Lack of Aerially Dominant Defender

[GuangzhouBlade]

The second half today once again highlighted how weak we are in the air when defending crosses and aerial balls.

Its taken O’Connell being out for me to realise just how good he is in the air. None of Bash, Robinson or Stevens are 6ft4 (Dunk, Tarkowski types). So teams seem to be getting a fair amount of joy with balls in to the channels and the box, knowing Egan operates centrally as a sweeper type.

Egan is a good organiser puts his body on the line and generally suits the system but he can’t defend every single cross and corner on his own. I really hope we don’t regret not getting a more “traditional” centre half in having not got a left footed centre half in the window. It would also be great to be able to leave McBurnie or Didsy up top when defending set pieces. And if we do have to switch to 4 at the neither Bash and Egan nor Robinson and Egan would fill me with confidence.

 

[yorkshirecoast]

The second half today once again highlighted how weak we are in the air when defending crosses and aerial balls.

Its taken O’Connell being out for me to realise just how good he is in the air. None of Bash, Robinson or Stevens are 6ft4 (Dunk, Tarkowski types). So teams seem to be getting a fair amount of joy with balls in to the channels and the box, knowing Egan operates centrally as a sweeper type.

Egan is a good organiser puts his body on the line and generally suits the system but he can’t defend every single cross and corner on his own. I really hope we don’t regret not getting a more “traditional” centre half in having not got a left footed centre half in the window. It would also be great to be able to leave McBurnie or Didsy up top when defending set pieces. And if we do have to switch to 4 at the neither Bash and Egan nor Robinson and Egan would fill me with confidence.

Agreed - JOC is brilliant at defending crosses. We needed to address that weakness in the transfer window but didn’t.

 

[GuangzhouBlade]

Agreed - JOC is brilliant at defending crosses. We needed to address that weakness in the transfer window but didn’t.

If he had gone elsewhere in the summer for 30/40 million I would have probably thought “not ideal but plenty of cash to find someone similar”. Having seen us without him not a chance should we accept less than £50 million. I can’t really think of any Left footed centre half as good with the ball has as him (besides Laporte and Ake) never mind one we could afford

 

[Bert]

The best defensive headers were from McBurnie, shame he can't do it at the other end.

 

[coolasanidiot]

The best defensive headers were from McBurnie, shame he can't do it at the other end.

It’s easy to head the ball away without direction. It’s a different kettle getting power and direction either side of a decent Prem goalie. But heading is the least of his deficiencies. Flat footed slow and weak are poor attributes for an attacker in this league.

 

[Stevo]

The best defensive headers were from McBurnie, shame he can't do it at the other end.

The fact he is good defensively is why we start with him, I'd love to see us start with B&B

 

[Bruce Wayne]

The best defensive headers were from McBurnie, shame he can't do it at the other end.

Play him at CB then because he's fucking useless in front of goal.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

The fact he is good defensively is why we start with him, I'd love to see us start with B&B

I'd be surprised if Burke isn't in the side for these next 3.

We'll be digging in & hitting long balls into channels for him to chase.

 

[GuangzhouBlade]

Much better performance all round tonight but this problem is still there for all to see and Liverpool are hardly a massive side...

 

[DronnieBlade]

100% Jota doesn’t score that on the back stick vs JOC.

Poor from Enda, who isn’t the answer to our LCB conundrum.

UTB

 

[GatefordBlade]

The second half today once again highlighted how weak we are in the air when defending crosses and aerial balls.

Its taken O’Connell being out for me to realise just how good he is in the air. None of Bash, Robinson or Stevens are 6ft4 (Dunk, Tarkowski types). So teams seem to be getting a fair amount of joy with balls in to the channels and the box, knowing Egan operates centrally as a sweeper type.

Egan is a good organiser puts his body on the line and generally suits the system but he can’t defend every single cross and corner on his own. I really hope we don’t regret not getting a more “traditional” centre half in having not got a left footed centre half in the window. It would also be great to be able to leave McBurnie or Didsy up top when defending set pieces. And if we do have to switch to 4 at the neither Bash and Egan nor Robinson and Egan would fill me with confidence.

Yes not replacing O’Connell may prove a big mistake, even Warwick Davis would be a handful for our defenders!

 

[Rufus Smalls]

It’s easy to head the ball away without direction. It’s a different kettle getting power and direction either side of a decent Prem goalie. But heading is the least of his deficiencies. Flat footed slow and weak are poor attributes for an attacker in this league.

Harsh for a bloke who put a shift in tonight, but difficult to disagree with.

 

[Lowen]

I think Stevens is our best choice at LCB but that aerial weakness will remain all season without O'Connell.

 

[Snowflake]

Agreed - JOC is brilliant at defending crosses. We needed to address that weakness in the transfer window but didn’t.

....or couldn’t

 

[brownblade]

Bump. We need players all over the park. But I think what can ruin the beginning of the season, would be if we don't buy at least one centre back (and a keeper) in the next few days.

Our defence was absolutely shot of confidence and despite not playing world superstars this season (which helps), how much confidence can they have regained after pre-season...?

Need a Worrall type, 100%. A tough CB.

 

[Bladezz]

Bump. We need players all over the park. But I think what can ruin the beginning of the season, would be if we don't buy at least one centre back (and a keeper) in the next few days.

Our defence was absolutely shot of confidence and despite not playing world superstars this season (which helps), how much confidence can they have regained after pre-season...?

Need a Worrall type, 100%. A tough CB.

Yes Wilder spotted this in January. Wanted Worrall and Souttar.

We are now going into the season without one of these 2 again while both are available.

 

[jt64]

We've bought the primary hoofball target, and the other one is fucking off to Spain. It's fine

 

[Bladezz]

We've bought the primary hoofball target, and the other one is fucking off to Spain. It's fine

All we have done all pre season is pass it from the back we even do the 2 central defenders in the 6 yard box from corners.

 

[John Street West Terrace]

Rumoured now we’re trying to get Soutar in on loan from Leicester , there is definitely one aerially dominant CB

 

[FriethBlade]

Needed one for years and years as can be seen by the date this thread started. My money is on us finally signing Jake Cooper in 2035 when he's 40