RobM

Perhaps I'm wrong or not explaining my point well, but there were more than a few moments when two players were going for the same ball. Just signs you'd see when players don't play alongside each other much. Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the performance or team spirit, quite the opposite in fact as I think our ability to put any players alongside each other, play well and win convincingly is remarkable. It's amazing to see this many players of this quality, all of whom can add something to the team. Makes a change from half a dozen good players and a bunch of journeymen

348 fans from Torquay to Southampton on a Tuesday night, with threats of rioting, for a Carling Cup game is pretty good going! Good result tonight, even better considering the team that lined up tonight weren't a regular line up. Lots of players who don't usually play together so no cohesion or 'team', but still a good result.

No, but that's my point, we should continue this trend of getting rid of players like him, by selling him.

Apart from Puncheon, of course... I hope it is the start of a trend of getting rid of players who don't want to be here. Be it AOC, Puncheon or anybody else. If they are here, they should be committed (on the bus, if you like) and if they aren't, they can leave. If we can extort a ridiculous fee out of it at the same time, happy days.

I'm usually on the side of those who don't like the Pompey songs, but yesterday it was spot-on. For the first time in a while we're in the same league, we're clearly the better of the two teams and there is absolutely no reason to think we wont play them and win, easily. Given they are our dearest of all enemies, they have been more than happy to remind us when they were on top, calling them out just felt right.

Nah, those are rainbow coloured, not silver metal.

Whoever comes in, I would really like to see a consistent back four that isn't changed unless absolutely necessary. I think part of the problem (as I saw it ) in the confidence came down to the regular changes in partnerships, with Fonte being the only regular choice.

Even worse for them, is they have lost CMS. They didn't rely on a solid defence, they relied on simply scoring more than they conceded and their main provider has gone. Kevin Keegan tactics!

Anyway, this has turned into the total opposite of what was intended. What are peoples views on our defence for next season?

I'm pleased for you. I can hand-on-heart say those sat around me, those who spoke together at half-time at games and those who summarised after attending games weren't all as confident as you. We all see things differently though, so good for you.

Yes, really. Read it in context. You should work for NoTW... I can keep repeating the same thing if you would prefer? I said there wasn't enough confidence, I said the back four made people (fans and players) nervous and I've said not conceding goals isn't the only thing to judge a defence on. I haven't even started to mention distribution and attacking from the back (hoof to Lambert has been mentioned a few times...).

I said there wasn't enough confidence, I said the back four made people (fans and players) nervous and I've said not conceding goals isn't the only thing to judge a defence on. I haven't even started to mention distribution and attacking from the back (hoof to Lambert has been mentioned a few times...).

And that's my point, thank you. I haven't said last season was terrible (as I've pointed out before) I am simply saying we should be trying to improve and our defence is, IMO, the weakest area of the squad. I'm not as confident as you that we will be fine, but time will prove you or I right or wrong on that point. If, after the first 15 or so games, we're looking defensively solid and not conceding goals I will gladly, with a huge smile, be proven wrong. I'm just not confident in that happening without improvements.

Why do you hope for another CB, if we have one of the best defences in the country?

Defenders. This is a 'Big Defence Debate', so I thought that would have been obvious?

You're not allowed to say that, the stats don't back it up

Playing football in the Championship, obviously.

I'm looking at the performance, the confidence and the affect this has on the team. I don't just look at numbers and think job-done. I'm also looking forward to next season and how our current squad will cope. If you would like to debate that, please do. You haven't actually commented on my post though, you are simply saying look at the numbers. And using comparisons against teams that play in totally different leagues offers nothing to this. As you say yourself, goals conceded is more than stats. Having confidence in your back four is as important as having confidence in your keeper. Do you think a confident back-four that are reliable, consistent and inspire confidence in the rest of the squad is important? Or is it absolutely fine to not have this, so long as the stats are good? Just like the keeper... if a keeper doesn't concede many goals, but drops the ball, makes life more difficult than it needs to be, but ultimately keeps it out of the net his players in front will be nervous. Same applies to the defence. I haven't said last season was terrible, I said I think we can do better and, more importantly, need to improve ready for this coming season.

Club record. Think about it.

My reasoning is very simple - I don't believe our defence is good enough. That's it. I think we need a CB and I think our FB's are too attack-minded. I think last season we looked nervous in defence, especially at set pieces, yet we're going into this season to play better opposition with the same lineup.

So are you absolutely confident in our defence, going into this new season? Also those stats do look very good, but stats don't tell the whole story and can be used to prove any point you need. You could argue that for a promotion chasing team, conceding nearly a goal every game isn't good enough.

Or, 3) There is still plenty of time, other things are a higher priority (new signings and pre-season prep, for instance) and it will be done in due course.

Last season this was a problem. Every time the opposition had a set piece you could feel the entire stadium become nervous. Every time they went on the attack against us, you just felt there was a goal there. I can't think of a time since the Claus and Killer days when there was absolute faith in our defence. IMO, we need that same partnership back again. Fonte is one half of it, but we need the clever, calm and controlled no-nonsense CB that doesn't let anything through. Combine this with the intelligence, vision and control of Fonte and you've got a great partnership. This is worth big investment, IMO. All we then need to do is remind our full backs that they are defenders first and foremost...

Swap Hammond with Morgan and Cambo with Lallana and you've got it, IMO. You then have Guly to come on when we need some trickery, Chaplow when we need some aggression and battling spirit and Hammond when we need some calm or cover. Those three will also make ideal starting replacements for the others when needed. For me, as much as I rate Hammond, I simply think Morgan and Cork are better in his position. His captains armband could easily go to Fonte and he doesn't fit anywhere else, so he has to give way, IMO. I'd swap Chambo and Lallana and give Lallana the freedom to roam and do his thing, simply because I think AOC is a winger first and foremost and Lallana can be more flexible.

Are we judging those names on their ability then or now? Some have grown an awful lot since those days... Best, Baird and Jones especially. We are in a much better place now... We are a team.