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in the Times
“The group stage finished with a near-record number of goals, yet how many were down to poor defensive play? Countries arrived feeling a big onus to play positive football, maybe because of the setting of Brazil. Nobody has parked the bus. In club football something similar is happening. Supporters everywhere are demanding an attacking emphasis. There’s pressure on managers to entertain. I wonder if tastes and trends are leading to the old defensive arts being forgotten. This is not a vintage era for defenders. Throughout the game, across the world, there’s a shortage of outstanding players at the back. Maybe it’s partly because centre-half and full-back have become increasingly difficult roles to play.”
“The group stage finished with a near-record number of goals, yet how many were down to poor defensive play? Countries arrived feeling a big onus to play positive football, maybe because of the setting of Brazil. Nobody has parked the bus. In club football something similar is happening. Supporters everywhere are demanding an attacking emphasis. There’s pressure on managers to entertain. I wonder if tastes and trends are leading to the old defensive arts being forgotten. This is not a vintage era for defenders. Throughout the game, across the world, there’s a shortage of outstanding players at the back. Maybe it’s partly because centre-half and full-back have become increasingly difficult roles to play.”