The Defence

[Runcornblue52]

I'd still have Jagielka in before Holgate.

And Keane on the right .

 

[MACCA75]

I'd still have Jagielka in before Holgate.

For all the slating of Williams for the Limassol goal last week, Holgate was equally culpable. One solitary man in our box to mark and he was nowhere near him.

 

[Zatara]

..I don't think Holgate is a CB, certainly not in a flat back four. He's aerially weak and teams will target him for delivery of set pieces and crosses, it'll also put pressure on Pickford. Holgate is a definite no, but that's just my opinion.

For all the slating of Williams for the Limassol goal last week, Holgate was equally culpable. One solitary man in our box to mark and he was nowhere near him.

Playing Holgate allows us to play a high line, totally changing the dynamic from inviting teams to attack us...

 

[blulouie]

For all the slating of Williams for the Limassol goal last week, Holgate was equally culpable. One solitary man in our box to mark and he was nowhere near him.

He was 'near him'

Just couldnt be arsed to check over his shoulder.

 

[Zatara]

I'd still have Jagielka in before Holgate.

Holgate jags Keane Baines,

These answer the question.

And Keane on the right .

In my view, Jagielka can still perform in the premier league...

However as he's lost his pace he'd be suited to a team who sits deep and defends in numbers (WBA/Burnley)...

If were going to win games then we need our attacking players closer to the opposition goal and unless were going to play long balls that means playing a high defensive line. I think we'd look a lot different if the players in midfield knew they had some pace behind them to cover defensively.

By doing this, we use the pace of Holgate to cover Kenny on the right and likewise, Keane covering Baines on the left (or swap Holgate/Keane over)...

I feel with Jags and Baines in the team its going to cause us more problems than it solves as neither can get back against fast players so we are forced to sit deep...and concede goals...

 

[Brisan123]

..I don't think Holgate is a CB, certainly not in a flat back four. He's aerially weak and teams will target him for delivery of set pieces and crosses, it'll also put pressure on Pickford. Holgate is a definite no, but that's just my opinion.

I agree
Holgate in a 3 is ok but not in a 2 man central defence

 

[Ste__R]

Holgate jags Keane Baines,

Two of those aren’t premiership players anymore

 

[maccavennie]

I agree
Holgate in a 3 is ok but not in a 2 man central defence

I think centre backs learn with experience and the only way he gets that is by being out there. He's got a lot to learn no doubt about it but he has pace like Zatman says and that pushes us up higher.

 

[Paul w]

Two of those aren’t premiership players anymore

I'd say 3 but...there the cards.

 

[Brisan123]

I think centre backs learn with experience and the only way he gets that is by being out there. He's got a lot to learn no doubt about it but he has pace like Zatman says and that pushes us up higher.

At this moment in time we can’t afford the mistakes that giving Holgate the experience would entail

 

[maccavennie]

At this moment in time we can’t afford the mistakes that giving Holgate the experience would entail

I'd disagree mate as it's currently Williams keeping him out of the side and who is currently a sure fire give a goal/goalscoring chance away per game and if he goes any deeper his fat arse will be suffocating Jordan Pickford

 

[Runcornblue52]

In my view, Jagielka can still perform in the premier league...

However as he's lost his pace he'd be suited to a team who sits deep and defends in numbers (WBA/Burnley)...

If were going to win games then we need our attacking players closer to the opposition goal and unless were going to play long balls that means playing a high defensive line. I think we'd look a lot different if the players in midfield knew they had some pace behind them to cover defensively.

By doing this, we use the pace of Holgate to cover Kenny on the right and likewise, Keane covering Baines on the left (or swap Holgate/Keane over)...

I feel with Jags and Baines in the team its going to cause us more problems than it solves as neither can get back against fast players so we are forced to sit deep...and concede goals...

Burnley targeted our right hand side. Baines may not have the legs he once had but teams are still worried about letting him loose to attack them . Jags was our best defender in his last game.

 

[Brisan123]

I still think Jags and Keane are our best option at this time

 

[CRIMHEAD]

Think playing 3 is the right move and forcing wingbacks up the pitch. If Baines would get up there, replace him with an actual winger.

Actually, 3 in the back, 2 DMs in front of them, could enable us to play with two wingers, provided we have any, which we don't.

That leaves a CM/ACM spot for someone (Siggy, Klaassen) and two attackers from Rooney, DCL, Niasse.

 

[Toffeeslam]

How many people want to see this defence every game now (at least until Coleman is fit or the Jan window);

Kenny Holgate Keane Baines
​

If not, then how should we line up?

Fair enough up until Coleman is back but we really need to sort out the forward line first in my opinion