Centre Backs

[magneto]

Two world-class ones needed urgently.

[Ethan]

They have lost their way since we lost the protection of Mascherano -

 

Can we have Rafa back as defensive coach?

[CarraLegend]

Who has two world class centre backs? Barca? Man Utd dont anymore. Anyone else?

 

One really good one would be a start.

[Beardsley]

Was Agger injured? Thought Kenny would change Skrtel with Kyrgiakos and was surprised when it was Agger who had to go.

[Ethan]

Agger went off with illness but I remember seeing him stretching during the first half

[épieur]

Who has two world class centre backs? Barca? Man Utd dont anymore. Anyone else?

 

One really good one would be a start.

 

Yup.

 

 

One really good centreback

 

one really good midfielder

 

one really gode wide player

 

a good striker.

 

Are our main priorities right now that have to be addressed in this and the next window and will require big money and a sharp eye for the right players to fix. Then we can look at a leftback, another centreback and probably another midfielder and wide player as well once that's taken care of.

 

 

[Minder78]

Skertl looks like a terminator but I reality plays like a clown.

[magneto]

Mertesacker and ...

[CarraLegend]

Mertesacker and ...

 

The hype about him baffles me, Werders defence is an absolute embarrassment and while one man cant be responsible for all of it it doesnt reflect well on him.

[New York Red]

Mertesacker and ...

 

Subotic.

[guernseygareth]

skrtel is our weak link - his bravery and effort can not mask his technical and tactical misgivings.

 

first half kuyt & kelly were pleading with him to bring the ball out when it was clear his natural instinct was to hoof it long - then he seemed to keep taking pointless 2 yard free-kicks, receiving the ball back immediately & now under pressure, when he could have punted it long. though to be fair that may have been due to us being so narrow with 5 outfield players all looking to cut inside!

[Mike]

Anyone have any idea how many goals and points that inept t*** skrtel has cost us?

[alias75]

When we had Mascherano the back 4 was protected so well and very often Pepe would only have 1 or maybe 2 real saves to make each game, With Masch gone we need defenders that are more capable in those 1 on 1 situations and we desperately need someone that's dominant in the air. Even when we defended well under Rafa, Skrtel looked dodgy, hes never been dominant in the air and loses far too many headers in key positions.

 

Its a tough position to fill but i do think we need to look at someone thats used to the league and can cope with the physicality and more aerial bombardment you face here. Someone like Cahill i guess is the obvious choice hes quick and despite being just over 6ft is very strong in the air. One other possible is maybe Collicini hes someone we were linked with before he came to Newcastle and after a shaky start has looked really good the last 2 seasons. Hes strong in the air and decent on the ball.

 

But if we are going to play a bit more offensive style you need defenders that can cope in those 1 on 1 situations pace is a necessity and we badly lack that at the moment.

[realtarragona]

Skrtelis is f***ing garbage

 

I hope dalglish was just reeling names off without much thought including him as one of our better players recently. Needs f***ing off asap

[Mike]

He's a total s***house

[Elm0]

Was Agger injured? Thought Kenny would change Skrtel with Kyrgiakos and was surprised when it was Agger who had to go.

 

This was my exact thinking. We dont need two world class CB;s either. Agger needs to become the main man in there. He brings so much attacking wise to compliment his solidity in defence. Need a Hyypia like character to play beside him and the defence would be sturdier. As has been mentioned I reckon Masch leaving has made the defence look a lot weaker, as he no doubt hid a lot of the problems last season by playing in his style.

[doug_mac]

we are piss poor at the back

 

skrtel and agger dont do the basics like heading out corners and free kicks

 

skrtel should be binned asap hes a disaster

[Foo]

This was my exact thinking. We dont need two world class CB;s either. Agger needs to become the main man in there. He brings so much attacking wise to compliment his solidity in defence. Need a Hyypia like character to play beside him and the defence would be sturdier. As has been mentioned I reckon Masch leaving has made the defence look a lot weaker, as he no doubt hid a lot of the problems last season by playing in his style.

 

Ah but it is quite obvious that you can't rely on Agger to play week in, week out. 6 years have proven that.

[Earl Hafler]

He's a total s***house

 

Even closes his eyes when crosses come in.

 

 

Offer him in part exchange for someone much better

[crisps]

I can't wait for the day when Skrtel, Kyrigakos and Kuyt are no longer on our books

[Nebraska Red]

Agger looks to be our "sick note".

 

he can look great at times, but we can never rely on him to be available for a run of games.

 

the constant changing of partners does nothing for stability.

 

we need a dominant center half for starters.

 

when Gerrard is back, I would like to see Raul or Lucas given the chance to play the Mascherano role.

[magneto]

To be fair agger was ill as opposed to another injury

[épieur]

To be fair agger was ill as opposed to another injury

he been that a fair few times as well.

 

I don't think he is a great concern with Carragher as 3rd choice to step in. But we desperately need a new 1st choice centreback.

 

 

[Gunga Din]

we must have one of the most expensively assembled backlines in Europe, and so far this season, our best defender is a kid coming out of the acadamy. we need a good centre half before we need a striker

[épieur]

Apparently Pepe wants out at Real.

 

If we're in the mood for blowing loads of cash, he'd be ideal. Terrific defender.