Notwithstanding any injury problems, what would you do about the leaky defence? The back four had a 'mare yesterday to add to the 'mare on Monday night. I'm beginning to think that dropping Ferdinand would be a good start to sorting it out. Yeah, I know he didn't play against the Hammers, but he was poor yesterday and hasn't been that impressive for a while. I don't know whether the Terry affair has adversely affected his performances, or if he simply cannot play any better these days. We all know that Clint Hill lacks the pace to be a left-back. But with Traore back, I would be tempted to slot Hill in the middle (where I think he's been better than some of our other choices). Watching the other games on MOTD last night, one thing that struck me was how good a lot of the other teams have been at counter-attacking football, storming forward purposefully and with pace. A few notable exceptions aside, the Rs seem to lose so much confidence once they arrive at the opponent's penalty area. I think the addition of Traore offers the Rs the pace and width that's been missing down the left. With Taarabt back in the side and performing, he needs a Traore to provide support in much the same way as Kyle Walker a few years ago. Even though Traore is arguably better going forward that defending, I think some sides will set themselves up differently with him at left back than Hill. Teams know Hill can't keep up with their pacey right-sided players and this has been exploited many times. But Hill has been good in the centre, with his head, throwing his body in the way etc. There's precious little of this commodity with Ferdinand.
Absolutely spot on. Let's sort out the defence first. Frankly I'd be tempted to put Hill and Mbia in next game into the CB positions with Traore and Bosingwa as FBs. They should both be fitter and quicker with another couple of weeks under their belts. Ferdinand and Nelson are too slow and should not be starting at all unlee there are injuries. However they need to be given the freedom to go forward. Both were either scared to do so because Hughes told them that their main purpose was to defend or they were not fully up to speed after their injuries
My friend, an Arsenal supporter, said Ferdinand was a bad defender when we bought him. Starting to think he was right.
Agree but perhaps too early for Mbia, he has looked a little shell shocked. Few more games to get into the groove
Hard to argue with that Ãber. Hill was poor at full back, and Ferdinand poor in the middle. A switch would be good. As discussed before, I'd like to see the option of Mbia in front of the four to beef up our defence and to stop these goals. We need to be seen as hard to score against and tough to break down. However Mbia has to play better than he did yesterday, but I think it's a role he could do for us.
I agree about Ferdinand. He was actually quite good against Chelsea but one good game in a few is not enough. Hill has proven himself as worthy, since he was players' and supporters' player of the season last. But also Onuoha has outperformed himself as a player being constantly put in a position that's not his natural one. I mean, do we even know what he's like as a CB? At right back he's been effective (not great) but at times has made some really important, agile tackles. In the odd game, he actually has joy in of getting forward and making a cross, which can't so much be said for Hill going down the left. Why do these players get stuck playing in positions they don't like? I really believe that Hill has only been used down the left simply because he's left footed.
You're right that he performed well against Chelsea - It is reasonable to assume that he was additionally motivated for that one. But he's needed to put in that level of performance week in, week out. And it is hard to understand why, as a professional footballer, to operate consistently at this level of concentration seems beyond him. I had him down as potential captain before Park was signed, but he's just not of that calibre. It is, of course, a trifle unfair to single out Ferdinand alone, when many within the squad are underperfoming. Hughes talks about putting rockets up the likes of Taarabt to get him to perform. Perhaps he needs to try a similar approach with the rest of the squad if the hour's lock-in yesterday wasn't just that?
