The difference

Back five:

------------------Krul---------------
Simpson --- Saylor --- Colo --- Raylor

Teams faced:

Wigan
Spurs
Wolves
Blackburn
Villa
QPR
Fulham
Sunderland
Arsenal

Goals conceded: 6

Back five:

------------------Krul---------------
Simpson --- Perch --- Colo --- Santon/Jonas/Ferguson/Raylor

Teams faced:

Blackburn
Nottingham Forest
S****horpe

Goals conceded: 8


The only game where we had our strongest back four was against S****horpe. But for the first 45 mins, Williamson was CB, and S****horpe got their only goal during that half.

Yes, it's true. With one set of back five, we conceded 6 goals against 9 full-strength EPL teams. With another set, we conceded 8 goals against against 3 teams - one understrength and frankly poor EPL side, one League One side and one Championship side. It's ****ing disgraceful to be truthfully honest.

Simply put, the back four unit we have is absolutely essential. Say what you like about Raylor and Simpson, but when they're there with Saylor and Colo, the number of goals dramatically reduces, even against many more and far more difficult teams.

Perch is quite clearly ****ing useless. He's barely able to hold his own against Championship teams, but once he's up against EPL teams, he just falls to bits. Coloccini didn't play particularly well, but I think that was partially down to having to be teamed up with Perch, who is a much worse player and would have had no understanding with our captain.

Also, I think we really missed Tiote. Guthrie played very well, but he doesn't have the same ability to dispossess like Tiote does, so at one point Blackburn had 70% of the possession.

Raylor, for all his bad points, makes up an essential part of our very strong back four. I expect Santon to come good in time, but for now, Raylor needs to stay in that left back spot, or Santon could even replace Simpson. What we have is working very well, but the difference with just a couple of changes to the back four is astonishing.

 

We ust don't have the depth in certain areas to make too many changes. Saylor being out was a massive blow. We all knew Perch is are only fit centre back and he is utter garbage. Then as you say Tiote out for Guthrie is huge. We lack cover for Tiote, we already knew that also. As you say if you change any defenisve unit too much its gonna hurt. We took out Saylor, Tiote, Raylor from ours and we got caught short. Such is life they still showed some good fight and I'm sure Pardew realises he has some gaps to fill. We lack quality cover up top, at centre back, at left back and in the defenisve midfield area. It'll take time to get the squad filled out as it needs to be. I did think folk were a bit quick to go on the defensive when some of us were saying earlier in the season we are thin in the squad overall. This has just confirmed we are. On the flip side we have an adundance of attacking midfielders!

 

We NEED more defensive cover in January. I was actually more pissed off with not signing a centre-back in the summer than not signing a striker!

 

The difference is just shocking. 6 goals conceded against 9 EPL teams, versus 8 goals conceded against one **** EPL side and two lower league sides. That sort of form would see any team relegated very quickly.

 

Our defensive cover is shockingly woeful.
Saylor needs to be ready for Stoke or we could be in for another hiding down there.

 

I really wanted to have a go at the CC but this could be a blessing in disguise. We need to get to January and bring in a couple of players. I'd love us to be going to get 4 or 5 but we have to be realistic. A centre back is a priority. Obviously a striker is too. If we could get that in Jan I'd be a bit happier should injuries come. Obviously looking to the summer, we could then do with a left back and some defensive midfield cover. We're not far away now and Ashley may be more acommodating if/when he can shift Harper and Smith out to release some wages.

 

We desperatley need to sign another CB in Jan, and another DM.

Someone like Ridgewell would do me fine at CB - not exceptional, but wouldn't mind being 3rd/4th choice CB, low wages, low fee, and can also cover LB.

Not sure about DM, but there are plenty out there. I'm sure Carr could find us a good 'un.

 

Now, now. Calm down. We're still unbeaten in the league, 4th in the table and doing amazingly well.

Just enjoy life, lads..

Yes we do need some defensive cover and competition/cover upfront and maybe cover for Tiote, but I thought Guthrie showed a excellent box-to-box midfield display. He got stuck in, tackled well, passing was very good and scored a peach of a goal.

Remember back in the 08-09 season when we got relegated and Guthrie started most of the games? He was one of our best players that season. Give the lad a break.. he's our Xabi Alonso.

 

Im worried about the African Nations Cup now. With Ba & Tiote going. Really worried.

 

I'll imagine we'll buy a new striker in the Jan window. Luuk de Jong, Maiga, Rondon, Wellighton, Vossen, etc or just a Carr gem.

Would anyone fancy going for Gary Hooper? Works hard for the team, has very good pace, can run the channels well and bags ****loads in the SPL.. I think he's too good for that league IMO.

 

I think the key between those two back fives is Steven Taylor, without him we don't have anyone to win headers at the back, and his importance is showed by him making the most headed clearances in the league (as of a few games ago, not sure if still true).

 

Says it all really. Don't think I need to add anymore to it

 

I won't blame anyone in particular but our overall defending was indeed poor in all the matches. Maybe it's the tiredness for some or the lack of matches for others. Also I think that we are a Tiote dependant team: we need a player to do the cleaning up in midfield. When he wasn't fit during Ramadan we were really suffering even against mediocre teams like QPR. Guthrie was good last night but imo he's too attacking minded to fill in Tiote's shoes and also he'll chase a player a lot instead of making a superTiote tackle.

 

I would count Tiote and say it's a back 6. We removed half of that, took a gamble and it didnt work. It's a shame but I'll be buggered if Man City dont win the League Cup anyway, ****ing Dzeko and Nasri in their reserve team.

 

Amazing isn't it. Adam Johnson doesn't even get on the bench sometimes

 

Remember the last guy who scored loads in the SPL - he now can't get into the smoggies team...

Still, I think Hooper is better then Boyd, and may well be a great signing. I think I'd prefer Jelavic though if we're looking SPL.

 

I like the look of Hooper, can finish, is young, pacy and has got good movement. Jelavic would be good too, but I remember something he said a while back that he would only leave for a team like Man Utd not Newcastle.