Case for the defence

[manwithnoname]

I know this has been discussed - sort of - in the match thread, but I thought it was worthy of its own thread.

Although we still have no LB solution - Agger was solid, but I doubt he wants to stay there - I was very impressed with the defence yesterday.

Obv Reina threw one into the net, but he is allowed one blooper a season.

It was the way they all seemed well-drilled, and far more solid that pleased me. Carragher was the orchestrator, but Skrtel, who has had an up and down LFC career, looked fast, strong and (as usual) aggressive. He really put himself about.

And Magic was also very good. Yes, he will probably always have that "better going forward" tag thrown at him, but he looked far more confident in his defensive duties, and was his normal rampaging self in attack.

Very impressed

 

[LeTallecWiz]

I hope it's the start of a very good season for our back 4 ... they were very solid yesterday and only gave up one really good chance (Rosicky's). I was happy too.

 

[Oncy]

It's the first time in a long time that whilst watching I didn't see their goal coming. I thought Carragher and Skrtel were immense.

 

[Stulikesdrums]

Good post Brendan. I agree with you completely. Plenty of positives to be taken from the game/performance.

 

[Cerberus]

I was worried that the defense and the team in general wasn't going to be as organized under hodgson but that idea was put to rest yesterday. I was also delighted at the lack of hoofball.

 

[dmishra]

A very important question then is, if we do get a new left-back, who would you prefer alongside Carra - Agger or Skrtel?

I think Skrtel is stronger, quicker and more aggressive and given a run of games, actually a better defender than Agger. At the same time, I think Agger is more reliable and error-free. Come to think of it, although I like both Agger and Skrtel, I think we need someone with a better aerial presence. I liked how we defended yesterday but the lack of someone as dominant as Hyypia will catch us out on setpieces again this season.

 

[jexykrodic]

I thought the defence was very well drilled. We are led to believe that Roy Hodgson believes in practice, practice and more practice on the training pitch, it looks like it's paying dividends.

Arsenal rarely got around the sides even with Arshavin and then the introduction of Walcott. Their only real threat was through the centre when Rosicky came on; even then Reina pulled off a great save from Rosicky (by the way why doesn't Reina wear a cap?, it looked like The Lying Rag in his eyes caused the blooper).

I'd be loathe to change that formation, for the trip to Citeh especially.

 

[manwithnoname]

[quote author=Cerberus link=topic=41455.msg1155403#msg1155403 date=1281948798]
I was worried that the defense and the team in general wasn't going to be as organized under hodgson but that idea was put to rest yesterday. I was also delighted at the lack of hoofball.
[/quote]

Hodgson is renowned for his defence and organisation

 

[manwithnoname]

[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=41455.msg1155398#msg1155398 date=1281948200]
It's the first time in a long time that whilst watching I didn't see their goal coming. I thought Carragher and Skrtel were immense.
[/quote]

Well, there were a few moments in the first half I felt a bit nervous, because they looked sharper, however Chamakh never seemed mobile enough to threaten our lines. He was like a lamp-post

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Another point - I didn't feel remotely worried wrt set pieces and corners.

 

[Fox]

[quote author=LeTallecWiz link=topic=41455.msg1155409#msg1155409 date=1281949316]
Another point - I didn't feel remotely worried wrt set pieces and corners.
[/quote]

and bye bye Zonal, yipee. Thought we defended very well, Agger surprised me at left back and good on him for playing on whilst seeing stars

 

[manwithnoname]

Agger didn't surprise me, he's a capable defender and I'm pretty sure he's playe there before.

Doubt he wants to stay there, mind you.

 

[TheBunnyman]

True, we looked very solid. I think dmishra's right about the lack of heading ability though - let's face it, Arsenal are not the most aerially threatening team in the league.

I also think the way we set up as a team in that match - very cautious, sitting deep - made it easier for us to defend, but also consequently more difficult to attack with any fluency or conviction. I look forward to seeing us take a few more risks in future.

 

[Asbo]

Men on the posts for a corner!

My God I was happy to see that, its been so long since there was any.

 

[the_khl]

Good post Brendan.

Skrtel was for me the biggest positive really - he made a few dodgy passes and looked a bit confused at times - but baring in mind this was our first game of the Season he looked very fit.

That said I'm still a bit worried about the lack of ambition and skill when it's Carra and Skrtel paired central.

We were sitting extremely low for the best part of the first half and whilst I'm sure Masher's shaky start had it's influence too both Carra and Skrtel were sitting very deep themselves affraid of beeing exposed.

Agger isn't a LB and will command a place in central and unsurprisingly really I think he should start whenever fit. He can do a job now and then on the left which is handy but he's much better for me in central where he can spread out play both left and right.

At halftime yesterday I actually thought we'd be better of with Aurelio in the side and Agger in central as both Carra and Skrtel struggled to make the better of their possession.

Can Skrtel keep up these kind of performances however then a future Agger and Skrtel partnership looks more and more interesting. Both players won good headers against Chamakh too and generally looked boss in the air.

 

[spider-Neil]

as assured as agger looks at left back I still want aurelio there.

1) you are adding an excellent passer to the back line

2) you have someone on the pitch who's delivery at corners and set pieces is excellent

3) you have someone who will carry the ball forwards better than any CB

 

[RolandG]

I'm a massive Agger fan and he done a job at LB but I will always prefer a fit Aurelio ahead of him there.

