defense was good for only a couple of months around mid-season last year, it shouldn't be a reference. at least we don't concede after dead ball situations every game, and at least opposition won't get behind our fullbacks with simple high crosses left and right. compactness came at the expense of being extremely vulnerable to counters which is still an issue for a different reason, and midfield support is a huge headache obviously.
my guess is that all we'd need is a simple 4-man defense without the complicated transition, and the two cm's being more physical.