The defence

[sheblue]

The defence has been a game changer, literally.

[patrickblue]

Zinch getting unfair stick here

There has to someone doesn't there.

[mr_nool]

Zinch getting unfair stick here

Totally agree with this. He's a very tidy player and great at passing his way out of pressure. He's not a great defender, but he's constantly improving. One thing I've noticed is that he's winning most headers lately, something he's been really poor at in the past, which leads me to believe that he is working hard to iron out his weaknesses.

[john@staustell]

Zinch getting unfair stick here

Totally agree with this. He's a very tidy player and great at passing his way out of pressure. He's not a great defender, but he's constantly improving. One thing I've noticed is that he's winning most headers lately, something he's been really poor at in the past, which leads me to believe that he is working hard to iron out his weaknesses.

He can be tidy, but I'l wager he gives the ball away more than anyone in the team, with the possible exception Rodri, whio has it more. He's slow, not a great defender and not a great attacker to be honest. Angelino on the other hand was a piss poor defender but pretty damn handy in the oppo half.

I really think you've got the blue tinted glasses on with Zinch mate. If you saw him playing for Liverpool you'd be in stitches.

[john@staustell]

On a positive note, after umpteen years have our defenders finally learned how to score from corners??

[PeterParker]

Zinch getting unfair stick here

Totally agree with this. He's a very tidy player and great at passing his way out of pressure. He's not a great defender, but he's constantly improving. One thing I've noticed is that he's winning most headers lately, something he's been really poor at in the past, which leads me to believe that he is working hard to iron out his weaknesses.

Zinch is poor, but he is something that Mendy will never be: a fighter.
He is fighting every game for his future. He knew it wasn't a place for him upfront so he didn't moan and worked his ass of to be in one of the best teams in the world, but not in his natural position.
I respect the hell out of that.

I don't he will ever be better than he actually is, but we will always remember he stepped up when he was needed and delivered.

[nottsblue]

On a positive note, after umpteen years have our defenders finally learned how to score from corners??

Hope so. It is one of my biggest bug bears, our lack of goals from corners

[salford city]

On a positive note, after umpteen years have our defenders finally learned how to score from corners??

Hope so. It is one of my biggest bug bears, our lack of goals from corners

This is entirely on Pep. I share everyone's thoughts that in the main, our corners are a pile of shite. Stems from Pep being reluctant to bang balls in and risk teams breaking on us? Although we have now have more height and are able to compete, I don't think that it will change that much as Pep's dna is one of control and he doesn't want us to 'risk' a 50-50 aerial challenge that leads to a counter sgainst us

[nottsblue]

Ederson, Stones and Dias have started 13 games. We have conceded ONE goal.

There are granite mountains less solid

And the full backs arent too shabby either. What a TEAM Pep has built

[Hazy2]

Dias is the best defender in world football For his age.

[PeterParker]

Ederson, Stones and Dias have started 13 games. We have conceded ONE goal.

There are granite mountains less solid

And the full backs arent too shabby either. What a TEAM Pep has built

Just looked and we conceded 15 goals in the league in 25 games. 5 were in a single game.
Fantastic turn of the table.

[stupot]

And out of the 15, there's been 3 pens against Leicester, 2 against dippers

[mcfc1632]

I agree with all the positive comments re the defence - Dias has to be our POTY surely - but Stones is close behind.

I always rated Cancello and it has been good to see him become an important player.

Whilst I like Zinch - he cannot be our first choice LB. He is too limited - and I hate to say that as he is a very likeable fella - too many times the movement forwards stops when he gets the ball and he ends up passing backwards. I think that in the main this is because he is woefully one-footed and it really limits him - and therefore the team.

Of course I also agree that he should be chosen ahead of Mendy

But, all in all, what progress since September

Also - Dias should absolutely be nailed on for Player of the Season in the PL - but would probably need to be wearing a red shirt to get that award

[Bluedj]

Vladimir Coufal, West Ham’s left back really impressed me yesterday.

Would be a big upgrade in Mendy?

[City64]

Vladimir Coufal, West Ham’s left back really impressed me yesterday.

Would be a big upgrade in Mendy?

Indeed .
Luke Shaw the fat cunt is an upgrade on Mendy to be fair .

[Outcast]

Vladimir Coufal, West Ham’s left back really impressed me yesterday.

Would be a big upgrade in Mendy?

Indeed .
Luke Shaw the fat cunt is an upgrade on Mendy to be fair .[/quote

Everyone is an upgrade on Mendy

[Blue In Bolton]

Vladimir Coufal, West Ham’s left back really impressed me yesterday.

Would be a big upgrade in Mendy?

He plays at right back though and we are well covered in that position. It's a shame we can't get hold of Saka at Arsenal and convert him in to a left back.

[Tokyo Blue]

Vladimir Coufal, West Ham’s left back really impressed me yesterday.

Would be a big upgrade in Mendy?

Indeed .
Luke Shaw the fat cunt is an upgrade on Mendy to be fair .

Let's not go over the top here.

[PeterParker]

Vladimir Coufal, West Ham’s left back really impressed me yesterday.

Would be a big upgrade in Mendy?

He plays at right back though and we are well covered in that position. It's a shame we can't get hold of Saka at Arsenal and convert him in to a left back.

I think the other fella, Tierney, would be a fantastic signing.

[ross.mcfc]

Vladimir Coufal, West Ham’s left back really impressed me yesterday.

Would be a big upgrade in Mendy?

He plays at right back though and we are well covered in that position. It's a shame we can't get hold of Saka at Arsenal and convert him in to a left back.

I think the other fella, Tierney, would be a fantastic signing.

I would honestly love an answer from someone at City as to why we have a relationship with Celtic which sees us loan the players and selling players on the cheap (we get a % of the sell on), and they missed VVD and Tierney right under our noses. We even sent two Denayer and Boyata to Celtic to play alongside VVD, I'd like to know which loan scout/manager failed to spot the bleedin obvious.

The same goes for Tierney, especially after he tore us apart as a kid in the CL. Arsenal would be well within their rights to ask for £70m+ for him now.