Why our defence has been so bloody awful for the last 11 months.

Basically, we've never recovered from losing Thomas Helveg. His skill and composure on the ball made all the other defenders around him seem more relaxed and less pressurised, far more so than they did when Marc Edworthy - a journeyman rather than a man with several international tournaments and 10 years' Serie A experience - was in the side.

Helveg also brought better form out of David Bentley, meaning that we had a proper outlet on the right-hand side. His crossing ability and knack for defence-splitting through-balls (even when playing poorly, out of position - cf the Everton game) added much to our side, and we haven't look the same since he's gone.

I believe he should have been made player-manager, or perhaps could be brought back as assistant to his old Denmark team-mate Lars Olsen.

Dear Lord I'm bored. How's it going, Iwan?

Posted By: Ottosson Foxtrot, Jun 5, 19:24:54