PVA had the same problem, and one I was whinging about at length, as far back as the start of February last year. That was under Poyet's defensive system.
As a rule I don't have an issue with O'Shea. My real issue, at the moment, is that I think barring one or two games last season he's been on the same downward slope as Brown. I'd rather stick with the defensive pairing we have at the minute. It mightn't work, but the fact is we just don't know how much of it is simply poor centreback performances, or whether it is the severe lack of support they've had from both fullbacks and defensive midfield.
You could argue that maybe change a centreback and give the fullbacks one more chance, or change the fullbacks and give the centrebacks one more chance - but don't change both because then you don't identify the root of the problem. And from what I've seen - and this is the main thrust of my argument - PVA is the main culprit at the moment.
All my opinion, of course.![]()
I'll tell you. A lot of it is. Basic errors from Kaboul and Coates time and time again already this season. The full backs are a big problem, but they're both receiving zero help from the wingers and the centre-halves as well. Why aren't they being given a free pass?