Neville Kneville
Well-Known Member
Moses was the big danger v Spurs. Sane was one of the biggest dangers v Chelsea.
It worked. But we missed.
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Defence conundrum
- Thread starter Burtonblue
- Start date
Moses was the big danger v Spurs. Sane was one of the biggest dangers v Chelsea.
It worked. But we missed.
So if that's the case, play the kids who will be here next season.
It's not fair to play the kids at this stage, you need to slowly integrate them into a successful team who are playing well to give them the confidence to grow and learn.
We all saw the negative effects of a player low on confidence last season - Raheem Sterling.
At the moment Guardiola has to pick the senior players whether they're good enough or not until we can get players in who are capable of the job he wants them to do. You also have to understand Guardiola has never really had to deal with the "hit and hope long ball' tactics we see so regularly in the Premier League. In Spain and Germany the defenders very rarely have to deal with those tactics so can be smaller, quicker and more specialised in defending 1 vs 1's and counter attacks. In England you also have to be physically able to deal with the long ball tactics, set pieces and corrupt referees who let opponents kick fuck out of you while you're not allowed to retaliate. Being quick enough, agile enough and intelligent enough to deal with 1 vs 1's and counter attacks while also being 6'2" tall and built like a tank takes a freak player, like Kompany who when fully fit is probably the best centre back in world football. Not to mention being capable of playing out from the back like a midfielder.
Our worst performance of the season was against Spurs when we played a back four.
Most teams with a back four allow their fullbacks to push forward at times leaving them every bit as exposed to the counter.
Classically back threes are exposed by wing play which we were not yesterday.
I am not denying that we have defensive problems but I don't think the formation has been the problem.
Goood point.
I don't think we have the players for three at the back right now. Sagna must start, and I think we need another CB because Kompany just isn't happening.
Bravo
Sagna Otamendi Stones Kolarov
I think it's so important that we have a consistent back four. This is our best bet IMO because frankly Clichy has been appalling this season.
Bravo
Sagna Otamendi Stones Kolarov
I think it's so important that we have a consistent back four. This is our best bet IMO because frankly Clichy has been appalling this season.
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I don't think we have the players for three at the back right now. Sagna must start, and I think we need another CB because Kompany just isn't happening.
We need a right & left back and a central defender. I don't expect any until the summer.
Unless we can get Van Dijk or (unrealistic) Alderweireld, I think we'll go looking outside the EPL for this. Shame Laporte bottled it.We need a right & left back and a central defender. I don't expect any until the summer.
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Deleted member 77198
Guest
It was the same at Palace the week before. They had two chances to make it 2-2 in the final minutes. One skimmed the post.Burnley had a guilt egded chance to make it two each last week.
They didn't have Costa or Hazard.
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Deleted member 77198
Guest
He was injured and wanted to get rehab at his own club with people he knew rather than at a club with a terrible injury record IMOUnless we can get Van Dijk or (unrealistic) Alderweireld, I think we'll go looking outside the EPL for this. Shame Laporte bottled it.
Neville Kneville
Well-Known Member
It was the same at Palace the week before. They had two chances to make it 2-2 in the final minutes. One skimmed the post.
And at the swamp.
Neville Kneville
Well-Known Member
I don't think we have the players for three at the back right now. Sagna must start, and I think we need another CB because Kompany just isn't happening.
Bravo
Sagna Otamendi Stones Kolarov
I think it's so important that we have a consistent back four. This is our best bet IMO because frankly Clichy has been appalling this season.
The only one of that 4 who hasn't been appalling defensively on a number of occasions is Sagna.
And he's been injured.
Rammy Blue
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There's no conundrum, they are all shite.
Rammy Blue
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Van Dijk is a no-brainer if it's true he has a £25mil release clause in his new deal.
Chippy_boy
Well-Known Member
Because we brought Pep in, to be Pep.
If he spends this season patching up holes rather than making the team play like Pep, we won't wn anything anyway, because that's not what he is good at.
So then we start next season, from the same position we started this one.
I'm not for one moment suggesting Pep should abandon all his principles, of course not.
Merely a tad of pragmatism, given the inadequacies of some of our players. It's not using pretending to be something we are not. So yes by all means we should try and play "the Pep way", but shouldn't we just be *bit* mindful that we're leaking stupid goals time and time again?
Neville Kneville
Well-Known Member
Van Dijk is a no-brainer if it's true he has a £25mil release clause in his new deal.
Van Dijk is nowhere near a flawless defender. I would sign him but he could be just as sht as the others. It's another gamble.
The only one of that 4 who hasn't been appalling defensively on a number of occasions is Sagna.
And he's been injured.
Maybe, but who else do we have? Kompany is never not injured, Adarbioyo doesn't seem ready, and Clichy's been worse than the lot. Denayer going out on loan wasn't the best idea in my opinion.
I'd be tempted to play Sagna at CB but then again, I don't much want to see any more defensive mistakes from Zabaleta.
Neville Kneville
Well-Known Member
Maybe, but who else do we have? Kompany is never not injured, Adarbioyo doesn't seem ready, and Clichy's been worse than the lot. Denayer going out on loan wasn't the best idea in my opinion.
I'd be tempted to play Sagna at CB but then again, I don't much want to see any more defensive mistakes from Zabaleta.
I'm not disagreeing with the selection, I'm just saying it's swings & roundabouts.
Rammy Blue
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As a January signing it's the best you'll get, and to be fair I've always thought he was excellent when I've seen him.Van Dijk is nowhere near a flawless defender. I would sign him but he could be just as sht as the others. It's another gamble.
Neville Kneville
Well-Known Member
As a January signing it's the best you'll get, and to be fair I've always thought he was excellent when I've seen him.
I would have had him over Otamendi any day. But he has faults.
And any cb is likely to need time.
I'm not disagreeing with the selection, I'm just saying it's swings & roundabouts.
Fair enough, you're right that we need to improve and soon.