Our Improved Defence

[Trautmann's Chiropractor]

Sorry if similar thread has been created, couldn't find one and thought it's an interesting topic so merge if necessary.

Does anyone know what Pep has done to improve our centre halves this much compared to last season? It's crazy! Stones and Otamendi look solid together all of a sudden and both of them are on the front foot in an attacking sense too. When those two were our pairing last season they were all over the place. Obviously having a confident and reliable keeper behind them gives them the platform to give these performances, and the full back problem has been solved too. If it was as simple as that why didn't we address it sooner?

Stones has beefed up a bit and Otamendi's passing has improved a lot since last season. But what is his magic formula for making these two into brick walls? Has he started training with defense in mind too? Even Delph has been incredible at LB.

 

[i kne albert davy]

It's the new American method.

 

[justsaying]

Keep the ball and you don't need defending, Pep's Way.

 

[Jazzcat]

We're a year on and players are getting more used to each other and I suspect that not having geriatric full-backs might have a bit to do with it also.

 

[dickie davies]

I think as we're "pinning" teams in their own half, when they do break their front players are isolated and our defenders take advantage of it and that when the opposition shoot and it's on target, it's not necessarily a goal

Stones is also young for a centre half and he had a big money move. That will have weighed heavily upon his shoulders
A year on and he now believes he belongs

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

The team are defending properly this season as a unit rather than leaving it until the last line. Quicker full backs and let's face it a competent keeper! plus teams are not putting much pressure on them as they are scared shitless of attacking us at all. Having said that both of them have been better this season bar the odd blip here and there.

 

[Tricky_Trev]

We're just better at all the fundamentals - be it pressing from the front, forcing long balls and easy duels for the centre backs. Or whether it's building up from the back - we're so impressive at that now, Ederson has been a big help, but it's not just him, the positions that Fernandinho, Delph, Walker, Silva and De Bruyne pick up around the centre backs are great. This means we can advance up the pitch. Generally, when we lose the ball it is in the final third, rather than in build up, meaning we can recover most situations easily. Walker makes a big difference due to his pace, meaning Stones doesn't get isolated in one-v-one's as often as last season, where he repeatedly had to come over to cover Sagna/Zab on the right, leaving a gaping hole in the middle. It's a combination of all of that. Plus confidence.

 

[manchester blue]

It's the new American method.

Like.

 

[Chappie]

He bought a keeper who can use his hands as well as his feet

 

[warpig]

John stones is purring like a rolls Royce at the back. he looks really composed and His game has definitely gone up a notch. playing with a settled back four and Ederson in goals undoubtedly has helped him.
Otamendi doesn't look like an accident waiting to happen either which is as much of a compliment.