Why are we so good ... or are we?

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Unofficial Newcastle United Football Club BBS : One Thread

It's a fantastic start! What I would like to know is just how the defense improved, seemingly in a matter of a few days between the Derby game and the Spurs game. The defense has been a real concern for a long time now. Is the improvement due to the abscence of Dabs because he causes tactical weakness despite having some individual qualities? Bobby Robson was reported having said "Everything that has been done here has been done on the training ground" (which is typical of the man's public underestimation of his own amazing contribution). So has something been put right that was wrong? The Telegraph (on line version is all I see) reported that our midfield was turning Spurs defense inside out and they had no idea which way we were going - so is that the factor that has removed unnecessary pressure on the defense (there was a report here that we wern't tracking back in the Derby game). Or is it just that, despite their cost, the Spurs attack was really useless/had an off day. We still seem to be looking for defensive players - presumably that is to ensure cover?

-- Anonymous, August 29, 2000

Answers

Goma & Hughes were very mobile, I was worried re. the lack of height but once they got it together closed down quickly. That said, lack of concentration let them in a couple of times.

-- Anonymous, August 29, 2000

Do you think it likely that YBR would rotate Dabs in if we were facing a large center forward? He said he was impressed with how we coped with Sol Campbell on Saturday.

-- Anonymous, August 29, 2000

You raise a good question Sounder, and as ever there isn't a simple answer.
IMO Derby were better than they've been given credit for - in fact I thought they were a better side than Spurs, even with some of their bigger names out injured (eg. Carbinari, Kinkladze, Schnoor etc). They were strong in midfield and we never dominated there as we were did v Spurs.
I certainly can't agree with whoever it was who blamed the m/f for not tracking back and supporting the defence v Derby. They were certainly rather preoccupied with the m/f battle, but I feel it's unfair to otherwise criticise them.
All the midfield players worked tremendously hard v Spurs, and IMO the greater dominance in m/f was really the key to our improved overall performance - as the defence were not placed under the same pressure.
The team also seemed a little more confident and controlled after the victory against Derby.

-- Anonymous, August 29, 2000

I don't think that the defence was that much better than in the Derby game. I really think that Hughes and Barton should be lynchpins in the defence, and that Goma and Domi are very good players , but have been lacking a bit of confidance . The back four against Spurs are our best back four and we must hope that they all say fit. Sticking with the same defence week in week out is the key to clean sheets. These four lads will only improve if they play week in week out with each other. If Goma settles down he will be a better defender than Dabizas, who will struggle to regain his position when he is fit again.

-- Anonymous, August 29, 2000

Hughes has immense promise - he's only 20. I thought we looked so much better without Dabizas. "Too much of a loose canon man" as the geezer behind me coming out of the "Newcastle Brown" Stand said.

-- Anonymous, August 29, 2000


Thank you very much for your answers. That helps a lot.

-- Anonymous, August 29, 2000

Moderation questions? read the FAQ