Our defence falters "again"

By Chris Baker
July 30 2006

I see the media is at it again before the season has even started: Campbell talk of Toon as defence falters again, reports The Independent.

It's no wonder people talk about our back four being so sh*t when the media comes out with this. It's ideal for idiots who don't know what they're talking about to regurgitate it as an opinion. That's exactly what the world needs: More idiots being spoonfed with rubbish. No it doesn't.

Has anyone here honestly seen the media criticise the Spuds defence, which shipped only 4 less goals than us last season? What about the Blackburn defence which conceded the same number as ours. Or how about Bolton's which conceded just one less than ours?

I seem to recall those three sides receiving praise instead actually, and some of their individual defenders receiving special praise, whilst ours are routinely criticised.

And what the f*ck does "again" mean? When did we last ship 3 goals? Or more?

I couldn't recall the occasion off the top of my head. Quick research informed me it was away at Charlton, March 26th when we went down 3-1. We then conceded just 4 goals in our remaining 7 league games, and never did we concede more than 1 in a game. All without Steven Taylor of course, our best center back, who missed nearly the entire season. And while we did have Craig Moore in those games, those are about the only games he DID play.

For years now we've had a negative image of having a terrible defence, and at times it has been warranted, but facts are facts and our defence is not half as bad as people make out. It is not as good as Chelsea's, Liverpool's, Man Utd's and Arsenal's, granted, but if our defence is so shoddy and faltered "again", this effectively means all but 4 teams in the league have poor defences, unless you consider 4 goals significant difference; I don't.

I honestly don't understand the "Toon defence falters again" bit. I thought I may have been in a coma I didn't realise I was in and missed a few games where we shipped 3 goals or more. It makes no sense.

That isn't the only part of The Independent's arti...title I have a problem with. "Campbell talk of Toon" also has a problem with me.

As if The Independent's ignorance wasn't confirmed enough by it's "falters again" comment, it is confirmed when it blabbers on about Campbell being in talks with the club.

It may well be true that he is. The Independent may infact be entirely accurate. However, I doubt it.

Quite a few weeks ago, Roeder had this to say, courtesy of the official site:

"He is a very talented central defender, and I'm very aware of his ability. But I have to say Sol is not a player I am interested in signing.

"The crux of the matter is that if we are to sign another central defender, I would be looking to sign a younger player, although someone still with experience at this level."

Roeder may well have performed a u-turn and changed his mind, but after such strong words, I very much doubt it.

The entire media seems to have forgotten this episode, and many papers are freely running the story that Campbell may be in talks.

This will inevitably be due to the fact that Roeder recently said he was in talks with players were he does not need a club's permission; in other words, free agents.

Sol Campbell is the first name that springs to mind, and it appears the media have just gone with him, despite the above quotes from Roeder.

I for one am totally ruling out Campbell's arrival, but I am certainly not ruling out the possibility that our defence is somewhat decent. In fact, I think it is. Facts suggest so, and with Taylor and Moore back this season, plus any acquisitions, I'd like to think our defence is not far off being a fairly solid one. The Independent has faltered again.

I win.