I'm not usually an article writer, but I couldn't help noticing that tonight's the third time we've conceded three goals in our last four league games. Obviously I wasn't there tonight and anyone who was will know better, but it sounded from the radio (5live, who I generally trust more) that we were hopeless at the back once more.
Is it just me who has noticed that we've completely fallen apart defensively since Matt Mills was dropped? Is it just a coincidence? That's now ten goals shipped in the six games since Mills was dumped. I'm not actually saying that Mills was brilliant before and I felt he deserved a spell on the bench after a few indifferent performances, but perhaps he contributed more with his leadership and organisation than we realised at the time.
Either way, if Pearson was hoping to shore up the defence by bringing in Morgan for Mills, I think we can now safely say it hasn't exactly worked. Maybe it's time for Nige to suck up his pride and consider a recall. Thoughts?
Our defence again
posted on 21/3/12
Completely agree - too proud though!
Ridiculous, he should play his best team, simple as!
posted on 21/3/12
My thoughts are that no matter what personnel we have played in defence we have failed to be consistent. They've all been much of a muchness for me and I could guarantee that the recall of Mills would not solve our problems despite the hysterical thread authored tonight (not yours, the other one).
We defend poorly as a team. The midfield fail to retain possession and individually we aren't good enough and haven't been all season.
It's start again next season I'm afraid.
posted on 21/3/12
I agree Joby - Mills is no miracle cure in my eyes as I said I was a bit disappointed with him and I think our problems run much deeper than that.
However, what watching (and tonight listening) to us since he's been dropped has done though is make me wonder just how much he held our defence together for most of this season. He had his poor games don't get me wrong, but I look at some of our other defenders (Peltier in particular) and our absent midfielders (Wellens...) and suspect that often he was trying to do far more than just his own job to plug the holes in a leaking ship. Not only that, but he was also expected to marshal the back four and captain. Hardly a brilliant way to settle into a new club and how rudderless we've looked without him makes me think he might've been doing a slightly better job than he was given credit for.
To be fair to Morgan, who I won't pretend to rate particularly highly, he has also been fed to the wolves somewhat by being drafted into that defence. Not an ideal introduction to our club for him either. Much work to be done for next season I agree.
posted on 21/3/12
11 goals conceded in the last four away games.
Simply not good enough.
I cannot remember any season as frustrating as this ridiculous one.
posted on 21/3/12
In fact 12 in the last four away league games and 17 in total in the last five away games!
For an ex no-nonsence centre half, Nigel must be tearing his hair out. He needs to get that sorted for next season.
posted on 21/3/12
Fox_14, I think it might be a bit unfair to include the 5 conceded against chelsea within the away against column. However, I do agree it might be about time Mills was considered again to see if it would shore up our defense a bit. It does beg the question though, as NP will have taken note of the amount of goals we have concede lately, what sort of relationship does NP and Mills have. Surely if they had buried the hatchet by now, then Mills would have played a much larger part in recent matches. We can only hope (that assuming this season is all but over) that they can sort it ready for next season and create a much more solid defence!