We need to improve defensively.

Dj Frisky · « **on:** May 24, 2007, 12:27:36 PM »

I think that we can clinch a place in the Champions League next season only if we can improve defensively.

We finished in 5th place for a second sucessive season which is great but we gave far too many goals away. If we want to break into the top four then we must cut out these mistakes we make.

We let in too many goals in and also losing matches which we should not have lost.

I still think there will be improvement in our team next season and if we do that we will be in a better position.

dedleysting · « **Reply #1 on:** May 24, 2007, 01:31:46 PM »

With the hopefull signings of Bale and Kaboul, the defence will improve no ends! The more players we have, the more competiton for a place, which can only be a good thing - to bring out the best in the players, in turn tightening up our seemingly leaky defence, like Frisky stated.

Jol has said a number of times, we have conceded to many goals form set pieces i.e. corners, free kicks etc, this must be to do with a lack of communication and dips in concentration. I know Jol and Hughton have been and will be working hard again this off season to erradicate these defensive problems.
On a positive defensive note, we didn't concede an great deal in open play last year which is good!
If we can tighten up on corners n free kicks, our defence could become a good stingy unit in the seasons to come, with the players we have already - King, Dawson, Chimbonda, Lee. And as i said b4, the signings of Kaboul and Bale will only help us to stop conceding :dance2:

Oh and Robbo will regain his confidence again :dance2:

COYS!!!!

Jude106 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 24, 2007, 02:00:27 PM »

I think we'll see a vast improvement in our defence next season. It should be more settled with Ledders back full time and the likely signings of Bale and Kaboul can only help. We shouldn't have the injury worries and there will actually be choice of who plays rather than having to move people out of position and sticking whoever is left available on the pitch.

Dimitar B. · « **Reply #3 on:** May 24, 2007, 04:04:05 PM »

It will be fine, our LB and RB will be fit again next season.

Robbo will be back on form

Chimba --- Dawson --- King --- Bale

Dawson and King will have more experience together, the line up won't be changed every week due to injuries (hopefully), i'm sure we can get this 4th position.

Daniisco · « **Reply #4 on:** May 25, 2007, 12:03:42 PM »

It definitely is our Achilles heel. Just need the left side strengthened (Bale) and a quality back up CB (Kaboul).

If Chim leaves, I think Lee could do a great job at right back, at least he won't be cutting on every attack.

SpursManDan · « **Reply #5 on:** May 26, 2007, 07:06:38 PM »

Yes, we must remember that King was out loads this season. However, I would be really pleased to see a really good defensive coach arrive. Is Hughton really the man? For success defensively, I would even see Tony Adams (can't believe I just said that). Look what he did at Portsmouth......

keane on berbatov · « **Reply #6 on:** May 26, 2007, 07:09:53 PM »

I think that our back four now are as solid as they're gonna be.

Chimbonda had a good season last year and remember how good and consistent king and dawson were the season before when they were both fully fit all the time?

Nothing to say about bale except im sure he'll fit in well.

Need another decent back up though maybe

keane on berbatov · « **Reply #7 on:** May 26, 2007, 07:10:52 PM »

Tony adams is an alcoholic pr!ck mate.

Would rather have minnie mouse training our defence

Dj Frisky · « **Reply #8 on:** May 26, 2007, 07:39:48 PM »

Why we would we want that ex scum as our defence coach no way. The other good thing is that we know have got Bale and Kaboul due to arrive they can help our leaky defence in which we conceded 54 goals hope it does not happen next season.

glen1882 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 27, 2007, 11:17:00 AM »

Losing leadly for so long of the season and assou getting injured like he did didn't help the campaign. Robbo was on fire 05/06 season and although he finished strong there were times I worried, but he came good again and I would not replace hime with Gordon. Spend the money else where
Bale I hope will mature into a great player everyone says he can be, Chimbonda cannot be let go. Rocha looks ok and hopefully will get better as he gets more use to the prem. The back pairing has to be Leadly and Dawson that could last 5 years, I would like to see some cover though. Hopfully if midfield does its job when we haven't got the ball and we defend the zones I can see us knocking 20-25 goals off our goals against coloums and that should gets us into the promised land of the CL!!!

COYS