I still can't get my head around how good our defence really is. Impossible to answer but have we ever had better?
It was reasonable for a while in 80s with Roeder and Peter Jackson, but quickly went to **** when that Clown Andy Thorne joined.
Last 80s/early 90s it was horrendous under Jim Smith and Ardiles. Keegan's original partnership of Howey and Scott wasn't the best, but was helped by great attackers, later his Prem defence of Albert and Peacock was too attacking.
Marcelino and Goma under Guillett was the absolute worst... Dabizas, O Brien and Bramble under Robson wasn't great, and Woodgate doesn't count cos he was always injured. Fat Sam tried to sort out the defence, and failed spectacularly with a bunch of clowns in Cacapa, Rozenhal and Fate. Under Pardew Coloccini started great but went to ****, and S Taylor was always dogshit.
Really the only other time defence has been decent is under Rafa with Schar, Feds, Clark and Laecelles, and still that is nowhere near as good as the current defence. So yeah, our best defence ever I'd say.

