Back Four

[PT]

Or more specifically, the central defenders.

Our game is based on attacking football and is no more apparent than when we play in Europe. Domestically scoring goals is a chore.

But the real issue I think is the inconsistency of our back four. I count the full backs in the malaise because on occasion Corluka has had to shift across to fill a void in central defence.

This issue is becoming more and more regular as the seasons pass by.

King, when fit, is a shoe-in. Yet his primary debilitation is essentially almost certainly the cause of secondary injuries as he never trains fully to maintain optimal fitness.

As a consequence the central pairing is never going to achieve consistency gained by repetition and trust if the players are inter changed game after game.

I'd personally like to see Bassong and Dawson start when fit and they would be our frist choice pairing, with Gallas and King coming in on injury or suspension.

 

[brett.spurs]

No mention for Kaboul?

King and Daws when fit for me, after that I'm not sure. Gallas hasn't exactly had a great start

 

[PT]

Forgot Kaboul but he looks useful as a marauding right back.

 

[molly]

Last season we had a fantastic defensive record and it was for one reason - Michael Dawson. Ledley is superb, we know, but it was Daws that provided an ever present. Whoever came in, Daws always remained.

This season with Daws picking up an injury, we are changing not just one player, but both CB's and they are having no time to gel and gain an understanding. The amount of defensive partnerships we have had this season is frightening.

Sooner Daws is back the better.

*Edit* - Oh jizzcock, it's dvdhopeful on g/f account.

 

[AW?]

Kaboul for RB for me and flog Hutton but have Charlie as backup. I know Kaboul hasn't really played that position that much and he's not even that established offensively, but he has a bit of pace and he can tackle which goes a long way for me in my view of a player whos job is to prevent attacks from the opposition.

Bassong i'm not really sure of if i'm honest. He has his good moments and can also get about but he is very hit and miss. I like the idea of Gallas and Dawson on paper potentially. Gallas hasn't played that many games and hasn't had a chance to form any kind of partnership so he's my choice for now. Debatable whether he's of sound mind though in my opinion if you consider his past. Woodgate amjd King well it's the same old story.

 

[AW?]

Last season we had a fantastic defensive record and it was for one reason - Michael Dawson. Ledley is superb, we know, but it was Daws that provided an ever present. Whoever came in, Daws always remained.

This season with Daws picking up an injury, we are changing not just one player, but both CB's and they are having no time to gel and gain an understanding. The amount of defensive partnerships we have had this season is frightening.

Sooner Daws is back the better.

*Edit* - Oh jizzcock, it's dvdhopeful on g/f account.

He had a great season and he was some peoples favourite, but for me it ws Gomes who really came into his own last year. Getting in Wilson helped us massively too until he lost it a bit at the end.

 

[YidLee King]

King is the best cb i have eveer seen play the game, no question. But for me Daws and Bass should be the most used regular pair. they got us fourth last year and gallas has been shit so far, bassong was better tonight.

 

[spurdownunder]

Gallas has so far proved Arsene Wenger right for jogging him on.

 

[kaz Hirai]

To be honest I don't think dawson wouldve faired much better tonight, milan are one of the top 3 teams in the world, only a fit king and woody wouldn't be made to look average against that lot

 

[fortworthspur]

neither Bassong nor Gallas looked good tonight. Personally, I have my doubts about Bassong unless we have no other options (we dont right now). But the original point about consistency is right on - none of our current pairings have tons of experience together. King can play with anyone, then its kind of up in the air.

 

[kcmei]

King playing as a lone CB is better than Gallas and Bassong together, enuff said...

 

[TrueYid]

King playing as a lone CB is better than Gallas and Bassong together, enuff said...

PLAYING is the operative word here. He doesn't play often enough and when he does there is guarantee he will last 45 minutes let alone 90.

 

[Davo99]

I think Bassong has got a future, but Gallas has been awful thus far. I'd rather Kaboul playing anyday.

I think we need another top centre back to supplement King, Dawson, Bassong and Kaboul - something Gallas has been brought in to do on a temporary basis.

 

[sim0n]

Gallas has so far proved Arsene Wenger right for jogging him on.

At the CL level, yes. He can still do a job in the prem though, but he and Bassong together do not inspire confidence...

 

[danielneeds]

You give the likes of Sneijder and Zanetti time on the ball like we did in the first 30 mins, and it doesn't matter who you have at CB, they will kill you.

 

[Mullers]

It's time for King to be relegated to the bench. If we have a central defensive pairing that is playing well then they shouldn't be broken up to accommodate king or any other player.

 

[C-oops]

Kaboul and Dawson for me. Combination of defensive intelligence , good reading of the game, heading ability, pace, power and passing. Gallas hasn't impressed me at all and bassong needs a king or Dawson next to him really. When daws it fit again it has to be him and kaboul. Let them build a partnership. Could last for a good few seasons. Let king play when there are injuries and in the cups. If Dawson and kaboul is not the answer then we require a top class cb in Jan or the summer at the latest. Someone with pace to complement Dawson.

 

[piedpiper]

Kaboul and Dawson for me. Combination of defensive intelligence , good reading of the game, heading ability, pace, power and passing. Gallas hasn't impressed me at all and bassong needs a king or Dawson next to him really. When daws it fit again it has to be him and kaboul. Let them build a partnership. Could last for a good few seasons. Let king play when there are injuries and in the cups. If Dawson and kaboul is not the answer then we require a top class cb in Jan or the summer at the latest. Someone with pace to complement Dawson.

I fully agree. I would go along with Kaboul and Dawson as the first choice pairing. EVEN when King is fit, to continously drop defenders to accomodate King is not helpng our back four to trully gel. When Dawson is back i would only ever play King when resting one of those two. Bassong also needs game time and would make Kaboul,Dawson and Bassong the first choice defenders. This is in no way writing off Ledleys qualities but having him in and out of the team is hampering us at this point.

 

[onthetwo]

It's time for King to be relegated to the bench. If we have a central defensive pairing that is playing well then they shouldn't be broken up to accommodate king or any other player.

Sad but true...

 

[badajozjim]

It wasn't just dawson last season but the back four were well protected by Palacios who gave us that bite in midfield as good as jenas and Hudd are they don't offer the same aggresiveness. Just hope he can find some kind of form.