Best Defensive Record in the PL since October 2017?

[Dreambeliever]

Allison's kicking was ridiculously good last night. Insane how good it was and also how assured he is.

It was like having Xabi in goal at times

 

[Gerry_A_Trick]

Anyone going to mention that Karius was one of our most consistent performers for this run and it predates Virgil?

 

[doctor_mac]

Anyone going to mention that Karius was one of our most consistent performers for this run and it predates Virgil?

It looks like you just did Gerry.

 

[Mystic]

Anyone going to mention that Karius was one of our most consistent performers for this run and it predates Virgil?

It should be mentioned, more importantly it was Karius' ability with his feet compared to Ming, it's such an important part of our game and massively helps relive the pressure on our defence.

 

[Halmeister]

Anyone going to mention that Karius was one of our most consistent performers for this run and it predates Virgil?

Bit of a myth. How many times did Karius save us, keep us in a game, keep the opposition at bay? Maybe once? Even then I'm guessing and being generous. Most teams set up to defend against us, and, as a result, have far fewer attacks. We defend as a team, starting at the front. Karius did okay in his run, but we might as well have had any spacker in goal as he was largely untested. In fact, he's chief spacker.

 

[Brizzle]

We now have a completely different back 5 to the start of last season

-------------Mignolet-----------
Clyne--Matip--Lovren--Moreno

to

--------------Alisson----------
TAA--Gomez--VVD--Robbo

 

[Mors]

Big Virg is the daddy

 

[HC]

We now have a completely different back 5 to the start of last season

-------------Mignolet-----------
Clyne--Matip--Lovren--Moreno

to

--------------Alisson----------
TAA--Gomez--VVD--Robbo

Thats a bit mad isnt it? Whole new defence in 12 months. Thank fuck though.

 

[tombrown]

We now have a completely different back 5 to the start of last season

-------------Mignolet-----------
Clyne--Matip--Lovren--Moreno

to

--------------Alisson----------
TAA--Gomez--VVD--Robbo

Pedantically speaking Clyne was not available at the start of last season, so it was Gomez/TAA in right back

 

[doctor_mac]

I thought this was interesting analysis of the way our defending (and personnel) has changed:

 

[Dreambeliever]

Thats a bit mad isnt it? Whole new defence in 12 months. Thank fuck though.

And even madder is the fact they look solid and settled.

TAA hasn't started amazingly this season but was ace last year

 

[The Nomad]

Where have all the Gomez dissenters gone? It's only been 1 game...

 

[manwithnoname]

Where have all the Gomez dissenters gone? It's only been 1 game...

He played well, so deserves his chance in the team. Until - if/ when - he then doesn't. I do like his pace in the middle, complements Virgil nicely, although Lovren is pretty quick too, Gomez has the edge in that department, I think.

 

[doctor_mac]

He played well, so deserves his chance in the team. Until - if/ when - he then doesn't. I do like his pace in the middle, complements Virgil nicely, although Lovren is pretty quick too, Gomez has the edge in that department, I think.

What I like about Gomez over Lovren, as well as his pace, is that he doesn't dive in, in a testosterone fuelled haze, allowing him to be slipped, sidestepped or gifting an unnecessary foul. Gomez will make mistakes though, as he's very young, so it will be tough to choose between them. Nice problem to have.

 

[The Nomad]

Imagine being the best defender in the world, but having to sit on the bench.. The shame degsy.. The shame.