The defending this season

[madaboutlfc]

is actually worse than Rafas first.. We are conceding some stupid goals from some stupid freekicks being conceded by giving stupid f***ing fouls.. How to we resolve this pandemich which has spread through the squad.. Its so f***ing depressing

[Dan]

Skrtel can't f*cking jump

[mally]

There's no defending this season.

[madaboutlfc]

he was quite commanding till his jaw problem at spurs..

[muleskinner]

is actually worse than Rafas first.. We are conceding some stupid goals from some stupid freekicks being conceded by giving stupid f***ing fouls.. How to we resolve this pandemich which has spread through the squad.. Its so f***ing depressing

 

Carra and Agger together next game goes a long way to fixing it.

[Paddy T.]

he was quite commanding till his jaw problem at spurs..

 

I actually thought that too, sort of gives you the impression hes lost his "virginity" after knowing what can happen ...

Edited November 9, 2009 by Paddy T.

[Conrad]

Two words.

 

Sami Hyypia

[Loblaw]

The defence aint that bad i don't think. Defending set pieces is a collective responsibility. And you'd think with all 11 in our own box we could at least have a man on either post. But you wonder does having everyone back just cause more confusion because the opposition can afford to throw more people in?

 

But it does seem to be the same people not winning that all important ball, Carra, Skrtel, Insua probably the main culprits. You wonder where the likes of Johnson, Gerrard and Kuyt are? Those guys should be winning their fair share of aerial ball, but they don't, at either end.

Edited November 9, 2009 by Loblaw

[pipnasty]

I really feel for Insua at the moment too. He's doing his best but he could do with being rested for a bit - except we have nobody else.

[Gerrardrules]

Two words.

 

Sami Hyypia

 

We should get him back.

[Jarg Armani]

skrtel very poor again. second goal is another blue moon one.

 

can't believe we conceded two to them regardless.

 

gutted there's 2 weeks of s***storm now. does anyone know any good websites i can spend my time on?

[Benzo-13]

We should get him back.

Cost a packet. Best defender in Bundesliga.

[Loblaw]

skrtel very poor again. second goal is another blue moon one.

 

can't believe we conceded two to them regardless.

 

gutted there's 2 weeks of s***storm now. does anyone know any good websites i can spend my time on?

 

fantasti

Edited November 9, 2009 by Loblaw

[Moe Szyslak]

I thought our most pressing concern for the January window was backup for Torres but as this season goes on it's becoming more apparent a dominant centrehalf is what we need, someone like Cahill or Kjaer, anyone that's dominant ion the air wold be an improvement

[Loblaw]

There's this greek bloke. Great in the air.

 

The problem is, when Carra is eligible, he'll play again, so no matter how good the other guy is, Carra will get targeted when he plays.

 

But on the whole, in open play anyway, Skrtel and Agger take care of themselves fairly well.

[Spike]

Two words.

 

Sami Hyypia

 

Can I add, attack the ball, rather than trying to play the man

[mick]

is actually worse than Rafas first.. We are conceding some stupid goals from some stupid freekicks being conceded by giving stupid f***ing fouls.. How to we resolve this pandemich which has spread through the squad.. Its so f***ing depressing

 

We are defending very poorly. My biggest concern is its not down to individual howlers. We are defending very poorly as a team and the back 4 as a unit. It's like something was changed on the training ground in preseason that hasn't worked but hasn't been dealt with.

 

Our full backs are now good (excellent in the case of GJ) going forward but we are all over the place defensively. Nowt got a clue what it is or how to fix it but we need to and fast.....!!

[Moe Szyslak]

The problem with the Greek guy is he isn't good enough outside of being good in the air, I'm saying we need someone who is both

[Spike]

I really feel for Insua at the moment too. He's doing his best but he could do with being rested for a bit - except we have nobody else.

 

Irwin's highly rated isn't he?

 

He's always looked ok when I've seen him.

 

Undoubtedly needs experience though.

[Maldini]

It's not the players, they're good enough as individuals, they're jsut not adjusting to the system. We're getting caught on the break WAY too often, that and our softness at set-pieces are crippling us at the moment.

[Red Kent]

Two new full backs and no settled middle two all season is the main reason.

[Gilps]

I really feel for Insua at the moment too. He's doing his best but he could do with being rested for a bit - except we have nobody else.

 

Aye. Trouble is even if we can get Aurelio or Dossena fit, we'd probably need them at left mid now, what with Riera and Benayoun both being injured. We're going to have to stick with the lad for the forseeable.

[Kite]

I don't what to pick on Insua either, he's progressed fantastically and looks to have a great future, but he is also the real weak point in the back four at the moment and definitely could do with some rotation, and just some more time out of the spotlight. Could we give Agger a spell there occasionally?

[stressederic]

Annoyingly I keep falling into the same trap. Everytime we go 1-0 up (including last night) I automatically think 'excellent, that's this game won then' and then get caught out when we inevitably concede. I'm beginning to look back on the days of simple 1-0 wins even more fondly.

[Leo No.8]

Skrtel (who I had thought a lot of) worries me a lot, his form has been poor this year. We look susceptible when he plays.

 

I think he has the ability but confidence is a factor and also his decision making looks extremely questionable at times.

 

I beleive he is overly aggressive when not in a position to win the ball so gives away needless free kicks and allows himself to be dragged out of position, but then not aggressive enough attacking the ball in the air.

 

Skrtel should have done more to win that second header for their goal.

 

Its a good example of him not being aggressive and strong enough aerially; even if he couldn't win it cleanly he should at least have got a piece of the header and not allowed the ball to be flicked into the six yard box for a headed tap in.

 

Also the fact that with the size of him I can't remember one single occasion since he's been at the club where he's threatened going forward from a set piece suggests he isn't attacking the ball at all well.

 

I wonder whether his recent facial injuries are making him tentative attacking the aerial ball. If so this is a major problem; centre halves have to be very aggressive attacking the ball in English football or you're going to concede all the time.