So far this season we have played 10 league games, but only had the same back four of Ayling Jansson, Cooper, Anita.on 4 of those occasions.
In those four games, Sunderland (A), Forest (A), Burton (H) and Birmingham (H) we won all four, conceded zero goals and scored eleven.
Prior to those games we had a different back four each game and yes, managed two clean sheets both at home, but managed only 1 win and two goalless draws, and since then, again with a different lineup each game we only just won against Ipswich, and lost to both Millwall and Cardiff.
This weekend we will be forced to change yet again due to Coopers red mist, twice, against Cardiff.
If we are to sustain our position and stop the mini slide we must get back to a settled back four. We can change midfielders and forwards to suit each game, but at the back we must be solid and settled. Hopefully Pennington comes in alongside Ayling and Jansson, and either Beradi or Anita establish themselves in a solid defence to be reckoned with for the future.
Cooper albeit until Tuesday had seemed a new player, and was worthy of the Captain's armband, damaged the team yet again with two stupid tackles that helped Cardiff cruise to an easy win. These incidents he gets involved in don't help himself or his team and potentially he will cost us more throughout the season.
If the team get a win on Sunday, and the back four have a solid game, I hope TC keeps them together for the next match after the International break and makes Captain Cooper sit it out on the bench until either of the CB's have a nightmare game, which I doubt with their pedigree they will, or one of them gets injured, which hopefully never happens. or he falls behind Connor Shaugnessy in the pecking order.
It will also be interesting to see what Gordon Strachan makes of it after he had recalled Cooper to the Scotland squad.
Back Four Problems.
posted on 30/9/17
I am presuming that the partnership will be Pennington and Jansson, to my knowledge they have never started as central defence partnership before. Looked OK when Pennington came on after Cooper's dismissal on Tuesday.
Would anyone start Shaughnessy alongside Pontus? This would be the ideal time to bring him in, if you recall LIW wanted to develop him ahead of Pennington. Anybody else in agreement?
posted on 30/9/17
Pontus missed a fair few games last season through suspensions, right? Didn't see too many people calling for him to be dropped.
Not saying that Pennington couldn't take Cooper's place in the side, as I think he was always meant to partner Pontus. That doesn't mean the good work Cooper has put in this season is wiped out, though.
I'm sure he is as cut up about what happened as anyone else.
posted on 30/9/17
Cooper's overall disciplinary record for us is good for a centre back, the problem is that he has been sent off twice in the last two seasons.
Pontus does accumulate more yellows which leads to his being suspended but has never been sent off.
Pontus is yet to be booked this season, even though he is playing slightly out of position, maybe he has reflected on last year and adjusted his style accordingly.
posted on 30/9/17
Just about every football manager says you need a settled defence, not too sure that is necessary if your defenders are good enough.
You also need good defenders playing in their best positions.
I think if we had a good left back we wouldn't be having this debate.
posted on 30/9/17
Lubo
Is correct cooper is an unfair scapegoat for a lot of fans.
But I think we all have a player let that, you just can't get on with.
Mine is phillips, just don't rate the lad at all.
Doesn't mean I don't and won't praise him when he plays well.
Always said cooper is a good player, just a lot of fans don't seem to like him
posted on 30/9/17
Interestingly with Phillips he was the other one on a yellow on Tuesday and despite what had happened to Cooper was still making rash and unnecessary challenges. Though none were enough in themselves to get him sent off I was concerned about accumulation. Needed a steady head.
posted on 30/9/17
Cooper second yellow result of a pacey winger and Berardi being up the pitch, rash challenge he didn't need to make but in the circumstances and if we had a left back.
posted on 30/9/17
Looks like we cream crackered Cardiff on Tues night, used up all their football in their cup final
posted on 30/9/17
Oooooooooops wrong thread
posted on 30/9/17
Anita's a real bonus for us and should start as often as possible. I like Berardi a lot, but Anita is a cool, steady pro who snuffs out danger time and again without drama.