Comment deleted by Site Moderator
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
That's an interesting one actually Cravies. I think I'd have to agree. With a heavy heart...
I am pleased with DF's post match comments about tightening up at the back. From experience of having him as a manager he seems to actually address issues that he spots!
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
I know, even after the first game he did mention the performance not being good enough and wanting to improve, where other managers would have hidden behind the 'it's just about fitness'.
I don't think we're the only ones benny!
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
I feel in replacing 3 out of 4 of our defence last season disruption is inevitable. May take a few games to sort it out. Don't forget mills and knight were forming a bit of a partnership before mills got injured. Maybe that is the way to go.
Wasn't there, but wasn't one of their goals one they couldn't do anything about? For me, I'll make my mind up once the season starts, although it would be nice to see clean sheets now
For me it's not the worry it was last year. I expected improvement in pre-season. Signs that the rot had been addressed. After finishing the season strongly and it being the first long rest period for DF to make an overhaul. I am prepared to accept a little more of the this is about getting ready for Burnley.
Alonso was our best defender and technically probably our best player last season. He's gone and been replaced with Tierney. Fine. But let's not pretend that that's an improvement.
------------
Alonso is a very good technical player, it's true, but he is still developing and his actual defending wasn't great last season IMO. I think Tierney is probably going to prove to be an improvement, and I'm not pretending, I assure you. I rated Alonso.
I think that the defensive shortcomings we had in the first two thirds of last season were mostly driven by poor full back play, rather than centre backs. With Wheater back, I think we're set well in defence now, particularly if Ream can be converted to cover left back.
Great article elwanderer!
There are two differences this year. The first is Sordell is being picked and is scoring. DF must have faith and although I don't expect Sordell to start every game, I think he will get more starts and therefore a lot more goals this coming season.
The second difference is the attitude of the fans. DF is still in his honeymoon period, whereas OC was on his last legs with the fans. That is why similarly poor pre-season results are not being met with such doom and gloom as this time last year. I have yet to see the words 'numpty' or 'Armageddon' appear!!!
The defence may not be as bad as we think as LH states in the previous comment.
I genuinely believe we will be top two this season.
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
A wheater/knight combo has a serious lack of pace there. Best combo with what we have maybe wheater/ream.
I genuinely believe we will be top two this season.
Very true!
-----
I never thought I would say this but at CB it will be about who is the best partner for Knight. He will be captain.
Seems dougie rates wheater, according to sky sports he has signed a contract extension to 2016. New captain?
I think we should all wait and see if anyone else comes in and treat the two games we have played as getting everyone fit to start the season.
We have seen it all before when we haven't done well in pre-season games yet started the season quite well. If we win our last pre-season game everything will look a little better.
Don't start panicking before a ball has been kicked in the season proper.
I certainly don't think we should panic however I am not convinced we are using these matches for fitness. I think DF is using them for tactics.
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
The problem is clear, and this isn't a witch hunt, but the problems name is Zat Knight.
I am honestly perplexed when people say he was one of our best performers last season. I can barely accept 'hes not that bad'.
Highlights from the game http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=R_Akogwx8g4
in my opinion the defending for the first goal sums him up. Lazy, unconcentrated, easily beat by the slightest bit of sudden movement and pace.
Third goal more shows his mental shortcomings as a 6'12 donkey
Knight lacks focus, energy, pace, leadership, technical ability and isn't even good in the air. I don't know why we haven't signed two CBs already, that would have been my priority for the transfer window
There is far far far too much focus on the personnel of the back 4 for our defensive woes.
Someone eluded to it previously, we cant keep possession, this is why we are conceding. The midfield is the key, always has been, always will. and until we have a system, and the right personnel in midfield we will always concede goals. Dougie knows this, and i think with holden fit and firing and hopefully Mavies, and medo coming good, we should be ok
Without a solid defence you cannot get consistency. Without consistency I fear we will miss out on promotion again. I'm concerned and I hope df can address this problem this month.
Clegg - spot on. The midfield is just as important when it comes to defending. The concern is that Medo, Holden and Mavies are all of a more attacking mindset. We need a proper defensive midfielder, but they are hard to find at this level and for the right amount of money.
Maybe DF is going to be more cavalier this season!!!
Sign in if you want to comment
Worried about defence
Page 1 of 2
posted on 20/7/13
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 20/7/13
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 20/7/13
That's an interesting one actually Cravies. I think I'd have to agree. With a heavy heart...
posted on 20/7/13
I am pleased with DF's post match comments about tightening up at the back. From experience of having him as a manager he seems to actually address issues that he spots!
posted on 20/7/13
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 20/7/13
I know, even after the first game he did mention the performance not being good enough and wanting to improve, where other managers would have hidden behind the 'it's just about fitness'.
