Yeah, and with Lloris coming in too, there was a lot to deal with early on. Once AVB settled on playing Dawson regularly I thought we defended very well for most of the season, it was just the old problem of not being able to defend set pieces that crept back in as well as some suicidal defending from Walker which stood out as negatives to me. The statistic doesn't really surprise me though, we had quite a few injuries in defence with Kaboul getting injured, Gallas picking up knocks throughout the season and Benny was back then he wasn't then he was back again. Plus the tactical switches AVB made, like moving Vertonghen to left back for more physical games. For now though, if it aint broke don't fix it.
"For now though, if it aint broke don't fix it." The skill of the manager is to ensure that when the breaks occur, that the replacements are not "cold starts" . If the likes of Naughton, Fryers etc can get a 20-odd min run-out at the tail end of enough PL matches, then that will be good.
I'd like to see an alternate defence given a run in the cups, though. Naughton, Kaboul, Chiriches and Fryers protected by Sandro and marshaled by Friedel should be ok against our Europa competition. Anyone have an update on Lennon and Chadli, by the way? I know the former's still not returned to full training.
Done nothing wrong against Norwich, albeit had little to do due to the domination in midfield but against Arsenal he was appalling. For me, Kaboul is the better player and when fit, should start. I'm a big fan of Daws but I do see him as 3rd best CB behind Vertonghen and Kaboul.
Yeh I guess. If it goes to Rose and we get a goal - it's pinging it If it's sent to Crouch who doesn't score/isn't supported/loses it....it's lumping it and I/we slag him off. haha
Yes, Dawson did have a mare at the Emirates. So too did Vertomghen. As it happens, I thought Dawson was better than Verts on Saturday but I guess that doesn't fit with your agenda.
We are looking good, very good even against Norwich, but it is very early. It was very encouraging that Eriksen looked, as AVB said, like he's been here three years instead of three days. The AVB teams we've come to know have been strong to the point of domination, but have lacked a cutting edge. If Eirksen and the other 7 Samurai provide it, we're going to be in very good shape--especially as the downfall of the AVB team last year, lack of depth, has also been addressed. To my mind, this is a good test: a draw or a loss, or even a white knuckled 1-0 win with them pouring forward at the end, is likely and will indicate we're not as good as we looked against Norwich. But a relatively routine win would be another indication this could be a special team.
When you consider what Norwich have done to us in the last couple of years then 2-0 is a bloody good result for us but was expected. Another away win would be good but I just hope we can maintain the form, as I've said before it's better to play our best football at the end of the season like you know who did last season.
Not sure what "agenda" that would be but I'm not sure what you were watching Saturday if you thought Dawson was better than Vertonghen. Neither really outshone one another, both dealt well with everything defensively though I'd say Vertonghen was involved in a lot more build up play so if anything, he marginally edges Dawson in "battle of the CB's" on Saturday.
I'm not too sure about this. If we had started well last year we would have CL football. This year it will be important to stick with Liverpool and Arsenal. If they start to get away I will be worried as I expect at least 2 of City, Utd or Chelski to click into gear at some stage.
Agreed, to my amateur eye neither was better than the other. Daws is better in the air, and at "pinging it". Verts is faster, and able to bring the ball forwards through the middle which opens people up and allows Paulinho, Rose and Walker to bomb on too. Still, Kaboul has been out for a while, and Daws is Captain so no harm in keeping things simple and rotating later once Kaboul has played in Europe a bit more.
We've started brilliantly this season for what is a very new looking squad. We only lost at Arsenal because of a defensive error and with that aside, we've conceded 1 goal in 6 games. Very un-Spurs like lol. With our record signing still to be bedded into the team, key players returning and players improving form from last season, it's looking very promising.
Considering the churn in the squad this summer, and a settling down period still in progress for the newcomers, IMHO things are proceeding very nicely indeed. Obviously Soldado not on the mark in the PL yet is a bit of a concern, but that looks as if it it will be short-lived.
Yeah if Kaboul's still not ready then I've no problems with Daws starting, Daws is a great player it's just I think Kaboul is better. Both have very similar attributes at CB but Kaboul has the advantage with pace. It's a blessing to be able to say one has to be benched, many teams would kill to have one of them.
He's got the two pens in PL RBDB. Though if you mean from open play I agree, it won't be long before he gets one. If it weren't for Bassong on Saturday he'd have scored that cheeky back heel.
Saw a few vids of Chiriches a week or so back, looks very skilful for a CB! Couldn't quite believe some of the runs he made, looks a talent that's for sure. Hopefully if he gets his work permit sorted we'll see him Thursday night (if eligible).
He's always looked good there, will never forget his cross to Crouch that secured us CL football. In fairness though Walker looks to be getting back to the form of the season before last which is good.
