Do we need tightening up defensively?

It's really quite frustrating how many points we have lost due to defensive mistakes. Why do we just stand off the opposition? We let them stroll into the box like we want to concede a goal. We also look quite clueless against enemy set plays at times.

I think Taylor and Williamson are two good centre backs, but i personally would like to sign better quality. I think we should sign a good quality centre back to partner Coloccini. I'd also like a whole new game plan in defense, because i'm getting annoyed at this ridiculous philosophy of allowing the opposition free runs into the box.

It seems that we have the players, but we don't have the correct coaching to me. I know it's wrong to say this as we have the best GD outside the top 5, however, we have won 6-0, 5-1 and 5-0, and we are only just into the positive goal difference. I'm proud of our defenses effort this season, but i believe it could do with strengthening, and i'd like it to improve quite a bit by next season, and i hope we have a new CB, because Williamson and Taylor aren't my ideal options in that position. I'd love them to stay and be part of our defensive options, but i'd like to see a new face.

Are you happy with Williamson and Taylor? Or would you like to see a new centre back signed?

 

I was always taught to stand facing the opposition between them and the goal. Why do our players stand behind them and facing away, too close etc. They back off all the time. Everyone is shown certain oppo players types of runs. Like Arteta into the box to get on his right. Why are our players not folowing this through and directing them where they do not want to go, or would rather not. Osman as wel just passed the ball out and stood back by himself waiting for Arteta to do exactly that and give him the ball back. No-one even looked at him. Everton nicked the ball of us numerous times by interception because they were more up for it as well. We deserved what we got really. I still say hibbert should have walked at least twice as well.

 

Do we need to tighten up defensively ? Having conceeded 41 goals this season in the league, i would say YES.

I would like to see a new centre back - replacing Willo and a new right back come in in the summer.

 

I might get criticised for this but I think Williamson is just a donkey. I'm not overly confident in Stevie T either but he's a better option at centre back. Ideally I'd like us to sign a partner for Colo but I doubt thats where we're likely to invest.

 

Weh the facts speak for themselves. As Thriller said, 41 goals conceded...Thing is though, we've got to prioritise:

Striker
Winger
LB cover (2nd LB if Jose goes)
CDM cover
CB

That's a fair few positions and although I'm confident they can be filled. Not all of the players will be really high quality!

 

We need a leader at the back, yesterday was a shambles. The lack of communication was particularly apparent for the second goal. For me we need a centre half (a goalkeeper who marshals the defence would be nice, but we already have three decent keepers).

 

^ This. Although I'll prefer to concentrate in getting a striker or two, a winger and then a ''proper'' CB to partner Colo(Samba would be my choice).

 

We certainly defend a lot better away from home, only 3 goals fewer conceded away from home but most of the ones we concede at home are so soft

 

I'd say yes, a new CB for Willo, as good as he's been, i'd say weakest out of our top 4... Also if we were being hypercritical then a new RB, but I think Simpson is doing well, not amazing, but well. But yeah, a striker is a bigger priority imo.

 

simpson seems to be getting better than worse at the moment and jose enrique looks like he is ready to move on with a couple of lazy displays and we need a new cb so maybe we could need to get i 5 defensive players next year but i think priority will be a new LB to replace enrique and leave the CB we have got to get on with it, i think we should get a younger CB in.

 

Tosh!

 

We have conceded too many goals thats for sure. For me; we could improve our first team quality at right back and centre back (Willo) but it wouldn't be my priority. I think our weakness is in cover for both full back positions. If Simpson or Enrique are out, or re-assigned to midfield like yesterday our replacements are not yet good enough. Full backs are specialists every bit as much as centre backs but we seem to think cb's can do a job there. I think they will get away with it occasionally and against weaker opposition but we never look as balanced.

I think we need "proper" back up at RB and LB. (Although happy enough for Ferguson to take the LB role if we hold on to Enrique, but if we lose him then we need a new LB).

 

Maybe Kadar's chance will come next season?

 

I remember someone saying once "if you concede three, make sure you score four"

conceded 41 goals but scored 44.

But yeah, we need to tighten up.