Why do you think Hughes did not address the defence issue in the summer?

[Dale]

Ofcourse but this transfer window gone Hughes has done what he could do. Do people honestly think that of Hughes was able to sign Dawson or samba this window he would have said no ? Of course not he would have snapped them up.

I know that, that why I put next transfer window

[Felt]

I think for the most part we have the players in defence. It might be heresy to say this as Ned is the current boo-boy, but I would like to see him get a decent run at CB with Nelsen. Ideally though we need to get rid of Anton and bring in someone considerably better. Bosingwa/Fabio, Nelsen, Onuoha and Traore/Fabio in defence, with three of Diakite, Mbia, Granero and Faurlin then Adel and Hoilett on the wings with Zamora up front would be a pretty decent side.

[Geng]

Just gonna repeat myself here:

"If the injuries to Fabio, Traore, Bosingwa, Ferdinand, Dyer and M'bia had instead been to, say.... Faurlin, Granero, Diakite, M'bia, Park and Derry, you'd be making this EXACT same post but with defenders and midfielders swapped."

and M'bia was the top CB in the French league the season before last. So Hughes did buy a highly-rated centre half, just no one here pays attention to the French league. Anyone here know much about Cabaye 18 months ago?

[QPR Richard]

The CB issue he believes he resolved because we've got 5 on the books: M'bia, Hill, Nelsen, Onouha, Ferdinand. Whether they're the right choices is another question. In the fullback department he went for Traore, Bosingwa and Fabio. We're clearly one short. Some might say and Dyer. That would mean we've an imbalance because like Fabio and Bosingwa, Dyer would play RB. Fabio is a RB who fills in at LB. the reason why we needed another LB is because Traore is too unreliable IMO.

One thing is sure. The priority come January is a LB and two CFs. Maybe a new CB with Ferdinand or Onouha saying goodbye.

[Timmy the Doc]

I think he did try to issue the defending problem. He didn't succeed completely, think losing Dawson was a big disappointment for him too. Our injury problem certainly wasn't foreseeable? And good CB's maybe aren't available that easily - at our price and wage structure.
Reminds me of good strikers, does not grow on trees. For example, beats me, how Real Madrid stick with Benzema and Higuain, would rather keep Hulse and Bothroyd!

[MattyRangers]

Didnt adress the defence? He brought in Nelson, Mbia, Bosingwa & Fabio - a whole new back 4. Cant see much more he could have done tbh. We havent had a game yet with all of these fit, & able to play together so bit harsh to be criticising his defensive buys IMO.
I hate the old "bad luck" card, but we seriously have had no luck with injuries this year at the back.

[Del]

He did adress the issue.
Fabio LB
Bosingwa Rb
Nelson Cb
M'bia primarily Cb
All better than what we had last season so what's the issue that we have had injuries and Hughes didn't buy another four more defenders .

Exactly

The OP is conveniently ingoring the fact its injuries dictating our back 4 selections, not the fact it wasn't addressed. Clueless.

As for those going on about trying for Dawson then not getting a cb... Wake up, he then chased and got Mbia who's been cb for 2 yrs. The fact he started as a cdm is irrelevant, but a bonus for flexibility.

I also think people are thinking because he played midfield on sat are assuming he's here for that role. Imo, MH did that as Faurlin, who looked leggy against west ham, needed a rest and with Diakite banned mbia was the best option as Anton back and could play CB instead of Mbia.

Couple more points... Some say Nelsen should be back up only.... Wtf, he's been almost faultless since playing and proved a class above all our other "defenders". I said all summer he was bought in to start and he's proved why.

Also, those saying get Dawson in jan.... Why? He had no interest in joining QPR so why would you want him in our team?

Our first choice back 4 will be when fit;

Bosingwa....Mbia.....Nelsen.....Fabio

First choice back up;

Dyer......Ferdinand....Hill....Traore

In recent weeks we've had 6 of them injured so hardly surprising our defence has been suspect!!

[upperloft]

I think Traore needs a run in the team, him and Bosingwa need to play. Fabio on the bench as he is on loan, and i believe he is no better than AT and JB. Hill should not play or be anywhere near the starting 11. This may sound harsh but I think he cant cut it in our team, he has done a great job but we need to move forward. Anton, I have never rated him, not good enough IMO. But I fear we will stand by him with the Terry situation. I wasnt to impressed when we signed nelsen, I thought he was too old. I thought he was coming in as a squad player but I'm glad we have signed him as he is our best CB IMO. Ned needs a chance at CB, hardly seen him play there, always at RB. And hopefully M'bia could be our main CB for years to come, only seen him play 1 game at CB so fingers crossed.

[Ginger Ninja]

I think Traore needs a run in the team, him and Bosingwa need to play. Fabio on the bench as he is on loan, and i believe he is no better than AT and JB. Hill should not play or be anywhere near the starting 11. This may sound harsh but I think he cant cut it in our team, he has done a great job but we need to move forward. Anton, I have never rated him, not good enough IMO. But I fear we will stand by him with the Terry situation. I wasnt to impressed when we signed nelsen, I thought he was too old. I thought he was coming in as a squad player but I'm glad we have signed him as he is our best CB IMO. Ned needs a chance at CB, hardly seen him play there, always at RB. And hopefully M'bia could be our main CB for years to come, only seen him play 1 game at CB so fingers crossed.

if he can stay fit. thats the main reason he hasnt played.