Life’s a Pitch: attack the best form of defence?

There have been two examples this week of football teams full of attacking verve, yet seriously deficient in defence.

Teams where so much investment and focus has gone into improving their forward play that the rearguard appears somewhat neglected.

Manchester United’s start to a campaign that they hope will see them regain the Premier League ended in defeat at Everton. David Moyes’ men targeted a Man Utd defence with makeshift centre-back Michael Carrick in it and got their just desserts with a narrow win, despite the presence of new £24m striker Robin van Persie at the other end.

This was no surprise to Mike Calvin, who predicted that Man Utd’s increasingly fragile defence, currently without a number of regulars, was in for a tough night at Goodison. The fact that left-back Patrice Evra’s powers are on the wane and that Sir Alex Ferguson decided against buying a defensive midfielder this summer to shield the defence only adds to the notion that no matter how stellar the United attack is this season, the defence could make more headlines.

Another team currently having to outscore their opponents because of an imbalance between attack and defence is Chelsea. Jonathan Wilson reckons the team that won last season’s Champions League on defensive solidity has gone so far the other way they are likely to come unstuck against quality opponents. Having creative talents such as Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Oscar obviously suggests an attacking approach, but as Roberto Di Matteo has said himself, it’s all about striking the right balance.

Going back to Van Persie. Despite having sold their top goalscorer and Alex Song, their chief assist maker, the mood at Arsenal this summer is surprisingly good. In fact, an idea debated by the Life’s a Pitch team this week, and most likely by many at the Emirates, is whether Arsenal will actually become a more rounded team without the talismanic Dutchman.

Elsewhere on the site, Rob Smyth wrote us a great profile of Tom Cleverley, the player so much is expected from at Old Trafford. Will he justify the hype this season? Rob reckons the omens look good.

The Life’s a Pitch anthology also emerged this week, a collection of personal stories from numerous contributors to the site who reveal the football team they support and why.

Plus, we look at all the latest transfer news and put our necks on the line as to whether the players who have completed transfers this summer will be a hit or a miss.

Expert pundit videos

Liverpool chase Tello, Cavani to Chelsea, Inter eye Lennon?

The Life’s a Pitch team discusses the likelihood of Tello, Cavani and Lennon moving to new clubs this summer.
On the move? >

Will Arsenal become a more rounded team without Van Persie?

The Life’s a Pitch team discusses whether Arsenal will actually develop into a stronger team now that Van Persie has left.
Better without RvP? >

QPR eye Defoe, Inter want Walcott, Dembélé to Real Madrid?

The Life’s a Pitch team takes a look at a trend of teams wanting to buy players from London clubs.
Transfer tittle-tattle >

Allen, Henríquez and Kightly: Hit or miss?

The Life’s a Pitch team assess whether these three summer signings will bring the house down or simply let themselves down.
Stars in the making? >

Lively opinion blogs

Smart money on Cleverley justifying the hype at Man Utd

Could Tom Cleverley prove to be more important to Manchester United’s season than Nemanja Vidic, wonders Rob Smyth.
Football brain >

Chelsea’s attacking flair leaves them vulnerable in defence

Despite wins in their opening two Premier League games, Chelsea are compromising their defensive solidity in favour of attacking flair, writes Jonathan Wilson.
Gung ho >

Hansen’s comments only add to the task facing Rodgers

Mike Calvin explains why the challenge facing Brendan Rodgers at Anfield is big enough already without criticism from former players.
Dissenting voices >

Can Man Utd’s defence live up to its attack?

Will Man Utd’s vulnerable defence let the side down when their impressive new attack starts its Premier League campaign at Everton, wonders Mike Calvin.
A weak defence >

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