Kamara: No doubt about it, we’re neglecting the art of defending
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There’s been a huge focus this season on the defensive frailties of some of the Premier League’s top clubs.
Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham and even last season’s champions, Manchester City, have all been found wanting at the back at some time or another during the current campaign.
And according to Ladbrokes ambassador, Chris Kamara, this cavalier attitude towards protecting the goal has become endemic.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt we’re neglecting the art of defending in the Premier League and beyond in this country”, Kammy told Ladbrokes News.
The former Leeds United hardman has a valid point.
In particular, Louis van Gaal’s new-look Manchester United side have been lambasted for their defensive inadequacies, with September’s 5-3 humiliation at Leicester a real low point.
Although similar lapses have been few and far between since then, Kammy gave his own hypothetical verdict on the situation.
“If you made someone like Tony Pulis defensive coach at Man United they’d be a better, more organised unit. He’s that type of coach, with hard drills and discipline and focus on defence,” he said.
“The first time I came across similar practices was under Howard Wilkinson at Leeds United in the early 1990s.
“It’s that type of coaching which I’m not sure is still happening at some of our top clubs. I suppose the exceptions this season have been both Chelsea and Southampton. They’ve both laid solid foundations and it’s no coincidence that they’re now first and second in the league respectively.”
And in the pursuit of tightening up at the back our man also had this to say on Tottenham defender Eric Dier’s recent decision to forgo international duty to concentrate on honing his craft.
“I admire Dier for his recent decision to pull out of the England under-21s to focus on his trade.
“I wouldn’t have done the same but when you see some of the mistakes he’s made earlier in the season you can understand why he might want to do that.
“This is a player who wants to be taught how to defend and I think that should be applauded,” Kammy said.
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