Is our defence markedly worse? I don't mean a little bit, I mean a lot. We have improved our GK (imo), we've kept Clyne and Fonte from last season, Bertrand is in for Shaw (I think he will do well), so it is Lovren we lack. Very early to judge, but is he as good as we thought or was it in combination with Fonte...so he may not be the huge loss we thought when he left. That last bit is contentious I know. In front of the defence is the midfield weakened? I think it is further forward that we may be lacking...we could gain points based on a solid defence this season.