and that would effect any player, it's not like he's played week in week out here.

When are Arteta, Jagielka and Neville back? It really is horrible seeing the likes of Stewart Downing returning for Aston Villa and Aquailani for Liverpool yet our injured players seem miles away. There's barely a mention of any of them.

I agree on both counts. I really dont see Neil at CB. For me he lacks the presence to play at CB. RB I have no problem with, hes looked tidy there.

Not a mention of any of our long term injured for a while to be honest. It is very worrying. The problem is, when they come back they will all be a bit rusty. Jags and Arteta for sure.

 

[Hayee]

Personally i don't trust yobo or distin, lucas neill/Hibbert and Jags for meeee

 

[Neiler]

Hate to say it but we do miss Lescott, but i know injuries havnt helped.

Im sorry the defence has been poor all season, i accept the point that the whole team has to defend - teams make far to many chances against us - a real departure from previous years - but a lot are down to individual mistakes, poor set peice defending, poor clearences and not winning the second ball. The defence hasnt looked like a unit all year IMO.

As good and as exciting as the last two performences were we have still conceaded a lot of goals, as we have all season. With a bit of creativity creeping back into the team the defence needs to be the focus.

 

[Goat]

We have missed Jags you mean, Lescott is proving week in, week out how Gash he is and making the fee we got for him the biggest steal in the last few years.

Take that you horrible manc tramps.

 

[Neiler]

We have missed Jags you mean, Lescott is proving week in, week out how Gash he is and making the fee we got for him the biggest steal in the last few years.

Take that you horrible manc tramps.

Would have agreed with you for the first 8 weeks of the season - but playing at the mo with a bit of form. Still not playing anywhere near as good as he did for us with Moyesy's boot up his backside.

But we have missed Jags - no question - both really IMO.

 

[Goat]

City are shipping goals like confetti. We all saw the mistakes he made all the time, im not saying hes gash, hes still a good player and I wish he played for us, but our problems are down to the defence being unsettled every week, once we get a rigid back 4 it will be cushty, God knows when that will be tho, if ever.

The defence last season picked itself, it was Jags, Lescott, Yobo. 1 when was injured or suspended, the other came in. It kept everyone on its toes tho, knowing there was somebody ready to take your place. Now its a case of can the walking put their names down for a game please.

 

[Neiler]

City are shipping goals like confetti. We all saw the mistakes he made all the time, im not saying hes gash, hes still a good player and I wish he played for us, but our problems are down to the defence being unsettled every week, once we get a rigid back 4 it will be cushty, God knows when that will be tho, if ever.

The defence last season picked itself, it was Jags, Lescott, Yobo. 1 when was injured or suspended, the other came in. It kept everyone on its toes tho, knowing there was somebody ready to take your place. Now its a case of can the walking put their names down for a game please.

Aye still think we miss him though! Safe to say we do injury crisis properly!

 

[ToxtethBlue]

The fact that we've had the spine of the side ripped out of it comes into it. Phil Jagielka and Joleon Lescott at centre back and two holding midfielders in Phil Neville and Mikel Arteta.

We've gone from that to a combination of centre backs and a midfield two usually consisting of Rodwell, Fellaini or Cahill. None of the players mentioned offer the creativity or protection that Arteta and Neville provide.

I don't think Joleon Lescott alone would shore this defence up. He struggled at the start of the last season in a similar situation and his partnership with Yobo was always hit and miss. Both players (Lescott and Yobo) looked far more comfortable alongside Jagielka.