 

[Portly]

I didn't blame Pepe too much for the own goal.

The ball came back at him fast, at short-range from the post. The best thing would probably have been for him to get out of the way of it, risking it falling to an Arsenal player. Once Pepe's body got in the way, it was almost inevitable that it was going to bounce off him over the line. On another day he might have been able to grab it, but it was a very difficult situation.

 

[manwithnoname]

[quote author=RolandG link=topic=41455.msg1155431#msg1155431 date=1281951452]
I'm a massive Agger fan and he done a job at LB but I will always prefer a fit Aurelio ahead of him there.
[/quote]

I wouldn't. Agger's a better defender and quicker, too.

 

[the_khl]

We are very much a pacy LB short in the squad as long as Kelly is not completely ready to step up. And he's not even a left-footed is he?

If we sell Masher I reckon we'll see a rather expensive LB beeing brought in as well as a new striker.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Brendan link=topic=41455.msg1155437#msg1155437 date=1281951851]
[quote author=RolandG link=topic=41455.msg1155431#msg1155431 date=1281951452]
I'm a massive Agger fan and he done a job at LB but I will always prefer a fit Aurelio ahead of him there.
[/quote]

I wouldn't. Agger's a better defender and quicker, too.
[/quote]

I know you shouldn't mess with your back line but agger at left back for away games (solid) and aurelio for home games (better going forwards, crosses better, another set piece taker) is a nice option to have.

 

[Portly]

Kelly has always been very impressive when he has got a chance to play in the first team. My feeling is that he is ready and we don't actually have a LB problem.

Carra put in a couple of excellent seasons at LB so I don't think being right-footed matters too much.

 

[SummerOnions]

I liked the fact that Gerrard came bck to scramble it out of the box twice, he was everywhere.

 

[Loch Ness Monster]

Skrtel was awesome, and looked largely untroubled. GlenJo looked as though he had been given clear instructions to sit back rather than bomb on, which frustrated the crowd when he got the chance to and didn't. Carra was his usual self, and Agger looked dominant. Again, Agger never flew forward, he was content to sit and defend which surprised me.

Pepe did look out of form, he was sluggish off his line twice in the first half, and looked indecisive due to lack of match practice.

 

[Loch Ness Monster]

[quote author=SummerOnions link=topic=41455.msg1155475#msg1155475 date=1281955940]
I liked the fact that Gerrard came bck to scramble it out of the box twice, he was everywhere.
[/quote]

The defence actually had a proper shield in front of them for a change, with Mascher and Gerrard everywhere. Solid.

 

[kingjulian]

[quote author=SummerOnions link=topic=41455.msg1155475#msg1155475 date=1281955940]
I liked the fact that Gerrard came bck to scramble it out of the box twice, he was everywhere.
[/quote]

I didn't think he had the legs to play that a role of that kind any more. Credit to him for keeping his fitness at such a high level.

 

[gene hughes]

I thought the back four were great but especially Skrtel and Agger.

 

[kingjulian]

I will say it...

I would much prefer Agger playing LB to
1. Relying on Aurelio or Insua. (I'm not sure even a fit Aurelio gives me enough confidence in our defense as Agger does.)
2. Spending money we don't have on yet another average player who will invariably fail.

The question is - do we have enough players covering Center Back and Full Back positions? We may still be one defender short.

Carra, Agger, Skirtl , Johnson, Aurelio, Kelly and Ayala. Thats 7 players covering 4 positions. We are at least short of one player. I hope we don't loan our Ayala to complicate things. He is capable.

(I'm leaving Insua out of that as he is not good enough)

 

[refugee]

[quote author=kingjulian link=topic=41455.msg1155558#msg1155558 date=1281962175]
Carra, Agger, Skirtl , Johnson, Aurelio, Kelly and Ayala. Thats 7 players covering 4 positions. We are at least short of one player. I hope we don't loan our Ayala to complicate things. He is capable.

(I'm leaving Insua out of that as he is not good enough)
[/quote]

The biggest problem is that Agger, Aurelio and Kelly (although it is too early to say for certain because he is still growing) are either very injury prone or made out of biscuits (Aurelio) not to mention that Johnson and Skirtel also had injury problems last season. We really need at least one more, preferably a full back that can play both sides.

Any chance of resigning Arbeloa?

 

[TheBunnyman]

[quote author=kingjulian link=topic=41455.msg1155558#msg1155558 date=1281962175]
I will say it...

I would much prefer Agger playing LB to
1. Relying on Aurelio or Insua. (I'm not sure even a fit Aurelio gives me enough confidence in our defense as Agger does.)
2. Spending money we don't have on yet another average player who will invariably fail.

The question is - do we have enough players covering Center Back and Full Back positions? We may still be one defender short.

Carra, Agger, Skirtl , Johnson, Aurelio, Kelly and Ayala. Thats 7 players covering 4 positions. We are at least short of one player. I hope we don't loan our Ayala to complicate things. He is capable.

(I'm leaving Insua out of that as he is not good enough)
[/quote]

There's Danny Wilson too. But we need a LB really: I'm not happy with Agger playing there on a regular basis. He's not mobile enough.