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Our defence

Our defence

raefil

raefil

Dolly Patron
Joined
Jan 11, 2005
Messages
111,048
When we lost Cunningham for a lengthy period, last season, this was our defence:

Maxwell

Fisher Hunts Davies Earl

It worked really well, we conceded few goals and we were a very competitive team.

How come AN doesnt now seem to know which is his best defence?
 
raefil said:
When we lost Cunningham for a lengthy period, last season, this was our defence:

Maxwell

Fisher Hunts Davies Earl

It worked really well, we conceded few goals and we were a very competitive team.

How come AN doesnt now seem to know which is his best defence?
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Should go with this although I personally am not sure about whether it should be Hughes or Earl, I think Hughes may be better defensively at the moment, Earl gets forward better possibly and offers more height.

Maxwell simply HAS to start, he has his faults but he offers leadership by way of talking to the defence constantly and isn't afraid to come for the ball, pretty sure his form for us has earned him an international call up?

For me Clarke is a weakness, especially against pace, he has to perform 100% just to keep his head above water.

Robinson gives the ball away way too easily, he must improve his hold up play as at times looks powder puff.

The midfield yesterday was weak as piss which didn't help the defence, ultimately Browne should have been played in a deeper role with Johnson further up IF he ahs to play him!

Defend from the front also...Louis Moult offers absolutely nothing, not for lack of trying but at one point last night I just found myself not knowing whether to laugh or cry watching him.

What must these Citeh lads be thinking? Nmecha needs the ball to feet and players creating space for him, we've seen glimpses, and Barker has offered a lot more than Barkhuizen when he has played but cant get a start?

If its the same sort of performance Saturday then I think it should be time for change.

NO plan B!
 
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Puzzles me that Storey did well in the couple of games he played in the league cup yet was dropped straight out of the team for the league games.

Surely deserves a chance now?
 
shabbagaz said:
Puzzles me that Storey did well in the couple of games he played in the league cup yet was dropped straight out of the team for the league games.

Surely deserves a chance now?
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Before Saturday I'd have disagreed. It's important to have experience in defence. Fisher - Storey - Davies - Earl don't provide it.

After that though I'd give him a chance. Hopefully, Storey and Davies will be our defence for years to come.
 
raefil said:
When we lost Cunningham for a lengthy period, last season, this was our defence:

Maxwell

Fisher Hunts Davies Earl

It worked really well, we conceded few goals and we were a very competitive team.?
Click to expand...

A good observation
 
Dont forget this is a relatively young squad...ben davies & josh earl are still quite inexperienced and obviously going to be prone to mistakes at times during games ...i think we probably need a big commanding experienced centre back someone like Chris Lucketti or Claude Davis to organise the defence...we dont look good at set pieces and reckon we need someone to clear the danger but Neil seems to change defence every other game
 
raefil said:
When we lost Cunningham for a lengthy period, last season, this was our defence:

Maxwell

Fisher Hunts Davies Earl

It worked really well, we conceded few goals and we were a very competitive team.

How come AN doesnt now seem to know which is his best defence?
Click to expand...

Our defence is not the sole or even main reason we are leaking goals - it has been because our midfield has just not been able to stop opponents further upfield. Any defence put under constant pressure will crack. The return of Ledson on Saturday and then of course Pearson will hopefully make a difference - not least because apart from their own immediate presence they can release Browne to harass the opposition further upfield. Like others I would certainly restore Maxwell and, frankly, perhaps the time has finally arrived to stop thinking of Clarke and Huntington as automatic choices and make a Storey-Davies partnership the centre of our defence. Something like this ought to be a tough proposition:

Maxwell

Fisher, Storey, Davies, Earl

Pearson, Ledson/Johnson (according to how defensive/creative we want to be)

Barker/Harrop, Browne, Robinson

Maguire

Obviously Maguire is still a few weeks away so whether we use Moult or Nmecha upfront or move Robinson forward is a short-term tactical decision. If the latter I would use Harrop on one side of the 3 - not as a winger but linking with an overlapping fullback - to counterbalance a purely attacking Barker on the other side. Otherwise either Barker or Harrop according requirements.
 
