Our defence

[ozzjim]

The point about the press is spot on. If you want the high line to work we need to get the press right.

We also need to be stronger. Emery was right, we were weak. It worked last season because Mings is brilliant on the cover and Moreno is fast. Young and Mings organised the line too, and consistently caught people out. With changing the back 4 so often in the first 4 games, we're going to struggle with consistency.

Time is vital, Torres will improve, but I think Emery might have a bit of a rethink of our line.

[Ads]

If the midfield keep giving the ball to the opposition in our own half, whether under pressure of the press or not, then you're going to create your own defensive problems.

[chrisw1]

It’s not just the high line.  We conceded two goals from set pieces.

[edgysatsuma89]

It’s not just the high line.  We conceded two goals from set pieces.

Shit goals to give away.

[ozzjim]

If the midfield keep giving the ball to the opposition in our own half, whether under pressure of the press or not, then you're going to create your own defensive problems.

Kamara was awful in both our defeats

[frank black]

I’m worried about Pau. I’d never seen him play or even heard of him before we were linked/signed him. Judging from his start he doesn’t look physically strong enough or quick enough and from what I’ve read this is what others have said, before we made our move.

Doesn’t help when his minder gets a season ending injury, we are f###ed without Mings.

[PaulWinch again]

It’s not just the high line.  We conceded two goals from set pieces.

Yeah but that happens sometimes. The high line with a poor press is the main problem to fix.

[brontebilly]

I think Torres is the ideal player for how Emery envisions us playing. But he's brought him in before we've actually manged to play like that with any kind of consistency. Add then the Mings injury and Torres having to play all the matches immediately, and it doesn't look like all that great a signing.

Torres was never going to play next to Mings, the thought of either of them playing RCB is daft. If we play a high line then Torres is a liability. Without Carlos and Mings, I'd really fear for our ability to defend set pieces. Torres certainly won't win many header and it isn't Konsa's strength either. Thought it was a strange signing from the get go.

[CT Villan]

IIRC Moreno struggled for the first few games following his forced introduction. That's my only hope for Torres, the alternative is not good.

[AV84]

I think Torres is the ideal player for how Emery envisions us playing. But he's brought him in before we've actually manged to play like that with any kind of consistency. Add then the Mings injury and Torres having to play all the matches immediately, and it doesn't look like all that great a signing.

Torres was never going to play next to Mings, the thought of either of them playing RCB is daft. If we play a high line then Torres is a liability. Without Carlos and Mings, I'd really fear for our ability to defend set pieces. Torres certainly won't win many header and it isn't Konsa's strength either. Thought it was a strange signing from the get go.

I didn't say anything about Torres playing next to Mings. I actually assumed he'd slowly phase Mings out over the season. My point was that Mings getting injured meant Torres was thrown right into the starting lineup instead of being slowly introduced and given a chance to gradually adapt to the pace and physical nature of the Premier League.

[PaulWinch again]

IIRC Moreno struggled for the first few games following his forced introduction. That's my only hope for Torres, the alternative is not good.

“Only hope” is a bit dramatic. He’s a talented player he’ll work it out. It doesn’t matter who you swap in if our midfield performs like it did today.

[pauliewalnuts]

What I like about Torres is his passing out of defence and his ability to carry the ball. He also looks quite vocal and gets involved in organising.

What I don’t like, so far (and am stressing this as being based on not many games) is his lack of pace and physicality.

Moreno also looked defensively iffy in his first few games so maybe he too will need time but his introduction to our league thus far is a bit worrying.

[pauliewalnuts]

IIRC Moreno struggled for the first few games following his forced introduction. That's my only hope for Torres, the alternative is not good.

“Only hope” is a bit dramatic. He’s a talented player he’ll work it out. It doesn’t matter who you swap in if our midfield performs like it did today.

That is a valid point but then again look at stuff like how he got totally outmuscled for Burnley’s goal.

That’s an example of what is worrying, that was an individual weakness

[garyellis]

I’m old enough to remember when Ken McNaught started his Villa career and how initially it was felt he wasn’t the standard we had been used to with Chris Nicholl
Now I loved Chris but Ken turned out fine for us
Pau will be fine when he settles into the pace of the Premier League.

[Clampy]

He's just getting used to the demands of this league, that's all. I think he'll be absolutely fine.