saintant

Back four was shocking...completely clueless. I lost count of the times they stood arm raised appealing for an offside decision that didn't come. Without a figure like Claus to marshall them they have no idea. You need one defender with some nous and the others take their lead from him to keep a good line and catch forwards offside - we were completely bedraggled hence their attackers could get down either flank or through the middle with ease. We must play with more than one forward as we looked far more dangerous when we introduced some support fro Robertson.

Have to disagree with those putting Cork forward as a centre back. Today he missed headers, fell over, stood off players and generally allowed Blackstock to bully hima and give him the run around. He is not physical enough to handle the type of forwards he will come up against. Whether that is bacause of his young age I am not sure but for now he is not ready to play CB so I would play him as a full back if anywhere. Wotton looks a better bet at centre half than Cork as at least he can handle himself and stand up to strong forwards.

Cork is not a centre back - too light weight and not good in the air. He was a real weak link at the back for us today and Surman wasn't far behind him. We have a good footballing side but until we sort out the defence which looks so fragile and weak in terms of pshysical strength and nous we will always gift goals to the opposition. No matter how well you play going forward if you are giving away gift goals and presenting your opponents with chances galore you will not win many games. We made Blackstock look world class even though he was playing up fron on his own and that says it all. There is so much talent in this side going forward but somehow we must develop a sold foundation at the back. Thought Lalana was superb today and deserved to score what was a superbly worked goal.