Defenders and defence?

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Eamon Holmes

Eamon Holmes

Well-Known Member
May 16, 2011
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A couple of months ago I noted Flyer's remarks about making sure that the defence was the focus of some of our purchases.

At the time I was not worried as, although we had only signed the aging Nelsen at that time, there was plenty of time to bring in new defenders.

Now I am worried. We keep being linked with (and signing) midfielders and strikers yet there is not even a rumour of any defenders coming our way.

Now, today's rumour/news about the possible departure of Traore, has got me really concerned.

Views?
 
Guys guys, shhhtop your worrying. Short of MH having had a breakdown, I'm sure we will be after some defenders. I think the lack of news might have something to do with the fact that Hughes knows who he wants, probably Samba, and is quietly trying to make that happen. There's still 6 weeks till kick off so plenty of time.

If by the time the season kicks off we haven't signed any, then panic. But Hughes said he knows the defense needs strengthening and I'm sure Nelson and Fabio aren't his main answer, so let's just wait and see.
 
6 weeks? Are you sure about that? More like 3 weeks until the season starts unless you are talking about the end of the transfer window? I think Hughes definitely has a couple in mind. There will be more business done between now and the start of the season.
 
TheLoneRanger said:
Guys guys, shhhtop your worrying. Short of MH having had a breakdown, I'm sure we will be after some defenders. I think the lack of news might have something to do with the fact that Hughes knows who he wants, probably Samba, and is quietly trying to make that happen. There's still 6 weeks till kick off so plenty of time.

If by the time the season kicks off we haven't signed any, then panic. But Hughes said he knows the defense needs strengthening and I'm sure Nelson and Fabio aren't his main answer, so let's just wait and see.
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This! (apart from the 6 weeks)

Guys i wouldn't worry just yet, remember they have been on tour? I reckon JH will be signing (imminently). I can see another striker coming and 1-2 defenders.
Remember it's only the papers linking us with forwards and midfielders!
Stay chilled, they will come.
 
Im even more worried now than when I said it. We dont need squad players, we need 2 quality 1st teamers.

Its not just that we havent signed anyone since I said it, we havent even been linked to anyone. We need a CB and FB, we are a Traore injury or sale away from having Hill or Connolly as 1st choice LB.
 
God doesn't time fly when you're having fun. OK there's 3 weeks.

But still there's plenty of time. Flyer, haven't been linked with anyone????? Samba, Alves to name but two, there have been more. We've signed 6 players so far this window, Alan Pardew went on record the other day saying Newcastle weren't any closer to signing any of their targets. So we've been lucky, but we might not be having luck in getting our CB targets, it doesn't mean we aren't trying.

I do think something that needs to happen is the transfer window should be from the end of the season to the start of the next season, not this rubbish where people and clubs hold out for better deals on Transfer deadline day, a month in to the season which disrupts everyone involved. All transfer should be signed and sealed before the season starts, then again in January.
 
ELLERS said:
I can see another striker coming and 1-2 defenders.
Remember it's only the papers linking us with forwards and midfielders!
Stay chilled, they will come.
Click to expand...

It's a fair point - the glamour always goes with strikers etc (also note that FIFA World Player of the Year never goes to defensive players) but the papers are working us (me included) into a bit of a frenzy.

Hopefully it's just the QPR syndrome where we all need something to worry about (even if recently there hasn't been much).

I hope so anyway!!!!
 
Could there be a possibility that some targets may depend on qualification to the champions league proper? I.e, they'd be willing to sell if they don't qualify, but can afford to hold onto them if they do. Mh does like bringing in unknown rough diamonds like samba, Nelson, zabaleta for example in defense. Did he sign kompany for city?
 
Our defenders are very good IMO so why the panic?

So we have at the moment:

Clint Hill, Armand Traore, Luke Young, Anton Ferdinand, Michael Harriman, Nedum Onuoha, Ryan Nelson, Fabio, Matt Connelly, Kieron Dyer. Rob Green

If you think that its all about having players on paper and then we won't let any goals in then you are sadly wrong. Our players will make mistakes and the fans on here will slate them for that and i will call them fickle if they do. I think there will be a number of tactics and squad selections depending about the opposition and the current form at the time. The other team cannot score without the ball such at last is the modern game ... its wasn't long ago that we all said on here that we can't keep the ball... You then invite pressure this is where we need the quality our midfield is critical to gel with our defensive players
away from home expect a lone striker and two sitting deep and a counter attack at home expect attack attack attack... If anyone thinks Chris Samba or alike is the answer then consider would they fit in? Defending from set pieces looked a problem I admit but we know have a better keeper at crosses etc so its not all bad. I will add that a back four takes time to settle and Clint Hill and Anton are looking like a solid partnership and Nedum is a part of that understanding and will be able to slot in if required , add to this Ryan Nelson who I personally rate highly as most do in the premiership. Bring in a new name and then the defence has to start again ... I have seen nothing but progression in our defence so far so why panic.
 
