our defence

[badpiggy]

not moaning but i reckon our defensive problems this year are down to a few things:

1. Carra is having a bad season and we have no quality back up.
2. It's basically a new defense.
3. Agger's injury problems/bad luck mean we are seriously unsettled.
4. Sorry but skrtel is ****.
5. Insua had a lot to learn about defending. See point 2.
6. WE ****IN MISS SAMI!!! you can't underestimate the value of an older calmer head in a defense.

[ronniedrew]

the pace of the cb's when agger is not there is poor.

masch feels like he needs to be more of a playmaker (with alonso gone) and plays further up the pitch

but the main reason we are conceding is defending set pieces, this year, the concentration at set pieces as been abysmal

[Exiled_red]

Carragher and Agger should be our first choice centre backs, they are our best partnership. We need Carragher in the centre to organise things. Skrtel looked good last season but has really been struggling this season. A good defence is built on a centre back pairing.

The constant changing of our defence means there is a lack of understanding in there, as this season we have played, Johnson, Kelly, Carragher, Agger, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Ayala, Insua and Aurelio. Our defence was strong when we had a settled lineup

[Shaggy]

Is it me or have Carra & Agger - our first choice CBs - played together just once (Man United)? Plus 5 minutes today?

[Exiled_red]

Is it me or have Carra & Agger - our first choice CBs - played together just once (Man United)? Plus 5 minutes today?

I think that's right

[CJ]

every time our defense has changed we have palyed poorly. ie our draws last season early on where when we where chopping and changing the defense due to injuries.

so once its settled we will be fine. it is a worry though.

[greenbloodred]

Zonal defending is also being seriously exposed from set-pieces.

[Kenneth]

No idea what happened to the promising skrtel but he is no where near good enough at the moment. The Greek was always intended as a fourth choice option and is decent enough for that role.

[CJ]

it isnt zonal defending that is hte problem.

Garry Mac was saying at the end of the game that zonal defending had nothing to do with the goal we conceded. it was bad defending.

many successful teams play zonal. in fact the reality is most play a mixture of zonal and man to man.

[Bender]

Says it All

[Chris]

I think we'll be alright defensively, but its relying on two crocks to stay fit which isnt good really.

I think Insua is the only defender we've got who hasnt been injured or banned this season which is just astonishing.

Johnson - In and out due to injury
Kelly - Comes in, plays great gets injured
Degen - Had a spell injured
The Greek - Had a spell injured
Skrtel - Had a spell injured
Carragher - Banned for a game
Agger - In and out due to injury
Aurelio - In and out due to injury, just when you think he'll play at left back all the midfielders are injured so he has to move forward.

Then theres all the injuries futher forward, Gerrard, Torres, Benayoun, Riera, its just ****ing mad. Not that thats an excuse for leaving people like Adebayor completely unmarked about 8 yards out, but bloody hell give us some luck, please!!!

[red g]

Is it me or have Carra & Agger - our first choice CBs - played together just once (Man United)? Plus 5 minutes today?

what about Johnson and Aurelio our first choice full backs have they even played together yet?

obviously our first choice centre mid of Aquiliani and Masher havent started once tgether.

Torres and Gerrard? not to many either

Its a ****ing nightmare

[tiktu]

Adebuyer's goal was plain bad defending, Skrtel and Carra followed same man for a while and Skrtel gave chance for header. I am curious though why don't we have on posts?

[ronniedrew]

No idea what happened to the promising skrtel but he is no where near good enough at the moment. The Greek was always intended as a fourth choice option and is decent enough for that role.

Skyrtl hasnt got a footballing brain imo. he is not an "intelligent" footballer

he is not clever enough about when to challenge and when to bide your time. putting a 50 50 ball in is like a waving a red flag at a bull. he will go for the challenge every time. i really do hate seeing him go for challenges in the box, piss myself every time

his distribution is woeful, our build up from the back is really, really poor, pepe is the best passer out of the back 5 that finished the game today, carra, skyrtl & the greek just brick themselves when having to pass the ball.

i dont mean to knock skrytl but agger is far better and is a clever player, hope him and carra get games together soon

[Exiled_red]

Zonal defending is also being seriously exposed from set-pieces.

The problem isn't with the system, it's the way it's carried out by the players. The same system worked well last year

it isnt zonal defending that is hte problem.

Garry Mac was saying at the end of the game that zonal defending had nothing to do with the goal we conceded. it was bad defending.

many successful teams play zonal. in fact the reality is most play a mixture of zonal and man to man.