Neither John Terry or Tony Adams looked like they were running in treacle when they run - Mertesacker runs so slowly he never looks like he will get where he is going.
This i would totally agree with. Reading of the game, tenacity, leadership and strength are the main characteristics of the likes of Adams/Bould etc.. when it comes to centrebacks pace, dribbling ability etc.. are nothing more than bonuses. On the PLUS side of things it looks like steve Bould is going to be chosen to be our assistant manager. Hopefully he should have a good impact on the defensive performances of our team.
Some guys seem unable to understand that we concede a lot of goals not because Kos or Verm are bad defenders, but because of our style of play. I still remember Wengers reaction to a question after we conceded a late goal. He was asked if there were not enough players in the box to defend. And he said - on contrary there were too many. He is convinced that 1 on 1 is enough. Well, i have some news for you Mr. WEnger - there are strikers here in the EPL who will tear you to shreds 1 on 1 . This philosophy plus high line plus lack of defensive discipline in our midfield make ANY defender look bad. Look at Clichy - he is so much more reliable with ManCity. You wonder why.. Btw I can not see Vertoenger joining Arsenal. Only is Sagna is seriously crocked and will not be playing until January. And even then.. I do not believe Wenger will buy him. I am sure he is not even considering another defender. There will be Podolski and , MAYBE another striker or midfielder. That is MAX imho.
Agree style of play is the main reason, but I have been watching our midfield closely over the past few games especially and I would say it is outright laziness and not trying hard enough, coupled with the style that causes us to concede goals.
Nothing official as of yet but. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-arsene-wenger-hints-steve-809537 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...ormer-Arsenal-players-want-Pat-Rices-job.html http://le-grove.co.uk/2012/05/07/st...ve-bould-is-the-new-arsenal-assistant-manager I think it would probably create a better balance. Bould's defensive 'know how' alongside Wenger's attacking technical coaching could be just what we need.
Some guy on twitter just confirmed it (I know, I know). He's very reliable, rarely wrong about these things. I usually don't trust people on twitter, but this guy is reliable.
YouAreMyArsenal - he's very reliable with these things. He's Arsenal through and through, I doubt he'd make something like this up.
Here is a good analysis of our defensive frailties. http://desigunner.wordpress.com/201...nals-defensive-issues-tactics-shape-mistakes/
John Terry is not doing so well these days and hasn't done for a year or two. I suspect Metersacker is in there for a plan B when we are defending against a team that comes at us through the air (there are fewer of those these days). I know a lot of people are still nostalgic, but I don't think defenders from 10 years ago whould do so well now. You have to thank the invincibles and Henry for that. They took those big old static defenses and tore them to shreds. Nowadays defenses have to be more mobile and better at playing the ball on the ground. What worked last year, willl not work next year, the game is developing, you cant go back to tactic from 10 years ago now.
