eye_nose_hat
Vital Squad Member
Swan_Lady2 - 20/10/2016 16:35
As mistake ridden as Williams' performances were on occasions last season it has to be said that we have been far more vulnerable without our former captain leading the back line. Amat is a decent centre back but needs someone stronger alongside him, both Fernandez and Van Der Hoorn do not fit the bill and of course Mawson is untried at this level. Seems Jenkins gambled that we would manage without bringing in an experienced defender this summer and unfortunately so far results show that we are leaking unnecessary goals that have already cost us points.
Not sure what Bob can do to rectify this in the short term but his experiment of reuniting Amat and Fernandez certainly backfired at the Emirates, I'd be inclined to use Amat and Van Der Hoorn on Saturday as they did look a better pairing in Guidolin's final games.
Lets be honest, none of our defenders are top Premier League quality, or haven't proven to be as yet. Ashley Williams was, and as mentioned, he helped whoever was alongside him to look somewhat Premier League quality. With him gone, we now look like a proper bottom three defence, one that leaks goals and looks like it could concede at any time.
I don't agree with the idea of bringing in a totally new defensive partnership, but van der Hoorn and Amat looked a good pairing before Arsenal.