Our magnificent defence

[Stalbansclaret]

Just been having my daily stare at the League table over a brew and, whilst it may be obvious, couldn't help but jump on here to say what an absolutely unbelievable defence we have at the moment.
I mean 26 goals conceded in 30 Premier League games !!! Only Man City (by 7), Man Utd (by 4) and Spurs (by 2) better that and if you take the top 5 out of the equation noone else has conceded less than 40.
That isn't just a few good games that is season-long endeavour, organisation and skill that deserves huge recognition. We had 5 absolute top class defenders on that pitch on Saturday , not to mention of course the effort and framework in front of them.
FANTASTIC stuff.

[piston broke]

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Power ratings looking good with Tarks and Mee in the top 5.

[CleggHall]

Yes Stalbans that's the key to our success, a massive achievement thanks to the set-up, management and players. It may not be nice to watch at times but it brings home the bacon!

[ElectroClaret]

Couldn't agree more, particularly when you look back at some of the dross
who stole a living with us over the past few decades.

How far we've come really is astounding.

UTC

[Guich]

Spot on St Albans.

And the great thing is...as our defence evolves seamlessly from being Premier class to World Class, just watch how the gifted front six have begun to play with more ambition and flair.

It's truly ace.

[mdd2]

It really was apparent from the outset. It was quite a surprise to see SD first game in charge how the defence was tightened up. Of course at the other end Austin's prolific scoring came to an abrupt halt. That season Austin bagged 14 in the first 13 games and 10 in the last 33 and half the 60 goals conceded were in Sean's 33 games in charge. In 231 games under SD we have conceded 236 goals.
In this Division we have averaged 1.26 goals conceded under SD and 2.15 in our first season in 09/10.
We are also pretty consistent each season in the Divisions. Championship 30 in 33 or 42 over a season 13/14 37, 15/16 35.
14/15 season 53 conceded last season 55.
So this season could be a bit of a blip if we end up with 33 conceded.

[Lancasterclaret]

That extra years experience in the prem for everyone is reaping dividends.

Saying that, its is looking like all three promoted teams could stay up, which would be interesting for next season.

[wilks_bfc]

Even more magnificent when you consider thst it hasn’t been our “first choice back 5” for quite a few games.

Heaton
Lowton
Tarks
Mee
Ward

Have all missed a run of consecutive games during the season

[jlup1980]

Pope is the top performing English GK and we have 2 of the best performing defenders in the league. It's an incredible achievement by Pope, Tarky and Mee.

Let's see how many are called up by Southgate on Thursday. It'll certainly be interesting to hear his reasoning for calling up Phil Jones when you consider he's the 7th highest performing English centre half in the league. In my opinion Tarky and Lascelles should be in the squad. Mee should be considered because he's naturally left sided and we don't have many of those to choose from!

[Colburn_Claret]

It's a team thing, not the individuals, which lays a lot, if not all the credit, at SD's door. A sign that we can cope with injuries, or the loss of star players, Tripps and Keane, yet still perform. Organisation and a belief in the system are key.
Looking at the rest of the league, defending has got really poor.

[houseboy]

Just wondering if our defence as a whole is greater than it's individual parts? Yeah we have great defenders, they have to be in order to get stats like that, but when you look at how good Keane was for us and then what has happened since he left and the fact that Mee didn't seem quite as confident while Tarks was out, it does make you wonder about the 'team' ethic we seem to have. I'd love to see just how good Tarks was in the England side but worry slightly about how he would perform out of his comfort zone.
Having said all that I don't care as long as they continue like they are.

[jurek]

Without a doubt our defence has been more than magnificent.
Stats in terms of goals conceded rarely lie.
I don't think any of our current defensive players cost much more than 2-3m
if memory serves me well so even more so when you consider where we got them
from and how much we paid.
Collectively at present day values they must be worth more than a pretty penny too.
Tarks, Pope, Mee and Lowton are probably valued at over 50m between them.

Dyche has to be congratulating for molding them into a tight unit as most of our wins have
come about as a result of not conceding in the first instance albeit we did come back from going one down
to Everton which was the first time for a long time that we'd managed to come back after going 1-0 down.

All in all a great season for our defence so far that might still get better if we can
continue in the same vein in the last 8 games.

To finish 7th or even 8th would be a great achievement.

[Rick_Muller]

I’d suggest that Southgate was watching us for our defensive shape as well as looking at our players

[Colburn_Claret]

I’d suggest that Southgate was watching us for our defensive shape as well as looking at our players

If I was a manager, of any team, I'd be scrutinising the way Burnley defend. Apart from Pep, who is always complimentary, most of the others still think we just Park the bus.

[moaninclaret]

It s possible we could have 3 or 4 of our players in the England squad, Pope is a serious contender, Tarks and Mee are possibilities from a defensive outlook and Corky in midfield? A magnificent defence indeed. Does anyone share my concerns that we might not be going to Russia due to whats been happening over the nerve gas incident coupled with the lunatic Russian hooligans who will be a presence, just a thought!!!

[piston broke]

I’d suggest that Southgate was watching us for our defensive shape as well as looking at our players

Doubtful as he's predicted to play three at the back. This is Tarks best hope of getting in.

[dsr]

Mee won't be in the England squad because Southgate wants defenders who are good on the ball. I reckon Mee's extra defensive skills are worth having and let someone else do the passing; but I'm not picking the squad.

[Burnleyareback2]

Magnificent defence, the magnificent 7

[chipbutty]

Mee won't be in the England squad because Southgate wants defenders who are good on the ball. I reckon Mee's extra defensive skills are worth having and let someone else do the passing; but I'm not picking the squad.

When we beat Watford at home earlier this season when Ben Mee was injured , a Watford supporting friend of mine was praising Tarkowski. I told him that our best centre half wasn`t even on the pitch...

[IanMcL]

Mee won't make owing to reason cited above and why Emailing no longer in reckoning. Stones all the way and Keane if he can stay in the Everton team. Defensive frailties don't seem to count against defenders!

[fatboy47]

I like Ben, I really do...and he's great for us.

But the day the England team includes players so limited in any watchable football skills ...esp with the ball, is the day I'll pack up watching the national team.

[Colburn_Claret]

I like Ben, I really do...and he's great for us.

But the day the England team includes players so limited in any watchable football skills ...esp with the ball, is the day I'll pack up watching the national team.

I stopped doing that years ago.
They've been an embarrassment since the Hoddle days.
The only thing that can alter that is if a Claret can make the team.
Fingers crossed.