Defensive issues
Doubt they’ll be any defensive recruitment for a while. Right back needs addressing long-term due to Woods issues but think that will be Januwry at the earliest.
At centre back we have Huntington, Clarke and Davies, who’ve all just signed new long-term contracts, and Storey who we’ve supposedly paid around 750k for, so can’t see any recruitment there either.
Basically the centre backs have started the season sloppily and need to buck up. Huntington height is needed as we clearly can’t deal with crosses.
At centre back we have Huntington, Clarke and Davies, who’ve all just signed new long-term contracts, and Storey who we’ve supposedly paid around 750k for, so can’t see any recruitment there either.
Basically the centre backs have started the season sloppily and need to buck up. Huntington height is needed as we clearly can’t deal with crosses.
If you look at the first goal, Robinson is 10 yards behind where he should be. Allows Stoke an overload on the right and space to cross. If you look at the other side, Burke is 5 yards behind Pieters who then has a free shot as goal. Fisher was pulled inside and he wasn’t covered.
So it’s a problem with height but also defensive positioning needs working on with regards to the wide attackers understanding and carrying out their roles.
So it’s a problem with height but also defensive positioning needs working on with regards to the wide attackers understanding and carrying out their roles.
Watched on sky as on holiday and there was only one team playing football but i did fear every time stoke went forward. Neither centre halves today were commanding in the air, and rudd gives me the creeps every time a ball is whipped in as he grows roots to the line. He makes saves he doesn't need to if he commanded the box more. Crouch goal id want my goalie coming to and trying to punch that. He doesn't help the defence at all.
Maxi and hunts to start for me in the next game.
Overall good display and didn't get what we deserved at all. Stoke will cause a lot of sides problems with their long ball tactics. How shawcross got away without a booking for so long was laughable.
Maxi and hunts to start for me in the next game.
Overall good display and didn't get what we deserved at all. Stoke will cause a lot of sides problems with their long ball tactics. How shawcross got away without a booking for so long was laughable.
Somebody needs to have a word with Fisher, he doesn’t need to dive in every time as with Stoke’s second goal. He could’ve stayed on his feet and ushered ince into the corner, think storey should start next game solid in the air and mobile. Future is Davies and Storey
Rudd is firmly the number 1 for the foreseeable future.
boltons1
The Gentry (RIP)
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2005
- Messages
- 6,110
I was about to post almost the same thing, our problems defensively lie almost purely down to concentration - as someone else pointed out earlier we concede quite frequently moments after scoring. Likewise one or more players may switch off to allow opponents the opportunity to get uncontested crosses in.
I'd love to see if there is any stats out there of crosses Vs goals scored, as I think we must actually allow more crosses per game to get into the box than the average for the division but concede fewer goals from crosses per game than the division.
I don't believe Rudd was at fault for either of the goals today in terms of whether he should have come to collect. There were about 4 players between him and Crouch for the second and the first was crossed to the penalty spot.
Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2015
- Messages
- 7,872
Hunts needs to start, better in the air than Davies and better on the ground than both of them.
Defence looks worryingly shaky
OP
- Joined
- May 24, 2016
- Messages
- 5,141
Barnsley (h), Sunderland (h), and Brentford (h) last season are the ones off the top of my head I can remember this happening. There were other occasions as well, and of course today.
It happens far too much and we’ve simply got to be more switched on when we’ve taken a lead or equalised.
boltons1
The Gentry (RIP)
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2005
- Messages
- 6,110
Yes, overall that's the difference in class between a promotion chasing team and a team that may just sneak in the play offs but may not quite make it.
At the moment we are a 'nearly' team for me. Which is frustrating, because with some luck (Maguire/Cunningham staying) things may have been different.
Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk
The defence has not become porous but it has become a bit more error prone and uncertain at times. One cause seems to be that Clarke is not providing the leadership he has done in the past. Whether thing would be better with Huntington back is a key question.
First goal came from a man completely unmarked in the right back position. Fisher had moved in to pick up one of their players in the centre and it was the job of probably Burke or maybe Browne to cover for him. Tactical mistake in my view.
Second goal came yet again from a free kick conceded by Fisher. Whether it was or wasn’t, and certianly the one at Swansea wasn’t, the fact is the way he goes in, referees are always going to give them . He needs to learn very quickly.
Second goal came yet again from a free kick conceded by Fisher. Whether it was or wasn’t, and certianly the one at Swansea wasn’t, the fact is the way he goes in, referees are always going to give them . He needs to learn very quickly.
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2004
- Messages
- 13,345
Agreed
Been at work so havent watched the game properly yet, but i did think at the the time why had Fisher moved inside to pick up the man when he should be covering the player coming in at the back post. Was it not the 2 centre halfs job to defend the central attacker and the Hughes to try and close down the cross?
Thank you
I know he is but imo thats a wrong call. Maxwell helps the backline out more and yesterdat vs a team who were pretty direct and crossed at any opportunity i just think Maxwell would have been the better option. If rudd would command the box more it'd help no end
If you watch the whole move again, Ben Davies was marking a central attacker in Afobe. Stoke had a 3v2 situation at the back post area (Fisher and Clarke vs Berahino, McClean and Pieters). Fisher did the right thing coming inside because otherwise Clarke would’ve been in a 2v1 situation. Burke should’ve been covering his full back goalside and it should’ve been a 3v3 situation in the box.
Defensive issues ?
Yesterday against ex premiership quality, we conceded one screamer and one of crouches shoulder when he was not facing the goal , jammy sod. Defensively i would prefer Hunts to clarke but its a close call. Overall i thought it was smashing entertainment against an above average side of individuals, who need to get their shit together to be a real force. Overall we were the better side and played some of the best stuff i have seen from us for most of the match. Good advert for us and the championship.
Yesterday against ex premiership quality, we conceded one screamer and one of crouches shoulder when he was not facing the goal , jammy sod. Defensively i would prefer Hunts to clarke but its a close call. Overall i thought it was smashing entertainment against an above average side of individuals, who need to get their shit together to be a real force. Overall we were the better side and played some of the best stuff i have seen from us for most of the match. Good advert for us and the championship.
- Joined
- May 9, 2016
- Messages
- 327
I don't think there are any new defensive issues.
Hughes and Fisher are excellent and Davies has made outstanding progress. The lack of goals at the other end will always shine the light on goals conceded.
Hughes and Fisher are excellent and Davies has made outstanding progress. The lack of goals at the other end will always shine the light on goals conceded.
We have conceded 4 goals this season and 3 of them have come from 'poor tackles' by Fisher - fouls he didnt need to make...Swansea; Morecambe and the 2nd yesterday,
Yes the defence should clear the free kicks and errors may have been made there, but until Fisher stops loving to foul people then we will have extra pressure on in the area...
How many times did Hughes need to foul Ince on their right? The first time he moves to the Left (as Crouch came on) Fishers first thought is to 'mark him'...rather than stay on his feet and tackle him.
Crouch comes on and within 30 secs we give them a dangerous free kick and lose the lead.....no need for it.....
and YES i think Fisher is great - but he needs to cut the silly fouls out.
Yes the defence should clear the free kicks and errors may have been made there, but until Fisher stops loving to foul people then we will have extra pressure on in the area...
How many times did Hughes need to foul Ince on their right? The first time he moves to the Left (as Crouch came on) Fishers first thought is to 'mark him'...rather than stay on his feet and tackle him.
Crouch comes on and within 30 secs we give them a dangerous free kick and lose the lead.....no need for it.....
and YES i think Fisher is great - but he needs to cut the silly fouls out.