Caulker: the man who wasn't there. The man doesn't want to defend any more. He's there because it's his current job and does it half-heartedly. But he loves going forward, and would rather do that tha actually bother defending harder. He plays scared at the back, gets turned around all the time and the only time he gets a good foot in is when he's facing forward and he's already there. Absolutely worthless chasing back or running into space to cover holes, has no ideas no clue what happens behind him.
I regret that Dunne is the main issue. High balls are fine but speed on the ground is a struggle for him.
I've seen all the home games this season, live at Loftus Road, and I think that Caulker has gradually improved. Without standing out, he has got on with his job and been increasingly effective. I think he is already justifying the fee we paid and he will prove to be a very good purchase. Like Ranger, I think that our faithful warhorse, Richard Dunne, is more of a problem. He's had some great games for us, more than we have a right to expect, but he has the turning circle of a super tanker and often commits clumsy fouls to get out of trouble. I believe that, individually, our defenders all have their merits but the total is less than the sum of the parts. This is down to coaching: they just don't operate as a unit.
Can we stop this? He is so obviously not mobile enough/not technically good enough to be a midfielder. Although I suppose the latter can be questioned given some of our midfielders displays this season!
I thought Caulker was awful today and he drove me crazy. But he has been better lately. Not as bad as today's game makes him seem. But I can't believe what some of you are saying about Dunne. He's been great lately and makes tackles that others can't or won't. It's not all about pace in that position. I'd have Clint and Dunne in the middle if I had a choice, with quicker full backs and a good defensive midfielder (Henry). But I'm not denying that it'd be good to have a fast CB who can play very well.
I agree with much of what you say: one of our best ever pairings was McLintock and Webb, neither of whom were quick, even at their prime. Nevertheless, in today's EPL, with nippy players around like Aguero, I think that, this season, having Hill and Dunne as a CB pairing would be a step too far!
YES!!! Isn't that what I said: "I believe that, individually, our defenders all have their merits but the total is less than the sum of the parts. This is down to coaching: they just don't operate as a unit."
