Our defence

Jags..class · July 19, 2015

The lack of players is concerning, 2 experience defenders only, left back is OK and no cover for Coleman. We have Galloway and browning and garbutt coming through. So I'm comfortable with garbutt but don't know much about Galloway and browning and if they are ready for the premiership. Also jags is 33 next month. Howard is getting weaker every season. Is Martinez ignoring this area?

meagher94 · July 19, 2015

Jags..class said:
The lack of players is concerning, 2 experience defenders only, left back is OK and no cover for Coleman. We have Galloway and browning and garbutt coming through. So I'm comfortable with garbutt but don't know much about Galloway and browning and if they are ready for the premiership. Also jags is 33 next month. Howard is getting weaker every season. Is Martinez ignoring this area?

The way Galloway played the last few games at left back last season and did fine, Browning is at a similar level and can do the same if Coleman gets injured.

We certainly need an experienced centre back though, and soon.

GrandOldTeam · July 19, 2015

Jags..class said:
The lack of players is concerning, 2 experience defenders only, left back is OK and no cover for Coleman. We have Galloway and browning and garbutt coming through. So I'm comfortable with garbutt but don't know much about Galloway and browning and if they are ready for the premiership. Also jags is 33 next month. Howard is getting weaker every season. Is Martinez ignoring this area?

Similar debate here: https://www.grandoldteam.com/forum/threads/cb-cover.77644/

Time will tell, Martinez has been questioned in the past with defending and he actually resigned Alcaraz having seen him up close at Wigan.

davek · July 19, 2015

Baines
Oviedo
Garbutt
Coleman
Browning
Galloway
Jagielka
Stones

...with the exception of Garbutt, who I think will go on to confirm how bang average he is, I reckon any of those would get into any top six defence (and those in bold could slot into a CL spot team).

This is the department I think we're actually sorting ourselves out in now. I'm much more concerned about the attacking unit.

Jags..class · July 19, 2015

davek said:
Baines
Oviedo
Garbutt
Coleman
Browning
Galloway
Jagielka
Stones

...with the exception of Garbutt, who I think will go on to confirm how bang average he is, I reckon any of those would get into any top six defence (and those in bold could slot into a CL spot team).

This is the department I think we're actually sorting ourselves out in now. I'm much more concerned about the attacking unit.

Stones could be gone, jags is 33 and Howard is becoming a liability and three of those are untested at the highest level.

Warwick Hunt · July 19, 2015

Pretty solid defence wise, lots of potential, could maybe do with a bit of experience as cover.

Up front however...

davek · July 19, 2015

Jags..class said:
Stones could be gone, jags is 33 and Howard is becoming a liability and three of those are untested at the highest level.

GK-wise, yeah. We need that sorting out soon. I dont think Jagielka's age just now is an issue. That's something we need to worry about next season. In the meantime the two lads coming through will relieve pressure on that situation. I've seen enough to believe we have two very good prospects in Galloway and Browning. We need another experienced CB in to see us through - and if Stones leaves then we have to replace him straight away this window also.

As things stand though, I do think we're ok in defence. We need to add a CB.

Up front is the real headache. Lukaku plus nothing is pretty much what we have. A playmaker to service Lukaku and another out and out striker to stand in for Lukaku is what we need.

Joey66 · July 19, 2015

What worries me is the no cover for our overlapping fullbacks no one played wide yesterday the midfield was in total disarray leaving the oppositions theory stop the EFC fullbacks , and you nullify them!
It also puts pressure on the defence as we are more exposed than a photograph!

II McColl II · July 19, 2015

Its the martinez way, his defensive recruitment in near enough every club hes managed has been incredibly poor and judging on it since he joined here its absolutely no different.

2 Defenders hes signed since taking over from moyes, alcaraz on a free and galloway for the future. Thats 5 transfer windows so far and thats all hes signed defensively and 1 of them has gone already.