Our Defence...

[dancity19]

Intrigued as to what people think is our best defence, or where to go from here. Sat was our first clean sheet of the season with a back four of Zab, Richards, Lescott and Kolarov. On paper, before the game, a back 4 that might not have filled people with confidence, considering it was Richards first game back from injury, in a position he hasn't played in for a while for City, and a new CB partnership; I doubt they have ever played a competetive match together in CB.

Whether you think they clean sheet was down to us having a great balance in midfield, rather than Yaya Toure making up one of the central/ central defensive midfield players is another point.

But, who do we play in defence now, and where...? Obviously Kompany comes back in at CB, but is that for Lescott or Richards; Richards was awesome there, and was far more assured on the ball under pressure than I thought he could be. I am a clichy fan all day long, but Kolarov did stake a claim to start more often, and was at the heart of all 3 goals.

Interesting really, as we have changed our defence far too much this season, and will no doubt be changing it again come the next match, but who for? It isn't inconceivable we see a whole new layout, with 3 different faces to who played on Saturday- Richards- Kompany- Nastasic- Clichy.

A team needs consistency in the back four, but who plays at CB is a really interesting one now, as, if Richards can put in performances like that week in week out he should play there, although we will miss his bursts upfield from RB...

Thoughts?

 

[Anonymous]

Richards..........kompany...........lescott...........clichy

 

[dancity19]

Richards..........kompany...........lescott...........clichy

I am sure that will be most people's choice- probably mine as well. But I do think Mancini has lost some confidence in Lescott...

 

[No6]

Richards..........kompany...........lescott...........clichy

I agree with the above post. This is the lineup we should use until we're able to buy Phil Jones in the January Window. Once we've got Jones we can go "one at the back" as he can easily do the defensive work of 4 men.

 

[cleavers]

Its easy to praise Richards from Saturday, but Lescott too had a good game, didn't put a foot wrong, but for the defenders it was an easy game, so I wouldn't personally read too much into it.

 

[chestervegasblue]

For me:

Zabaleta Richards Kompany Clichy

Strength, pace, versatility and timing.

 

[BluessinceHydeRoad]

Interestingly in the same games last season we conceded one goal more and we only kept two clean sheets - Swansea and Arsenal at the Etihad. That may mean the "problems" we have in defence are problems journalists see rather than anyone else.

 

[Lomas has a lob on]

For me:

Zabaleta Richards Kompany Clichy

Strength, pace, versatility and timing.

Richards...................Kompany....................Lescott................Clichy.

However I think a CB pairing of Richards and Kompany could well be the long term pairing!

 

[adrianr]

The clean sheet was kept by Milner and Barry. It was hardly a testing exercise for our back line. Especially given Zab and Kola were almost always in and around Sunderlands box. Even set piece deliveries were weak. Micah made some good decisions on when to come out and intercept, something Kompany has been getting wrong time and time again, but again, not much pressure, it was easy enough pickings.

 

[Stoned Rose]

For me:

Zabaleta Richards Kompany Clichy

Strength, pace, versatility and timing.

Richards...................Kompany....................Lescott................Clichy.

However I think a CB pairing of Richards and Kompany could well be the long term pairing!

That line up, with Milner, Barry and Yaya in front helping to protect them = clean sheets galore.

 

[Blue Bowler]

Zab Kompany Richards Lesscott

 

[Anonymous]

Against teams where we see a lot of the ball.

Zab....VK.....JL.....GC.


Against teams where we see less of the ball.

MR....VK....MN....GC.

 

[Anonymous]

I havent a clue myself, glad im not a manager. We need to get kompany back to form and leaving him out wont help, although if its not broken, dont fix and saturday looked a solid defensive performance.

 

[dom]

The clean sheet was kept by Milner and Barry. It was hardly a testing exercise for our back line. Especially given Zab and Kola were almost always in and around Sunderlands box. Even set piece deliveries were weak. Micah made some good decisions on when to come out and intercept, something Kompany has been getting wrong time and time again, but again, not much pressure, it was easy enough pickings.

Post of the thread
Totally agree

 

[Tricky_Trev]

Four strangers from the crowd could have been selected a couple of minutes before kick off to be our back four on Saturday, and they would have kept a clean sheet.

 

[xbuddyx]

Was a pure joy to behold Micah giving it 200%. Having the workrate of Tevez in the offense, Milner in the center pitch and Micah in the defense could work wounders in a team with so much individual skill. Could really see Micahs eyes almost glowing with determination to make it back to the starting team.

 

[kun1]

from now on i'd pick zabaleta-micah-vinnie-clichy and nastasic as the first backup to micah and vinnie(the same things about his form were said same time last year but he ended up with the best player of the season award-for me he is the best cb in the world.)I just don't rate lescott for me he is too slow and im now sure mancini doesn't rate him that much too.

 

[Mr. Aguia]

Richards..........kompany...........lescott...........clichy

I am sure that will be most people's choice- probably mine as well. But I do think Mancini has lost some confidence in Lescott...

I disagree. I think the media has made too much of it. If he had lost faith in him he'd be on the bench. He didn't play in the CL games because Real and Dortmund have a ton of pace and Mancini was worried he'd get burned.

 

[Akira]

Zab Kompany Richards Lesscott

What.

 

[Nelly's Left Foot]

I am a big Lescott fan but putting him in at left back has to be a joke!

And our best has to include Micah as right back how ever good Zaba has been but I also agree with the posters who talk as much if not more about how the midfield is made up as anything else.Having the right balance in the team and that means cover for the defence is key to keeping clean sheets.