Why would the quality of the defence be of any consequence when you're talking specifically about leadership? Put Dias in that bournemouth side, they're still getting relegated, would he then not be a leader because he was surrounded by shit? It's an irrelevance.That’s hardly a glowing recommendation. They got relegated.
Ake is the best of a very average bunch back there. Gvardiol goes from the sublime to the ridiculous in the space of 5 seconds and Akanji has looked like he couldn’t give a toss all season.
The only time we look like we have an actual defensive unit, is when Dias is playing. He comes in, lifts the quality of those around him and gives us at least some organisation back there. Without him, they are all doing their own thing.
Ake is a good, solid defender but he looks just as rudderless as the rest of them back there. Nobody in that back 5 (I include the keeper) is getting a grip of the others and pulling them through it. It’s 5 individuals.Why would the quality of the defence be of any consequence when you're talking specifically about leadership? Put Dias in that bournemouth side, they're still getting relegated, would he then not be a leader because he was surrounded by shit? It's an irrelevance.
Ake is a proven leader.
The personnel doesn't really matter. We don't look like a solid unit because we are never in a solid unit. the front 4 are out of the game without the ball, the midfield are dragged out wide or a fullback is dragged too far up the pitch and there's massive gaps in our backline in every single attack. It's firefighting defending because that's what the system we play leads to with or without Dias.Ake is a good, solid defender but he looks just as rudderless as the rest of them back there. Nobody in that back 5 (I include the keeper) is getting a grip of the others and pulling them through it. It’s 5 individuals.
Ake and Akanji have both been at the club long enough, that when they are paired with each other, it shouldn’t look as chaotic and disjointed as it does. If either of them were genuine leaders, we wouldn’t look anywhere near as clueless as we do at the back. A fully fit Dias (not sure this exists anymore) taking control alongside Ake or Akanji and we improve dramatically.
I agree with this. He needs to clear that ball for their 1st goal. It was a badly mistimed header. Other than that, he played well.Not sure what he was doing at their first goal, seemed to have one foot nailed to the ground, and his first pass of the match was a peach, right out the park! Those aside, he actually played well and genuinely looked distraught at their equaliser.
Yes and no. We consistently get caught on the break where the midfield are quickly taken out of the game and the defence is left exposed. Having Dias back probably won’t make too much difference in these situations. However, look at the goals we conceded last night. Plenty of men back behind the ball, speculative balls into the box which should be bread and butter to any half-decent defence but here we are.The personnel doesn't really matter. We don't look like a solid unit because we are never in a solid unit. the front 4 are out of the game without the ball, the midfield are dragged out wide or a fullback is dragged too far up the pitch and there's massive gaps in our backline in every single attack. It's firefighting defending because that's what the system we play leads to with or without Dias.
Ake is a good defender .... and only gives the safe pass.
It's not playing safe passes that's the problem it's him taking too damn long to do it, him and Akanji just can't release it quickly.sounds like a solid centre half to me....
And who's fault is that ?He has been playing injured for us for ages
Most of the first team out injured , several others playing injured to cover them, cast your mind back a month or twoAnd who's fault is that ?
Yeah not the guy playing injured players then.Most of the first team out injured , several others playing injured to cover them, cast your mind back a month or two
Cant you fucking read , i am really not in the mood for your fuckwittery todayT
Yeah not the guy playing injured players then.
Saved us a more than once. Looked to be holding his hammy after the last goal line clearance. Hopefully thats nothing.