Central Defence

davids · January 7, 2015

penev10 said:
Our CBs seem a lot deeper this season. Last season we had a crazy high line but we seem to have gone to the other extreme. Space between the backline and midfield is staggering at times and is leading to us getting overrun regularly.

[/mytwocents]

I couldn't believe what I was watching at times in the first half,there seemed to be spaces opening up everywhere every time WH went forwards.

blue61 · January 7, 2015

Jags is playing like a man with zero self confidence. I watched him at the final whistle at Hull, his head dropped so low I thought it was going to fall off, and he certainly isn't offering anything as captain. It's a shame because, when in form, he's an exceptional defender. Unfortunately, I fear his consistently best days are behind him. I'd persevere with him alongside Stones in the hope that he rediscovers some form, and then give Stones the armband next season.

Zatara · January 7, 2015

We were done for tapping up lascalles a couple of years ago.

Gomez we could sign but why loan him out? He's better than all our centre backs bar Stones and possibly Jagielka if he gets some form.

Think it would be quite awesome to have Stones, Galloway and Gomez as all 3 could be England players in the next 4 seasons.

bluemangroup said:
Plumping for the youngsters again Zat? I'm honestly shocked. If we bought Gomez we'd have to loan straight back out I think. He's too good for reserve football.
Wish we'd bought Lascalles. 5m gods sake.

Zatara · January 7, 2015

He looks like a man whose wife has left him...

EDIT -- not saying she has....he just looks totally destroyed and miserable,

blue61 said:
Jags is playing like a man with zero self confidence. I watched him at the final whistle at Hull, his head dropped so low I thought it was going to fall off, and he certainly isn't offering anything as captain. It's a shame because, when in form, he's an exceptional defender. Unfortunately, I fear his consistently best days are behind him. I'd persevere with him alongside Stones in the hope that he rediscovers some form, and then give Stones the armband next season.

blue61 · January 7, 2015

Zatara said:
He looks like a man whose wife has left him...

EDIT -- not saying she has....he just looks totally destroyed and miserable,

Don't be coy, you're the 'other man' aren't you?

Furey1878 · January 7, 2015

penev10 said:
Our CBs seem a lot deeper this season. Last season we had a crazy high line but we seem to have gone to the other extreme. Space between the backline and midfield is staggering at times and is leading to us getting overrun regularly.

[/mytwocents]

Bingo, I think it was an effort to not be done on the break like the Anfield derby last year. We need to be be pressing higher up the pitch though, it's part of our game to be camped in the opposition half and sustain pressure, and if they clear it, you've got more of a chance of winning the ball back.

granter79 · January 7, 2015

Furey1878 said:
Bingo, I think it was an effort to not be done on the break like the Anfield derby last year. We need to be be pressing higher up the pitch though, it's part of our game to be camped in the opposition half and sustain pressure, and if they clear it, you've got more of a chance of winning the ball back.

Yeah scared of their lives to get caught in behind whcoh is haviing an affect on the whole team. The midfield last night was 10/15 yeards too deep coz of the bak lone and this allows WH to control the game. Noble looked like Xavi last night he had that much space!! Once pressed he paniced!! Stones back now hopefully get some confidence at CB and allow us to move up that pitch and press properly rather than 1 or 2 going which is like peein in the wind.

Id shell out the money n get Reid in. Thought he read the game well last night, decent footballer & gets stuck in.

nsno-chris · January 7, 2015

Tubey said:
Barry was absolutely fine yesterday. Jagielka and Distin, however, were not.

He does look like he's running through water come the 70 min mark

nsno-chris · January 7, 2015

penev10 said:
Our CBs seem a lot deeper this season. Last season we had a crazy high line but we seem to have gone to the other extreme. Space between the backline and midfield is staggering at times and is leading to us getting overrun regularly.

[/mytwocents]

Exactly be saying that for a while, either drop the midfield and attacking line back and compress the middle, which goes against this entire attacking philosophy; or move the back 4 10 yards further up up field. Either way the space between the 2 needs to be more tight

button_sw · January 7, 2015

The Centre Backs need to push up 10 yards probably like last season but they do not have the confidence or ability to do it comfortably which is why they naturally fall back. This then means that the DM's need to come back with them otherwise there will be huge gaps for the opposition to play into (This is what is happening this season).

For this reason Jags and Distin should not play for Everton with this style as they are not technically good enough.

I'm positive if we get a good CB in January to slot in next to Stones it will settle the whole team down and we will see a quick upturn in form.

davek · January 7, 2015

Jagielka and Distin 10 yards further up the pitch defending doesn't bare thinking about.

Tubey · January 7, 2015

davek said:
Jagielka and Distin 10 yards further up the pitch defending doesn't bare thinking about.

At least there's less chance of the ball bouncing before it gets to them that way. They seemingly don't understand what all that bouncing lark is about.

davek · January 7, 2015

Tubey said:
At least there's less chance of the ball bouncing before it gets to them that way. They seemingly don't understand what all that bouncing lark is about.

If we had the mythical 'sweeper keeper' we could try it. As things stand those two divvies would be standing hands on hips in the centre circle with Robles dealing with two attackers bearing down on goal.

Nymzee · January 7, 2015

They won't push up like they did last season for the sole reason they've realised how old they are and realised they won't catch any quick forward if the ball is played over the top.

Unless as stated above we had a "sweeper keeper" but let's be fair - outside of Neuer and Lloris - who is even any good at this.

tim cahill · January 7, 2015

Don't think jags will be going anywhere any time soon but we alcaraz and Distin should be heading out in the summer and will both need to be replaced. Ideally we'd get one in this transfer window though.