Making tackles isn't the sign of a good defence. Not making tackles (i.e. winning one on ones in the air, interceptions and closing down play tend to be more important.

Jedi as a defensive midfielder was an immense tackler (one of the best in Europe) but the arrival of Cabaye and our best period, when Cabaye replaced Jedi, the midfield tackles dropped dramatically, but the interceptions rose proportionally.

A good defender only tackles when something has gone wrong or they've been outfoxed.

..it does mean the opposite and the players responsible need to get a grip of themselves, Pardew can only tell them what to do, maybe Pardew misses the Pulis/Pearson stare of death to make them pay ferking attention to what is happening around them.

I wonder what our blocking stats are, it seems to me that maybe we're trying to tackle too often, sacrificing the team shape and organization.