I too rate Nelson highly, and think mh sees him as as our 1st choice cb alongside Anton. A lot of people on here were saying how much better Anton would be with a solid commanding leader type cb guiding him through games and you won't find many better, or better qualified than Nelson out there right now.
 
i peronally think that now we have better midfielders that wont lose the ball as much as derry, buz and so on that the defence will not look as strained as it did at times last year. i believe that samba will sign on loan for season. we need to be stronger away from home and having hill, with his lack of pace hindered us a lot on bigger pitches. at home on a small surface he was superb.
 
Traore injury or sale away from having Hill or Connolly as 1st choice LB.
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I think Dyer and Fabio can cover Left and Right Back. While I wouldn't want them as 1st choice they can play there.

Tawio still not signed any where yet ?
 
Heres a phrase that summed up the first 90 mins in our last game in the Premiership:

Man City were unable to break down an well organised defence until ... and that was with 10 men!

Have some small amount of faith

Also Taiwo has not signed for anyone .. we have no idea if he will or won't .. it may all be a game with agents etc ... I will add I think Taiwo fits into QPR like a glove and fingers crossed as it will be a very popular choice i believe
 
DT said:
Our defenders are very good IMO so why the panic?

So we have at the moment:

Clint Hill, Armand Traore, Luke Young, Anton Ferdinand, Michael Harriman, Nedum Onuoha, Ryan Nelson, Fabio, Matt Connelly, Kieron Dyer. Rob Green

If you think that its all about having players on paper and then we won't let any goals in then you are sadly wrong. Our players will make mistakes and the fans on here will slate them for that and i will call them fickle if they do. I think there will be a number of tactics and squad selections depending about the opposition and the current form at the time. The other team cannot score without the ball such at last is the modern game ... its wasn't long ago that we all said on here that we can't keep the ball... You then invite pressure this is where we need the quality our midfield is critical to gel with our defensive players
away from home expect a lone striker and two sitting deep and a counter attack at home expect attack attack attack... If anyone thinks Chris Samba or alike is the answer then consider would they fit in? Defending from set pieces looked a problem I admit but we know have a better keeper at crosses etc so its not all bad. I will add that a back four takes time to settle and Clint Hill and Anton are looking like a solid partnership and Nedum is a part of that understanding and will be able to slot in if required , add to this Ryan Nelson who I personally rate highly as most do in the premiership. Bring in a new name and then the defence has to start again ... I have seen nothing but progression in our defence so far so why panic.
Click to expand...

Lets see
Clint Hill, yes
Armand Traore yes but possibly leaving
Luke Young - did not tour and will be sold
Anton Ferdinand - yes
Michael Harriman - You want to rely on a totally untried youngster?
Nedum Onuoha yes
Ryan Nelson yes
Fabio yes
Matt Connelly - is not good for 1st or 2nd choice.
Kieron Dyer - Cannot be relied on to stay fit
Rob Green is not a defender

That leaves us with 6 defenders or 5 if Traore leaves. There will be several games where we wont even have 4 fit and available defenders. We are short in numbers and quality.
 
Flyer said:
Lets see
Clint Hill, yes
Armand Traore yes but possibly leaving
Luke Young - did not tour and will be sold
Anton Ferdinand - yes
Michael Harriman - You want to rely on a totally untried youngster?
Nedum Onuoha yes
Ryan Nelson yes
Fabio yes
Matt Connelly - is not good for 1st or 2nd choice.
Kieron Dyer - Cannot be relied on to stay fit
Rob Green is not a defender

That leaves us with 6 defenders or 5 if Traore leaves. There will be several games where we wont even have 4 fit and available defenders. We are short in numbers and quality.
Click to expand...

A goalkeeper counts and the score is 11 and no one has left yet so we are fine. Young may have an injury or personal problems who knows so you don't know if anyone is being sold so your comments are completely void ... I think when a few leave then we can speculate prior to that is nonsense.
 
I'm with DT on this one, we do have a decent looking defence pairing either Nelson/Hill/Onuoha alongside Anton with Fabio/Traore/Young/Dyer as the full back options, anything wrong with that?
 
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