Our Defensive Record

[Dee_Dee]

2020-21
3rd worst in Championship
2021-22 
Worst in Premier
2022-23
Currently worst in Championship

[petethedee]

Eat sleep repeat 

[gblue]

32 minutes ago, Dee_Dee said:

2020-21
3rd worst in Championship
2021-22 
Worst in Premier
2022-23
Currently worst in Championship

At least we’re consistent

[Double Blue]

When i read the team prior to kick off i thought well he is going for a settled back 4 that will know one another's play BUT the problem is that the players in the back 4 are not very good, and captain Sweeney looks a pale shadow of last year.

[Reverend Lovejoy]

20 minutes ago, Double Blue said:

When i read the team prior to kick off i thought well he is going for a settled back 4 that will know one another's play BUT the problem is that the players in the back 4 are not very good, and captain Sweeney looks a pale shadow of last year.

I think that the captaincy has detracted from his game. Sometimes players just need to concentrate on their own game and aren't comfortable being a leader. If McGowan is playing then maybe it should be him. GB probably went with a player who he sees playing most, if not every week though.

[QuesoGrande]

24 minutes ago, Reverend Lovejoy said:

I think that the captaincy has detracted from his game. Sometimes players just need to concentrate on their own game and aren't comfortable being a leader. If McGowan is playing then maybe it should be him. GB probably went with a player who he sees playing most, if not every week though.

You just beat me to it Rev, was about to suggest the same thing. He is a shadow of the player he was last year. Some people just don’t react well to the pressure of being captain and try to change their game to do things that they think the captain ‘should’ be doing. He is a big brute, just let him be that. Win your challenges then make a short pass to the holding midfielder. That’s it.

Unfortunatley I don’t see any standout candidates for captain. Maybe French as he is the only one likely to be playing every week. 

[MacSmith]

26 minutes ago, Reverend Lovejoy said:

I think that the captaincy has detracted from his game. Sometimes players just need to concentrate on their own game and aren't comfortable being a leader. If McGowan is playing then maybe it should be him. GB probably went with a player who he sees playing most, if not every week though.

Sweeney started last season in a similar manner. It took him a few months to find any form.

Unfortunately if we try to play a modern tactic of splitting the CHs and advancing the full backs then Sweeney gets dragged all over the place.

I'm getting a bit concerned that this squad really just isn't very good. Very few of them can maintain consistent form.

 

[Reverend Lovejoy]

20 minutes ago, MacSmith said:

Sweeney started last season in a similar manner. It took him a few months to find any form.

Unfortunately if we try to play a modern tactic of splitting the CHs and advancing the full backs then Sweeney gets dragged all over the place.

I'm getting a bit concerned that this squad really just isn't very good. Very few of them can maintain consistent form.

 

Maybe a combination of adapting to the new way of playing and attempting to set the example that having the captaincy requires. 

I remember having taking time to settle last season.

[tommy the tap in king]

The natural captain of the team is Lee Ashcroft ,after sweeneys stupidity yesterday he should be stripped of the captaincy pronto. 

[an-dee]

Crazy how easily both French and Sweeney were getting pinned by that big striker. Really frustrates me to see defenders try to deal with that type of striker by getting into a wrestling match and getting far too tight. In those situations with his body in between you and the ball it makes it so easy to either pin you back or roll you like he did for the third goal. If French takes a step back he probably blocks the shot once he turns to hit it. 

[MacSmith]

1 hour ago, Reverend Lovejoy said:

Maybe a combination of adapting to the new way of playing and attempting to set the example that having the captaincy requires. 

I remember having taking time to settle last season.

 

Could be. I'm more inclined to think it's because we ended up backs to the wall defending for most of last season where he was very good.

In games where we tried to play out from the back with a more advanced system he struggled.

[dblair]

7 hours ago, MacSmith said:

 

Could be. I'm more inclined to think it's because we ended up backs to the wall defending for most of last season where he was very good.

In games where we tried to play out from the back with a more advanced system he struggled.

Tend to agree with that sentiment. I think both him and ashcroft are more traditional center halfs who love a battle and are good at last ditch defending and commanding their own box. Anything over and above and they seem to be uncomfortable. May sound a bit harsh, but i think the modern game demands a bit more.