Best defence in the PL

[Wiggles31]

Deserves a thread of its own. Credit to MP for the signings of Lovren and Wanyama. 4 clean sheets in a row. Long may it continue.

[Batman]

for all Wanyamas faults in passing

he was excellent at winning the ball back, winning headers in midfield

 

any passes over 5 yards are an issue LOL

[Dalek2003]

It was the great Bill Shankly who said that you start building a great team with the goalkeeper and then the defence.

 

Maybe, just maybe we are starting to see the emergence of a great team.

[Olallana]

4 clean sheets total, 3 in a row (so far)

[Wiggles31]

4 clean sheets total, 3 in a row (so far)

 

Don't forget Bristol City.

[Trumush]

If you don't concede you dont lose.

 

This is the way to go - the goals will - like today - come.

 

No coincidence that since big Vic joined the party we have become frugal.

 

When they teach him to just pass to Morgan and let him do the thinking things could get even better !!!!!

[Olallana]

Don't forget Bristol City.

 

True but cant see how that relate to PL as the thread is named

[S-Clarke]

We're a completely different defensive outfit to what we were at the start of last year. We read the game well, we position ourselves well, players are always available for cover. We're an incredibly well drilled defensive unit and you can see the work in training coming out on the pitch.

 

We might not be massively exciting to watch at times, but we'll probably get more success by focusing on having a solid game if we're honest.

[RobM]

Attackers win games, defenders win championships... or something like that.

 

Wanyama has been a massive part of this defensive improvement. We just need to coach his bad passing out of him and convince him that sometimes simple is better.

 

Lovren is the player of the season so far, just superb and incredibly assured and composed. His timing and decision making are fantastic, some of his challenges could have easily resulted in bookings if they weren't perfectly timed, but he nails it every time. He and Fonte have formed an excellent partnership and Fonte himself looks a lot more confident and controlled than last season (where is was often a liability!).

[sammysaint]

Lorven is a quality CB, il even go out there and say pretty much world class, he will be snapped up in the summer if he keeps this form and we don't finish top 8.

 

Victor well i feel in a time game he should be replaced by Cork in the last 10-15 mins as his passes do go astray but his heading tackling and strength is amazing, hes a unit that bosses that midfield and would be at a top 6 club if he could pass better.

 

Its a young defence bar Fonte are defenders are under 26 starters and bench regulars.

[shurlock]

To play a broken record but after the first ten games, our defensive record last season was top 5-6.

 

On one level, this season's improvement is no great surprise.

[Tamesaint]

No goal conceded in September.

[Batman]

Manager of month?

[Saint_clark]

Manager of month?

 

Nah, Wenger without a doubt.

[Dark Munster]

I think the Holy Goalie deserves some credit too.

[eurosaint]

Bit of a difference from the early part of last season when we were shipping goals by the barrowload !!

Deep joy !

[Olallana]

I think the Holy Goalie deserves some credit too.

 

Definitely but stats show that our defense allows the lowest amount of shots against in the league so he wont get the recognition he deserves I think...

[Toadhall Saint]

Defence Defence Defence - don't conceded and your more than 75% there - loving it how we defend from the front

[alpine_saint]

Lovren has made a massive difference, but we shouldnt lose sight of the fact that we've only played one (other) team in the top 10.

[Toadhall Saint]

Lovren has made a massive difference, but we shouldnt lose sight of the fact that we've only played one (other) team in the top 10.

 

Agreed but our defense isn't just the four

[Olallana]

Hard to beat top 10 teams before you´ve played against them....

 

Beat what´s in front of you, rule no 1 in football.

[Dr Who?]

Lovren has made a massive difference, but we shouldnt lose sight of the fact that we've only played one (other) team in the top 10.

 

At Anfield!

[Tamesaint]

Lovren has made a massive difference, but we shouldnt lose sight of the fact that we've only played one (other) team in the top 10.

 

Perhaps the reason why they are not in the top 10 is because they have played against us.

[studentsaint]

It is no surprise under MP a former world class CB and organiser, that our defence is more solid but best in the league? Maj u just conceded the same amount at home to wba as we have all season!!

 

Great tacti as the midfield helps the defence and that may take away from our attacking numbers, but putting talented players up there and giving them the freedom to create chances is a superb strategy.

[Wattsy]

Just watching MOTD and thinking how lucky we are that we failed to sign Buttner. He was appalling. If we had, we probably wouldn't have gone in for Lovren.

[Barry Sanchez]

Its brilliant but lets judge League positions and goals conceded after we have played everyone.

[Saint_clark]

Lovren has made a massive difference, but we shouldnt lose sight of the fact that we've only played one (other) team in the top 10.

 

Two, WBA.

Also that's hardly the fault of the team is it. Our next lot of fixtures are Swansea, United, Fulham, Stoke and Hull - none of whom are in the top 10. If we concede say one more goal in those fixtures, will your view point remain the same? And if we then go away to Arsenal - who are looking phenomenal at the moment, having won every game since the opening day olf the season - and concede, will you then say "told you we couldn't keep a clean sheet against a top 10 side"?

 

December will be a huge test of our defence IMO. Every one of them tough fixtures (the exception of Villa at home), all coming thick and fast where fatigue could set in. Personally I could see Boruc winning the golden glove this year.

Edited 28 September, 2013 by Saint_clark

[Saint_clark]

Just watching MOTD and thinking how lucky we are that we failed to sign Buttner. He was appalling. If we had, we probably wouldn't have gone in for Lovren.

 

Why would signing a left back over a year ago have stopped us signing a centre back a couple of months ago?

[Olallana]

Just watching MOTD and thinking how lucky we are that we failed to sign Buttner. He was appalling. If we had, we probably wouldn't have gone in for Lovren.

 

??????

 

Buttner was last year and is a fullback....

[Ohio Saint]

Its brilliant but lets judge League positions and goals conceded after we have played everyone.

 

No more speculative posts until the end of the season then! I hope you will manage to keep that up!!