ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Defensive incapabilities

I stuck a post on here a couple of months ago pointing out the strength in depth in our squad, and the one glaring weakness... Centre back. All we have for cover is a 36 year old whose legs have never been that quick anyway.

All the talk at the time, and indeed now, is for an attacking centre midfielder, of which we currently have our two specialist ones out injured. Now it's unfortunate we can't field a decent central midfield partnership, however injuries happen and in the meantime we have to make do.What's going to happen though if Yobo continues his misplaced form, or when Yobo goes to the African Nations? We can't be expected to compete in all competitions with only 3 centre backs, one of which is on his last legs.

Almost everyone missed this glaring oversight during the summer when they were harping on about a midfielder. It's no wonder Yobo's form's dipped, all he's got to compete against is an ageing Stubbs. No disrespect to Stubbs but when compared to an athlete as good as Yobo, especially at an advancing age, he doesn't stand that much of a chance. Therefore, where's the motivation for Yobo to perform if all he has to do is perform at a level which is no where near his best?

This problem should have been identified last season or during the summer, not when the defence finally starts slipping up.
Kev Prytherch, Oldham Posted 08/10/2007 at 11:46:57

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Comments

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Mark Stone
1 Posted 08/10/2007 at 14:38:14

Jagielka is a centre half

Neil Pearse
2 Posted 08/10/2007 at 14:53:10

And Neville is a right back. But is that what Moyes thinks? Strange that we’re yet to see Jagielka in central defence.

stu
3 Posted 08/10/2007 at 15:01:32

One of the best games Neville has played for us was a Centre Half against Chelsea in the Fa cup. He was awesome that game. Cleared everything. And this was when Chelsea where good ;-)

I’m not making excuses for how he plays the rest of the time but the ability to clear the ball down the pitch would have been useful at the weekend.

Neil Pearse
4 Posted 08/10/2007 at 15:14:59

Of course, given current (fit) personnel, it’s very arguable that we’d be better playing Jags, Yobo and Lescott at the back; Neville and Baines as wingbacks; Carsley ’sitting’, and Arteta and Pienaar making up the midfield; and Anichebe and Yakubu getting on the end of (hopefully) the crosses, But it would mean moving away from the familiar 4-4-2. Not sure though it could be worse than what we’ve seen recently.