If Yoshida isn't the answer. Who is?

[GAS]

The answer to our defensive problems is not currently at our club,we had a season to pinpoint what we needed to bring in for a premier campaign but failed and I'm guessing that we will now struggle to bring in somebody in January as clubs are reluctant to let decent players go.

Where would you say we need to strengthen? Yoshida and Clyne have been brought in. Fonte I think, is solid. Fox has a question mark against him, but the cover he gets and the role he may be asked to do may contribute to his failings. What I like is that back four are essentially good ball players and not man mountain stoppers. Win or lose that is the football I want to watch and talk about.

[lordswoodsaints]

Where would you say we need to strengthen? Yoshida and Clyne have been brought in. Fonte I think, is solid. Fox has a question mark against him, but the cover he gets and the role he may be asked to do may contribute to his failings. What I like is that back four are essentially good ball players and not man mountain stoppers. Win or lose that is the football I want to watch and talk about.

I don't know the answer but the problem is that we have leaked far too many goals in so few games that you have to view the defence as either not working or not good enough so to me that is failure.
I don't know if its failure to recognise the problem or failure to attract a certain calibre of player but what we have is nowhere near good enough for the prem,clynne has potential but the rest are basically championship standard and it shows.
I too want to see good ball playing defenders but not at the expense of losing games or our premiership status,they need to get tough quickly and learn but if they don't then they need to be replaced because at the moment I haven't seen anything from them that fills me with confidence.

[killer fan]

Fox is the problem

[Mr X]

I don't know the answer but the problem is that we have leaked far too many goals in so few games that you have to view the defence as either not working or not good enough so to me that is failure.
I don't know if its failure to recognise the problem or failure to attract a certain calibre of player but what we have is nowhere near good enough for the prem,clynne has potential but the rest are basically championship standard and it shows.
I too want to see good ball playing defenders but not at the expense of losing games or our premiership status,they need to get tough quickly and learn but if they don't then they need to be replaced because at the moment I haven't seen anything from them that fills me with confidence.

And that is the main point that so many people are failing to see. three players that are championship at best in your back four will not be good enough at this level even if we work hard, it simply isn't going to happen and the stats already show this

[brmbrm]

wooooooossshhh

Grrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wanted to do that

[miserableoldgit]

Grrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wanted to do that

Do you still read "The Beano" or "The Dandy?"

[Cheese on Toast]

Don't get me wrong I like the guys enthusiasm and he's not terrible but to me at two and a half mil he isn't any better than what we already had, gets lost out of position all the time and no pace to keep up with the attacker and lightweight on the ball, seems good at long range passes though. Who would be an option to come in in jan to play alongside him? It's going to be a key signing that we have to get right!

wrong.

[Avenue Saint]

Odd thread.

Anyone with half a functioning eye can see what Yoshida has brought to the defence.

On initial observations, he has the makings of a very good central defender.

[georgeweahscousin]

The scary thing is I think the whole back four needed replacing.

We did half a job by bringing in Yoshida and Clyne.

I would like to see us get an experienced centre half and (provided Shaw hasn't already taken the place) a new left back in January.

Can't help thinking we missed a trick with Wayne Bridge who is playing well for Brighton.....

Personally I think we have a bargain in Yoshida.

[buctootim]

It would be relatively easy to reduce the number of goals conceded, but at the expense of goals scored. The tricky part is increasing defensive coverage without losing your cutting edge. Thats why you hear more moans than answers.

[St_Tel49]

When will people get it... The problem is more about our defensive shape and set up more than. Individual players

You disagree with Gary Neville then?