Whats happened to our defence?

I do always wonder if attacking coaches come in and have a good few years after a good defensive coach sets them up with a good defence, but then over the years as the previous coaches defence gets on and his style gets further and further in the past the defending seems to suffer.

Wenger being considered a classic example.

You can see it with Martinez at Everton too Saf.

For us, its essentially down to the contrasting way we set up under Pellegrini compared to Mancini. Although both employ the same players and pretty much the same formation, we are ten yards higher up the pitch under Pellegrini and try to press whereas under Mancini it was all about rigidity of shape.

It relies a lot on discipline in the CMs and getting the right balance. That is what an on song Toure gives - a team like Arsenal can't solely focus on Silva when there is a marauding Toure to deal with too.

The other player that is out at the mo and is also highly missed is Nasri due to both his work in retaining possession and also how he covers when we don't have the ball.

Give it a few weeks with everyone back and Kompany fully fit again and I'm sure the defence will start to shore up again.

Yeah Martinez is a good example of it as well, I also agree that injuries and players not fully fit is a great excuse for conceding

Nasri Is one that took a bit of time to settle, he wasn't spectacular at first but once he settled he's become a pretty good player for you, well worth a first team spot.

I don't think Fernandinho's quite hit the heights of last season, and Fernando has blown hot and cold too. Past few years we've been really strong in central midfield, probably as weak as we have been right now for a while.

By that, I'm saying it's our squad as much as t is a tactical issue saf. We rely on certain individuals way too much. It's still a criticism rather than an excuse!

The wink was referring to our own defensive problems rather than yours, I'm not really in a position for a dig. With Toure getting on that'll be some big shoes to fill. Although you did get a really good European result without him.

comment by gratedbean (U4885)
posted 2 hours, 25 minutes ago
Yep fully brick it any time the opposition get a free kick within about 50 yards.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Confusedbean,
Glad to see that you have emerged from hiding.
Have you, by any chance, seen YAYA?

Ah gotcha! Yep I agree, think a defender will be high on the list of lvgs priorities for the summer even without the injuries.

Emerged from hiding? If that's what you call having a job and paying taxes you workshy twunt!

Comment Deleted by Site Moderator