We kept a clean sheet against an understrength Liverpool side. A point playing poorly at Anfield, could be seen as a positive. But you cannot help but feel we dropped two points. Play in any way like we know we can and we win.
But that rare clean sheet disguises the fact that looking further forward there are real defensive concerns. Over the 18 games of our season so far, we have let in far too many goals, despite £130m investment in defence. We are top of the league. But City will overtake us IF they win their games in hand.
In our 18 games we have conceded 24 goals. That is TWO more than Burnley who are fighting relegation in 17th place. Even 11th place Arsenal's defence is meaner, having conceded five fewer goals. In fact, in the top half of the Prem we have easily the worst defensive record, in terms of goals conceded.
City who will be seen by many as favourites for the title now, look tighter with a rejuvenated John Stones and Dias looking like a formidable pairing. And for all City are being touted as this glorious full-flowing attacking side, you might be surprised to learn they have the meanest defence in the league with just 13 goals conceded. That's almost half the number we have let in, albeit they have played two fewer games.
So what is the solution? Well, it appears to me that away from the hype Maguire is too slow and he needs a partner (if we are to persist with him) that can cover for that. Lindelof has not got that presence and pace. Bailly, might be a better option. Alternatively we really do need to work on our defensive shape. Too often defensively we are caught ball watching and do not close the ball down quickly enough. Going forward, we do need also look to look at personnel.
But that rare clean sheet disguises the fact that looking further forward there are real defensive concerns. Over the 18 games of our season so far, we have let in far too many goals, despite £130m investment in defence. We are top of the league. But City will overtake us IF they win their games in hand.
In our 18 games we have conceded 24 goals. That is TWO more than Burnley who are fighting relegation in 17th place. Even 11th place Arsenal's defence is meaner, having conceded five fewer goals. In fact, in the top half of the Prem we have easily the worst defensive record, in terms of goals conceded.
City who will be seen by many as favourites for the title now, look tighter with a rejuvenated John Stones and Dias looking like a formidable pairing. And for all City are being touted as this glorious full-flowing attacking side, you might be surprised to learn they have the meanest defence in the league with just 13 goals conceded. That's almost half the number we have let in, albeit they have played two fewer games.
So what is the solution? Well, it appears to me that away from the hype Maguire is too slow and he needs a partner (if we are to persist with him) that can cover for that. Lindelof has not got that presence and pace. Bailly, might be a better option. Alternatively we really do need to work on our defensive shape. Too often defensively we are caught ball watching and do not close the ball down quickly enough. Going forward, we do need also look to look at personnel.
