By Dave Langton
Nayef Aguerd was the top defensive target this summer.
He was the one David Moyes wanted above all else, despite suggestions to the contrary from those within the club. 
Aguerd has come in and he immediately got injured in a pre-season friendly.
As unfortunate as that was, we’re now in a position where we’re already facing down the barrel of the gun.
Wins have been harder and harder to come by and the Irons aren’t defending brilliantly, either. Sometimes, it’s resembled the Keystone Cops.
Now, though, with Aguerd nearing a return to fitness, we have to hope and pray that he’s half the player Moyes thinks he is.
He threw caution to the wind in the summer and binned off all other defensive targets in order to focus on Aguerd; he only signed Thilo Kehrer because he got injured.
If Aguerd is as good as Moyes says, he might be a season-saver. If not… Well.
Well after a serious injury he could be exactly half the player he was. Look at Winston Reid. Hardly Moyes fault.
Yes, let’s hope he is. Defensive stability has been the key to our success under David Moyes. While we did OK in Europe last season with some very good performances, our Premiership form tailed off from a very good start to the season. Some say this was down to Antonio’s goals drying up, others that it was down to a lack of signings in January as the size of our squad and its over-use of the same players hit hard towards the end of the campaign. Both of these factors are certainly relevant. For me, the loss of Angelo Ogbonna was also key. He led by example at the back and spread an assurance and organisation across the back line. If he can regain his form and fitness and if Aguerd comes back from injury well, then that can only help. And we need all the help we can get at present, but I personally don’t think it’s time to panic yet.