Defence.

[Regardless]

AN certainly doesn’t seem to blame Maxwell for the free kick.

AN: “I’m concerned about the number of goals we are conceding but today’s goals, the first was a bit of naivety, the second was very unfortunate and the third was a real piece of quality from them.” #pnefc

Well, managers don't ALWAYS tell the whole truth! But I wouldn't have a big go at Maxwell for that.

The second goal, however, was Hughes's responsibility IMO. He stepped forward to intercept a pass, which was fine, but he surely had to either keep possession or launch it. Rolling it forward for their man to whip in a dangerous cross was NOT the right option!

 

[John T]

First thing AN must do is abandon the 5 man defence . It just does not suit or work for us . The fact that we concede 3 goals every time we use it shows this .
Last season , we went 4-1-3-2 most weeks and did well . We have the bulk of the same players now , so why not go back to the tried and tested and stop panicking with different formations and personnel every week ?
TBH the writing was on the wall pre-season when AN talked about a horses for courses approach this season .
He needs to pick a team and formation and give it a minimum of 5 games unchanged barring injuries or suspensions .
All that pre-supposes the next couple of results are not so poor that the board hit the panic button and sack him .

Have to say I agree with that.
Many former professionals (who should know a bit about what the game is about) say keep a consistent back four and a Keeper and they develop a understanding of each other’s play and cover naturally for each other if something is going wrong

Personally I have always though Fisher a bit suspect defensive wise, and I am nor convinced by Hughes either

MY back four would be Storey-Huntington-Clarke-Davies with Rudd as Keeper (although Maxwell could do the job as well)

With middle three of Pearson and Gallagher with either Browne or Johnson slightly further forward

Barkhuizen –Moult (until Maguire fit)-Robinson

We need a settled side instead of all this changing about, and a settled setup too