Since the window opened, I've watched as many many posters have repeatedly called for our defence to be strengthened. Personally, I've always seen that as an area we are already competent in. Our back line last season, whilst admittedly shaky at times, was our best (our only?) position on the park. Myself and another fan agreed all year round that the reason we were conceding too many goals was because our midfield was constantly being overrun and our defence was put under enormous stress. The best backs in the Country couldn't have coped with the amount of ball raining down on them from all angles such was the almost total absence of cover in front of our boys. Mark Hughes' actions in the market thus far this Summer seem only to confirm my belief, as he has concentrated very much on strengthening our midfield area. I believe the Manger reached the same conclusions as to the weak-link of our team. Reading through the threads, the only one who seems to have picked up on this is Oddball. He has listed off our defenders which, to me, look like a a fairly solid bunch. Young and Traore are quality players. Onuoha didn't have the best of starts but I think he's a good player. Likewise Ferdinand who I believe will be better this season. Clint Hill was a colossus last season and Nelson is a very dependable sort. Also, Da Silva is quality. Green is also a decent signing who will hopefully cut out a lot more high balls than Kenny did. I will concede though that Connolly is out of his depth. All that said, one good quality defender would always be a welcome addition as would any good player for any position. My own view though, is that we are quite strong in this area as is.
Which Taiwo is this? Have we signed a new player? The only Taiwo I remember signed for Dynamo Kiev today.
Clearly I've been away too long! I thought he was gonna sign for us! Apologies, duly amended and kind of changes the dynamic of the thread! Okay so we do need a left-full. Think we're sorted at right and centre though. What you reckon Billy?
I still think we need a centre-back. Hill, although solid, is slow and ageing. Nelsen is also ageing. Onouha and Ferdinand isn't the greatest CB partnership, remember Sunderland away. Another CB to partner Ferdinand with Onouha and Fabio on the wings and I think we're sorted.
If he holds onto Traore, we should be okay at LB. Personally I'd play Young at RB but it appears alls not well with him and Hughes. Onouha wasn't the most comfortable RB last year but hopefully he'll improve. I see where you're coming from Bill. With my unforgivable blooper RE Taiwo (I blame the hot weather), its clear we do actually need one good addition. My back four at the moment would be: Young Ferdinand Hill Da Silva Subs: Nelson, Onouha and Traore
I'm still not convinced we should have Hill at CB. He was brilliant last year but still doesn't have pace and isn't getting any younger. He'll provide good cover but I feel we'll need a new CB to finish mid-table.
I think we need a good fb - left or right, as Fabio can cover the other side. If we get another quality CB - Samba, for example - then we can start looking at a top 10 finish. Give us 2 of them, and I might even say we can start looking towards Europe, dare I say it?
It's all easy to do it on paper One thing with any back four it needs time to settle I think we have seen the team settle . Taiwo's wages were too high it seems therefore he instantly got Fabio Hill finished the season well and was voted our best player Young is the only mystery to me and I have no idea what has gone on there I agree that there is not a defence in this league that can contain the attacking talent . Arsenal finished 3rd yet still conceded 8 we done 6 twice as did Man Utd on the flip side we put 4 past the Champions ... The game is changing and I really expect this to happen again such is the hunger to see goals. There has been enough on here that slag off Swansea ... Yet they defend with the ball making it difficult for any team to put together a head of steam Expect Liverpool to start doing this as its the games you lose that bugger it all up . MH gives it away on most press conferences when he delivers the line repeatedly ... I am paid to win football matches and we did he hasn't come out and said I am paid not to lose football matches. If we want to push on then we need to be looking at winning football matches hence the strength we have now going forward
Agree. The cover at CB is OK if slightly aging but we're stretching ourselves for adequate cover at FB with only Traore, Onouha and Young filling those positions (and don't mention Hill - he's shown himself to be a good central player only).
Dyer will cover FB as well. Personally I would still like to see another CB, Nelsen seems to be a stop gaps to me I'd like to see a longer term prospect come in, Hill won't have too many years left either and I'd like to see someone settling in while we have good cover. While I like Young I wouldn't be picking him as First Choice, don't get clouded by his ability going forward his primary job is defensive and he allowed way to many people to cut inside him in dangerous positions (show them the outside do not let them cut inside), I imagine this is due to him having to get closer to players as he becomes scared of their pace (getting older happens to us all). Don't get me wrong, I don't think we will fall apart without new signings in defense next year but I think it would be more needed than say another midfielder or striker which we seem to be linked with 100's of.
Hill was good in a poor defence last year....I still think Samba would be a great addition and Hill as backup...we also need cover for Traore, as he is prone to injury. We shipped 66 goals last season....you cant just blame the midfield, allthough that does contribute. Fabio - Ferdinand - Samba - Traore - would be a much better defence. Instead of wasting money on more midfielders or strikers, for which we certainly dont need.
Oops. True. He's on loan though (I have a suspicion he was a bargaining tool in the Park deal. We'd need someone new by next year at least so if someone youthful and promising comes up then we should go for it (the next Kyle Walker please....).
Fabio is to small, Need a big LB Taye had to be replaced and wasn't. This is MH's biggest blunder. I predict christmas activity when he finally admits it to himself. Don't dislike Highes but his "I'm the manager" demeaner and lack of humor does piss me off sometimes.
You may be right, but Taiwo was a big lad who looked more solid than any other in that position last season. I prefer a big one.
I don't need the new ipad, I don't need the latest smartphone, I don't need sky tv! But I work hard and I want them, so I buy them. I don't need to spend a good wedge of my wages to watch the R's, but it's a lot easier to take if I'm watching better players! You are right, we don't need defenders, but if we have the chance to buy better ones, I want them......
Paul Parker wasn't exactly a giant and for my money he was the best right back we've had. Saying that I still think there needs to be another couple of defenders brought in. Is Fabio a year long loan and does that mean Man Utd can't take him back until summer 2013? I have seen very little of Fabio but have been told he can be quick which might help as some of our defenders are very slow. Onuha, Anton, Clint and Nelson are not exactly blessed with blistering pace!
