Defence Defence Defence

[ijjysmith]

Funny old season for the lot at the back.

Loads of clean sheets, some deserved, some decidedly fortunate (Palace).

But just what is going on back there?

I've always thought in previous seasons we've looked pretty strong back there. But to me at least the centre backs look shakey. Is it the new passing style? Is it something else? Interested to hear your views.

Let's look at the players:

CENTRE BACKS
- Distin - Getting no younger and prone to the odd brain fart. He's been excellent for us but I can't say he looks too comfy with the ball at his feet. He can't go on forever surely?
- Jagielka - could argue he's the best last ditch defender I'm the league. But we probably need a bit more than that if this style is staying.

- Alcaraz - I've been critical of his injury. But maybe, just maybe he might do a composed job for us back there.
- Stones - Loads of promise. Can fill in at full back too if needed. Boss at penos.
- Duffy - who knows really? Looked a bit dodge for Yeovil on Friday. But hey, he was surrounded by Yeovil players.
- Heitinga - do one

FULL BACKS
- Baines - Could say less effective due to the style but he's clearly the best. Does the transfer window worry me? You're damn right it does.
- Coleman - Well he's just ace. £60k FFS.

- Oviedo - Seems a nice chap. Not convinced he can play at this level yet.
- Garbutt - Doing ok at Col U. But far from ready for us.
- Hibbert - Will he play again?
- Barry - Thought he did alright at LB. Obviously not where he wants to be but could stay there while Baines is out.

So what are the thoughts of GOT on our defence?

HAVE AT YOU...

 

[Goat]

You missed out the Keeper.

 

[ijjysmith]

You missed out the Keeper.

There's already a thread on him.

But feel free to add him.

 

[bol-uk]

Funny old season for the lot at the back.

Loads of clean sheets, some deserved, some decidedly fortunate (Palace).

But just what is going on back there?

I've always thought in previous seasons we've looked pretty strong back there. But to me at least the centre backs look shakey. Is it the new passing style? Is it something else? Interested to hear your views.

Let's look at the players:

CENTRE BACKS
- Distin - Getting no younger and prone to the odd brain fart. He's been excellent for us but I can't say he looks too comfy with the ball at his feet. He can't go on forever surely?
- Jagielka - could argue he's the best last ditch defender I'm the league. But we probably need a bit more than that if this style is staying.

- Alcaraz - I've been critical of his injury. But maybe, just maybe he might do a composed job for us back there.
- Duffy - who knows really? Looked a bit dodge for Yeovil on Friday. But hey, he was surrounded by Yeovil players.
- Heitinga - do one

FULL BACKS
- Baines - Could say less effective due to the style but he's clearly the best. Does the transfer window worry me? You're damn right it does.
- Coleman - Well he's just ace. £60k FFS.

- Oviedo - Seems a nice chap. Not convinced he can play at this level yet.
- Garbutt - Doing ok at Col U. But far from ready for us.
- Hibbert - Will he play again?
- Barry - Thought he did alright at LB. Obviously not where he wants to be but could stay there while Baines is out.

So what are the thoughts of GOT on our defence?

HAVE AT YOU...

We need Barry in MF while Gibson s out Oviedo will have to deputise at LB

I imagine roberto will make changes at CB as soon as he finds the right player.

 

[ijjysmith]

It could just be that this new style/system means we get opened up a lot but means we attack more.

No matter who the players are.

 

[dixe]

Last season we went 18 games without a clean sheet between September and January

I think our back four is in need of some serious comp from the bench, The back line basically picks itself and there is nobody ready to step in if a players form is dropping

 

[TheBlueGibbon]

If Baines is out injured, now might be the time where we try going to three at the back, so Oviedo doesn't have as greater responsibility defensively.

 

[ijjysmith]

IVE MISSED JOHN STONES OUT LIKE A BLOODY IDIOT

 

[toffeejack]

It could just be that this new style/system means we get opened up a lot but means we attack more.

No matter who the players are.

Distin and Jags are obviously uncomfortable with the new passing way and teams pressuring them high up is not helping, but liverpool barely created anything from open play yesterday. Most of our goals are conceded from set plays as opposed to being opened up/carved open. Can't really put my foot on it tbh, yes we have a keeper that doesn't command his area, but we've had that for years and not been too uncomfortable with set-pieces and howard has been better this season compared to last so far.

I think it may just be cahill, who won a lot of headers in his own area. Obviously we're missing fellaini's height, but he was never great at defending from set plays.

It's a weird one, but it is clear that both CB's haven't been anywhere near the standard they were last season.

 

[dholliday]

I think our back four is in need of some serious comp from the bench, The back line basically picks itself and there is nobody ready to step in if a players form is dropping

Agree there.

If Baines is out injured, now might be the time where we try going to three at the back, so Oviedo doesn't have as greater responsibility defensively.

If I was still playing ISS Pro I'd go for a sweeper-themed 1-3-1-3-1-1.

--------------Howard--------------

---------------Barry---------------
----Coleman----Jags----Distin------

--------------McCarthy--------------
Mirallas--------Pienaar--------Baines

-----------Barkley--------------
-----------------Lukaku--------------


Seriously, I think having a classic sweeper behind the defence would calm things down, add an air of authority to the organisation there. Baines is more of an attacker than a defender anyway. And squadwise Deulofeu, Naismith and Osman are first-team quality to fill in any gaps. Hopefully Stones and Duffy will be too.

The deadwood in the squad is building up fast, tho'...is defence the priority position in the next transfer window?

 

[ijjysmith]

Tell you what's weird.

Our defence looks looks shakey but we keep clean sheets.

Our attack looks dangerous but we don't score enough.

KOFF EVERTON YOU BAD WEIRDOS

 

[lmurkder]

Tell you what's weird.

Our defence looks looks shakey but we keep clean sheets.

Our attack looks dangerous but we don't score enough.

KOFF EVERTON YOU BAD WEIRDOS

Can we leave the autopsy till Monday morning please?

 

[orchard]

Imo we were as bad last year from at the beginning of the season, and Jelavic cleared a LOT of set piece headers too. This is a defensive weakness we've had for a while, but not having jelly, and occasionally Felli, has made us a bit worse.

 

[CahillsCornerFlag]

I genuinely think its cos we're quite a small team. We definitely need to work on defending set pieces.

 

[ijjysmith]

Can we leave the autopsy till Monday morning please?

No mate. I'm out tomorrow.