I'm sure i've said this before, but why is it that we haven't any central defenders?! Last year, we set the record for most games without a clean sheet, so why wasn't the first player in through the door a quality center back? We need a player that will organise and lead the defence.We need someone that is going to scare the shit out of Strikers. I'm afraid Dabs doesn't do it for me anymore!

-- Anonymous, August 24, 2001

Answers

We have Dabizas, Hughes, O'Brien, Caldwell, Marcelino. Who could ask for more? Discounting Marcelino I think if we stick with any 2 of Dabz, Hughes and Caldwell we will be OK. I see O'B as back up. We have been very unlucky with injuries and that is a major problem. If we could keep the same back 4 out of the players we currently have for a run of 10 games I think we'd start to see a solid defence forming. Bringing in a new start defender will still take time.... just look at Ferdinand's start at Leeds!

-- Anonymous, August 24, 2001

Can't agree Geordie. Excluding Caldwell who could develop into good 'un, none of the others are top-class, none of them are commanding, none of them are organisers.

Any one of Dabz, O'Brien or Hughes could form an effective pairing with a truly top-class centre half - but until we acquire the latter we will continue to be vulnerable defensively. An effective FB pairing would help also.

-- Anonymous, August 24, 2001

10 mil for stam?

-- Anonymous, August 24, 2001

What we need is a really good centre half to marshall the defence and educate Hughes, O'Brien and the Caldwells.

-- Anonymous, August 24, 2001

The other thing is, that clean sheet thing is a red herring: had we got a midfield that wasn't weak as water, we'd have had far more joy in that department.

-- Anonymous, August 24, 2001

Can't expect clean sheets with Dyer in the squad

-- Anonymous, August 24, 2001

Hahahaha....nice one mac ;)

-- Anonymous, August 24, 2001

I don't rate Hughes as much as everyone else! Utility player at best. We need new defenders, get Griffin in and another couple of centre backs, offload Dabs and Hughes if necessary.

-- Anonymous, August 25, 2001