The back four make that five!

lamby

lamby

Needs a cold shower
Oct 3, 2011
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So after seven points from 9 and only two goals conceded in our last three games have we turned a corner defensiverly. Gazza seemed to grow with confidence after that top save yesterday and there seems to be a solid feel to the back 4. We have real pace down both flanks and the central partnership seems to have gelled really well.Did we over react a couple of weeks ago? Should we still make defensive changes in the window?
 
I don't think we need any defensive changes. Gazza is the worst player in the team but good enough, perhaps cover at centre back but I would rather recall Martin, who I don't rate but would be our 4th best centre back.

We have a tough run of fixtures in january and we will be able to cover any perceived inadequacies I am sure. ATM our team is more than adequate.
 
If you had asked me 4 weeks ago I would've said:

- A winger to replace Puncheon

- Two new CBs in the next 6 months, whether they both be permanent or one bought and one loan

On recent showings I think we just need a bit more cover at the back :)
 
Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Yesterday Gazza got caught in posession AGAIN, lucky to get away with it. I also remember seeing Clyne slip over at some point. And there was that mix up between Yoshida and Fonte which put Anita through 1 on 1 with Gazza. There's still frailties.
 
People get injured (touch wood), so we do need to add back up defenders in January. Gazza can make good saves, but is still learning decision making which you can only learn by playing. Also remember that a couple of goals that beat Gazza were put in spectacularly by defenders who were supposed to help him. Adkins doesn't seem to rate Boruc at all. I hope we sign at least 2 in January, including a CB (with pace of course).
 
Oli_BN1 said:
Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Yesterday Gazza got caught in posession AGAIN, lucky to get away with it. I also remember seeing Clyne slip over at some point. And there was that mix up between Yoshida and Fonte which put Anita through 1 on 1 with Gazza. There's still frailties.
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It was pissing down, and the pitch was soaked! Clyne was superb throughout. Gazza still looks a bit fragile, though. What's happened to Boruc?
 
We still need to bring in two or three in January without a doubt. We seem to have turned a corner and found ourselves a settled side but if we were to get injuries to the likes of Fonte, Yoshida, Shaw, Schneiderlin or Cork we may struggle. I personally do not feel Hooiveld, Seaborne, Fox, Chaplow etc are good enough at this level.

The difference of having Cork in as a proper holding midfielder as compared to Davis has been substantial. I think Ward-Prowse can play there but is a risk to rely on such a young player.

I think it would be in our interests to bring in a centre back, a left back (maybe who can also play CB) and another defensive midfielder. Of course if Cortese chooses to really go for it then another pacy winger (ie Lens or Phillips would be nice).
 
Oli_BN1 said:
Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Yesterday Gazza got caught in posession AGAIN, lucky to get away with it. I also remember seeing Clyne slip over at some point. And there was that mix up between Yoshida and Fonte which put Anita through 1 on 1 with Gazza. There's still frailties.
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What are you on about !! Clyne was excellent yesterday - again ! Slipping over isnt a mistake - it was f----- sodden out there !
Agree that our defence is not suddenly world class after one clean sheet, but i cant see how you can single out young Clyne for any criticism at all + they are improving as a defensive unit. I doubt any teams defence gets through an entire match without the odd slip up - otherwise every game would end up nil-nil !
 
Yes I think the defence has improved, we are making less mistakes and conceding markedly fewer goals attributable to a settled back 5, the emergence of Shaw and Cork returning from injury. However another factor has got to be the opposition we've faced. We've nullified an injury ravaged Newcastle with no form, a passionless QPR team with barely a goal threat between them and a Swansea team who according to Swans fans had their worst performance against us. We have improved, but we still need to bring players in. Our season will depend a lot on injury's, our first choice 11 is good enough for lower mid table but beyond that we are in trouble.
 
lamballana said:
So after seven points from 9 and only two goals conceded in our last three games have we turned a corner defensiverly. Gazza seemed to grow with confidence after that top save yesterday and there seems to be a solid feel to the back 4. We have real pace down both flanks and the central partnership seems to have gelled really well.Did we over react a couple of weeks ago? Should we still make defensive changes in the window?
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Id still like to bring in a LB and a CB.. Fox is awful and if shaw picks up a knock.. i get very nervous when he is in that position., also if either fonte or yoshida picks upa injury we have hooiveld in reserve and he hasn't been great this season.. but other than than not alot else needs tweaking this season.
 
I reckon Gazza's only problem is that he thinks he has the same sort of time on the ball as he had in League 2. This is only to be expected after the big jump in standard he has made. Once he gets used to the pace of the Premier League he is going to be one hell of a 'keeper.
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It would seem that this is no longer going to be the life or death transfer window that it appeared to be a few weeks ago.

Realistically though the club at some point are going to start shipping out the dead wood in the squad, and replacements are going to start coming in.

My bet is on De Ridder and Chaplow leaving in January. De Ridder desperately needs a prolonged run out at a lower league club and Chaplow could do a fantastic job for a championship team. I reckon a LB and CB to join, as fantastic as Shaw has been, it's not fair to rely on someone his age for a whole season.
 
We still need to bring in a CB and a LB. Some of the pressure needs to be taken off Shaw and we are in trouuble if either Fonte or Yoshida get injured.
 
Oli_BN1 said:
Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Yesterday Gazza got caught in posession AGAIN, lucky to get away with it. I also remember seeing Clyne slip over at some point. And there was that mix up between Yoshida and Fonte which put Anita through 1 on 1 with Gazza. There's still frailties.
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So Maya and Fonte prevented Ba and Cisse (two of the most lethal strikers in the Prem last season) from having a single shot on target all game and you're going to criticise them for one slip up?!

I'm not saying our defence has become top class over night but we are finally showing some form of stability and a lot of potential (you've got to remember that Maya is not only acclimatising to the Prem but also English football in general) and Shaw seems infinitely more competent than Fox has so far this season, closing down his man a lot quicker and knowing to clear the ball when in danger.

Having said all that, I would still bring in a CB and LB in January.
 
One of the most pleasing things about the last few games is how Fonte and Yoshida are becoming an established partnership. They are looking far more comfortable as a pairing.
 
Oli_BN1 said:
Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Yesterday Gazza got caught in posession AGAIN, lucky to get away with it. I also remember seeing Clyne slip over at some point. And there was that mix up between Yoshida and Fonte which put Anita through 1 on 1 with Gazza. There's still frailties.
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so you want everyone to play the perfect game at the same time or you won't be happy? <laugh>
 
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