Anyone else struggling to remember when we last had a defence as solid as this one? Appreciate Rafa’s tactics may play a part but whenever one of our defenders gets the ball to their feet, they seem calm and composed and I don’t feel like we are about to make a blunder. It’s a nice feeling to have is confidence In a defensive unit.
We are very decent at the back. I think that's a little harsh on Yedlin. Admit defensively not as solid as the rest but I think he does a good job for us. His pace is a big asset.
We are better than we have been for years but there is always room for improvement. Some say it’s Dummett but I like Dummett.
But have to concede that we have been playing defensively and am worried as to the true effect on football. Much better to give it a go like Huddersfield and lose to Man City 6-1 and Chelsea 3-0 because that, at least, helps the great benefactor, Sky, and their viewing figures.
-6 goal difference is ****in fantastic seeing who we've played at this point. The goal conceded yesterday was fairly fortuitous aswell. People bang on about Rafa's ability to buy, yet that CB pairing yesterday were both players he'd bought this summer for a combined fee of 9m. Schar was on his first start wasn't he?
I have to disagree like, for me he’s one of our most consistent. I’ll accept that he isn’t world class, but we don’t have world class money to buy world class players. He’d be absolute dog **** if he wasn’t so darned ****ing quick (seriously is there another player who’s quicker)? He’s slowly becoming one of my favourite players, he gives the opposition a real problem down that side, his crossing is pretty decent. I think he’s settled into the team really well now and is head and shoulders above manpillow!
I know we're discussing defence, but I doubt anyone else would have had the pace to get to the ball to cut it back for Rondon to score
I too agree that Yedlin is a weak link at Defending. Gives his man far too much space and hopes his pace can get him out of trouble. Fernandez is turning out to be a great buy as I think Schar will be. Wouln't come as a surprise to me to see Lascelles go in either January or season end.
And if he did go, I’d be disappointed but confident that we have good defenders to step up. I couldn’t have said that past season.
Not so very long ago our first choice pairing was Bramble and Boumsong. Seeing their names together on a teamsheet always brought a sinking feeling. Admittedly, so do the names 'Joselu and Perez' but you have to admit we've come a long way defensively - and the credit has to mainly go to Rafa.
He already is if Garth Crooks is to be believed (take that statement firmly at face value!) He gives Rafa credit for the "Leaner and Meaner" Rondon we saw vs Bournemouth, saying Rafa must have put the striker through a fitness programme that is starting to bear fruit. It takes some stones for a manager to swap your second-top scorer for a striker you know is unfit, but you think has the potential to do a better job for you. We are just under 1/3 of the way through the season, and Rondon is 1/3 of the way to Gayle's total. Only time will tell if that gamble will pay off - but if it does, then Rafa firmly deserves the credit. If it doesn't then he'll get his fair share of criticism, but it's worth remembering that very few managers in the top divisions are required to make those kind of calls - most of them have the budget to buy in players to strengthen positions where they need it most.
Credit where its due to Rafa, I'd written the majority of signings off as relegation fodder tbh. Schar, Fernandez, Rondon and Ki were all from relegated teams last year and while I think there needs to be more consistent performances from them over the rest of the season (apart from Fernandez they've barely started games this season) they all look a lot better than what I was expecting from them. Also considering the entire defense cost peanuts in today's markets we are doing really well: Schar £3m, Fernandez, £5m, Lacselles £5m, Clark £5m, Yedlin £5m, Lejuene £9m Dummy £0 Manquillo £4.5m Lazaar £2.5m Total £39m defence Our weak links defensively are the cover at full back although if you consider we have Clark, Lazaar and Kenedy who can cover LB and Manquillo and Sterry at RB plus Lejuene to come back in at CB you have to admit its the most competent looking defensive unit for years. Get some decent full backs in as cover/starters moving dummy Yedlin to the bench and we are laughing.
