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Defensive issues

Defensive issues

kbd_pne

kbd_pne

Joined
May 24, 2016
Messages
5,141
Naturally our lack of creativity is usually the hot topic, but we seem to be making some daft mistakes at the back at the moment.

All 3 goals conceded this season have come from balls into the box.

We’re missing Huntington’s height back there but even he looked shaky in pre-season and against Morecambe.

Burke did not do well for the 1st Stoke goal although I think that’s what we’re going to see from him. Lots of quality going forward but not a lot of defensive awareness, like when Maguire played wide.

Another trend that seems to have carried on a bit from last season is conceding goals immediately after scoring.

Hughes looks a top signing, just something slightly amiss for me in the middle of the back 4 at the moment.
 
we need another centre back a few inches taller , saying that there aren't many sides with a 6 foot 6 striker. Clarke looks shaky a few times a match although I do think he had a fairly good game and Davies was solid
 
Off topic but, Burke reads the game really well , shows feet all the time and chuffed to bits he scored
 
I think Hunts will be in for TC against Norwich. We also badly need to learn how to deal with the 2nd ball

Sent from my fingers powered by fairy dust
 
kbd_pne said:
Naturally our lack of creativity is usually the hot topic, but we seem to be making some daft mistakes at the back at the moment.

All 3 goals conceded this season have come from balls into the box.

We’re missing Huntington’s height back there but even he looked shaky in pre-season and against Morecambe.

Burke did not do well for the 1st Stoke goal although I think that’s what we’re going to see from him. Lots of quality going forward but not a lot of defensive awareness, like when Maguire played wide.

Another trend that seems to have carried on a bit from last season is conceding goals immediately after scoring.

Hughes looks a top signing, just something slightly amiss for me in the middle of the back 4 at the moment.
Click to expand...

The goals came from crosses - failed to cut out the ball from the right and Fisher was left exposed by Burke not tracking back. Silly free kick to give away for the second and Crouch at 6 foot 7 had an easy time.

Thought the defence as a whole was decent but the defensive mistakes were further up the pitch. We won’t be spending anything else on central defenders in the foreseeable future.

Impressed with the performance today although we are obviously lacking a natural striker in Maguire. We have options through the middle and wide but wa surprised to see Barkhusien rather than Barker and Ledson rather than Harrop.

Gally still looks a class act and was well worth his contract. Pearson oozes class and Browne worked hard but to me is still only at 90% of last season.
 
I did wonder towards the end of last season whether our early season defensive displays were down to the players still being in Grayson-mode. Similar thing happened at Everton the year after Moyes left, solid first season then they looked like they couldn't defend afterwards.

Ben Davies is going to be a quality defender, but I'd still prefer Hunts to start at the minute.
 
paddysr said:
I think Hunts will be in for TC against Norwich. We also badly need to learn how to deal with the 2nd ball

Sent from my fingers powered by fairy dust
Click to expand...

Yeah when we fail to clear it properly we often get caught out by the second phase after the initial set piece or cross in. It’s basics really and Huntington and Clarke both need to step it up a bit.
 
Without wishing to reignite the Rudd/ Maxwell debate, do people think Rudd could be more proactive in defending balls into the box?

Edit: just seen SF’s post.
 
I think Davies is the better player of the three for distribution, but the weaker of the three for defective capabilities (loses concentration and gets caught out) he may I hope get better over time.
I think that is why both Clarke and Huntington appear more nervous partnering him.
Best pairing for defensive duties alone is Clarke and Huntington for me
 
Nishtar36 said:
Without wishing to reignite the Rudd/ Maxwell debate, do people think Rudd could be more proactive in defending balls into the box?

Edit: just seen SF’s post.
Click to expand...

It's something that really lets him down and it gets highlighted when we don't have Huntington's aerial presence. Needs to return to the side imo, thought he should have been brought on when Crouch was subbed on.
 
Nishtar36 said:
Without wishing to reignite the Rudd/ Maxwell debate, do people think Rudd could be more proactive in defending balls into the box?

Edit: just seen SF’s post.
Click to expand...

Tough one this , how many times last season did you shit your pants when maxi came flying out of the box
 
Neil is not a defensive coach, his sides have always conceded conceded a lot of goals. There is a hangover in that the team he inherited was very sound defensively and it is natural to them. So the problem I guess is that we don't have the budget to support the style Neil wants to play at this level. So we'll concede more but not score as many as required.

Might be balls of course but just a feeling I have.
 
Overall thought it was good performance against a big physical stoke side...thought the defence coped ok fisher was at fault for 1st and crouches goal looked a bit of a mis hap coming off his shoulder..liked hughes solid full back...stoke were favs to go straight back but reckon they are going to end up mid tablish
 
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