13 Aug 2017 11:13:43
Ed01.

My point previously about needing a natural holding midfielder seems to have been enhanced by yesterday's performance.

It's no coincidence that spurs and Chelsea, the top 2 from last season, had Wanyama/ Dier and Matic respectively and they went on to finish in the top 3 for least goals conceded.

With the way we bomb full backs on, we need natural protection.

Yes I don't think Lovren is good enough and Matip doesn't have enough about him, but any world class centre backs would be exposed in our current system.

A new CB and natural CDM for me is a must. Not another headless chicken in midfield!

Saying that, whoever we buy, if we set up like we do at set pieces, we're surely still going to concede.

I feel it's a mixture of more and better coaching needed with the addition of 2 key players in the positions I stated.

{Ed001's Note - you will never get an argument from me, if the full backs are going to get forward as they do, then a holding mid would help. It is not essential, if the players in the team were intelligent enough and given enough freedom to spot gaps developing, as one player goes forward and fill that gap. Sadly players are overcoached and robotic these days, so it seems a proper defensive mid is needed who just fills in gaps, as a normal mid never bothers.}

1.) 13 Aug 2017
13 Aug 2017 12:10:48
I'd love a 2017 version of Didi in the team at the minute.

2.) 13 Aug 2017
13 Aug 2017 12:24:08
The goals we conceded had nothing to do with the full backs bombing on.2 corners and a throw in.
Yesterday our defending set pieces showed Mignolets lack of command in his box. I now understand why he kept Ward and its he doesn't trust Migs or Karius.

3.) 13 Aug 2017
13 Aug 2017 12:47:52
I wasn't after an rguement ed by the way, just to see if you understood my point and for your opinion on it. So thanks for that mate.

No fin way - if you think our goals conceded tally is just down to set pieces, you should watch again. Yes we defend them horribly, both coached badly and played badly as individuals, but our awful defensive record is not all down to set pieces.

{Ed001's Note - I have wanted us to sign Medel to fill that role for years mate. I think we have lacked bite since Hamann left.}

4.) 13 Aug 2017
13 Aug 2017 12:58:52
OP, Ed is correct. Look at the second goal off a throw in. Can goes in to press but he gets bypassed. Instead of Hendo to drop into the space as cover in anticipation of Can not being able to get the ball, he goes in to press the other player instead. He gets caught out and there is where Moreno is exposed with Amrabat and Cleverley with Cleverley unmarked out wide. Neither Can nor Hendo try to track back and the whole defence are in 6's and 7's trying to cover the gaps both Can and Hendo left behind as there was an overload on Moreno's side. This is what the Ed is referring to.