He may have all the qualitys of a top defender but it's all for nought if he hasn't got it where it counts, in his head. How many times this season has the opposition striker just wandered away from him and got a chance on goal. How many times has he just had a blank moment when a set piece is coming in and it's cost us.
I looked at him when we played Lincoln. All they had was a yard dog up front who every time he tried to bring the ball down it bounced about a mile away from him. All that striker wanted to do was get into a wrestling match and get fouls and that's all zouma did. Instead of using his brain and taking a step back letting the striker try to bring it down and then cut in. He just gave away foul after foul after foul trying to win a test of strength with him.
If I'm honest I think keans been our best defender, although I think mina will be our best defender. People just can't get over how poor he was last year and thats clouding their judgement.
Point of order on the Lincoln game.
Myself & my lad have played a fair chunk playing centre half's so its a position we take note of more than others.
In that game Mina was the player constantly battling with the centre forward in open play.
Granted the player took up position in Zouma's zone for any set piece's basically leaving Mina guarding his empty zone.
Apart from the Lincoln goal they both coped with the player.
Mina gives a needless push on their player for the free kick that led to their goal.
At that time my lad said " you know whats coming here"....hence EVERY player switching off from the free kick.
IMO Zouma spends more time covering for Ten Bob head and the ill disciplined Mina as the last ditch defender , he isnt the overiding defencive problem you seem to think he is.
