What’s Happened To Our Defence?

5 October 09 by Bill

Is It Ben's Fault?

Last season, after a 2 – 1 defeat away to Arsenal, United went on something of a clean sheet frenzy. 1,334 minutes of Premier League football were subsequently played and not a solitary goal was conceded. In the entire season, the defence was only breached 24 times and it was due to this we won the league for the third consecutive season.

Fast forward a few months and the defence looks almost unrecognisable. Just eight games into this campaign and the defence has leaked eight goals. Six of these goals have been scored at Old Trafford, whilst only two have been conceded on our travels. At Old Trafford, we have shipped five goals in only two games. Is it just bad luck or is there a reason?

I think there is one glaring reason and he goes by the name of Ben Foster.

Opinion is well and truly divided on the young Englishman’s ability to be our number one but as Foster delivers cock up after cock up, his loyal supporters must surely jump ship and realise he is just a calamity waiting to happen?

One could go so far as to say he is England’s natural successor to David James. Like James, Foster is a great shot stopper; there is little room for doubt on this issue but to be a top class keeper, you need more than shot stopping. You need to command your area, instil confidence, clear the ball to safety and deal with crosses. Foster is lacking in all of these areas.

All three City goals should have been avoided the other week and the two Sunderland managed on Saturday should also have been dealt with.

Whilst it is difficult to blame Foster for all the goals, I’ll stick my neck out and give it a good go.

Against City and to a lesser extent Sunderland, United were guilty of giving the opposition too much time on the ball. The defence failed to close the opposition down time and again. Were it not for a last ditch tackle by Carrick on Saturday, we’d have been facing our second defeat of the season.

So how can I blame this on Foster I hear you ask? It all comes down to confidence or a lack thereof.

The players don’t have any confidence in Foster, and with lingering doubt, are overly cautious in the tackles. Instead of getting on the man, they mark the space. Staying between their man and the ball means they still have a chance of doing something. Commit and miss the tackle and you’ve got to rely on Foster. And no one wants to do that.

Luckily, Edwin van der Sar is back in training and shouldn’t be far from a recall. The International break couldn’t have come at a better time considering we have some big matches coming up against Liverpool and Chelsea in the next few weeks. If we have any aspirations of retaining our title, we’ll need Van der Sar back to full fitness.

United’s next match is at home to Bolton on 17th October. I anticipate a much improved defensive unit backed up by the one and only, Edwin van der Sar.

One Comment already, join the discussion

Posted in Premier League · Tagged Ben Foster, Edwin van der Sar

Discussion, what's your opinion?

One person has said their bit on “What’s Happened To Our Defence?”

I totally agree. Foster’s insecurity has spread to the whole back four. I find it very hard to see him as the long-term successor to Van der Sar. Ferguson will probably have to sign a top keeper next summer. Manuel Neuer at Schalke 04 would be my choice.
If VDS isn’t fully fit, I would put Kuszczak in goal against Bolton.