Please stay on topic. This thread is for discussing our rivals for the top four, not the relegation candidates
In a couple of weeks? At OT. I am looking forward to it. Time for a bit of payback luvgonzo....nothing like playing a team that can't score when you've got a **** defence
Lovren was dropped for Toure yesterday. He's really not very good. Blackett and McNair have looked more composed than him. I maintain that LVG didn't sign another centre half as the players available were no better than what he already had in the squad. My one criticism would be that he needed an extra body, a proven PL defender, as Jones and Evans are injury prone. Coloccini or Vlaar would have sufficed. That said, would they have been any better than Blackett and McNair? Anyway, the continued focus on our defence is misguided. Take out a freak game at Leicester and the defence has actually been pretty solid. We've conceded 3 goals in the last 4 games which has included away games against City and Arsenal and a home game against Chelsea. Our problem has been not converting chances as the old man's legs have gone. The sooner Falcao can get himself fit the better (although LVG will still pick RVP).
Not better, but more experienced. That's what we've been missing this season - a leader at the back. Our defenders are technically good and individually strong players, but we need someone to pull them together and ensure everyone defends as a unit. That's also what Liverpool are missing, except they don't have the luxury of having good defenders to make up for it.
Believe it or not I think Jolleon Lescott would have sufficed. Just a bit of experience to the position is what's needed when you're losing Ferdinand and Vidic at the same time. Vlaar or maybe Ashley Williams are good enough players to add to the mix this winter, they would definitely improve us and that is the crux of it, then perhaps go for a worldie in the summer.
I agree, Blackett looks a great prospect but it's better for him to develop with an experienced head alongside him, Vlaar is a good player I was shot down in the Summer for suggesting he would be a good signing for us.
They have already said they won't be buying short term fix(Vlaar). Only long term targets if available in January
This. All depends on how well he steps up tbh. I remember people calling Evra a short term fix to cover for Heinze's injury when we got him in January 06. Vlaar certainly has the quality to be a regular CB for a top club, just depends on how he handles the step up.
I've watched Chelsea twice this season, against us and today. They're being talked up, admittedly mostly by their own fans, as some kind of super team. I don't see it. They were lucky not to lose both games!
Yeh nothing special at all. Just well drilled and well organised. Compared with the worlds best they are a way off.
If anyone has the balls to actually test their defence I think they will look susceptible. The Terry/Cahil partnership is overrated as demonstrated against Everton, and the minute it comes up against a decent side especially in Europe then both will struggle.
