07 Aug 2014 15:38:52
I think people are maybe going a bit too far on judging our defence. IMO the weak link in our defence last season, was Santon. He's not a left back, he's so predictable, he's either a right back or right winger. He got exploited so many times.

As for Saylor, I think he's a hot and cold player, he will have solid games where he is playing alongside collo, and he's willing to put his body on the line, and he'll have bad days where he'll be so clumsy, like bringing players down needlessly or stepping up the defensive line too late.

This is a solid back 4:
Janmaat - M'Biwa - Coloccini - Haidara

As i've said many times, the defence gets way too overworked and as a result to why we concede so many. It gets overworked as spire pointed out, we have poor ball retention.
We have two engines in Sissoko and Colback
An anchor in Tiote, and i'm not really sure what type of players Abeid and Bigirimana are. As for Anita, he's too lightweight to be a defensive midfielder, would rather see him as backup for janmaat.
A deep lying playmaker in Clement Grenier and a goalscorer in either Connor Wickham or Alexandre Lacazette would see us have a good spine/backbone in the team.

1.) 07 Aug 2014
JT I think MYM and Collo are too similar to play together and neither is that good in the air. There is not much to choose beween Dummet and Haidara but I think Dummet has the edge defensively.

2.) 07 Aug 2014
Toony not far away BUT even this defense is nowhere near good A quality CB to play with Coll and Mwb to be ready to step in if any injuries BUT you an I both know Williamson will start with Coll

3.) 07 Aug 2014
The only solid player in that back four is Janmaat!
Yanga-M'biwa occasionally looks like the talented CB we thought we were buying but most of the time he plays more like Bramble.
Colo no longer looks like the brilliant CB he's been for us he gets caught out of position when he fails to read the play and tries to run out and nick the ball off the opponent too much now.
Haidara is exciting because of his pace and his ability to carry the ball out of defence but there's nothing solid about the defensive side of his game he gives silly free kicks away in dangerous areas, gets caught out of position a lot and doesn't do enough to stop crosses coming in from the left.

Janmaat-Willo-Manga-Santon

That what my defence would be if I got my way Santon is the weak link in that defence I know. I'd sell Santon and one of Haidara or Dummett and sign a competent defender but it won't happen and between the three of them Santon is the more complete LB.

4.) 07 Aug 2014
Noone can deny that Willo was our best defender last season and is really the only one who has been consistent the last 2 seasons. He is the only one who talks and actually keeps a line and uses his head. i'm by no way saying he amazing but I think we need a new CB to play alongside him, and actually think Collo is close to loosing his place if a first class CB is brought in.

5.) 08 Aug 2014
Danie no one is saying he was not BUT he was part of almost the most dismal defense in the Premiership and something needs doing about it before it is too late because it will happen again this season.