Defence

[TrueYid]

Manchester City
Gomes; Corluka, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto

Young Boys (a)
Gomes; Corluka, Dawson, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto

Stoke City
Gomes; Corluka, Dawson, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto

Young Boys (h)
Gomes (Cudicini, 46); Corluka, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto

Wigan Athletic
Cudicini; Kaboul, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto (Kranjcar, 46)

West Brom
Cudicini; Corluka, Gallas, Kaboul, Bale

Werder Bremen
Cudicini; Corluka, Kaboul, King, Assou-Ekotto

Any wonder we are strugling defensivly?

 

[spurdownunder]

As in it's like a dog's breakfast?

Granted, but all of those players now are experienced professionals. There have been a stupid number of times when we've just forgotten fundamental defensive basics and paid for it dearly.

 

[TrueYid]

We have played 7 games, and not played two of those games with the same back five, defensive stability comes from having a settled back 5 and we have not managed it once this season.

 

[Spurs_Bear]

Well we have, read your own post. We've started 2 games with the same back 5, then Gomes had to go off. In both those games we kept a clean sheet, because as proven from last year, it's our best back 5.

 

[TrueYid]

Well we have, read your own post. We've started 2 games with the same back 5, then Gomes had to go off. In both those games we kept a clean sheet, because as proven from last year, it's our best back 5.

Correct, it was not a critsism of anyone in particular, I was just stating that due to injuries too Dawson, Gomes and Kings dodgy knees we have had to change, which in turn must be contributing to the defences performances

 

[mil1lion]

This is why I think we're sticking with Corluka, because of consistency. We need to try and stick with the same defence as much as possible.

Last season we did great with Gomes, Dawson and Corluka starting most games. Ekotto started plenty aswell, with Bale playing left back from time to time. While Bassong rotated with King.

It wasn't the same back 5 every game, but there weren't many changes to it. The injuries to Dawson and Gomes have left Corluka as the only of those 3 standing (and he's barely standing himself atm :lol

We really need to make a decision to stick with certain players. Kaboul is looking really good atm, so I would stick him in place of Dawson. We can't do much with the keepers, just hope Gomes comes back soon enough. We should also stick with Ekotto at left back.

That means 3 certain starters at the back. So do we just rotate between Gallas and King at centre back? Or drop Corluka and maybe play Gallas right back? There's too many uncertainties atm.

 

[NEVILLEB]

Our fullbacks are struggling

 

[spurious1]

This is why I think we're sticking with Corluka, because of consistency. We need to try and stick with the same defence as much as possible.

Last season we did great with Gomes, Dawson and Corluka starting most games. Ekotto started plenty aswell, with Bale playing left back from time to time. While Bassong rotated with King.

It wasn't the same back 5 every game, but there weren't many changes to it. The injuries to Dawson and Gomes have left Corluka as the only of those 3 standing (and he's barely standing himself atm :lol

We really need to make a decision to stick with certain players. Kaboul is looking really good atm, so I would stick him in place of Dawson. We can't do much with the keepers, just hope Gomes comes back soon enough. We should also stick with Ekotto at left back.

That means 3 certain starters at the back. So do we just rotate between Gallas and King at centre back? Or drop Corluka and maybe play Gallas right back? There's too many uncertainties atm.

Agree with all that. Bassong must not be doing too well at the moment to not get a single start - maybe in CC?

Last year we played one defense most of the time, just swapping King and Bassong. I guess we will have to do the same for now, with Kaboul (the new fave on these boards apparently, although I agree he's done well when played) in place of Dawson and Gallas in place of Bassong. Making:

Corluka - Kaboul - King/Gallas - BAE

Alternatively Kaboul for Corluka and Gallas for Dawson. Corluka is the new whipping boy around here (taking, probably only temporarily, the crown from Jenas. Unfortunately Jenas has been playing very well, so we can't whine about how bad he is at the moment), so people are calling for him to be given the bench. e.g.,

Kaboul - Gallas - King/Bassong - BAE

I would not play Bale at LB for now, he is just doing to well on the wing, and especially if we are playing 451 we need a threat out there.

 

[Michey]

It's definitely a big problem and it looks like it will continue

 

[spurslenny]

Our fullbacks are struggling

Agree. And Palacios is struggling for the form that we saw from him when he first arrived.

 

[tommo84]

We knew we would have to chop and change at least 1 defender each game due to King's usual troubles. The injury to Dawson and Bassong's woeful perfomance in Berne have further contributed, but from here on in, (for the next 2 months anyway), I'd imagine we'll go back to how it was last season with the full-backs rarely changing and 3 centre-backs rotating (King, Kaboul, Gallas). So I think defensively we'll get better.

 

[PT]

That right side.

With Lennon struggling, and it may or not be as a direct consequence of Corluka off form I would suggest two options.

Keep Corluka in the team for back four consistency and to play him through his downturn in form. then put Bentley in front of him.

Put Hutton in as WB or Kaboul if not needed in central defence, and leave Lennon alone to do likewise and play through his malaise.