Leader in the back line

[dww]

Already have one, Agger is captain of denmark, when ppl **** up back there he is always on their case. I think the blotches in the defensive game this season can be attributed mainly to teething problems with Rodgers approach to the game. If agger has a weakness it is his tendency to sometimes try and do too much himself, Thus getting drawn out of position.

I think that is a big problem if he is the one organising the defence.

It is perfectly possible that you are right and all we need is time to adapt to a particular defensive system, we have changed more or less every season of late. On the other hand the solidity of Agger and Skrtel as a pair seems to always depend on the midfield in front of them. I worry that it isn't the right blend and we lack the sort of defender who dominates that area of the pitch. Whether that is a lack of leadership or particular footballing qualities (such as being a real aerial presence) I couldn't be sure of.

[Chris]

Dunno about a shouter but would like someone a bit more dominant physically, at least for some games, yard dogs have had a bit to much joy against us this season.

[Corndog]

I think that is a big problem if he is the one organising the defence.

It is perfectly possible that you are right and all we need is time to adapt to a particular defensive system, we have changed more or less every season of late. On the other hand the solidity of Agger and Skrtel as a pair seems to always depend on the midfield in front of them. I worry that it isn't the right blend and we lack the sort of defender who dominates that area of the pitch. Whether that is a lack of leadership or particular footballing qualities (such as being a real aerial presence) I couldn't be sure of.

I'd slide towards particular footballing qualities, we could definitely improve aerially as you mention, we were so poor against stoke for this reason. i also agree about their dependence on the midfielders, their performance has most likely been affected by a lack of adequate cover at times when we have been hit fast on the counter and a fullback or two has been stuck up field.

Perhaps if Lucas gets back to his best this will change, but equally i think Gerrard will and has to realise his role within the team has changed, for years we have relied on his goals to get us through many a game but now we need his defensive and passing ability as a deep lying midfielder more, and this will require more positional discipline imo, as neither him nor Lucas are very pacey now.

[el matador]

Every team needs an organiser to get the lines right especially when defending.

Look at puyol at Barcelona, by far their worst player technically but always there for leadership, organisation and fight.

You need these players in the team. Carra is from the same cloth

[dww]

We've been waiting for years for Gerrard to work out how to defend responsibly, I don't see it happening now. I think long term we need a backup/deputy/challenger for the Lucas spot if we continue with Agger and Skrtel at CB.

The lack of pace issue can be handled by changes in how people interact - i.e. under Dalglish the tactic seemed to be to let Lucas drop in to cover a CB slot and the nearest CB was released to chase/cover attackers.

[el matador]

We've been waiting for years for Gerrard to work out how to defend responsibly, I don't see it happening now. I think long term we need a backup/deputy/challenger for the Lucas spot if we continue with Agger and Skrtel at CB.

The lack of pace issue can be handled by changes in how people interact - i.e. under Dalglish the tactic seemed to be to let Lucas drop in to cover a CB slot and the nearest CB was released to chase/cover attackers.

I think gerrards attacking instincts will always make him vulnerable defensively so having Lucas and Henderson there is a good insurance policy. I don't think were short of pace though.

As long as we have enough players willing to take responsibility defensively on the pitch we can be more fluid. I.e. if CB drops out wide, and Lucas drops into CB role, Henderson then has to drop into the Lucas position so that the centre of defence isn't exposed to midfield runners.

Just needs people tactically clever and with awareness to see what gaps need plugging and how.

[BootRoom]

He's right we do need someone.

id be tempted to switch to a back three with carra in there. He's so important to the team because of his constant awareness and organisation of players, positions. He can also help the midfield and the younger players in the team.

Agger seems to me the type to get on with his own game and skrtel still looks very shaky at times.

Yes, introduce weakness into the centre of defence just to take advantage of mythical 'organisation' skills. Genius.

[G]

Its been mentioned on twitter by known bull****ters but also by one reliable chap that we are looking for a commanding centre half and if we get one Skrtel will be the one to go.

[BootRoom]

Its been mentioned on twitter by known bull****ters but also by one reliable chap that we are looking for a commanding centre half and if we get one Skrtel will be the one to go.

IF true that would be a change of direction from Rodgers, as Agger appeared to be the expendable one. Dropping Srktel for the Norwich game after he was our best defender vs. the mancs can be interpreted in several ways, one of which could be that he's on the chopping block.

[G]

IF true that would be a change of direction from Rodgers, as Agger appeared to be the expendable one. Dropping Srktel for the Norwich game after he was our best defender vs. the mancs can be interpreted in several ways, one of which could be that he's on the chopping block.

Agger was the one we had offers for, hence the one that looked like being sold.

I agree with Chris and Dww above, our solidity at the back seems to depend on which midfielders are in front of them and We have been bullied a couple of times by centre forwards who really shouldn't get the better of 2 "world class" centre halves.

They've both been dodgy at times this season, both had mistakes fully punished against United and not for the first time.

That said the replacement appears to be Ashley Williams so can't say I'm sold on that one.

[BootRoom]

Agger was the one we had offers for, hence the one that looked like being sold.

Hhmm, you think we've had offers in for Skrtel on the quiet, hence he could now be the one that's off? As soon as Rodgers was appointed he was banging on about how important it was to retain the services of our better players, and he mentioned Srktel specifically (amongst others).

Agger was the one we had offers for, hence the one that looked like being sold.

I agree with Chris and Dww above, our solidity at the back seems to depend on which midfielders are in front of them and We have been bullied a couple of times by centre forwards who really shouldn't get the better of 2 "world class" centre halves.

They've both been dodgy at times this season, both had mistakes fully punished against United and not for the first time.

That's just common sense though; If the defence is well protected it's bound to look more secure than a unit that comes under more pressure and has to battle a lot more. We are less compact and a lot more open than in the defensive 'nirvana' of Rafa and his disciplined banks of four, so it's inevitable that we look more vulnerable.

On the physical side, we haven't had a dominating regular CB since Hyypia, and it's a big weakness. Even when somebody as limited Kyrgiakos came on the pitch he made a big difference in terms of being able to dominate a centre-forward and head opposing goalkicks straight back up the pitch. Skrtel has improved in this area, but we are still lacking, and although he does battle, Agger will never be regarded as outstanding in the air.

[el matador]

Yes, introduce weakness into the centre of defence just to take advantage of mythical 'organisation' skills. Genius.

we need more leadership on the pitch because Gerrard isn't a talker. Carra though is but he can't play in a two but in a three he would be ok.

[Alex]

Why do we need more leadership? I think we are doing just fine at the moment.

[RichC]

Why do we need more leadership? I think we are doing just fine at the moment.

We need to work on our system and style of play which IMO seem to be improving as the season has progressed

[BootRoom]

we need more leadership on the pitch because Gerrard isn't a talker. Carra though is but he can't play in a two but in a three he would be ok.

Hhmm, you are conceding that Carragher couldn't cope in the current system, so it must be changed to accommodate him, thus introducing something new that would be prone to teething troubles - i.e. more opportunity for mistakes and lack of cohesion. Not to mention the short term nature of this venture; we play 3 at the back until Carragher retires and then switch back to 4 at the back, is that it?

Then there are his playing weakness - lack of pace, lack of stature, limited technical ability, that will have to be compensated for in some way, most notably by sitting deeper and making the whole game easier for our opponents and also lumbers the CBs on either side with the added responsibility of covering the middle - even though we'll have a man there. And this does nothing for our weakness in the air.

And all of this will be compensated for by his 'leadership'?