Why is our defence so s***!!!

[Diggeragain]

For you tactical whizzes out there...

Individually and collectively we have been so poor this season. I know Insua's a liability, Skrtel and Jamie have not been good by their standards. But the way Wigan got that goal was frightening. We seem to be defending badly all over the pitch. For God's sake how can we go from a team with one of the best defences in the league to one that seems certain to concede virtually every game.

We know Rafa is a brilliant defensive coach - what has happened.

[Marky]

Insua is just utter ****e, full stop and i'm now starting to think Skrtel isn't up to it.

We can't just rely on Carragher as he's getting on and his form still isn't great so i say we need another two centre halfs and a left back.

[dww]

We seem to play in a way that requires players to be in tune collectively and we have rarely had a settled back four this season.

Key players have not had a run in the team for a long time (Agger in particular).

I also think as a team we are lacking in patience (and or a target man) and as a consequence play a lot of the game too deep. In addition to that we lack pace to worry teams into leaving players back to cover to allow us to come out more easily. As a consequence we tend to invite pressure especially when we lack confidence as individuals.

I think a lot of problems will fade away if we have a full squad consistently available.

[SK]

defence is not just about the 4 lads - 2 centerbacks and both fullbacks - it's a collective responsability, and the n'zogbia goal should have been prevented by a midfielder imo.

[Scratch]

defence is not just about the 4 lads - 2 centerbacks and both fullbacks - it's a collective responsability, and the n'zogbia goal should have been prevented by a midfielder imo.

How so?? He came in from the by line, and ran across the box...one of the defenders should have got that ball long before he passed it into the back of the net.

[Rich]

Cards on the table time - someone save this post and laugh at me when I'm proved wrong....

Our defense is **** because:

1. Skrtel is suffering from an appalling lack of form
2. Carragher is suffering from a lack of form and being shifted back and forth between CB and RB
3. Insua, may be a promising player, but he needs to be dropped and shouldn't be first choice.
4. Hyypia gone and NOT replaced
5. Agger out injured early part of season, only seems to be latterly getting his form back
6. Johnson a great attacking fullback, poor defender - shouldn't have been bought, and certainly shouldn't have been bought at £17m when we're skint
7. Too many changes in the backline, many enforced by injury, some tactical. We need a settled line-up.
8. Set-pieces - a disaster area.
9. Lack of height in the team overall, leaving us more vulnerable at set-pieces.
10. The Greek Chabal

[FatTony]

Johnson wants to attack too much and has no competition for his place.
Skrtel is average
Insua is a decent prospect but shouldn't take Aurelio's place unless injured
Carra has been declining over the last 2 years
Agger is our best defender and our future, but his injuries may hold him back from fulfilling his potential.

If Agger can stay fit then we must stay with Carra and Agger in the middle, Aurelio on the left. We desperately need some decent competition for Johnson.

[SK]

How so?? He came in from the by line, and ran across the box...one of the defenders should have got that ball long before he passed it into the back of the net.

all the players we had back were positioned between n'zogbia and the goal, imo one of the midfielders should be on a different line than our defenders to cut n'zogbia off

like this:

Carra----Škrtel----Agger----Insua

........................... N'zogbia......
Masch/Lucas

but they were all in the same line and no-one was able to cut him off as he went across the edge of the box.

[Daffy Duck]

Lucas was in there among the defenders, it was Skrtel who was missing

[Icon]

Lucas was the last man passed - he pulled away somewhat (if I remember) but NONE of our lads tried for the ball.

[el matador]

johnson can be accommodated because he is so good going forward. but there must be a balance on the left and insua isn't providing it. we have to remember he is only 19 but the boy doesn't know the basics of defending 1 on 1 or as part ofa unit.

we will continue to concede unless insua is taken out of the team. arbeloa would have been perfect on the left.

[Scratch]

Lucas was the last man passed - he pulled away somewhat (if I remember) but NONE of our lads tried for the ball.

Carra was the last man passed, NZogbia never reached Lucas, and shot between Carra and Lucas...but one of them two should have thrown their body in front of the ball i think.

[Paul12]

Carra was the last man passed, NZogbia never reached Lucas, and shot between Carra and Lucas...but one of them two should have thrown their body in front of the ball i think.

Lucas was I think turned sieways. I do not know whether there was a good reason for that or whether he got it wrong. But a bigger issue was that Insua showed him the inside but no onewas satisfactorily covering that possibility.

I agree it is all very scary.

[kev776]

Maybe the answer is Kelly, I dont know what he is like as a rightback, but Johnson should be moved to right midfield and Kuyt pushed forward to compete with Torres and Ngog. Maybe buy a rightback.

Aurelio should be first choice leftback with Insua as backup.

Carra and Agger as first choice centrebacks. Skittles seems to be way off form and lacks confidence, he is the worst offender for hoofing even when not under pressure.

All of out defenders need to go back to Melwood and concentrate on 2 things.

1. 5 aside football for hours everyday, this will give them more confidence with the bloody ball at their feet. pass and move, pass and move, control the ball, look and play, it isnt rocket science.

2. Tactics, how to defend properly at set-pieces, use the reserves and 2nd choice 11. Every aftenoon should be spent doing a couple of hours defending free kicks and corners.

Back to basics, get those right and the rest will follow.

How many of our defenders can chest a ball down, bring it under control and pass the bloody thing to feet.

[SK]

Lucas was I think turned sieways. I do not know whether there was a good reason for that or whether he got it wrong. But a bigger issue was that Insua showed him the inside but no onewas satisfactorily covering that possibility.

I agree it is all very scary.

my point exactly..a midfielder should be there to cover, but lucas just seemed to slot into the defence rather than put n'zogbia under pressure and cover insua. i'm not saying that its lucas' fault or anything, it all happend very fast, but our players should know better.