The Footie Thread

[Piece]

There's no doubt that he has improved some players, Sterling and KDB being the standout ones for me, and probably a few more, but in terms of defenders I cant think of one.

Kyle Walker. He's improved.

From cr4p to bang average.

 

[Piece]

Ake was fine as a back up for Laporte. But not to walk into the first team - having come from a side that conceded about 60 odd goals per season. He needs coaching before being good enough to start games at the top end of the league, IMO.

Cant argue too much about that. With Pep's system, he simply doesn't have enough numbers at the back when counterattacked. You can have Maldini and VVD at the back but without support/numbers, the same would happen.

 

[fundy]

Cant argue too much about that. With Pep's system, he simply doesn't have enough numbers at the back when counterattacked. You can have Maldini and VVD at the back but without support/numbers, the same would happen.

as long as they can play out from the back and spray the odd 40 yard ball then alls fine, no need to bother with actually defending lol

 

[Liverbirdie]

Cant argue too much about that. With Pep's system, he simply doesn't have enough numbers at the back when counterattacked. You can have Maldini and VVD at the back but without support/numbers, the same would happen.

I think they took advantage of the "foul early" system until they got called out on it, then pundits / fans also got onto it and lastly the refs. Fernandinho was also starting to age, as well as get booked and sent off more, so once the first/second press is broken, they are highly vulnerable, as its normally 2 vs 2 or 3 vs 3, if not outnumbered.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

There's no doubt that he has improved some players, Sterling and KDB being the standout ones for me, and probably a few more, but in terms of defenders I cant think of one.

My point was about defenders specifically. £340m on defenders and they're still weak as piss defensively.

 

[Liverbirdie]

My point was about defenders specifically. £340m on defenders and they're still weak as piss defensively.

Yep, if you cant coach defenders, get a coach who can or change your system or "principles".

If you cant coach expensive £30-60 million defenders (must be on his 10th or 12th one by now), have a word with yerself.

 

[Deleted member 1740]

Yep, if you cant coach defenders, get a coach who can or change your system or "principles".

If you cant coach expensive £30-60 million defenders (must be on his 10th or 12th one by now), have a word with yerself.

I genuinely feel sorry for the likes of Stones. Made a few errors and bombed out. Young talented defender whose being left out to dry.

On the other hand I admire Peps ruthflessness with players he deems not good enough. But there's gotta be something inbetween.

 

[Tashyboy]

Ake was fine as a back up for Laporte. But not to walk into the first team - having come from a side that conceded about 60 odd goals per season. He needs coaching before being good enough to start games at the top end of the league, IMO.

Trust me, as soon as he was bought, he was in front of Otamendi and Stones and was partnering Laporte. Until the Benfica lad came along. He is miles in front of Garcia and Fernandinho.
Oddly enough he was our best defender, but then again playing alongside walker, Garcia and Mendy it must of felt like he had been in a car crash.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

My point was about defenders specifically. £340m on defenders and they're still weak as piss defensively.

Are you sure Stu? The last 3 seasons have seen them concede the fewest goals in one of the seasons and 2nd only to yourselves in the last 2 by 1 and 2 goals respectively.
I agree about the money he’s spent, but they still concede very few.

 

[fundy]

Gonna be a very long season for Fulham on current evidence

 

[Deleted member 1740]

Are you sure Stu? The last 3 seasons have seen them concede the fewest goals in one of the seasons and 2nd only to yourselves in the last 2 by 1 and 2 goals respectively.
I agree about the money he’s spent, but they still concede very few.

Yes. they’re definitely weaker defensively.

They concede less because few teams actually lay a glove on them. The majority of teams were beaten before a ball was kicked season before last.

 

[clubchamp98]

Are you sure Stu? The last 3 seasons have seen them concede the fewest goals in one of the seasons and 2nd only to yourselves in the last 2 by 1 and 2 goals respectively.
I agree about the money he’s spent, but they still concede very few.

Not doughting your stats .
City play mainly in opponents half and will score goals.
But when they don’t play that well ,like against Leicester their defenders need to play well.
But apart from Laporte they are not good enough.
When you pay that sort of money he should be the finished article not need coaching , especially off Pep.
If Leicester’s finishing had been better they could have scored 8/9.

 

[paddyc]

I was quite upbeat about our chances tonight until I saw David Luiz is in the side. You just know hes going to do something stupid, get sent off or concede a pen ffs

 

[fundy]

hows that not a red card for Mane?

 

[paddyc]

hows that not a red card for Mane?

mmm....clear deliberate hand in the face

 

[Fish]

mmm....clear deliberate hand in the face

With a clenched fist as well ?

 

[fundy]

Gonna be a long old night for Arsenals front 3, hope theyre not expecting any service

 

[paddyc]

hello???

 

[fundy]

what a thing of beauty that was lol

 

[SteveW86]

Gonna be a long old night for Arsenals front 3, hope theyre not expecting any service

???

Maybe not from their own players