A Case For The Defence

As the saying goes – Forwards win games, defences win championships.

Ok, so no one thinks that Newcastle United are going to win the title, or get anywhere near the Champions League places, but certainly fans can, and should, expect a decent top half finish, and possibly even an outside shot at a UEFA Cup spot, however unlikely that seems from our current position.

Once they get through this tricky opening spell of games – all of last season’s top four will have been played by the first week in October – we should see them start to pick up points on a more regular basis.

However, it is noticeable, even in the games they have lost, that there is a new emphasis on defending this season… and it’s about time too! Yes, Newcastle only bought one new defensive recruit, Chancel Mbemba – and what a prospect he looks to be – for the much-maligned back four, but that line-up was also bolstered by the fact that Jamaal Lascelles, bought last season from Nottingham Forest before being loaned back to them for the season, has now provided further competition for places.

Although it is still early days in the season, and the hard graft is still to come, it seems there is a very simple reason why their defending (with much of the same personnel as last season) seems to be performing on a different plateau to the sub-standard, nonsensical at times, performances of last season – proper tactics and proper coaching.

According to statistical website 'WhoScored', four out of Newcastle’s top six rated performers so far this season are defenders. In fact, if you take the top seven, only Gabriel Obertan is not classified as a player with a defensive role (the other six being Tim Krul, Chancel Mbemba, Massadio Haidara, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini and Jack Colback).

Of course, I realise that fans will have their own, differing opinions on who played well and who didn’t every week. I also accept that in these opening games, Newcastle have been reduced to ten men twice, and playing top teams that keep the ball for longer periods than they do, so hence, the ball is often in their defensive third more often. But, what has to be remembered is that last season they were almost relegated, not by bad luck, but by poor performances, mainly defensively, and that the same parameters applied – often reduced to ten men, and often outplayed by opponents, with the ball being kept in their defensive third more often.

A prime example of the new defensive philosophy instilled in the players by the coaching staff is Fabricio Coloccini. Last season, in 32 Premier League appearances, the Argentine blocked a total of 19 shots. This season, in only four games, he has blocked seven. In fact, if we compare each of his individual statistical data (Interceptions, clearances, tackles, etc.) for the first four games this season with his figures for the whole of last season, it suggests that, if his current standard is maintained, he will better all of them comfortably. It also suggests a defender that appears to be reading the game better, and able to anticipate situations quicker.

Perhaps, though, one of the more telling stats is that for his passing success rate. His success rate for this season is 88.6% compared with 85% last term. The fact that he is not giving away possession as much as he was last season means that we are not being left in as many vulnerable positions as we were, which, in the long run, can only benefit the team defensively.

Eyebrows were raised when the club captain was given an extension of his contract, mine included. However, if his current form continues, and he can lead by example, as he has done so far this season, then maybe Steve McClaren’s claim that this deal was one of the best bits of business done by the club this summer, may well turn out to be true.

I was one of the many voices that questioned the club’s ambition when they appointed McClaren as manager. I wanted a young, forward-thinking coach. But I am the first to hold my hands up and say that the 54-year-old Yorkshireman is winning me over.

All of the players who have played for him, all of his fellow managers, and all of the pundits told us what a fantastic coach he is, and how good his man management skills are. I thought it was just your usual pro-pro stuff – not willing to say anything bad about a fellow football professional – but the proof is being shown on the pitch.

Of course, we have to remember that Newcastle haven’t won a league game yet. Much of the blame for that has been down to both the quality of the opposition, and a self-combustible instinct of some players to perform footballing hara-kiri – one thing that the manager has still to put right, and must do sooner rather than later.

I have no doubt that the seeds for a more successful era have been sown. We now have to watch them slowly grow throughout the season, before hopefully bearing fruits in the months (and hopefully years) to come.

Much of this optimism comes from watching a defence being slowly transformed from circus clowns to lion tamers.

So let’s hope that the improvements at the back can continue, as it is surely only a matter of time until the forwards start finding the net.