Dejan Lovren

[The_weatherman]

Not sure what it is.

Are we just developing more athletic CBs that don't read the game as well and rely on their athleticism to make up for mistakes?

Is the holding midfielder position vanishing? Real don't exactly play with a top class holding midfielder currently and it doesn't affect them.

Have modern tactics/formations become so focussed on attacking play that maybe defenders have just become too exposed. Certainly see that with full backs with their attacking prowess seemingly more important than being able to actually defend.

I think playing without a DM is fine if you're attack is good enough, us last season, Barca, Madrid, or if you have complete midfielders like Yaya Toure last season. Chelsea have Matic who defensive enough probably, but if you don't win enough tackles/interceptions in midfield you'll expose your defence. And if you play with attacking fullback the problem is bigger, or what?

[kev776]

I think full backs are also far more important than some imagine, if they go galloping off down the wing and the expected midfield cover is non existent, the gaps left to exploit for a good counterattacking team are huge.

Set piece play can also be a nightmare with the likes of Johnson who is normally missing at corners or who just refuses to jump or challenge when necessary.

Until we get settled fullbacks, we will struggle with whoever is played centrally.

[The_weatherman]

I think full backs are also far more important than some imagine, if they go galloping off down the wing and the expected midfield cover is non existent, the gaps left to exploit for a good counterattacking team are huge.

Set piece play can also be a nightmare with the likes of Johnson who is normally missing at corners or who just refuses to jump or challenge when necessary.

Until we get settled fullbacks, we will struggle with whoever is played centrally.

Settled fullbacks and midfield protection IMO, Gerrard isn't on the top 50 list for tackles and interceptions..........

[McDermotX]

Good lad.

[danperkins]

Well done, nowhere the the first goal but a brilliant header and won us the game. Balo & Lovren scoring...wellllll

[kubrickscube]

Don't reckon anyone could've done more for their goal today. Whisper it quietly, but he's getting better. Goal will do him good

[G]

He's a defender and he's still **** at it. Good goal though. Keeper awful thankfully.

[danperkins]

Was asleep for their goal but scored a great header. But yeah he's kind of **** alright

[DannyMan2006]

Don't reckon anyone could've done more for their goal today. Whisper it quietly, but he's getting better. Goal will do him good

He wasn't tight enough. It was an individual error. I understand why he stood off, you don't expect that sort of quality from Emnes. But most players will get one right every once in a while. He shouldn't have allowed that opportunity to get lucky.

His goal will do wonders for him though.

[Pablo]

He was definitely at fault (not the only one) for their goal, caught napping, but at least he's a goal threat! He should score 7/8 this season really.

[wiw]

I think it's harsh to blame him for their goal. What was Toure doing? The goal came from his side. Lovren could have covered a bit better maybe but I'd pin it in Toure first and foremost. But then that's just, like, my opinion, man.

[Scratch]

Kinda agree...Toure was the right sided CB, so should have had that covered. Or are we expecting Lovren to not only man his own position, but cover Kolo as well?

[meffin]

isn't that what's expected of anybody who plays alongside Toure?

[RedReet]

If you watch the goal again, a few seconds before, Kolo is calling Lovren back, telling him to watch Emnes. He then goes to the ball (which in hindsight was a bad idea as we were still well covered), so when that gets past him, Emnes is left in space, with Lovren daydreaming, which is why Kolo holds his hands up in disbelief. If Lovren wasn't going to close the man himself, he should have at least called Kolo back. Poor defending.

[Scratch]

If you watch the goal again, a few seconds before, Kolo is calling Lovren back, telling him to watch Emnes. He then goes to the ball (which in hindsight was a bad idea as we were still well covered), so when that gets past him, Emnes is left in space, with Lovren daydreaming, which is why Kolo holds his hands up in disbelief. If Lovren wasn't going to close the man himself, he should have at least called Kolo back. Poor defending.

Or he just didn't hear Kolo? Kolo's man, Kolo's mistake.