defensively we are sound

[w12dave]

but if we wants to get the best out of our strikers the we need a attacking central midfielders to support the strikers.

derry,faurlín and mbia are defensive midfielders

[dsqpr]

Defensively we are sound? You must have watched a different match from me! We were at sixes and sevens every time WHU put the ball into our area. It is a minor miracle that they only scored one.

[knocker]

we were a shambles in 2nd half. could have been 5. we will not get out of trouble playing like that. getting deeper and deeper making them look like Barcelona .

[Blunders]

By Nelson's standards so far this season - he had a bad game. Maybe his head is already in Toronto? 2 centre-backs are a must, over the next week or so.

[Will M]

Defensively we have improved greatly lately, one bad second half does not change that.

[West Acton]

Even today when we were poor we were getting bodys in the way of the ball the only one we failed to block was the goal. Im not so worried about the defence anymore as I was under Hughes

[dsqpr]

Defensively we have improved greatly lately, one bad second half does not change that.

Improved? Yes. Sound? No.

I thought we stole a point in the last match against Spurs too. Cesar will need to keep playing blinders if we are going to keep the opposition out because we are giving up a lot of good chances and our defending of set pieces from the start of the season until the present moment has been absolutely horrendous. If the other team has one player above 6 feet (I give you Carlton Cole today) then we are the keystone cops.

[Wolfy]

Agree, improved but not sound.

[Will M]

Improved? Yes. Sound? No.

I thought we stole a point in the last match against Spurs too. Cesar will need to keep playing blinders if we are going to keep the opposition out because we are giving up a lot of good chances and our defending of set pieces from the start of the season until the present moment has been absolutely horrendous. If the other team has one player above 6 feet (I give you Carlton Cole today) then we are the keystone cops.

Must have been watching different games, as I saw lots of outfield players putting in some great blocks etc. Cannot blame the defence for yesterday at all. We couldn't keep possession and were under immense pressure. Defence and Cesar did really well under the circumstances.

Defence sound? Wouldn't be my choice of words, but looks solid enough to me.

Though I guess I must admit, wasn't happy with Ned's second hand performance. He did very well first half though.

[Rangers77]

Defensively we are sound? You must have watched a different match from me! We were at sixes and sevens every time WHU put the ball into our area. It is a minor miracle that they only scored one.

It's not a minor miracle; it's called defending...... We stole that point possession wise. We struggled because we were too defensive and because we haven't a midfield other than Adel who can hold the ball, create space or make and take chances. Offence is the best form of defence, but the back five defended brilliantly, especially Cesar, Nelsen and Hill (but Mackie and Onouha ought to have done better with Jarvis). Derry and Mbia were good defensively, but woeful going forward.

[OneEyedWilly]

Cesar earned us that point for sure. Defensively, it was like watching a load of blind people chasin a ball with bells in it.

[Rangers77]

You need two eyes, Willy :-) Get a grip, people: We've conceded two goals in five games with three clean sheets. Five and a half including the Liverpool second half. That's not luck. That's great quality defending. We defended 45 of 46 crosses yesterday. Thank you, Julio, Ryan and Captain Clint. We struggle because our midfield can defend, but cannot attack so putting endless pressure on us at the back because we cannot keep the ball or get all over the opposition in their half.

[w12dave]

You need two eyes, Willy :-) Get a grip, people: We've conceded two goals in five games with three clean sheets. Five and a half including the Liverpool second half. That's not luck. That's great quality defending. We defended 45 of 46 crosses yesterday. Thank you, Julio, Ryan and Captain Clint. We struggle because our midfield can defend, but cannot attack so putting endless pressure on us at the back because we cannot keep the ball or get all over the opposition in their half.

[BUSHRANGER1982]

The defence definitely needs strengthening.
Never before, and I seriously doubt it will ever happen again, has a team made Sam Allardyce look like Pep Guardiola, or West Ham look like Barcelona.
We defended deep, had everybody back, and still managed to look like a Rabbit caught in the headlights
Yes, the point we gained was down to grit and determination, but also a huge slice of luck, too.

[Rangers77]

The defence definitely needs strengthening.
Never before, and I seriously doubt it will ever happen again, has a team made Sam Allardyce look like Pep Guardiola, or West Ham look like Barcelona.
We defended deep, had everybody back, and still managed to look like a Rabbit caught in the headlights
Yes, the point we gained was down to grit and determination, but also a huge slice of luck, too.

I agree. We played badly for reasons I've said, were lucky, but defended well when under the cosh. We ought not be under the cosh.