Could a better defence help our attack...

[alias75]

Firstly i should say im in full agreement that we need better attacking players specifically an attacking midfielder / winger and a top class partner for Torres. But at the moment we're being linked with a few defenders and the majority of the comments on here are along the lines of "we need to sign attacking players not defenders"

 

However could signing better defenders help our attacking play?

 

1. Having defenders with pace allows us to defend higher up the pitch which means our midfield starts closer to our forwards where they can have more of an attacking influence. Its very difficult for Alonso or Gerrard to be an attacking threat if their picking the ball up on the edge of our own area.

 

When Agger was fit we certainly defended higher up the pitch which is a key part of Rafa's tactics where he wants us to press the opposition and force mistakes thats much easier to do when your defending higher up the pitch.

 

2. Having fullbacks with good pace and good attacking qualities can certainly improve a teams attacking game. In most games we'll play its the fullbacks that get most time and space, if you have fullbacks that can get forward and produce good quality delivery they can be a key attacking weapon (eg Alves at Sevilla is one of their key attacking players)

 

3. Having defenders that are comfortable on the ball can also help the attacking play, if you have defenders that can pass it well and dont launch it all the time you should be able to create more.

 

So while signing defenders can appear to be not what we need at the moment, it could be a cheaper way of improving our attacking play. A top fullback is certainly going to be much cheaper than a top striker or even top winger and a top central defender wont cost 20 million which we'd have to spend on a partner for Torres.

Edited January 4, 2008 by alias75

[Chili Palmer]

we should be looking to improve all areas of the team...

 

 

 

 

and yes...

[scoose]

I totally agree with this post. We have missed agger more than we could have imagined. Not just defense wise but attacking aswell

[alias75]

Been thinking about this a little more and it makes sense, at the moment we have 3 world class centre midfielder's and one very promising one in Lucas, thats our strength so we should play to it. Maybe the key is targeting 2 top quality attacking fullbacks and get the width from there.

 

We have 2 very good holding midfielders that can cover the gaps the fullbacks might leave, but someone like Alves on the right and maybe someone like Lahm on the left could provide that attacking threat from out wide we're not getting from our wingers and it also allows us to play our 3 best midfielders.

 

Having quick defenders allows us to defend further up the pitch and if their better footballers our overall play should be better too, it has a knock on effect throughout the team.

[Magic8Ball]

Been thinking about this a little more and it makes sense, at the moment we have 3 world class centre midfielder's and one very promising one in Lucas, thats our strength so we should play to it. Maybe the key is targeting 2 top quality attacking fullbacks and get the width from there.

 

We have 2 very good holding midfielders that can cover the gaps the fullbacks might leave, but someone like Alves on the right and maybe someone like Lahm on the left could provide that attacking threat from out wide we're not getting from our wingers and it also allows us to play our 3 best midfielders.

 

Having quick defenders allows us to defend further up the pitch and if their better footballers our overall play should be better too, it has a knock on effect throughout the team.

all logical, but dont fall for Rafa's gambit

Players that can keep the ball are the best defense, the opposition cannot score when we have the ball

I would (in general) look to get players better with the ball than more defenders

[John am Rhein]

all logical, but dont fall for Rafa's gambit

Players that can keep the ball are the best defense, the opposition cannot score when we have the ball

I would (in general) look to get players better with the ball than more defenders

 

What about better defenders that can keep the ball?

[Guest Avinash Meetoo]

What about better defenders that can keep the ball?

 

What about better defenders that can keep the ball and score goal à la Alves?

[John am Rhein]

What about better defenders that can keep the ball and score goal à la Alves?

 

Is he a good defender?

[Lanus]

The effect of missing Agger hasn't been in the media much at all alright. We have missed him though and I can't wait for him to be back.