The back four isn’t title winning quality

[TFC]

They are all capable, but today they were collectively shite, really fucking shite. To suggest they aren't title winning quality after all winning the title is knee jerk at best.

 

[stonie]

Yes it is. The issue is we press from the front and midfield to stop the defence feeling pressure. Rodri isn't as tenacious as Fern and Silva/Gundogan can't press like Kev and Bernardo can. That's why we lost today.

Ffs it was Norwich let's not candy coat it

 

[cookster]

And in awesome form - a lot of other players played two games.

Not my answer mate, Peps. Personally I think he should have started, got the job done and then subbed.

 

[Beanhead]

They are all capable, but today they were collectively shite, really fucking shite. To suggest they aren't title winning quality after all winning the title is knee jerk at best.

Nope. You are wrong... yes they are definitely capable of being part of a title winning squad but they are not a good enough back pairing week in week out to see out over half the season in a title race without support. Neither has the assurance of a Kompany, Laporte, Van Dyke, vidic, Terry, Adams, carvaliho etc... that wins you titles.

 

[Uncle Wally One Ball]

It’s going to be a struggle keeping up with Liverpool over the next few weeks and months.

Guardiola wanted a centre back to replace Kompany but was told the funds weren’t available. The only deal we were subsequently able to do at the back involved a part cash, part player deal.

When you breakdown the current back four it’s not really one of title winning quality.

Walker - Despite being off form for parts of last year he’s comfortably the best of this back four selection. Not saying much though.
Stones - Inconsistent. Needs to play alongside a leader to bring out his best form.
Otamendi - Seems to have a major clanger in him every game or so. Not very vocal or organised.
Zinchenko - Done well for himself overall but he’d struggle to get a game as a starter in pretty much all the other top 6 sides. He’s clearly not a top player.

Maybe we’d be better with Walker and Fernandinho playing centre back as part of a back 3 alongside one of Stones or Otamendi. We could then have Mendy and Cancelo at wing back which would arguably be their best positions.

What would your first choice defensive line up be until Laporte’s return?

Nonsense. Stones is an England centre half. Otamendi is the Argentina centre half. Walker is the England right back. Zinco is a league winner. Mendy is on the way back and Cancelo is no doubt adjusting to our play. We dont even play a back 4 as a regular formation. OP is bollocks. It was a bad day that's all

 

[citymad]

We have to face the truth that without Eric and Vinny we just can’t compare defensively to the dippers. They arguably have the best defence in Europe right now. It’s incredible to think we don’t have a single leader in our back four especially when we’ve accrued so many world class players in midfield and forward line. The concern I have is that this result will give every team who has a half decent attack a boost that we can be got at. Today was more than a bad at the office and right now, even though it’s so early in the season it feels like Liverpool will very soon have a sizeable lead on everybody which given their obvious talent, cult fanatics and incredible luck with injuries it will most likely be uncatchable. Champions league will soon be our priority.

 

[MeatHunterrr]

If we had world class defence, we would be almost unbeatable. It would take us up a level.

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

How is it that whenever we lose a game scapegoats and 'not good enuffs' are always sought to be up for scrutiny? We lost a fuckin' game, we had a shit day. Go to bed and wake up in a better mood, FFS!

 

[Marvin]

It’s going to be a struggle keeping up with Liverpool over the next few weeks and months.

Guardiola wanted a centre back to replace Kompany but was told the funds weren’t available. The only deal we were subsequently able to do at the back involved a part cash, part player deal.

When you breakdown the current back four it’s not really one of title winning quality.

Walker - Despite being off form for parts of last year he’s comfortably the best of this back four selection. Not saying much though.
Stones - Inconsistent. Needs to play alongside a leader to bring out his best form.
Otamendi - Seems to have a major clanger in him every game or so. Not very vocal or organised.
Zinchenko - Done well for himself overall but he’d struggle to get a game as a starter in pretty much all the other top 6 sides. He’s clearly not a top player.

Maybe we’d be better with Walker and Fernandinho playing centre back as part of a back 3 alongside one of Stones or Otamendi. We could then have Mendy and Cancelo at wing back which would arguably be their best positions.

What would your first choice defensive line up be until Laporte’s return?

I agree with this. Need Stones to emerge. but I think Stones needs a wise head alongside him. Feared the worst when Laporte got injured.

We're going to need to win a few games back to back and regroup. We usually do.

 

[YaYa's Left Peg]

If we had world class defence, we would be almost unbeatable. It would take us up a level.

We’ve spent a fucking fortune on the defence. In fact the whole team. How much more?