What is wrong with our defence?

[highburyJD]

steveO's right, it's about defending properly and taking responsibility
any system is only as strong as the players playing it

[g88ner]

I listen to all this stuff about 'zonal marking' and I think its an over-simplification of what happens. If no fucker is prepared to actually get their bloody feet off the ground and jump it can be whatever 'system' you like and the result will be the same

definitely - all systems and tactics are shit if they're not executed correctly.

I like what Lee Dixon has to say on zonal marking...

It was not up to me to deal with set-pieces but the responsibility of the growbags, as I call them. We had two or three of the best attackers of the ball in Steve Bould, Martin Keown and Tony Adams and we would always use zonal marking at corners.

"It was all right for me and Nigel Winterburn as we would just stand on the post and have a breather!

"The rest would set up with someone on the near post marking the opposition player and Adams and co would be spaced out across the six-yard line with a gap between them. If the ball went in their area they would go and attack it - they did not worry about the opposition.

"It is a lot easier if you are not concerned about your opposite man as you can concentrate on the flight of the ball, judge whether it is coming in your area and decide whether to deal with it or not.

[highburyJD]

it's been said on here before - we have the personnel for a back 3
could release Verminator to push on late
I quite like the idea, its being rumoured anyway http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... fence.html

[LeftfootlegendGooner]

Well, for a start.....it's spelt wrong

And with that I'm off to bed so I bid you all good night.

[Herd]

Wenger doesnt do defence and never will.

Zonal defence requires intelligence and muscle ,we have neither .

We also havent had a good keeper since seaman ,we nearly signed dudek but dein vetoed the deal with the dubious question of Richard Wright after dudek had even had the medical ,(b4 u laugh dudeks first few seasons with pool were very good ..........another 100 pct Dein deal as was the fox in the box db10 and platt !

[Vinny1967]

it's been said on here before - we have the personnel for a back 3
could release Verminator to push on late
I quite like the idea, its being rumoured anyway http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... fence.html

This system may work for us as it would allow us to play two up front.

............Kos........Mer.........TV

Sagna.......JW......Cazorla.....Arteta.....Santos

............Walcott/Pod..........Giroud

Still don't like the idea of Santos playing anywhere. Gibbs would be better.

Worked for us in Anfield '89 if memory serves.

[GranadaJoe]

The age old managers' question; do you try and fit the players into your preferred system or try and create a system to suit the players you've got.

I'm not sure if changing things in the couple of available days before playing the Scum is a good idea, but, with the players we've got, I'd give a back 5 a go.

[DB10GOONER]

I listen to all this stuff about 'zonal marking' and I think its an over-simplification of what happens. If no fucker is prepared to actually get their bloody feet off the ground and jump it can be whatever 'system' you like and the result will be the same

definitely - all systems and tactics are shit if they're not executed correctly.

I like what Lee Dixon has to say on zonal marking...

It was not up to me to deal with set-pieces but the responsibility of the growbags, as I call them. We had two or three of the best attackers of the ball in Steve Bould, Martin Keown and Tony Adams and we would always use zonal marking at corners.

"It was all right for me and Nigel Winterburn as we would just stand on the post and have a breather!

"The rest would set up with someone on the near post marking the opposition player and Adams and co would be spaced out across the six-yard line with a gap between them. If the ball went in their area they would go and attack it - they did not worry about the opposition.

"It is a lot easier if you are not concerned about your opposite man as you can concentrate on the flight of the ball, judge whether it is coming in your area and decide whether to deal with it or not.

That only confirms what the problem is!

We do NOT have players capable of doing zonal correctly. You cannot compare Adams and co with the current lot.

To be blunt; zonal is harder for less intelligent players to do than man 2 man. Of course man 2 man still needs to be done right, but it is EASIER because you only need to concentrate on your oppo number. Zonal needs an intelligent, experienced player with an ability to ANTICIPATE the flight of the ball then "judge whether it is coming in your area and decide whether to deal with it or not". Our current centre halves fail repeatedly at these skills.

[TheCook]

The only defender who knows where to stand is the BFG.

Standing in the correct place can be half the battle. Players like Kos & Gibbs can be excellent at the 'last ditch saving tackle', but only because they were standing in the wrong postion in the first place!

[DB10GOONER]

The only defender who knows where to stand is the BFG.

Standing in the correct place can be half the battle. Players like Kos & Gibbs can be excellent at the 'last ditch saving tackle', but only because they were standing in the wrong postion in the first place!

So true. The great defenders don't react, they anticipate and they dictate.

[worthing_gooner]

Zonal marking should be a piece of piss. You stand at pre-defined positions around the penalty area. If the ball comes into your area, you clear it. It doesn't matter who the attacking players are.

Trouble is, none of our CBs are good at heading the ball. And I think that's what it boils down to. None of our CBs are strong enough or good enough to go and attack the ball like Adams and co used to. If you're "marking" a zone and the ball comes into that zone, if you're Adams you could be up against anyone and you'll pile through and clear the ball.

If you're Koscielny, the ball comes into your zone, you're going to get beaten in the air half the time because you're too small.

Wenger places too much emphasis on ball playing centre backs, when the reality is we should have big beasts of centre backs whose sole job is to get the ball and give it to someone like Arteta, who then links the defence to our more creative midfielders.

[flash gunner]

Zonal marking should be a piece of piss. You stand at pre-defined positions around the penalty area. If the ball comes into your area, you clear it. It doesn't matter who the attacking players are.

Trouble is, none of our CBs are good at heading the ball. And I think that's what it boils down to. None of our CBs are strong enough or good enough to go and attack the ball like Adams and co used to. If you're "marking" a zone and the ball comes into that zone, if you're Adams you could be up against anyone and you'll pile through and clear the ball.

If you're Koscielny, the ball comes into your zone, you're going to get beaten in the air half the time because you're too small.

Wenger places too much emphasis on ball playing centre backs, when the reality is we should have big beasts of centre backs whose sole job is to get the ball and give it to someone like Arteta, who then links the defence to our more creative midfielders.

Spot on mate. Ball playing defenders defenders should be big, ugly and hard as nails. They should get the ball and then give it to the players that can play a bit, simple

[Unbeaten]

IST true we going with five defenders

[highburyJD]

Wenger doesnt do defence and never will.

didn't our '99 defence do even better than in '91?

[mcdowell42]

I just wish at least 1 of our defenders was like Peter Kay in the john smiths TV ad and just kick it/hoof it away from the goal,no fancy dan shit just put your boot thru it and kick it to row z