I'm not convinced our defensive deficiencies all point to the Skertel-Sahko partnership. Although the stats tell us we concede less with Agger-Skertel in the team, we should remember that at the same time those stats concerning Skertel-Sahko are IMO misleading too. Take last Sunday for e.g. how does their partnership stat alter the fact Gerrard slipped, that has no bearing on them as a partnership, the second goal too was the team's mindset to throw players forward for a corner, just like one of the goals last night that smacked us on the counter - hardly the fault of a CD partnership.
They don't look anything like a Henchoz-Hyypia partnership that's for sure (and maybe Carra is right about the lack of leadership at the back?), but IMO our defensive issues stem from the way we play as a team, it's a team 'thing' for me, more so than a central defensive partnership. I mean, we could stick Henchoz and Hyypia in this side today and I'd hedge my bets we'd still concede a fair few more than most teams in the top 6.
For me it's a collection and a combination of things:
1) Mignolet's lack of commanding presence and ability to collect in his box (a big issue)
2) Johnson & Flanagan either pushed too far up and out of position
3) Johnson & Flanagan are both guilty (especially Johnson) of switching off, ball watching and not closing down enough crosses.
4) Recently: Henderson missing, the loss of his energy and team ethic which support his FB and team mates no end. (big miss)
5) Midfield (key point) more often than not this fluid attacking movement from midfield leaves us exposed to a counter attack, sometimes we're three in midfield. Not as tight 'in-play' like (extreme example) Chelsea are, our expansive play going forward in numbers leaves us vulnerable at the back. Throw in point 2 to that mix and there's a recipe for danger.
Granted, Skertel and Sahko aren't no Hansen-Lawrenson but I think there is enough in the above to deal with which would save us a sizable amount of goals conceded.
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