LatestConfirmedIn Posted August 7, 2008 Posted August 7, 2008 I was wondering if a poll could be set up for this. The question says it all in the title After much debate on these boards about strengthening our team, to go on to the next level, i was wondering how many people think we are better off now than we were last year? 2007/2008 Carson Mellberg---Davies---Laursen---Bouma 2008/2009 Friedel Young -----Davies---Laursen---Shorey My guess is, because i've put the Goalkeeper in there, that people will go for 2008/2009?
lmarsha_926 Posted August 7, 2008 Posted August 7, 2008 I went for 2008/09 just because we have 4 players playing in the right positions Mellberg was calss but was not a Right Back plus this year we still have Bouma to come back aswell so that why
benevans Posted August 7, 2008 Posted August 7, 2008 As good as Mellberg was, Young offers something different at right back. He can attack more and I think he has a bit more pace. He's not as good defensively as Olof, but for the position, it balances out, with maybe Young just edging seeing as it's his specialist position. IMO it's quite similar with Shorey and Bouma too. Bouma is a great defender and is great in the tackle, but his use of the ball leaves something to be desired. Shorey can pass very well and he also gets back well. As your last sentence states, the difference is the 'keeper, which is a huge improvement. And with Bouma still to come back, I will have to go with this year's defence. Thank you please.
Hanky Posted August 7, 2008 Posted August 7, 2008 I'd say this years due to the Keeper and we still have Bouma as well.
ianrobo1 Posted August 7, 2008 Posted August 7, 2008 this years by a distance, especiually when we get a 4th CB ...
kkr Posted August 7, 2008 Posted August 7, 2008 This years because of Friedel between the sticks and having a specialist RB and depth at LB also
Joey Posted August 7, 2008 Posted August 7, 2008 Back 4 alone I'd probably go with last year's. Mellberg and Bouma are seasoned internationals who would most likley fare well in a UEFA Cup run. But I'd take Friedel over Carson every time in a million.
Barry_Static Posted August 7, 2008 Posted August 7, 2008 08/09 overall for me. From a defensive point of view 07/08 minus the the keeper is better. 08/09 is also good and offers something going forward. Friedel is the difference between the two though.
kiddybloke Posted August 7, 2008 Posted August 7, 2008 Young is actually a right back and Friedel will actually save a shot thats on target so its an easy choice.
Stevo985 Posted August 7, 2008 VT Supporter Posted August 7, 2008 As good as Mellberg was, I think a solild natural Right back is better. That coupled with Friedel, plus either Bouma or Shorey at LB, swings it in this year's favour for me.
JulieB Posted August 7, 2008 Posted August 7, 2008 It's a bit difficult cos "New" defence hasn't played yet!! However I agreed with IMARSHA "Mellberg was class but was not a Right Back"... Plus we have Friedel factor this season! So I'd have to go with 2008/09 because defence was a weak spot...
largelugs Posted August 7, 2008 Posted August 7, 2008 Curtis Davies was only on loan last year and player 12 games, can you really class him as the defence of 2007/2008. Knight played 27 so surely he should be classed as the main player.
kkr Posted August 7, 2008 Posted August 7, 2008 Young is actually a right back and Friedel will actually save a shot thats on target so its an easy choice. What!!!!! We now have a keeper who doesn't palm shots straight at him into the net!? NO WAY!
Santa_Rosa Posted August 7, 2008 Posted August 7, 2008 Wouldn't mind seeing them play together a few times first. But on paper, this season's by a good distance. In fact, I'm going to alter my fantasy team to include at least one Villa defender/keeper
kiddybloke Posted August 7, 2008 Posted August 7, 2008 Young is actually a right back and Friedel will actually save a shot thats on target so its an easy choice. What!!!!! We now have a keeper who doesn't palm shots straight at him into the net!? NO WAY! I think my offical description of our goal keeper last year when anyone asked me was if its on target, its in.
tvillian Posted August 7, 2008 Posted August 7, 2008 This years because of Friedel between the sticks and having a specialist RB and depth at LB alsoAgree but don't think this by much prod improved from 70 out of 100 to 75 out of 100
mjmooney Posted August 7, 2008 VT Supporter Posted August 7, 2008 Jury's out. Ask me again at Christmas.
Philosopher Posted August 7, 2008 Posted August 7, 2008 I n purely defending terms last years back four is marginally better. However Carson was awful. For me it was his complete reluctance to come of his line. He needed to back four to protect him too much. So having freidel behind our back 4 is a big improvement. Going forward it is vastly improved. We now have fullbacks capable of delivering a good cross and linking up well with the player directly in front of them. this will help us to concede less simply by having FB's that don't give the ball straight back to the opposition when under pressure, as well as the awful crosses Bouma in particular would put in, they always when straight to the oppostion LB or out of play.
Oaks Posted August 7, 2008 Posted August 7, 2008 I n purely defending terms last years back four is marginally better. However Carson was awful. For me it was his complete reluctance to come of his line. He needed to back four to protect him too much. So having freidel behind our back 4 is a big improvement. Going forward it is vastly improved. We now have fullbacks capable of delivering a good cross and linking up well with the player directly in front of them. this will help us to concede less simply by having FB's that don't give the ball straight back to the opposition when under pressure, as well as the awful crosses Bouma in particular would put in, they always when straight to the oppostion LB or out of play. I dont need to write anything because this is totally my view. But it would also be nice to have Davis play a higher percentage of games too.
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