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The Defence

Should this be our favoured defensive lineup?

  • Yes

    Votes: 56 57.1%

  • No

    Votes: 42 42.9%
  • Total voters
    98
Status
Not open for further replies.
Runcornblue52 said:
Burnley targeted our right hand side. Baines may not have the legs he once had but teams are still worried about letting him loose to attack them . Jags was our best defender in his last game.
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Baines still defending fine, but it pinned him back. Couple times he did make runs forward, but no one could get him the ball.
 
Eggs said:
..I don't think Holgate is a CB, certainly not in a flat back four. He's aerially weak and teams will target him for delivery of set pieces and crosses, it'll also put pressure on Pickford. Holgate is a definite no, but that's just my opinion.
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I know you've mentioned it previously eggs but I thought this article was interesting from Ratcliffe last friday. I think his best 2 performances have been at right back against City but I definitely see him as a centre back and think the goals leading to headers are things he's just got to get smarter as a defender when marking strikers

This is what Ratcliffe says - https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.li...vin-ratcliffe-ronald-koeman-wise-13692463.amp
 
CRIMHEAD said:
Baines still defending fine, but it pinned him back. Couple times he did make runs forward, but no one could get him the ball.
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He got in a few crosses but as I said in my previous post , the real defensive concern is on our right flank. I would put Holgate there. Keane, Jags and Baines......and stick with that until Seamus is ready to return >
 

Runcornblue52 said:
He got in a few crosses but as I said in my previous post , the real defensive concern is on our right flank. I would put Holgate there. Keane, Jags and Baines......and stick with that until Seamus is ready to return >
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Fair, but the lack of offense on the left is a big concern. Perhaps Baines is scared of leaving Williams isolated, but Jags is certainly better than Williams at this point.

I personally think Jonjoe gives us enough D with also providing a forward threat. Holgate doesn't do that. But I also don't think Holgate is ready to play in the middle, especially not in a back 4.
 
maccavennie said:
I know you've mentioned it previously eggs but I thought this article was interesting from Ratcliffe last friday. I think his best 2 performances have been at right back against City but I definitely see him as a centre back and think the goals leading to headers are things he's just got to get smarter as a defender when marking strikers

This is what Ratcliffe says - https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.li...vin-ratcliffe-ronald-koeman-wise-13692463.amp
Click to expand...

I think he just needs games and experience and there seems to be no better time than now...same with kenny
 

CRIMHEAD said:
Fair, but the lack of offense on the left is a big concern. Perhaps Baines is scared of leaving Williams isolated, but Jags is certainly better than Williams at this point.

I personally think Jonjoe gives us enough D with also providing a forward threat. Holgate doesn't do that. But I also don't think Holgate is ready to play in the middle, especially not in a back 4.
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We need defensive stability at this time . Jonjoe in the future maybe , but for now, Holgate is ahead of him .
 
Runcornblue52 said:
Burnley targeted our right hand side. Baines may not have the legs he once had but teams are still worried about letting him loose to attack them . Jags was our best defender in his last game.
Click to expand...

Is it any wonder when siguardsson drifts so far inside continually leaving huge gaps up out left side defensively and offensively. Baines is basically the only player who plays on our left hand channel leaving him and us horrifically exposed.

That is not the fault of leighton who still is a more than decent player, it's the fault of an ill conceived playing system.

And don't get me start on the zonal marking on set pieces we seem to be playing about with. Ludicrous tactic given our personnel.
 
I'm not at all convinced at the moment with Holgate as a centre back in a two. I think in a 3 I'm ok with, but I think he needs to bulk out more to play in a 2.
 

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