I don't think we've been too bad this season (here I get shot down in flames!!). For all the **** that has been thrown at the defense, and Moore especially, you'd think we had been haemeraging goals when in fact we've conceded 8 goals in 6 league games. Even Reading have conceded more but they are in the top 6! Granted teams have been creating chances againts us and missing, but for a mid table finish I'd think we'd concede more than a goal a game over the entire season. The problem is upfront - while ever we are averaging less than one goal a game we won't win many. Apart from Birmingham we've only lost by the one goal. Goals win games and we ain't scoring many! I know this seems so obvious, but considering every other thread relates to defensive frailties and how crap Moore is I thought I'd just point this out!
I partly agree, i thought the defense against Blackpool put in a good shift where other players like, Hume, Macken, Howard, El Haimour, Teale, were poor. Thought Moore played well in that game, (the only game he has mind), and think we have done well not to concede more that 2 goals per game. But, for me they get lucky, cos they back off too much and allow the opposing strikers to shoot from distance, which wouldnt be a problem for muller who if i reme,ber right wasnt beaten from outside the area last season, but i just feel with steele, he's put under too much pressure by his back four.
Today will be the first game I have seen, so can't really comment. Just making my point on the stats of goals against per game. If we were able to bang in 2 a game we wouldn't be putting so much scrutiny on defence. As it is it seems we need to keep a aclean sheet in order to get as point.
Can't see why we signe Moore Only thing is I don't understand us signing Moore. Part of the worst defence ever in Premier League history but hey, we'll sign him. Shows how 'kin stupid Davey is. How many goals did we concede in our FA cup run? I count 3 (Blackpool 1, Liverpool 1, Cardiff 1) Who were the central defence duo throughout that cup run? Souza and Foster. Playing Moore has weakened us in 2 positions, unless he's a decent right back! But hey, we all have our own opinions!
Defence against Southampton.... Saints were not as outplayed against QPR as you might think by the result. Especially of note were their young forwards, who are quick in every sense - quick feet, quick passing, quick-shifting - especially McGoldrick and Lallana, who looks as though he could be the next into the premiership. I would think, on a 'horses for courses' basis, that Foster should move into the middle today, as Saints do not seem to have a big target man to hit and Foster will be better against quicker forwards. Take your pick of a Foster-Moore, or Foster-Sousa pairing in central defence. The down-side for Saints is that their players are rather light-weight, which means that they are easier to muscle off the ball, and inexperienced, which means that they don't always read the game well. Cracking goal from Surman in midweek. If we let them play, we could get a run-around from the youngsters. If we keep our shape and use our experience, we ought to get something from the game. We need the tide to turn! BTW did you know that Southampton is unique as a port in that it gets four tides a day? Not a lot of people know that!
Totally agree my friend. I started a thread a few days back on exactly the same topic and in particular how Moore is just a scapegoat for deeper problems within the whole team/club.
RE: am I the only one that thinks Moore and Foster would be quite a formidable partnership? nt one thing is that Foster MUST play at centre back. I dont care who plays with him in Souza or Moore. Foster is our best centre back and must play there
Against Southampton I would seriously consider Foster and Hassell as the Centre backs As others point out inexperienced small quick forwards - I think for this game its our best pairing we will win everything in the air and Hassel reads a game really well. Wont happen though - For me Moore and Souze shouldnt both play unless we are playing a team of cloggers
