Defending and keeping possession of the ball

[br55]

The really great teams have not just got attackers but also defenders who are confident and comfortable on the ball eg. Barcelona. They never panic when players run at them, show great composure, and they manage to keep possession of the ball which is crucial at the highest level. I have noticed that Lescott and, to a lesser extent, Richards tend to panic the most when the pressure is on them and possession is often given away very easily. I fear that this could be a big problem when we come up against such teams as Real and Barca. If Lescott is in a tight situation I just get so nervous that a disaster is about to happen and when I think of Messi, Villa and Pedro etc. running at him I feel another heart attack coming on.

Credit where credit is due and I think that Lescott has been a solid defender for us but, in my honest opinion, we need another absolutely top class defender who is confident on the ball to partner Kompany if we are to challenge at the very highest level.

 

[Anonymous]

Wouldn't disagree with that ......

we didn't look comfortable in the Community Shield as the rags pushed forward early second half , and when Smalling got their first the panic only grew ......

 

[Blue Haze]

I can't think of another top class defender who is available.

Thiago Silva is the best proven one around but he'd cost 40m at least. Hummels has been tested in the Bundesliga but as we saw with Boateng, that doesn't always translate. Chiellini is overrated and overpriced. It would probably have to be someone like Toloi whom we take a chance on and develop internally.

 

[LoveCity]

Savic will be groomed for the role but as we saw when he came on yesterday, while he is very talented he is inexperienced and made a couple of minor errors that were covered up by team-mates. Savic is good with the ball at his feet though. Coates and Toloi still linked too, and lets not forget Boyata.

 

[kippax boy]

Agree with the original poster , what about another cheeky raid on Arsenal for Vemaleun,plays with Kompany in Internationals as well,just a bit injury prone but also scores a few.