Our defence really isn't as bad as people make out.
I know Boumsong is a plank and Bramble is clumsy but check out our last five games - only one goal conceded. The problem is most of the games we have lost this season have been by 1 or 2 goals.
I know there is the exception like the 3-0 to Man City but even against the big clubs like our last meeting with Liverpool we only lost 2 - 0. Our biggest problem this season has been at the other end. Many of those games wouldn't have been lost by the odd goal if we could have converted even one of our chances at goal.
The strikers are partly to blame, while Shearer's been out we have had to rely on Ameobi, who can't run without making it look like a monumental effort to coordinate both legs and even with Shearer on the pitch a lot of it was down to Sounesses tactics and team formation. The amount of times we played 4-5-1 with Shearer up front by himself was a disgrace.
I don't think the midfield can be let off either and I think Jigga has a bit of a point. Up until a few matches ago we were giving the ball away far to easily in midfield which was causing problems for our defenders and meant out attack wasn't getting the ball. It's all well and good having the two best strikers in the country
but without the supply from the midfield that’s a pretty weak gesture. Take the game where Owen got his hat trick. Two of those goals he had to make for himself!
I agree with you EasyG that those four players you mentioned are gold
but there are other aspects you have overlooked. While Souness was in charge he was playing Nobby Solano in the middle instead of on the wing where he belongs and it showed in his performance. When we got him back from Villa he was one of their best players but as soon as he came back into our squad he was under achieving. Since Souness has gone and Nobby's found himself back on the wing he's been playing blinder after blinder. It's not a coincidence. Dyer has been out for most of the season and so he doesn't really count in comparison. Emre is starting to get into the swing of things now but I'm not sure what was going on with him while Souness was there.
I think another player who has shined in the last 5 games has been N’zogbia; I think he has a lot of potential on the opposite wing to Nobby.
I do agree with you that we have a strong midfield but we haven’t for most of the season due to injury and a stupid manager.
Here's hoping we can make an impression over the last few games of the season
Panzer
. Just hope we do well in the champs league this year.