The issue I have is - since when was the last time we actually bought a decent defender? Arbeloa in 2007?
I realise there is a problem there that needs to be coached on, and that is Brendan and the coaching staff's responsibility, but since the year 2007, we really have bought poorly in the defensive department. Any deficiencies from the players who were bought after seem to have been covered up by playing under real stalwarts like Hypia and Carragher.
But after Arbeloa, everything seems to be dire. Houllier got some real gems for us in defence, and Benitez utilised them to perfection. But those lads of Hamann (I count defensive midfielder as a solution to defence), Riise, Finnan, Carragher and Hypia to name just a few really did raise the bar. Benitez was hit and miss with defenders (buying Agger in 06 and Arbeloa in 07 were masterstrokes) but he used his organisation skills and got the best out of the Houllier signings.
Towards the end of Rafa's tenure, these players began to age or left the club, and our cause hasn't been helped since.
Rodgers when he came didn't really have a decent hand to play with in regards to defenders and our best one Agger declined due to injury sadly. Now Rodgers recruitment in this area hasn't been beneficial it seems - but I still have hopes for Sakho (who is still young for a centre back) and Lovren to come good, and hopefully with development from Manquillo and Flanagan.
He never had a good base to build upon the defenders, and unfortunately, he doesn't have any players with great experience who are genuinely great like Carragher and Hypia at the moment to help allow bed in younger defenders like Manquillo. But I admit him and the clubs recruitment policy in this area needs to be improved upon desperately.
I mean, the impressive performances of Flanagan suggests its the players have to take responsibility and have the tools to play well, and I could see the point of blaming the management only if all defenders were crap, but Flanagan shows the type of defender we want. Which warrants the question - why not dip into the youth system more?
There seems to be desperate communication and confidence issues with the players that you wouldn't see with homegrown youth players. Youth players would take the opportunity by the scruff of the neck, and they're psychologically primed to play for the club from an early age anyway - if they have the potential, throw them in there. Which is why its important we invest in the youth squad, but sadly our attention towards the youth academy has been disgraceful in the last 10 odd years.
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