19 Jan 2023 07:54:58
Lots of reasons to feel happy and confident with our attacking players, we are and will be a very serious threat to any team in the Prem.
However our defense is very susceptible and prone to many errors which is a concern.
For their first goal I blame more Llorente than Ayling’s blunder. Llorente was not close enough to his man, basically it was a free cross into the box. I really can’t see what Llorente brings to our defense, he is absolutely awful. I don’t know what the answers are also for our terrible defense, even with Adams protecting the back four will not make any difference due to their constant error making and lack of confidence.
I can only see a scenario of we have to score more than them because we will not have any clean sheets with that defense.
The good news I’ve read is that Wöber’s injury is thought not to be serious but it’s unlikely he’ll play against Brentford. I think we can see that Wöber’s inclusion does help our failing defense.
19 Jan 2023 08:55:34
Lorente was signed more for his ball playing ability and probably as more of a DM backup than CB. In a more settled defence and a less frantic system he is OK, but when he is one of only 2 defenders hit on the counter and part of the poorest 'build from the back' teams in the EPL he is lost.
Too early to judge Wober imo, he hasn't played long enough against decent opposition to form any opinions.
19 Jan 2023 09:05:36
I do feel Llorente is culpable and as you said he was too far away for their goal, but Bill was more at fault I. M. O, doing the hokey cokey in box is not a good look!
Can we not for remainder of season, just clear the ball directly out of box as playing around with it inside box is causing issues.
19 Jan 2023 10:44:55
What Chris said! When in doubt, hit row Z, or deep into the other half, then press to retrieve it.
19 Jan 2023 13:39:38
That’s how Cardiff defended last night, clearing it anywhere and everywhere. It simply doesn’t work at high level. You have to do everything in your power to retain possession.
19 Jan 2023 13:53:27
What Chris and Bright said.
19 Jan 2023 13:59:24
You are right about that Alf with Llorente possibly being more of a defensive mid than a CB but you could say Koch is also a DM as he was used as that before he came to us, certainly in the German national team he did very well in this position.
Neither of them have had notable success as CB’s for so far.
19 Jan 2023 17:59:27
OP - actually Koch played at DM in the Bundesliga only marginally more than at CB - 43 times compared to 37. He has also only played DM once for Germany. Overall, Koch seems more assured in his play than Llorente. Yes Koch has made mistakes this season, but Llorente currently scares me almost every time he gets the ball. Now he has a longer contract, securing his value it would seem that unless his form improves, the best thing for the Club and player might be to loan him to a La Liga team next season to rebuild his game and rebuild his game before leaving on a permanent.