A serious question - your views pls.

[Mister E]

Does Hou have a defence coach on his staff? - who are they and what the hell are they doing at the moment?
And whilst we're at it, who is the goalkeeping coach? - why has Friedel's command of the 6 yard box become so tenuous?

I'd appreciate your views and comments becuase I'm really confused about the defensive turnaround from last to this season.

[Dave]

Rafa Gonzalez is the goalkeeping coach

[Mister E]

Rafa Gonzalez is the goalkeeping coach

Thanks Dave. Having Wiki-ed him he does not appear to have much of a pedigree.

[eastie]

Neither friedal or guzan inspire confidence from crosses, and the command of the 6 yard box is a major problem - it's no good just standing shouting 'away' , we have conceded far too many goals from crosses no more than 6 yards out.

[BannedUserIAT]

It has been a very poor season defensively. Fulham's 2nd goal where Friedel came and blew it highlighted not only his weaknesses, but that of whomever is in charge of organising the defence during set pieces as no one was on that post. A real 'WTF' moment.

You have to build from the back. And that's part of the problem with Villa right now...I just don't know where we're building from.

[Dave]

Neither friedal or guzan inspire confidence from crosses, and the command of the 6 yard box is a major problem

Agreed.

It's the main reason why I think people desperate for Shay Given to come in are wide of the mark. Great shot-stopped through he is, the man's barely caught a cross in his life.

[eastie]

Shay given has twice been named pfa goalkeeper of the year by his fellow pros- I doubt he would have done that if he couldn't catch a cross?

I rate given highly and would be happy to see him here with Westwood as back up.

[Dave]

Shay given has twice been named pfa goalkeeper of the year by his fellow pros- I doubt he would have done that if he couldn't catch a cross?

And Friedel has once as well.

I doubt he... etc etc.

[Chris Smith]

I think from open play the defence is getting close to where they were last season. The last 20 minutes yesterday was a case in point, a man down but managed to restrict them pretty well. However, set pieces are still a major worry. Part of it I think is to do with the change in personnel. We used to have three dominant centre halves plus either Heskey or Carew and as a result won the majority of headers in the box. However, I do think there's also something more than that, whether it is down to tactics, concentration or confidence I couldn't tell you but I'm worried every time we conceded a dead ball anywhere in our half.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

I think we were more defensive under MON, which, obviously, helped the defence, but we sometimes lacked ability going forward as a result.

GH is trying to find the balance. It's clear after playing how we did under MON we won't win anything, so let's try and play some entertaining football, and if we lose some in the process, so be it. I'm up for being a second-rate Arsenal!

[WarszaVillan]

I'm not

[eastie]

Maybe Steve walfords influence with the defence is being missed as our coaches now are in the main ex midfielders , perhaps we need a specialist defensive coach .

[Rico]

I've never understood why Nigel Spink has not been offered the job of goal keeping coach. A true legend, who if playing today would easily be England'd number 1

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I'm still hopeful, maybe in the summer, GH manages to persuade Patrice Bergues to come and join him. By all accounts he's the footballing brain behind Houllier's success as well as being a superb defensive coach. Somebody mentioned yesterday Michael Owen's autobiography where he speaks about GH being brilliant as a Club manager but not the best on how to turn things around during a game. I'd be delighted if we could reunite the GH - Bergues partnership.

[Mister E]

Maybe Steve walfords influence with the defence is being missed as our coaches now are in the main ex midfielders , perhaps we need a specialist defensive coach .

That was really the point of the original question: we have had a problem for most ofthe season defending set pieces and yet nothing obvious has been done about it.
I've said elsewhere, the  responsibility in the 6 yard box is down to the keeper - so who is raising Friedel's game?

BTW, I've noticed even 'star' keepers like Joe Hart are punching at everything these days, rather than trying to make a clean catch. What is going on?!