I don't think we're the only ones benny!
posted on 20/7/13
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 20/7/13
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 20/7/13
I feel in replacing 3 out of 4 of our defence last season disruption is inevitable. May take a few games to sort it out. Don't forget mills and knight were forming a bit of a partnership before mills got injured. Maybe that is the way to go.
posted on 20/7/13
Wasn't there, but wasn't one of their goals one they couldn't do anything about? For me, I'll make my mind up once the season starts, although it would be nice to see clean sheets now
posted on 20/7/13
For me it's not the worry it was last year. I expected improvement in pre-season. Signs that the rot had been addressed. After finishing the season strongly and it being the first long rest period for DF to make an overhaul. I am prepared to accept a little more of the this is about getting ready for Burnley.
posted on 21/7/13
Alonso was our best defender and technically probably our best player last season. He's gone and been replaced with Tierney. Fine. But let's not pretend that that's an improvement.
------------
Alonso is a very good technical player, it's true, but he is still developing and his actual defending wasn't great last season IMO. I think Tierney is probably going to prove to be an improvement, and I'm not pretending, I assure you. I rated Alonso.
I think that the defensive shortcomings we had in the first two thirds of last season were mostly driven by poor full back play, rather than centre backs. With Wheater back, I think we're set well in defence now, particularly if Ream can be converted to cover left back.
posted on 21/7/13
Great article elwanderer!
There are two differences this year. The first is Sordell is being picked and is scoring. DF must have faith and although I don't expect Sordell to start every game, I think he will get more starts and therefore a lot more goals this coming season.
The second difference is the attitude of the fans. DF is still in his honeymoon period, whereas OC was on his last legs with the fans. That is why similarly poor pre-season results are not being met with such doom and gloom as this time last year. I have yet to see the words 'numpty' or 'Armageddon' appear!!!
The defence may not be as bad as we think as LH states in the previous comment.
I genuinely believe we will be top two this season.
posted on 21/7/13
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 21/7/13
A wheater/knight combo has a serious lack of pace there. Best combo with what we have maybe wheater/ream.
posted on 21/7/13
I genuinely believe we will be top two this season.
Very true!
-----
I never thought I would say this but at CB it will be about who is the best partner for Knight. He will be captain.
posted on 21/7/13
Seems dougie rates wheater, according to sky sports he has signed a contract extension to 2016. New captain?
posted on 21/7/13
I think we should all wait and see if anyone else comes in and treat the two games we have played as getting everyone fit to start the season.
We have seen it all before when we haven't done well in pre-season games yet started the season quite well. If we win our last pre-season game everything will look a little better.
Don't start panicking before a ball has been kicked in the season proper.
posted on 21/7/13
I certainly don't think we should panic however I am not convinced we are using these matches for fitness. I think DF is using them for tactics.
posted on 21/7/13
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 22/7/13
The problem is clear, and this isn't a witch hunt, but the problems name is Zat Knight.
I am honestly perplexed when people say he was one of our best performers last season. I can barely accept 'hes not that bad'.
Highlights from the game http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=R_Akogwx8g4
in my opinion the defending for the first goal sums him up. Lazy, unconcentrated, easily beat by the slightest bit of sudden movement and pace.
Third goal more shows his mental shortcomings as a 6'12 donkey
posted on 22/7/13
Knight lacks focus, energy, pace, leadership, technical ability and isn't even good in the air. I don't know why we haven't signed two CBs already, that would have been my priority for the transfer window
posted on 22/7/13
There is far far far too much focus on the personnel of the back 4 for our defensive woes.
Someone eluded to it previously, we cant keep possession, this is why we are conceding. The midfield is the key, always has been, always will. and until we have a system, and the right personnel in midfield we will always concede goals. Dougie knows this, and i think with holden fit and firing and hopefully Mavies, and medo coming good, we should be ok
posted on 22/7/13
Without a solid defence you cannot get consistency. Without consistency I fear we will miss out on promotion again. I'm concerned and I hope df can address this problem this month.
posted on 22/7/13
Clegg - spot on. The midfield is just as important when it comes to defending. The concern is that Medo, Holden and Mavies are all of a more attacking mindset. We need a proper defensive midfielder, but they are hard to find at this level and for the right amount of money.
Maybe DF is going to be more cavalier this season!!!
Page 1 of 2