They always say that the foundation for a good team is having a solid defence, and if you have one of those then you’re going to do very well indeed and gain plaudits a plenty. The Burnley result saw what has to be said, even without our first choice back four, we produced one of the best defensive master classes against the runaway leaders of the Championship. Burnley hadn’t been blanked all season at home, and was last shut out 12 months ago on home turf by the current Premier League champions.
However, you can now add Sunderland 2023 to that. What I’m going to do in this article is a fair and honest appraisal of the defenders we have used this season in the back four or five depending on what Mogga has decided to adopt. Although Sky Sports have Pierre Ekwah listed as a defender, the same list that has the retired legend Jermaine Defoe on it, I see him as a defensive midfielder and LO9 as a defender. Obviously. You might agree with some of these assessments, you might not but that’s the beauty of opinion and what makes us unique.
DANNY BATTH
When we brought in Batth a year ago from Stoke, I’m sure that a few of us were thinking what he will bring to the table for the Lads. This is a guy who, until joining the Lads, hadn’t been a regular first teamer at the sides he played bar loan deals. But what Batth lacks in blistering pace, he more than makes up for it in being the rock on which the Lads defence is built on. His defensive awareness is top notch like, a bit like Shaun Elliott and Dave Watson who were both formidable defenders for the Lads. A dependable defender that is enjoying a new lease of life here at the SoL.
LUKE O’NIEN
What can you say about LO9 that hasn’t already been said, eh? Now in his fifth season with the Lads since joining from Wycombe in the summer of 2018 for a fee of less than 200K. LO9 is, and I’m not ashamed to admit it, my favourite player for the Lads at present and that’s ahead of the Loch Ness Drogba too. The likeable thing about LO9 is that he will fill in any role that Mogga or whoever is calling the shots, wants. Right back, centre back, left back even central midfield. You could ask him to play in goal in place of Patto and he would do it. As for that kiss in Norwich, one of the highlights of the season that, although he’s had a few to choose from.
DAN BALLARD
One of our Northern Irish triumvirate although he was born in Stevenage, Ballard arrived in the summer after seeing no future for him at the Emirates where he had been there since the age of eight. Injuries have restricted him to just 22 starts out of a possible 43 at present but he’s started to prove his worth in a dependable partnership alongside Batth for the Lads. What I like about him is that he is a “talker” on pitch and for a central defender, that’s as good an asset as any to have. If he can shrug off his injury woes then the Lads have a real find on their hands.
DENNIS CIRKIN
Dennis, to me, is a proper throw back of a defender. He just relishes getting stuck in and putting a shift in for the Lads and has been doing that since we enticed him north from Tottenham. A defender that likes to defend whilst also providing an attacking thrust down the left hand side when we needed something to come from down that side. Some might say that he picks up too many yellow cards when he plays for the Lads and needs to calm down but take that away from him, he won’t be the effective defender he is. Only Dennis could do what he did at Millwall. Committed as anyone for the Lads he is.
ALI ALESE
Not many had heard of Alese when he signed for the Lads, especially those north of the Capital. Signed with one eye on the future, as has a number of young ones, he has been called upon time and time again to plug gaps in our back line. Like LO9 he’s appeared for the Lads in more than one position this season and it’s just great when you have players like this at your disposal. What I like about him is that he has a physical presence, one thing you need if you’re going to play in the harsh realities below the Premier League. Isn’t afraid to join in attacks, and like Ballard: could be one for future years ahead.
TRAI HUME
The young Northern Irishman is starting to make a bit of a name for himself and as a bit of a first team regular under Mogga. Coming from the Northern Irish Premier League where it can be a real tough and bruising experience, young Trai has got bags of potential about him and is starting to make that right back slot his own. He is fully committed player for the Lads and we like players like that in the red and white don’t we? If he continues to develop then he should go far. One to keep a very close eye as the seasons progress.
Those are the six that have formed the bulk of our defence this season and to be honest, they haven’t really been a let down. Because of injuries and the odd suspension or two, we haven’t had a settled back line all season and Mogga knows this. We still have Niall Huggins on his way back from injury and we’re still waiting to see what he will be like if he gets a decent run in the side. Joe Anderson, the kid from Everton, might be the next one to make a breakthrough so it’ll be interesting to see if he gets a few chances once it’s apparent we definitely aren’t playing for anything bar a finish as high as we can. And of course, there’s the one and only Bailey Wright who always gives 100 per cent for the Lads. Gooch is worth a mention too, especially against Burnley. Another who plays for badge with his heart on his sleeve.
How do you rate them?
