29-11-2014, 00:04
A constant theme in so many of our match reports that I read is the issue of a shaky defence. Yet this seems by no means to be merely confined to HTFC. In the Premiership it would seem that only Chelsea have what is considered a 'sound' defence. Has the game altered radically? Is general play/passing faster? Are players themselves faster and fitter? Has the age of dedicated defenders who could read the game passed us by? I personally think that three rule changes in relatively recent football history have given attackers the advantage:
1. Goal keepers can no longer pick up back passes
2. The offside rule - if you're level you're 'on.'
3. Penalising tackles from behind.
These were all moves to promote 'positive' play but have they encouraged teams to 'park the bus?' Now I see we don't seem able to do that too well but I'd welcome comments as to why 'shaky defending' seems to be such a general issue. Who are the stand out defenders for Town in your memory? How might they cope with the modern game?
1. Goal keepers can no longer pick up back passes
2. The offside rule - if you're level you're 'on.'
3. Penalising tackles from behind.
These were all moves to promote 'positive' play but have they encouraged teams to 'park the bus?' Now I see we don't seem able to do that too well but I'd welcome comments as to why 'shaky defending' seems to be such a general issue. Who are the stand out defenders for Town in your memory? How might they cope with the modern game?