Morning folks!
Im going to cut to the chase on this, its time I think that we changed our defence, yes Beevers has done well and so has Llera but we have conceded 10 goals in all competitions thus far this season...2 every game, whilst we are also scoring bucket loads I think a change is needed in the LB and CB Positions, think its time to give Mattock his chance now and also (this may be an unpopular choice but here goes) take Llera out for Taylor or Gardener (if fit), not just for the 2nd palace goal but I think Beevers is a better defender and he'll learn more from Taylor/Gardener, dont get me wrong I love Llera but maybe Beevers will learn more from Taylor/Gardener, so basically i think we need more Championship experience in an attempt to stop us leaking goals. Also, despite Reda's goals I think he's defensivley a liability (the penalty he conceded v Millwall a good example) and I think we should give Mattock a chance who in my opinion is a good LB and far more established than Reda in that Position.
I know its all about excitment with DJ, a la "you score 4 we'll score 5", but whilst Attacking wise we have no issue's, defencively we need to tighten up to ensure we dont keep dropping points like Saturday, a lot of the goals we've conceded have been preventable. If we tighten up we'll be up there because scoring goals isnt a problem for us.
Whilst its commenable of DJ to keep the defence together from last season, players like Reda, Llera, D Jones and Beevers have little experience at this level, not saying they wont get the experieince they will but only If they keep playing with players with experience at this level, they'll become better for it, if they keep playing together, it will take longer and could potentially cost us games like on Saturday.
I know what some folk may say, our midfield & attack's not as experieiced either and all that but the stats dont lie, the defence we had last season are not clicking at this level, the goals conceded proves this no matter what the tactics are and its become a concern and DJ needs to address this.
Like DJ said last week, its evolution not revolution, if it takes breaking up a lot of last seasons team for us to staying in this division or even being near the top then so be it
UTMO
The Defence
posted on 3/9/12
I'd ask the question;
How long can we risk allowing Llera and beevers to work on their paertnerhsip? can we risk depending on undoubtedly good forwards whilst they work it out properly?
If its not viable then Taylor for Beevers is the obvious choice.
We've spluttered in defence but its only three games in hmmm...
I'm an armchair manager so my choice is easier than DJ's.
TBH personally I'd stick with Beevers - glad we managed to keep hold of him after his loan spell.
posted on 3/9/12
We've spluttered in defence but its only three games in hmmm...
------------------------------------------
Yeah its very early still but the amount of goals we have conceded is quite alarming I think to say we are only 6 games in (Inc league games). It's great that we can score goals too, thankfully a bit more than we are conceding but not much more so I think DJ needs to address this quickly.
Regarding Llera and RJ, its a tough one I know as they are both capable of scoring goals and are a menace in the box in set pieces but unless they work on their defencive side of their game (esp RJ) then its only a matter of time before we are trounced 5-0 or summat, Brighton away this Friday will be our toughest this season so far so we need to really step up defencively without changing our current attacking/passing game somehow
posted on 3/9/12
I think we will see big changes for the next game.
DJ needs to tone down on the ref slating. He was poor on saturday but blaming him for the defeat was quite right. Truly awful defending is what killed us
posted on 3/9/12
*blaming him for the defeat wasn't quite right
posted on 3/9/12
^^ Agree with you Poite. We don't need our manager to become verbal about perceived or actual bad refereeing - just makes it look like sour grapes and who knows what the next referee might do to us , referees union and all that. The ref WAS crap but as you say, our defending was bad and that's what cost us the game.
posted on 3/9/12
Attack
Attack
Attack
They score two.. then we score three
I blame our attack force against Palace
posted on 3/9/12
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 3/9/12
Defense will be improved I have no doubt. I'm looking forward to O'Grady and Bothroyd playing together. O'Grady making them and Bothroyd putting them away.
I don't know what's the problem between DJ and Madine, but it's not looking good. DJ was critical of him the other day. Anyone have any thoughts?
posted on 3/9/12
We should never have let Purse go...
NURSE..
<gibber>
posted on 3/9/12
Purse