Just what was going on last night? West ham very very easily put 4 goals past us. Now I know we have been poor defensively all season but we were bullied constantly at the back and it looked like men against boys. I'm at the point where I think the full back 4 needs scrapping and we need to start again. From the below who still has a career with us
Emerson
Alonso
Tomori
Zouma
Rudiger
Christiensen
Azpilicueta
James
At the minute I'd keep Emerson as a back up left back, rudiger and tomori to fight it out for one of the centre back spots and as back up, they're both quick and strong but I really think they need a good partner at the side of them, azpilicueta with very reduced playing time as a utility back up option if all else fails and James as a starter if he can get back to his pre lock down level of performances
Defence
posted on 2/7/20
We lack a leader/ organiser in defence
We should sign one to groom Tomori
Christensen switches off too much and lacks heart
posted on 2/7/20
Playing next to a defender who is capable of leading defence would probably raise the performance of our CB’s a lot (similar to the effect Van Dijk and Laporte) have had
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posted on 2/7/20
I think people overstate the impact of VVD. He was obviously big, but Robertson and TAA finding them form and starting regularly had a big impact on the back four as well, then you have Allison.
They went from having a dodgy keeper and a back four that was always changing to a brilliant keeper and three quality defenders playing every game all in the space of six months.
posted on 2/7/20
Some great points on here...both explaining why Pool are so strong at the back & we aint...it all rings true to me
posted on 3/7/20
I feel we need 4 signings at the back to be able to compete. A new goalkeeper is a must whether that's to replace Kepa or to compete with him for a season, my choice would be Henderson.
It's obvious we need a left back I personally think we need 2, I don't want Chillwell as he's not much better than what we currently have and he'll cost close on double the amount of players like Telles, Alaba, Sandro and Taglifico out of those I would go for Telles and Alaba.
As for a CB we really need a world class 1, someone who can organize our defence, a leader, someone who can read the game and can instill confidence at the back, the player I want but I think he'll be to expensive is De Ligt.
I would sacrifice Alonso, AC, Emerson and Zouma as well as Cabbalero, obviously we would still need to top that up with other sales.
posted on 3/7/20
Alaba has lots of CL experience and versatility
posted on 3/7/20
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 4/7/20
comment by Bridge of dreams (U8917)
posted 1 day, 22 hours ago
To be honest JP nothing new happened that we did not already know and the way Lampard was talking he is fully aware whats needed.
Basically Christensen has lapses of concentration and is forever loses a player. He has done this throughout he's career with us, and to be honest he has got older and still not improved, time to go.
Rudiger has not recaptured he's from from last season, I would play him but watch him very closely, we may need to change.
The left back position has been an issue for a good few seasons, we need Jam es back to hes best and switch Azpi there till season end.
As for Kepa, and some may not agree, for the disallowed goal he should have been at lest trying to dive over the ball and smother, across the players if he had to.
And can someone tell me what the hell he was doing for the equalizer at end of 1st half. He started to come without even checking it was clear, yes he was watching the ball but he started to come when the ball was nearly past him.
we have to get a keeper in and urgently, this guy is not going to cut the mustard.
But to be honest there were other players as well you could pick out.
This will not be a quick fix, I think you could be in 2 transfer windows looking at 5 maybe 6 players.
But as I said we know the issues and I am 100% sure Lampard does as well
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Agree with everything in this post
posted on 4/7/20
comment by Devil D.A. (U6522)
posted 1 day, 20 hours ago
comment by BrummieBlue! (U3487)
posted 7 minutes ago
comment by Christopher - High Priest of The Church of Ndombele (U20930)
posted 9 seconds ago
Kepa is the worst shot stopper in the league. He's actually awful
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What!!!!
He's a very good shot stopper, that's the best part of his game.
It's command of the area he struggles with!
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I said it all through last season & nothing's changed. I agree that shot stopping is his main strength, but if there's even the sniff of a shot that might beat him the smart money says it WILL beat him! The good shot stoppers (not even great) don't give you this feeling.
As good of a deceive counter as it was, West Ham's third goal so depressing to watch slowly unfold. You knew Alonso lost the runner (of course), you knew Rudiger would show him the scoring angle (of course) and you knew Kepa wouldn't save it (of course). All three in that play were the underdogs, but there was a certainty that none of them would bail the other two out.
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Brilliant, spot on!
Kepa' s best attribute is his shot stopping, but it is till meh. He has to go. We should go for Henderson and force United to make a decision on him or De Gea. They will probably then ditch De Gea and frankly, despite his 3 howlers per seasonn, I would have him all day long over Kepa.
posted on 4/7/20
comment by Devil D.A. (U6522)
posted 1 day, 17 hours ago
Playing next to a defender who is capable of leading defence would probably raise the performance of our CB’s a lot (similar to the effect Van Dijk and Laporte) have had
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And a GK that leads too. People forget that aboutCech