Since the days of Abramovich, our team is well-known for having a strong back line. Having payed 20 Million Pounds for Carvalho in 2004, and bringing John Terry through the youth ranks, they formed an amazing partnership. In 04-05 season we broke the record for the most consecutive clean sheets, and for the most clean sheets in a season. Under Jose Mourinho our defence was probably considered to be on the best around. That reputation since Mourinho left has had its ups and downs, but even so last year under Carlo Ancelotti we didnt only concede the fewest goals in the league, but we also conceded the fewest goals from set pieces.

So far we have conceded 2 in 3 match, not a particularly bad record, though our defense doesn't seem to be the same. Against both Norwich and West Brom, our back line was caught out by long balls, our defenders (Alex and Ivanovic in particular) looked out of position, and leave gaps for opponent strikers to run through. We seem to be holding a high line (I presume instructed by AVB) and try to catch players offside. This wasn't ony ineffective but it could have easily cost us two wins at home that are supposed to be easy wins. I think our players aren't that used to playing an offside trap, and our center backs would be too slow to cover the ground quick enough, between the backline and the goalkeeper. Our fullbacks are often out of place, and also allow huge gaps for opposition to run into. We were lucky against Norwich and West Brom, but what happens against better opposition, like United and City who will punish us for things like this. Its something i believe we must get sorted out, or risk losing our shot for the title, and our reputation as a team with a good defense. (Not sure whether Luiz will change much btw)

We're playing a dangerous game with the high line, because if the player stays onside then they're in behind you easily. This isn't such a huge problem if you have a quick centreback like a Gallas or a Carvalho who can get back there, but when you're playing with Terry and Alex who are both a bit slow, then you have a problem.

Ivanovic is reasonably quick, and I can't remember about Luiz, I think he's reasonably pacy, so really if we're going to play this, we need 1 fast CB paired with Terry. In my opinion, unless we're playing very weak opposition or are in a dire run of injuries, we should never have Terry and Alex paired together. They are both too similar, and Alex is quite sluggish and clumsy since he's come back from his most recent injury.

I wouldn't have too much of a problem if we sold Alex, as we'd still have Terry, Luiz and Ivanovic. With potential players like Bruma, Kalas, Chalobah, etc... coming through, though if we did sell Alex, we could maybe do with an extra CB, meaning we could utilise Ivanovic at RB sometimes as well and sell Ferreria.

It has the potential to be, but for me Carvalho and G*llas in their prime were as good as any defenders we've had in my lifetime anyway, and I mean that. I think Luiz has huge potential to be a star here though, I rate Alex and Ivanovic hugely as well.

Ashley's form has dipped in the last 12 months and I'm still not convinced by Bosingwa so the full back area is definitely an area where I feel we could be exposed.

As things stand right now I would say that the answer to that question is a resounding no. I think that Alan Shearer highlighted the issues with our new high line in home games against unfancied WBA and Norwich on MOTD on Saturday night.

We may well in time adapt to this new system but my fear is that even with a quicker centre back alongside Terry we could see a series of desperate sliding tackles from behind from Luiz or someone that end in succession of penalties and red cards. And with a trip to Old Trafford in a couple of weeks it is a bit worrying. I'm no football coach but a high line seems as bonkers as zonal marking on corners.

But I wouldn't complain if we take the concede 2 score 4 approach!! Seems to be working for the manc clubs.

The high line will take some getting used to. And as was already said, Terry and Alex aren't exactly speed demons back there. Couple that with Bosingwa being in the starting XI (an extra attacker, but questionable defender), and it's clear that AVB wants the team to play with an attacking mindset. And I'm fine with that. But make sure we're actually going to score more, to cover for the (presumably) higher number of goals we're also going to concede. 5 goals in 3 games against the likes of Stoke, WBA, and Norwich isn't the kind of offensive explosion we're going to need.

I'm not complaining, mind you. 7 points in 3 games...I'll take it. I'm just saying that I hope we're scoring more consistently -- and more easily -- by the time we face the tougher teams, since they may also have an easier time scoring against us and new high line.

We are more likely to get caught on the counter than the days under Jose, the way we commit 8-9 players in attack and playing possession football will keep biting us in the backside. Look at the match against Norwich, we have 5-6 players around the box and the ball is with Boswinga on his own just over the half way line, he lose the ball, their winger counters, suddenly it came 2 on 2 or 3 against 3. A more potent team will make us pay. Personally, I really hate the style of everyone in the forward and midfield tuck in around the penalty box, and rely on the fullbacks to push high up to provide width. Isn't the winger's job to add width? In terms of defenders' qualities, no other teams in the league have four good central defenders like we do, we are weak in the right back, but every few teams have great right back these days.

While at times we've seen the defence appear slightly flat footed and error strewn in the last two games,I think that's only to be expected while playing at a higher line.

Time at training,playing matches & perhaps shaking off pre-season cobwebs should show an improvement.

Mind you,a bit more pressing from Mikel wouldn't hurt.

Watching Grant Holt putting it about for Norwich made me wonder how Luiz would have performed in that game,it would have been a good learning curve that's for sure.

Now Ash has turned thirty,I don't think it would be a bad idea if he cut's back a bit on the booze,birds & fags,.................................probably be the worst half hour of his life!.

Trouble with Luiz and the highline is that if he does get caught the wrong side he can be a bit clumsy?! causing unessesary bookings and giving away free kicks in dangerous areas and even peno's... we saw that at fulham away and utd away. even with utd at home he was lucky to stay on the pitch. I wouldnt want to be giving freekicks away against utd the way Rooney put them away on sunday... Anyways, enough negative, im still confident that any mistakes and positional changes that dont work, AVB is tactically astute enough to have a plan B or C. something we didnt really have with Ancelotti and Scolari