< ![CDATA["Dan you monk I was agreeing with you."

Oh sorry Kieran :) Got muddled up reading that, someone needs to invent a way of portraying the way we say things in written speech!

Its amazing how Hull are picking up wins away from home against the teams they have done. 3 out of 4 wins away, and only conceded 3 in those games. They obviously are mentally a lot stronger than us as a team. If you look at our goal difference compared to theres (+10 vs 0) then it doesn't make sense for them to be ahead on points. It boils down to being able to cope under pressure though. We struggle with that a bit!

Maby we should steal Brown and couple him with Wenger, could be a formidable partnership!]]>

< ![CDATA[Yeah it was me - I also said at the start of the season you'd see them make an impact due to Phil Brown. A very very good manager.

Also an English manager that has proved you don't need to go away to exciting teams and sit back and defend. Just look at how they take the game to teams like Arsenal. Admitidly they have had a touch of good fortune - Arsenal were shocking that day, but credit where credit is due they are one of the first teams I look for on the results after Arsenal.]]>

I personally can’t believe how well Hull have done. I think it was Kieran who mentioned that a lot of Bolton was down to Phil Brown and it is now starting to make a lot of sense. What they’re acheiving is outstanding. They’ve beaten us, Sp*rs and West Ham in their last there games… amazing.

Oh and Arbeloa/Carragher have done exceptionally well so far this season (a bit lucky too).

< ![CDATA[Actually that said, in terms of a complete unit Hull have done remarkably well. Their defence trains away from the rest of the team and they've conceeded only 11 goals - no mean feat given the teams they have played and the calibre of the midfield in front of them. 3rd in the league as well!

2 players in the Actim top 6 defenders so far this season as well.

The other player in with a shout is possibly Sol Campbell who has reinvented himself since going "abroad". But then your worry is the fact that he is likely to fall to pieces at any moment.]]>

< ![CDATA[Dan you monk I was agreeing with you. I know you didn't say he was perfect - I was just suggesting it's sort or unrealistic to expect a perfect defender anyway. Hell Rio Ferdinand and even Vidic are much closer to that magic marker than Gallas/Toure. I was just hitting the middle ground.

It frustrates me when Arsenal fans support players because "no one is perfect" and then turn on said players for "not being perfect"! Make your knee jerk minds up!

I'd be a lot happier with a Rio/Adams calibre defender at the back. Gallas is a great footballer but he's no tactician, and what Toure brings with heart he lacks with foresight.

In terms of the best defence in this league at this time I think there are a few decent players. I still stand by my assertion that Sagna/Clichey are the best fullbacks in the English game (possibly Europe at the moment) and probably Terry/Ferdinand the best centrebacks. However those two never seem to play 100% together for England, so maybe that weakens the argument.

Unless you're also thinking about a defence that can score penalties in which case Terry is out :)]]>

< ![CDATA[No Kieran he aint perfect, but that wasn't my point. Heres what Parresh said... "If there is a tall fast no nonsense defender that is quick with an astute positional sense that can also play a bit please feel free to point him out", and here is what my reply was... "Rio Ferdinand meets that criteria Parresh." Rio aint perfect, but he is a lot closer than Gallas and Toure.

The back four from the 90's are a perfect example from their time. The league is quite a bit different now though, what would you say would be the equivelent 'perfect' unit of todays players?]]>

< ![CDATA[Ade, this season, has he's been utter dog shite... and I'm one of the fans who defended him over the summer, and criticised fans for booing him.

But I'm not blind, and I'm not stupid.. and Ade has been awful.

Yes, he's scored 6 goals. However, he's only scored in 1 of our 8 league games (hat trick) and 3 in the CL... 1 in the Preliminary round, and 2 against a shockingly bad Porto team. Oh, and 2 of his 6 goals were penalties.

His overall performances have been poor too. In the games when we've needed a spark, when things weren't going our way, Ade disappears. Yes, he's taking the plaudits when we beat Blackburn and Porto.. but we need players sweating blood for the team every week, not just when they feel like it.

Surely, Ade is in the team because he's big and strong and can hold the ball up, and link the play? well, no.. as he's been piss poor at that so far, and even as a striker, his finishing has been crap and he's always being flagged offside.

This season, he's offered almost nothing, and his body language suggests all is not right. Is he tired?? because he looks it. F*ck know's why... he had the summer off, so he should be fresh! - or has all that contract talk worn him out

I don't hate Ade for what he did over the summer. It saddened me, but I've moved on. What pisses me off is his body language, and more importantly, he puts f*ck all effort in anymore.

Where is the happy, smiley, energetic young Togolese striker who we signed??? because I don't recognise this sulky, lazy crunt.. I really don't.

Unfortunately, you could edit my post a little and it could quite easily be used to describe the performances of several of our players this season... and that is why the title is out of reach.]]>

< ![CDATA[Even Rio makes mistakes! There is no such thing as a perfect defender, but just look at our infamous back for from the 90's - proof that you can get pretty close to a perfect defensive unit!

Watching Dixon take our defence apart on Match Of The Day made me wonder if Arsenal have a defensive coach at all? It seems like a silly question... but they have a goalkeeping coach!]]>

< ![CDATA[Well in Nasri we have a good player with more potential than Hleb. He is also directer which is something we needed. I don't think we need to worry about his absence, other than his relationship with Fab. I'm sure Fab can find a new friend though, besides, its his job anyway!

Rio Ferdinand meets that criteria Parresh. Even so, were not asking for one player to do everything. The team of 4 defenders are supposed to bring different qualities which amounts to a solid back 4. So we could at least have one defender who knows how to head the ball from set piece situations. I don't think that is such an outrageous ask.]]>