Will Maya start against Arsenal?

[Saint Bones]

Looking forward to see him play - Seen Japan play plenty of times ( sadly sometimes being a convict ) but their defense has been generally solid. As always its about how the 'partnership' goes but intially I think he'd need a Vocal, commanding DC next to him - Unsure who would be the better in Jose or Jos.

 

In saying that - as many have mentioned - Our defense has had a real baptism of fire and perhaps we need to get them a few more game to decide. Sadly - Points matter

[Avenue Saint]

I didn't think Fonte had that bad a game, but his reputation proceeds him now on here of course.

 

Sliced a clearance under no pressure which led to corner. Then from that corner, failed to pick up can van persie, who scored from a free header. Game over.

 

Would love to see Yosh alongside Jos.

[BlakeySFC]

He better had otherwise we're f****d

[Smirking_Saint]

I didn't think Fonte had that bad a game, but his reputation proceeds him now on here of course.

 

Funnily enough I thought that aswell, the zonal marking crap certainly didnt help. If it wasnt for our ten minute capitulation I would probably say he did ok. They were restricted to scoring from set pieces.

 

At first I thought he failed to pick up RVP for his 3rd but just like Rio he wandered into the box unchallenged from the edge.

 

More a coaching issue than a poor individual performance.

[Smirking_Saint]

The more I have been thinking about it the more I think this is a coaching issue, Fonte and Fox were poor defensively but surely with better defensive organisation it would have been far better.

 

The way I saw it yesterday the zonal marking didnt work, we didnt really crumble in open play, we defended the box pretty well but failed at set pieces, I cant remember the goals against city but if memory serves at least the 3rd was indirectly from a corner.

 

The zonal marking isnt working as we have coached it so far, but hope springs from the fact we restricted both united and city to longish shots and set pieces.

 

New coach required

 

NB - sorry posted this on Wrong thread earlier

[Willo]

Sliced a clearance under no pressure which led to corner. Then from that corner, failed to pick up can van persie, who scored from a free header. Game over.

 

Would love to see Yosh alongside Jos.

 

I do not disagree with this, but would add that Jos has given two needless penalties away in three matches. I would probably look to replace Fonte in the starting eleven, but I don't agree with what I perceive to be the general consensus on this forum that Fonte is to key cause of our weakness at the back. In my view, the centre back partnership is the most important partnership between any two players on the pitch, and I think Fonte is taking significantly more of the blame than he deserves. If there is any blame, i think it should be more shared with Jos than i perceive it to be...

 

I really hope (and i'm not directing this comment to anyone in particular) that fans don't end up turning on Fonte, even if he makes mistakes. Save up the anger towards players who don't put the effort in, or seem only interested in the money, or who try to use the club as a stepping stone to somewhere else. Fonte is none of these things, and i'm still really pleased he's in our squad

[david in sweden]

when Maya comes in ....it'll be for Fonte.

[Avenue Saint]

I do not disagree with this, but would add that Jos has given two needless penalties away in three matches. I would probably look to replace Fonte in the starting eleven, but I don't agree with what I perceive to be the general consensus on this forum that Fonte is to key cause of our weakness at the back. In my view, the centre back partnership is the most important partnership between any two players on the pitch, and I think Fonte is taking significantly more of the blame than he deserves. If there is any blame, i think it should be more shared with Jos than i perceive it to be...

 

I really hope (and i'm not directing this comment to anyone in particular) that fans don't end up turning on Fonte, even if he makes mistakes. Save up the anger towards players who don't put the effort in, or seem only interested in the money, or who try to use the club as a stepping stone to somewhere else. Fonte is none of these things, and i'm still really pleased he's in our squad

 

Agree with a lot of your sentiments and one thing is for sure, no fan should ever turn on one of his own! Booing your own player is for a certain type of 'supporter', personally reckon you should 'cctv' them and chuck 'em out on their ass!

 

Anyway, Fonte has been looking shakey for a while now and although Hooiveld hasnt been perfect these last 3 games, i sincerely believe he is the least 'accident' prone of the two...

 

These defensive lapses are more than costly in this league.

[Saint Fan CaM]

The answer to the OP will only be provided by a series of tests utilising Yoshi with alternately Fonte and Jos, plus analysis of his fitness in comparison to other CB's. This is the way NA works. So we will not be able to guess until we actually see him play. Even then, it'll be pure guesswork as the Management of the club don't want to risk giving any advantage to opposing teams and it's clear that strategy is paying off now we've got so many points on the board.