So the Defence which was best in the league last year needs a massive overhaul based on 1 half in a meaningless friendly?? Over reaction much?
Deffo, friendlies don't mean anything and in fact friendlies are definitely not something that mean anything. Look at united last season won all their friendlies against all the big teams but ended up having the worse start they've ever had in ages. Lastly, friendlies always stuff up my FF team. People who are on fire or are playing loads are normally placed on the bench because they don't mean anything
Means nothing apart from getting rid of the rust. Certain teams think they have the league wrapped up because they win a couple of friendlies.
No not just because of this friendly. Last season we had a very capable Luis covering Dave & Dave covering Ivan. Towards the end, Ivan was running on empty. This season, there is no cover for Ivan and no cover for Dave! JT is 1 more year older on the wrong side of 30! This defence needs proper supporting cast for CB, RB & LB!!
Thats a far better argument. I actually agree with Stan. People here love Ivan but am i the only one who doesn't rate his 1v1 defending (loves to back off as he's lost his pace and is super scared of any fast/tricky winger). Dave is solid and Luis was very good as well. Shame he's going. Terry is another year older and unless we have a deep line to cover Terry/Cahill with Matic in front, then we look shaky regardless of how hard our forward/wingers work. This especially was shown in the big matches when Fabregas would be too slow/lightweight/unfit to actually contribute defensively in a midfield 2. I guess thats why we're getting that ghanian left back. Shame we didn't go for clyne at 12. I think he would have been good
Finally someone sees our Defence's position. Cahill was annihilated because of Ivan's over zealous attacking & lack of speed on the defensive end. Add Fab's inability to shield Cahill. Last season was disaster for poor Gary. JT was too good to be true - because Matic played false CB role & Dave's amazing speed at defensive back. Clyne looks a bargain tbh. After all he was second only to Ivan last season.
I agree Stan Jose is already saying we need a left back to replace Luis. We can play Dave and Ivan at right back but we have no left back up, and unless Zouma plays, no CD back up. Two players short for mine. More worrying is lack of cover for Fabregas and especially Matic. Mikel is OK, Rambo hopeless for mine. Suspect Jose has a couple more signings to make. certainly hope so, because I think we are now underpowered relative to City and Utd. Utd especially have a might good midfield and with good service Rooney will be a bloody menace. Can only think Jose was being Jose by saying ,no more buying, our players will just have to get better. Not going to happen for most of the team and they will be shagged out before seasons end without some backup.
Well obviously Luis needs replacing if the deal goes through, that's a given. But if Dave was covering for Ivan last year that's exactly the same position we are still in! Terry is a year older but with no international football and the correct rest, no reason why he can't have another good season. The club are clearly looking at trying to bring in another centre half anyway because of the Stones bid. However make no mistake that the back 4 is still likely to be the same as last year and we are just sorting out cover for them. Squads always need maintenance but some perspective required. This is the team than won the league 2 months ago.
Just seen that City also conceded 4 in their pre season game today. Wonder if that'll mean a full replacement of their defence as well....
You cannot be serious. Full strength Real is same as NY Redbulls Team 'Z'. . City had Jason Denayer & Cameron Humphreys as CB pair whole game. Our defence was barebones towards the end of last season. This season it is lot worse. End of.
And how is our defence this year 'a lot worse' when all that's happened is we might have sold our back up left back who will no doubt be replaced anyway???? This year we also know that Zouma is a capable deputy to the main 2 so we'll go into the season confident of having 4 very capable centre halves at least. Stop panicking.
If your own team has a bad friendly game it means nothing, if another team has a bad game it means everything lol
