Our defence

[PeterWithesShin]

Whichever combination people prefer still concede too many, Cash, Pau and Konsa sometimes look good, too often don't. Same goes for Konsa, Pau and Carlos. The latter were great home and away v Arsenal last season and Bayern this. On the flip side Konsa and Carlos both started the last 3 games v Liverpool, we conceded 8 and got 1 point thanks to Duran saving us late on. For too long we've relied on that, the attack bailing out whichever combination we've had at the back, and now that the attack is out of form we struggle to win.

[PaulWinch again]

Mate, I'm only presenting the facts such as they are. Whatever you think, Emery doesn't appear to agree, so take it up with him. To be honest, apart from a handful of games, the whole defence has been atrocious for the best part of a year, whoever has played, it just looks like a fundamental weakness on Emery's part at this stage. It's gone on for ages, and he's seemingly unable to sort it.

It's a bit odd as well as that backline was solid as a rock before the turn of this year, the offside trap was so effective and well drilled it was unreal.

And it’s why I still think the defensive failings are a symptom more than cause. I still think it’s the lack of control or energy in midfield. You need one or other and a lot of the time we’ve had neither -  not to say there aren’t good players in there, but it’s not doing what we need to support the defence.

[LeeB]

Mate, I'm only presenting the facts such as they are. Whatever you think, Emery doesn't appear to agree, so take it up with him. To be honest, apart from a handful of games, the whole defence has been atrocious for the best part of a year, whoever has played, it just looks like a fundamental weakness on Emery's part at this stage. It's gone on for ages, and he's seemingly unable to sort it.

It's a bit odd as well as that backline was solid as a rock before the turn of this year, the offside trap was so effective and well drilled it was unreal.

And it’s why I still think the defensive failings are a symptom more than cause. I still think it’s the lack of control or energy in midfield. You need one or other and a lot of the time we’ve had neither -  not to say there aren’t good players in there, but it’s not doing what we need to support the defence.

I agree regarding it being a symptom, but more of the forwards giving up posession too easily with us going in the wrong direction.

[ChicagoLion]

Mate, I'm only presenting the facts such as they are. Whatever you think, Emery doesn't appear to agree, so take it up with him. To be honest, apart from a handful of games, the whole defence has been atrocious for the best part of a year, whoever has played, it just looks like a fundamental weakness on Emery's part at this stage. It's gone on for ages, and he's seemingly unable to sort it.

It's a bit odd as well as that backline was solid as a rock before the turn of this year, the offside trap was so effective and well drilled it was unreal.

And it’s why I still think the defensive failings are a symptom more than cause. I still think it’s the lack of control or energy in midfield. You need one or other and a lot of the time we’ve had neither -  not to say there aren’t good players in there, but it’s not doing what we need to support the defence.

Agree, to start with we are now conceding the ball to the opposition more than ever under Emery which puts more pressure on the defence.

[eye digress]

I know that Tyrone's right leg is only for standing on, but surely if any left footed defender could cope with playing on the right, it's Torres? He's so good on the ball, surely that's the major requirement if you're playing slightly out of position? He can leave all the dirty tackling to Mings.

Knowing how strong he is off his left foot, our opponents frequently try and press him on that side so as to prevent him from releasing the ball. I've noticed he sometimes checks back to play off his right - looks ungainly but quite effective.

[Smirker]

Another disasterclass.

[PaulWinch again]

I do think people confuse this - the back 4 in making plenty of mistakes, and clearly has to take a share of the blame, but our work off the ball more generally is pathetic. The midfield is absolutely non-existent in screening the defence. That is the main problem - if you let top flight footballers just run at your defenders you will concede plenty, and that’s exactly what we do.

[Demitri_C]

Another disasterclass.

It was no hiding that

[LeonW]

Just seen the title of this thread. Has anyone seen our defence for most of 2024? Asking for a friend.

[Steve67]

I appreciate they are injured but I'd like to see Onana and Kamara as our midfield two with Tielemans pushed further forward, Rogers and Ramsey as the wider players who perhaps mix and match their play.  As for the actual players who call themselves defenders, I haven't been impressed with Torres, other than his passing, Carlos is built like a wardrobe and, sadly, plays like one.  Maatsen will be fine but needs games.  The dutch kid isn't up to this level as yet.  Thank goodness for Emi, that late save was world class. 

[pauliewalnuts]

Carlos is horrific. Needs replacing.

And no lengthy post referencing statistics about our defensive line-ups in the last season or two is going to change my mind on that.

[PaulWinch again]

Carlos is horrific. Needs replacing.

And no lengthy post referencing statistics about our defensive line-ups in the last season or two is going to change my mind on that.

He also gives the air of someone who knows he’s likely out of the door.

[Demitri_C]

Carlos is horrific. Needs replacing.

And no lengthy post referencing statistics about our defensive line-ups in the last season or two is going to change my mind on that.

Completely  agree

[Steve67]

Carlos is horrific. Needs replacing.

And no lengthy post referencing statistics about our defensive line-ups in the last season or two is going to change my mind on that.

This is right Paulie as we are comparing apples and oranges.  Each season is different and small things can make a difference.  Consistency is key and some players have fallen backwards, Carlos included, Cash included, Torres included.  We were great last season and managed to get into a pattern, which is not beyond them to get it back but perhaps that was a peak point and we have to consider, if we don't move players on and bring others in, we will further stagnate.  Unai worked miracles last season with what he had but needs better players to come in if we want to continually move forward.

[PaulWinch again]

Unai basically hasn’t been able to address what we’ve lost by having Kamara and Doug together. That was when it all worked, ever since they weren’t playing together we have struggled defensively.