The Defence

[Neiler]

Its a bit worrying that the defence hasnt kept a clean sheet all season which essentialy has been eight games so far this season. I suppose with everythig that has happened over the last two games alot of the focus has been on our strikers and their missed opurtunites against Utds and the mentalists. but for me what has been more worrying has been are inabiility to keep a clean sheet. As much of our success over the past few years has been built on gritty and tough defending and girinding out a win or a draw, its worrying now that though we seem to have a strong attack and potent midfield (all being fit) that the style of goals we are conceadeing (scohoolboy mistakes from corners) is a huge cause for concern. 8 games in no clean sheet.

Whats the problem?

 

[Bruce Wayne]

It was worrying and the issue was largely ignored against Metalist. Their midfielders regularly seemed to lose Carsley and Neville and had a clean run at the defence. They cut us open a few times and probably created more clear cut opportunties than we did. When you think we had two holding midfielders this is quite incredible.

 

[monty]

We are missing the experience of Stubbs, not the quickest on the deck but reads a match better than anyone we have in defence right now. Forget about that Metalist goal, the fact it was scored should be lesson enough.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

It does seem that neither Yobo or Lescott is ready to lead the back line yet in the way Stubbs does. Hopefully Lescott will pick this trait up pretty quickly because despite captaining his country it doesn't seem as though Yobo will ever pick it up.

 

[heatmeiser]

I don't want to sound like a band-wagon-jumper, but.... Jags or Nev at right back would surely solve a lot of the problems the defence is having, if you know what I mean.

 

[Dylan]

I agree completely with the heatmeiser!

 

[monty]

I agree completely with the heatmeiser!

All is well with the world

 

[neonleon]

I've said this in other threads, but why dont we move baines to the left wing if we are so short of midfielders.

then we could put lescott back to LB and bring the wise head of stubbs back in.

Maybe the defence would improve, the midfield would get better crosses and passes to the forwards.

just an idea, as we are short on numbers due to a sudden rash of injuries to an already miniscule squad.

 

[fozzy]

baines certainly looks good going forward so it could be an option and a good one at that with the low numbers in mid field at the mo.

 

[monty]

I've said this in other threads, but why dont we move baines to the left wing if we are so short of midfielders.

then we could put lescott back to LB and bring the wise head of stubbs back in.

Maybe the defence would improve, the midfield would get better crosses and passes to the forwards.

just an idea, as we are short on numbers due to a sudden rash of injuries to an already miniscule squad.

I would do exactly that for the second leg against Metalist Leon, spot on mate!

 

[TX Bill]

We are missing the experience of Stubbs, not the quickest on the deck but reads a match better than anyone we have in defence right now. Forget about that Metalist goal, the fact it was scored should be lesson enough.

Don't laugh but I think it's one of our main problems.

Move Stubbs back in with Yobo and Lescott to left back with Baines to left midfield.

Yes, it's really that simple.

 

[ever tony an]

i think because our midfield is not at its best with the injurys our defence is getting more exposed and when some guys are fit again it will get better all round

maybe hibbert could be rested and jags or nevill given a go at right back other than that im not worried about the defence

 

[Sim]

So many of our players are off-form right now its incredible. So when players like Lescott, Yobo, Hibbert (hopefully) get back to form, with a fit Howard behind them then im sure the defence will stop the leak.

We've had a horrible run of injuries which has either run in conjunction with or caused the bad form. Things will get better.