| From this you could argue that Kristian O’Leary is the weak link with the defence being notably stronger without him in it than with him there. You could argue that the statistics are misleading due to the number of games missed by both Todd and Smith. |
| It’s hard to draw exact conclusions from the defensive statistics although you would have to say that Jason Smith is being sorely missed by the Swans. He has missed 34 games from 56 since the start of last season and we have kept just 3 clean sheets in those games. Compare that to 8 in the 22 games that he has played and that would tell it’s own story. |
| Now, Addison is clearly intent on a three man back line with wing-backs. My preferred central defensive trio (with all fit) is Todd, Smith and O’Leary. Bound seems to have lost whatever he had two years ago and it is costing us at the moment. Of course, in a three man back line we have to have two wing backs with Jenks and Frankie currently occupying those positions. Are they the right men for the job? I think so, but others would disagree. Could Appleby or Coates fill one of the places? Wouldn’t be convinced myself but it is a possibility. |
| As I said at the top maybe Cusack or Mumford could do a job at the back. Could they be any worse than what we have at the moment? It’s a tough call and one that thankfully I don’t have to make. With this kind of formation, it’s going to take a little time to get the players in the right positions but time is something that we don’t have much of on the basis that the more games without winning, the further down the table we get dragged. We need a win and soon to kick things off. |
| Those are the statistics that I provide. My full back line would be Jenks, O’Leary, Smith, Todd and Howard but that is just my opinion. Voice yours on the Message Board |
| But don’t just read the statistics – have a vote in the current question of the week and tell us who you think is the weak link out of the 6-man back line that we fielded last night. Vote now by clicking here |
