I'm very happy about the rebuild of our attack this summer and I'm convinced we will see a far more dynamic performance with the options we have.
It's seems though that was the priority and perhaps the defensive side of our plan has been a bit neglected. I can't stand Lovren but he had a point when he said you can't defend alone in a team. Most of our defenders have suffered as a result in that one individual error usually leads to a goal in our penalty area. We don't really defend that well as a team.
So this brings me on to Lucas, to me he's the only DM we have. He's also a top performer when fit but I feel that he's well down on those levels and I can't see him improving much in the next few years.
I hope there is still another player to come in in that area because we could be in for a white knuckle ride again next season.
What's my fellow fans view on the defensive side of the team?
Is Lucas still the man ?
posted on 28/7/15
comment by The Welsh Xavi (U15412)
posted 3 minutes ago
Likewise with the Giroud goal. He wasn't picked up by Toure and Gerrard was strolling back watching the ball, not keeping an eye on the run. Skrtel was front post trying to intercept the cross. Those behind him needed to do better.
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You might not say the first was his but he definitely played a part in the second. Gerrard was strolling back but Skrtel was actually occupying the space directly behind Toure so the cross would only have got to him in that position if it wa splayed at Toure and he missed the ball.
Link:
https://youtu.be/RLAETfuOK-I?t=3m2s
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got my Toure and Sakho mixed up I think.
But my point is more that its easy to pick up on individual mistakes in the team, but as a whole we have defended very poorly under BR. We don't necessarily need the best CBs in the world, but absolutely do need to see two of who we have actually form a partnership. Its worrying that we haven't managed that.
As for Lucas, I think there's definitely a place for him in the team as I feel a DM is imperative to help cover once Moreno and Clyne join in with the attack. I do feel we could've strengthened in many defensive areas this year.
posted on 28/7/15
John Terry looked whack under Capello.
We play the way we play but really our system suits exceptional midfielders who are very comfortable in possession. Very.
We don't really have that and she it doesn't stick within two passes the cb's are in a 1 on 1 situation or worse.
posted on 28/7/15
Can as a DM is one of the worse solutions i could think of Positionally he isnt great and he also switches off when he's not on the ball. He should play as box-to-box imo
Anyway...its all down to tactics more than anything else. Couple bad tactics with terrible players. Skrtel is average, Lovren is gash, Sakho still has a lot to prove but is the best of a bad bad bunch. A quality DM will help but Rodgers also needs to tweak his tactics. We had it for a short while (even if it was against some weak teams), where Hendo & Allen/Lucas where more disciplined in their positioning and movement.
I honestly see something similar with Milner & Hendo.
posted on 28/7/15
But my point is more that its easy to pick up on individual mistakes in the team, but as a whole we have defended very poorly under BR. We don't necessarily need the best CBs in the world, but absolutely do need to see two of who we have actually form a partnership. Its worrying that we haven't managed that.
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Very true and whilst attack was definetly the priority this year, I am worried that once again we'll concede 50+ goals which really does need to be sorted out. Clyne should help but it's still a big problem we have as a team. Plus I never wanted to come across as saying Skrtel is terrible cause he's not, it's just I think he's not good enough to be a mainstay in a top four side which is what we want to be.
posted on 28/7/15
comment by The Welsh Xavi (U15412)
posted 47 minutes ago
But my point is more that its easy to pick up on individual mistakes in the team, but as a whole we have defended very poorly under BR. We don't necessarily need the best CBs in the world, but absolutely do need to see two of who we have actually form a partnership. Its worrying that we haven't managed that.
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Very true and whilst attack was definetly the priority this year, I am worried that once again we'll concede 50+ goals which really does need to be sorted out. Clyne should help but it's still a big problem we have as a team. Plus I never wanted to come across as saying Skrtel is terrible cause he's not, it's just I think he's not good enough to be a mainstay in a top four side which is what we want to be.
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He was a mainstay in a title challenging side and coveted by the eventual winners.
posted on 28/7/15
He was a mainstay in a title challenging side and coveted by the eventual winners.
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And in Hodgson/kenny season when we finished 6th, then Kenny season when we finished 8th and finally the season just gone when we finished 6th. What's your point?
posted on 28/7/15
comment by The Welsh Xavi (U15412)
posted 12 minutes ago
He was a mainstay in a title challenging side and coveted by the eventual winners.
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And in Hodgson/kenny season when we finished 6th, then Kenny season when we finished 8th and finally the season just gone when we finished 6th. What's your point?
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My point is you were wrong. As I stated, he was the mainstay in a title challenging team, therefore proving your comment wrong when you stated that he isn't good enough to be a mainstay in a top four team. I then added that the eventual winners of the league wanted to sign him.
posted on 28/7/15
Also this point about him scoring goals somehow elevating him in the minds of some people is ridiculous. He's scored about 20 goals in over 300 games.
posted on 28/7/15
Man city didn't want him the year of the title challenge Toor, don't distort facts, they wanted him after Kenny was sacked
They bought someone else and went on to have a more solid defence in the next three years.
And since when has man city wanting a player been a barometer of how good they are? Was jo or Robinho good enough for a title challenging team? City wanted and got them both!
posted on 28/7/15
comment by Insert random username (U10647)
posted 53 seconds ago
Man city didn't want him the year of the title challenge Toor, don't distort facts, they wanted him after Kenny was sacked
They bought someone else and went on to have a more solid defence in the next three years.
And since when has man city wanting a player been a barometer of how good they are? Was jo or Robinho good enough for a title challenging team? City wanted and got them both!
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I never said they wanted him the year they won the title. You're arguing against a point I never made.