I dont think it was a matter of raising their game at all, I think they played without fear and thats the one thing you always get from young kids, White, Lees and Thompson are still very young and have nothing to fear, O'Dea was our oldest defender at only 24.Plus those kids are playing for a first team place week in week out so once they get a shot they are giving it their all, Maybe some of the older defenders have been coasting on a starting place they did'nt deserve.
Lees has be our most impressive defender all season, He has a bright future ahead of him as does White.Thompson has impressed the few times i've seen him play, Yes he switched off for the goal but apart from that one little lapse the defence were very solid, Ok Arsenal were quite poor infront of goal but any danger was snuffed out.
I like how that defence worked and that could be the answer although i would'nt be suprised to see Thompson dropped, The CB paring worked and White has plenty to offer going forward atleast.Still think we need another CB before the window shuts now we're without Kisnorbo, Would like to see another CM too because Brown is'nt good enough, Clayton and Howson are a decent partnership but when one is out we dont have anyone else who slots in and looks comfortable there.
Asking alot i know but another goal scorer would be the icing on the cake, McCormack is decent but hes alittle hit and miss, Becchio i like alot but he needs someone who works well along side him seeing as were not playing him uptop alone this season, Nunez did'nt work there tonight, Keogh is'nt a goal scorer, Forssell is too old, Paynter is pure ****, That leaves McCormack really and i've yet to see those two really gel.