Who has been our best defender so far this season?

[Lord Large]

Some idiot on another thread seems to think Hawkins has been better than Elphick. Madness.

 

[Elder for England]

Would that idiot be me?

 

[NS Herald]

Probably Elphick but they've all had dodgy moments. A clean sheet on Saturday and all will be forgiven

 

[Da Man Clay]

Hmm, Virgo IN DEFENCE has been the best. Problem is he has only played there once this season.

 

[Lord Large]

Would that idiot be me?

I guess so if you said that on another thread.

I seriously question anyone who honestly thinks Hawkins has performed better than Elphick so far this season.

 

[Mendoza]

Hawkins may well have played better than Elphick until he got injured. (see player of the month thread for August)

Virgo has played the best game at the back, but he wont ever play there again.

Richards has been suspect.
Whing has been solid enough, but cant kick the ball straight
Lynch I cant remember seeing play
El Abd only played one game

So that leaves Elphick, who is the only one to play there consitently, but maybe not brilliantly, but solid enough to be our best defender SO FAR

I dont know how you can pick anyone from a team that has been conceeding 2 goals a game for at least 4 weeks, with no clean sheets!

 

[Elder for England]

I guess so if you said that on another thread.

I seriously question anyone who honestly thinks Hawkins has performed better than Elphick so far this season.

Up until his operation, I would go as far to say Hawkins was one of our best players. But as per usual with people, a coupe of bad performences clouds over that.

 

[Lord Large]

Looked DODGE before the op.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Up until his operation, I would go as far to say Hawkins was one of our best players. But as per usual with people, a coupe of bad performences clouds over that.

But why is he playing when he is clearly not fit?

 

[Mendoza]

But why is he playing when he is clearly not fit?

the MANAGERS fault not Hawkins, he forgot to take his name out the velvet bag for the last 3 weeks

 

[Lord Large]

Nobody is saying it isn't the manager's fault he is still playing just that he has been rubbish lately.

I don't blame Kerry Mayo for being terrible at football. Does not mean I want him in the starting team...

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

The whole defence have had an off and on season so far.

Whing - has looked superb at times but not in the last couple of matches.
Elphick - the most consistent and getting better as the season develops
Hawkins - started off well then injury seems to be affecting him
Richards - proves how good he is because when he has an off day, we lose
Virgo - CB is his best position but haven't seen him there enough this season
El Abd - not hit the straps yet

Lynch - no longer a Brighton player

 

[Silent Bob]

Hmm, Virgo IN DEFENCE has been the best. Problem is he has only played there once this season.

True!

I'd say Elphick of the "regular" defence. Although even so I don't think he's been as good as last season. Whing and Richards have both been mixed.

 

[Spiros]

Up until his operation, I would go as far to say Hawkins was one of our best players. But as per usual with people, a coupe of bad performences clouds over that.

I take as I find. The first time I saw Hawkins (league game vs Orient) I thought he looked really good. I've only done home games so far and every other time he has looked pretty ordinary. So why should I allow the one good game from him to 'cloud over' the 3 poor ones?

 

[bright1064]

Elphick - the most consistent and getting better as the season develops

Spot on

And that is why I think he has been our best defender so far this season.
At the moment he is proving that last season was not a fluke. People seem to harp on about Lynch all the time. Well...Elphick is the real star for us at the back. Give me Elphick over Lynch ANYDAY!

 

[Lord Large]

Give me Elphick over Lynch ANYDAY!

Give me Elphick AND Lynch.

 

[Skint Gull]

Hmm, Virgo IN DEFENCE has been the best. Problem is he has only played there once this season.

Is the ONLY right answer in this thread.

He's the only defender to have an average rating of 9/10 in all of the games (ONE) he's played in defence this season.

How you can ship goals left, right and centre and still not play your best defender in defence i'll never know

 

[Scott29]

Elphick has been the only player be there playing consistantly through out the season, some shakes here and there but a quality player.

 

[Lord Large]

Is the ONLY right answer in this thread.

He's the only defender to have an average rating of 9/10 in all of the games (ONE) he's played in defence this season.

How you can ship goals left, right and centre and still not play your best defender in defence i'll never know

Virgo did indeed play very well against Man City but I so did everyone else. Even Loft and Fraser turned in very decent performances far better than many on here thought they were capable of.

I therefore think it is probably a little naive to rate Virgo the best defender on the back of that one game.

Especially as he played upfront for some of it.

 

[Don Tmatter]

Tough Call, Elphick on what i've seen. Although him, Whing & Richards haven't looked as solid as last season.