Never thought Id be saying this but for me they could put Harrop on the next train back to Manchester. Hes been given ample opportunities to step up but fails to take them. Theres a footballer in there, alright, but not sure its ever going to work for him here.
 
raefil said:
Never thought Id be saying this but for me they could put Harrop on the next train back to Manchester. Hes been given ample opportunities to step up but fails to take them. Theres a footballer in there, alright, but not sure its ever going to work for him here.
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Never understood the clamour for Harrop based on what I have seen , all based on opinion but think he offers very little

Mortis
 
raefil said:
Never thought Id be saying this but for me they could put Harrop on the next train back to Manchester. Hes been given ample opportunities to step up but fails to take them. Theres a footballer in there, alright, but not sure its ever going to work for him here.
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I can see where you're coming from. Not quite after him to be shipped out because every now and then he does show that he's more than worth having around, but the fact that Neil simply keeps overlooking him would suggest things aren't quite right with him.

Keep the faith with him, he might yet just prove you wrong.
 
raefil said:
Never thought Id be saying this but for me they could put Harrop on the next train back to Manchester. Hes been given ample opportunities to step up but fails to take them. Theres a footballer in there, alright, but not sure its ever going to work for him here.
Click to expand...

He is a young lad - give him some time. Eventually he can play in central midfield but right now he should be played slightly wider - not as an out-and-out winger - where he can find a bit of space. He can become a very important player for us - the talent is there.
 
ernest said:
He is a young lad - give him some time. Eventually he can play in central midfield but right now he should be played slightly wider - not as an out-and-out winger - where he can find a bit of space. He can become a very important player for us - the talent is there.
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He's had more excuses on here than marsbars has slammed Robbinson.
 
MattPNE17 said:
I can see where you're coming from. Not quite after him to be shipped out because every now and then he does show that he's more than worth having around, but the fact that Neil simply keeps overlooking him would suggest things aren't quite right with him.

Keep the faith with him, he might yet just prove you wrong.
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Matt you're wrong he's not been overlooked at all, you're just overlooking his shit performances.
 
Last season when under the cosh, we had the ability to chuck it long to Hugill who would more often that not hold it up and get us up the pitch. Behind the defence we had Maxwell who would push them up and compact the game. Pressure would be relieved, we’d be higher up the pitch and we’d be able to press from the front.

Now when we’re under pressure we can only go long to Moult, who despite being shit I don’t blame for not holding it up, because it’s not what he’s made to do. We can’t retain the ball particularly well when pressed because we lack the ability to do so. Rudd is glued to his line so the defence is too deep, and there’s acres of space between the midfield and defensive lines.

Not to mention Clarke and Hunts falling off a cliff performance wise, and the full backs attacking so high.

We are so vulnerable defensively because of these reasons.
 
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MattPNE17 said:
I agree his performances haven't been great. But there's a player in there, and to say he's been shit is harsh IMHO.
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I agree there is a player but I don't think he's not had a chance, someone says it nearly every day he just needs a run of games. Don't get me wrong I want to see him realise his potential in a north end shirt but I can't see it - he is missing a massive glugg of intensity, just what Robinson has added to his game. If he gets that he might just deliver the goods.

We need to stop making excuses for him and say it how it is, he wants to be a creative dominant attacking midfielder, then show it.
 
MattPNE17 said:
I can see where you're coming from. Not quite after him to be shipped out because every now and then he does show that he's more than worth having around, but the fact that Neil simply keeps overlooking him would suggest things aren't quite right with him.

Keep the faith with him, he might yet just prove you wrong.
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Seriously hope youre right and agree we have seen cameos to see he has massive ability. Its a make or break season for him to grab the bull by the horns and grab the place that Gally occupies right now.

Can he do it?

Im not convinced.
 
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