Arsenal
The odd defensive faux pas is nothing new to Arsenal fans but even they will admit this season that there are worrying signs. Yes, they have new players who are struggling to adapt to the English style and language. But that is nobody else’s fault but their own. They could have signed these defenders at the end of last season and given them time to settle in but they did not. To concede seventeen goals in four away games is shocking by anyone’s standards, let alone a team playing in the Champions League. Whether the defensive coaching is conducted by Wenger, Pat Rice or another there has to be someone held to account for such meek defensive performances.
In over two decades of watching Arsenal I have become used to watching them spontaneously implode as a team but to lose 8-2 at Old Trafford and be the only team beaten by bottom of the tableBlackburn this season are new lows. The victory at Stamford Bridge will have gone some way to building confidence but to again concede three away from home is worrying. Arsenal cannot always expect to score five away from home against such tough opposition.
You could argue that these defensive frailties are merely signs that the league as a whole is becoming more competitive but to say that is to ignore the swathes of pitiful defending exhibited by most of the top teams this year. By and large the defenders for the teams in question are the same with perhaps one or two new faces added yet their performances are less convincing than ever. Chelsea Arsenal and Man Utd have all conceded at least five goals in one game this season. Does anyone remember the last time that happened to top teams after only a quarter of the season gone?
The fault lies with both the management style and off field preparation. On Sky Sports over the weekend the commentary team, including ex-Gunner Alan Smith commented on the difference in coaching techniques between George Graham and Arsene Wenger saying that under Graham defensive coaching took place every single day – a stark contrast to Wenger’s methods. Obviously we want to see exciting attacking football in our league but sooner or later certain managers will have to look at their defensive performances for the current season and realise that something must be done.
Follow Hamish on Twitter @H_Mackay
Written by Hamish Mackay for Footballfancast.com
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Maybe plenty of goals but they are not enjoyable
to a real football fan as it can clearly be seen that defences are all at sea.
It is stupid to see defenders afraid to tackle because of the undeserved penalties given.
It is more stupid that games are spoilt because of the silly foul by the last defender earning not just a penalty(that would be enough)but a sending off.
I am surprised TV pays for games that are rendered
uninteresting because of this.
I was watching Bham v Leicester the other week and after the early penalty and sending off I switched off too, it was never going to be a game
after that. Last night Barcelona were having a hard time of it and then pen and sending off. Game over.
Fans pay £50 a match and are short changed when this happens.
Like so many rule changes (Cards for instance) not enough forethought is given as to their probable effects.
I think the rule was brought in becasue some very young player about to score in a big match was brought down from behind and this when I think
there was little time left and the defending team were losing anyway. This was bad but how often is this the case?
Like these silly goalline judges, how often does a decision be difficult? Compared to all the bad offside decisions that affect results every week!