Defensive Woes

By Neil Ravenscroft
January 31 2005

A recurring theme this season at Walsall Football Club has been the terrible defending. Whatever the opinion of Paul Merson's tenure as Player-Manager, one thing that everyone should be able to agree on is the need for some better defensive coaching and defensive reinforcements in the squad.

At the moment, apart from kids, we have only four out and out defenders in Roper, Emblen, Bennett and Aranalde and one converted midfielder, in the shape of Mark Wright and only Mick Halsall with any real coaching experience. Whatever his future, Paul Merson has to address this area as a matter of urgency. The proof? Well, just look at the best attack table for this Division:-

1 Hull City 55 goals
2 Sheffield Wednesday 54
3 Luton Town 52
4 Bristol City 51
5 Tranmere Rovers 50
6 Hartlepool 49
7 Huddersfield 48
8 Swindon Town 48
9 Bournemouth 46
10 Walsall 44

And the meanest defences?

19 Huddersfield 47 goals
20 Torquay 49
21 Walsall 52
22 Wrexham 54
23 Franchise FC 54
24 Stockport 62

Not exactly rocket science, is it?