'we still looked a bit ropey at the back' - cant fathom this observation out as we currently have the best defence in the Prem after 8 games Artur ! ?
Yeah, I've thought about this as well. Because I always think we look a bit shaky at the back as well, and yet there's no arguing with our defensive record. I think in part, we've been spoiled because our defense was also good last year. And because at times the offense has looked so good that maybe the defense suffers in comparison. We could have given up a goal on that through ball to Fletcher. Sunderland also had a couple other weak misses. So then I feel like maybe we got a little lucky. But then, defenses very rarely play a mistake-free game. Especially not defenses on teams that seek to play a more flowing, attacking style instead of 11 men behind the ball. You will give up some good goal-scoring opportunities, but the opposition won't score on all of them or even half of them. I feel like perhaps the goal scoring opportunities stand out more because there are few of them. I can certainly remember some Championship games where there were many mad scrums at the back. Or the first year in Premier League where some teams just carved us apart and made our defenders look like statues. That never happens now. We never got dominated, we just make a few mistakes. I still think our defense is not quite as good as the GA makes us out to be, but it's very solid. Maybe we should have given up 8 or 9 goals instead of just 5. We'd still be up there with the best.
Davis Clyne Fonte Hooiveld Fox One of the worst PL defences. Forster Clyne Fonte Alderweireld Bertrand Best defence in the PL!
Forster - 8 Clyne - 8 Fonte - 8 Alderweireld - 8 Bertrand - 8 Schneiderlin - 8 Cork - 8.5 Davis - 8 Long - 7 Pelle - 9 Tadic - 10 Wanyama - 9 Mane - 8 Mayuka - not enough time
The only thing I might change is Gardos of Alderweireld, but I'm being picky. The fullbacks are superb as an attacking force and as FLT says, no-one's going to score against us whilst we are attacking. The only thing you could argue is that are wide midfielders don't cover as well as last year but, really, when they are creating so many chances its hard to fault them (although Koeman is constantly berating Tadic to track back).
I would actually like to see how Toby would do as a FB. Give Clyne a rest (not as punishment or anything) and try Toby at RB and Gardos in the centre.
If we could only keep him at the end of the season he could be the answer if Morgan leaves. He played most of the second half against Newcastle at CM and was pinging passes around for fun.
Think Toby got a couple of assists over the International Break, he's got a good cross/forward ball on him.
