The Defence

[BlueBeagle]

Or the Euro quarter finals - just over a 12 month ago. The point was made to counter argue the 'you only play shit teams' in qualifying

Mostly.

The fact that you last played a good team in qualifying over 2 years ago kind of backs up my point.

[Brownie20]

Mostly.

The fact that you last played a good team in qualifying over 2 years ago kind of backs up my point.

I'd not say we were in an easy group now

[BlueBeagle]

I'd not say we were in an easy group now

Neither would I but theres no genuine quality forwards in it, the likes of which Williams is facing most weeks in the PL and coming unstuck against.

[Silas]

Jagielka remains a class apart defensively that is probably not good though

[SANA_DR0]

Martina and Williams are absolutely not good enough for this level.

Jagielka is past his best but should absolutely be starting.

Holgate struggles going forward but is a rock defensively.

Pickford
Holgate Keane Jagielka Baines

That's currently our best back line.

There can be no argument.

hopefully when Coleman is back or if Koeman wants to try it out in a cup game, play Kenny right back, pair Keane and Holgate in the centre..

i think they would work very well together.

[howard1334]

Jags is still the best CB at the club.

I don't know if that is true. Keane has done well this year, and I am not sure a single goal has been directly attributable to him.

[brap2]

I don't know if that is true. Keane has done well this year, and I am not sure a single goal has been directly attributable to him.

I'm not sure I've seen him get the better of anybody yet you know.


Edit: I've seen stuff I like. I've seen him look really good facing long, high aerial balls.

I've also seen him get turned and left for dead once or twice.

I'd bite your hand off for a young Sylvain Distin. That sound like a WUM statement but honestly it isn't.

[Brownie20]

I'm not sure I've seen him get the better of anybody yet you know.


Edit: I've seen stuff I like. I've seen him look really good facing long, high aerial balls.

I've also seen him get turned and left for dead once or twice.

I'd bite your hand off for a young Sylvain Distin. That sound like a WUM statement but honestly it isn't.

I miss the Milkman

[Macca77]

Williams and Martina should both be dropped immediately, they won't be though, so next Sunday at old Trafford is gonna be great fun isn't it

[Jamokachi]

Williams and Martina should both be dropped immediately, they won't be though, so next Sunday at old Trafford is gonna be great fun isn't it

I think Martina was selected because Koeman genuinely wanted to have a go at Spurs. Holgate is the defensive option that I expect to see against Utd.

Did Holgate pull out of U21 duty mid week? I know DCL did, thought I read they both had knocks. Could go some way as to explaining the starting line up yesterday.

[Marky Mark and the funky]

I think Martina was selected because Koeman genuinely wanted to have a go at Spurs. Holgate is the defensive option that I expect to see against Utd.

Did Holgate pull out of U21 duty mid week? I know DCL did, thought I read they both had knocks. Could go some way as to explaining the starting line up yesterday.

Yes Holgate stayed at home, in theory to recover for this match.

[Ross]

I think Martina was selected because Koeman genuinely wanted to have a go at Spurs. Holgate is the defensive option that I expect to see against Utd.

Did Holgate pull out of U21 duty mid week? I know DCL did, thought I read they both had knocks. Could go some way as to explaining the starting line up yesterday.

It's fine wanting to "have a go at them" but if having a go at them entails playing a piss poor rightback after spending near on £220m we're royally fucked this season.

[Jamokachi]

It's fine wanting to "have a go at them" but if having a go at them entails playing a piss poor rightback after spending near on £220m we're royally fucked this season.

ok

[Juanito]

What annoys me most about Williams is that when he makes mistakes,like not stepping out in time, he blames others for it. As for Martina, how he can play him over Holgate and Kenny is unacceptable.

[hill135]

I agree with the criticism of Williams. He deffo sticks out like a sore thumb in a team trying to defend on the half way line.

Jags should be in the team ahead of him cos he at least is still fairly quick and is good on the recovery so he'd suit the tactics a lot better. But for me it's hardly an ideal solution as Jags is very limited himself nowadays. His absolute ball-phobia really undermines our efforts to keep the ball IMO.

We really should have bought as good a centre back that was available to partner Keane and we didn't. we really need to be moving beyond Jagielka ASAP.

And the Martina stuff is bordering on scapegoating now. Yeah he's a ropey defender but the whole shape of the team was a mess so he had no cover all day. He was also the only player to give them remotely anything to think about going the other way yesterday.