‘A’ for effort; ‘D’ for defence

Article by Steve Carrington

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I previously wrote here that I felt that a quiet summer of transfer activity was a good thing. Based on a comment on that article, Mr. Anonymous agreed with 90% of what I wrote. The 10% where our apparent differences exist, referred to the need for a central defender.

Watching the NA pre-season tour and the Celtic friendly in Helsinki, against limited opponents, still told us much. As a result I wonder whether Anonymous was actually generous with his percentages.

Firstly though, the change in style and intensity with Pochettino’s philosophy is encouraging. The famed high pressing is evident, enabling us to win the ball back higher up the pitch and launch attacks from more dangerous areas. This has so far enabled a bigger threat, which unlike the dark days under AVB shows real promise. Possession has been high as, in fairness, it was under AVB. Though now it seems more purposeful, with the creation of more clear-cut chances and several quality goals.

While stiffer tests will come, the direction is pleasing. The players seem bought into the plan. 14 Goals in the ‘for’ column is encouraging. So far, so good and an ‘A’ for effort.

However, 6 goals in the ‘against’ column highlights some worrying similarities with the last campaign. Clearly, central defence remains an issue, an area that we need to strengthen. For all the attacking purpose re-injected in the team, we will not move forward without solving the fundamental issues we have at the back. Therefore, it’s a ‘D’ for defence.

The stark reality

Like most fans, I can’t fault Michael Dawson’s commitment to the club and his full-blooded approach. However, he has been cruelly exposed time and again for a lack of pace and tactical awareness. Rumours of a transfer would seem to be in the best interests of all parties. He has much to offer, though not for a club with our ambitions.

Vlad Chiriches is not the player we thought we were getting. He has shown signs that he is composed on the ball, but lacks the solidity needed to be top class and actually got progressively worse in his first, albeit injury hit season. Again the player is being linked with a move away. Reports have Roma stepping up their interest in the having been on Roma’s radar for several months. The player himself is supposedly keen on a switch to Italy. Again, it would make sense.

As for Younes Kaboul, I was a huge fan of under Harry Redknapp. While injury has been a key factor, he has not recovered his form and fitness under subsequent regimes. Unfortunately, he is a leader for the players around him, but leading by example when prone to lapses in concentration himself will only reinforce bad habits in those around him. Lazio are apparently interested. If he were to move on, this would represent the boldest decision yet by Pochettino and a clear sign that he is getting to the route of the issues.

Any reduction in personnel would leave room for opportunities for younger talent in the shape of Milos Veljkovic who after impressing at the end of last season looks like developing into a first rate player. Zeki Fryers is another; I think he’s fantastic and needs a run of games. Also now there is the newly acquired Eric Dier from Sporting Lisbon. At £4Million this is evidence of the more measured approach and represents very good business if the player lives up to his potential.

However, that leaves Jan Vertonghen as the only first team choice at the required level, just two weeks away from the start of the new campaign, and that’s if he stays. At least the signs are positive, despite being perpetually linked with Barcelona, as he says he wants to stay. There are whispers that he is set to commit to a new, improved five-year deal.

Encouraging signs

At least the news is that we are scouting around for an experienced centre-back ready to slot straight into the first team. The latest and most intriguing (since the injury to Héctor Moreno) are the links to Mateo Musacchio. The valuation by Villareal at £21Million is steep, though for this we would get an experienced starter who at only 23-year-old still has room to improve. Encouragingly, Musacchio did not feature in Villareal’s 2-0 win over Middlesbrough this past weekend. Also, Villarreal boss Marcelino Garcia Toral was quoted in AS (via 101 great goals), saying he’s ‘expecting something’ regarding Mussachio. “Mateo’s a very important player for us, he’s transcendental and a very difficult departure to cover.”

So, the signs are encouraging and various scenarios would represent improvements. There is little doubt that the intent is there. Though there are a lot of moving pieces and until things are cleared up despite the ‘A’ for effort across the new look team, for me it’s still ‘D’ for defence.

COYS

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