Zonal

[James P]

I'm starting to think that our defence was so drilled in zonal marking by Rafa (and despite the pundits all jumping on the bandwagon to criticise it, it actually worked very well) that now that we appear to have abandoned it our defence has no clue what they are doing. I struggle to think of another reason why Agger, Skrtel & Carragher have all appeared so clueless this season. Even last season, while we were poor, we didn't concede many goals. This year, bar some poor finishing and Reina's brilliance, our goal difference would be catastrophic.

Let's hope that Steve Clarke can do something to sort it out, as I'm genuinely beginning to worry about our survival prospects.

[-V-]

But our defence was crap last season too

[MrMichael]

It wasn't though really, was it.

Played 38, conceded 35 (Gd +26), we had the clear 3rd best defence in the league behind Chelsea and ManU.

This year so far - played 20, conceded 27 (Gd -3), we've let in more than Birmingham, Stoke, Everton and Fulham to name but 4.

[Will]

Previous seasons our defence has been fine, brilliant in fact. I would keep zonal marking, it's what they are used too.

[Craig_H]

How about we just get rafa back?

[Will]

How about we just get rafa back?

Mascherano on loan from Barca as he cant get a game to sit infront of back four!

[Craig_H]

Barca played a home cuptie 1st leg tonight against Betis from the 2nd division and Mascherano didnt get a game. You know why?

Cos Guardiola picked his first choice lineup

[Will]

poor Masch! even his wikipedia page as him in a Liverpool top, he's not been seen in a Barca one

[Charly]

The only thing we did different to most teams was zonal for set pieces.

I think all other teams play zonal in open play, so thats not an issue. I think we miss a holding player protecting the back 4.

[James P]

The only thing we did different to most teams was zonal for set pieces.

I think all other teams play zonal in open play, so thats not an issue. I think we miss a holding player protecting the back 4.

Really? I thought the whole reason for the criticism was that we were the only people using zonal? I don't recall any other teams using it, although I'm happy to be corrected.

[Exiled_red]

The main time we used Zonal marking was at set pieces, the problem yesterday was from open play the defence was all over the place.

[the rev leeroy brown]

zonal and man marking is a "moo" point at present as it is our general defending in open play that scares the **** out of me. utter garbage wouldnt be an over exaggeration to describe our defending this year.

[Fredo]

It didn't help when players had to 're-learn' how to set up defensively when Hodgson arrived. It would have been better to keep the same system then try to change it gradually if ever there needed a reason. In fact, we had a fantastic defensive record under Rafa and things didn't need to be changed. Any decent manager worth his salt should have been able to implement zonal marking, no matter what would have been his preferences on the matter.

I've seen signs that we can still defend very well at Old Trafford on Sunday. Last night we lost the ball while in an attacking position, then they ripped through us and the second goal was just appalling defending and lack of concentration. The sheer fact that we're pressing all over the pitch has turned us into defending better as a team. It will improve.

[James P]

zonal and man marking is a "moo" point

I think you meant 'moot' point.

Isn't the fact that our defending is, as you rightly say, utter garbage, a consequence of dicking around with defensive systems and players not understanding what they are meant to be doing?

[James P]

It didn't help when players had to 're-learn' how to set up defensively when Hodgson arrived. It would have been better to keep the same system then try to change it gradually if ever there needed a reason. In fact, we had a fantastic defensive record under Rafa and things didn't need to be changed. Any decent manager worth his salt should have been able to implement zonal marking, no matter what would have been his preferences on the matter.