We are not just suffering because of the defence, the midfield keep losing possession, often in our own half which just cranks up the pressure on a suspect back-line. Every time someone passes back to Green you fear the worst. This team is a shambles and we've only got some points due to some favourable fixtures early in the season. I really fear that when we play the better teams we'll have more nights like last night. If you offered us 20th place this season I'd snap your hand off...
This is correct. The likes of Phillips and Chery simply refuse to work back and this puts intolerable pressure on an already **** defence.
Absolutely spot on. Both should be dropped until they are willing to do so. We need triers. Can you believe we're still saying that?
I can't really to be honest. I have always said it about Phillips mind you. He just won't track back on a consistent basis. Chery looks the same. I can't believe I'm saying it, but maybe a fit Mackie would at least put in a shift!
Totally agree with Rodney - I genuinely believe we have more talented players now than we did back in Colin's Championship winning side - obviously Neil had (and got the best out of Adel) & Gorkks and Hill were inspirational team players that season but surely a squad which includes Green/Faurlin/Austin/Phillips/Chery/Fer/Sandro etc should be able to offer something better than last night. It's obviously down to coaching/system and (lack of) motivation. Lower mid table obscurity beckons if something doesn't change....
Some probably wouldn't agree but I think Clint needs to play, there are no leaders in that team at the moment. Actually wish we could have offered Joey a new deal.
Agree with regards to Clint, but I think we needed to move on from Barton. What we really need is Derry out there.
Agree, Hill is a seasoned leader and won't tolerate lack of effort around him. Move Ned to right back & put Hill in the centre as stated by Col.
Agree it's a sensible option. But how does a two-times player of the year at his club become a bad defensive player overnight? Regardless, if we don't have any support for a defence that needs it we're just moving around for the sake of it. Our defensive midfield needs to play its part. A few 0-0 results would be welcome to show some organisation, and confidence, at the back. The dilemma is do you get a back four settled down and working together or keep tinkering with the defence (as we did last year). Looking at our options, you have to think Sandro would be welcome in front of this line and Phillips/Chery need a good talking to (about playing for the team in the right way for the moment - use your football brain FFS).
Nice to see the team commitment of Olympiakos as they defend a a 3-2 lead against Arsenal in injury time. 'Fury and disbelief' Arsenal 2-3 Olympiakos please log in to view this image Phil McNulty BBC Sport chief football writer "No need for three guesses what the mood is like inside The Emirates. Fury, frustration, disbelief. And more besides. Once again they have got themselves back into the game only to be opened up with ease by Olympiakos. The vulnerability has to be seen to be believed." http://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/34008448
