When defenders defend...

[LifelongDEE]

I've seen a few people on here suggest that Sweeny was back to his best and that we defended better than we have done for some weeks (not hard) against a far superior side. I would agree with both statements however it leaves me thinking that if we just allowed our defenders to defend and not attempt to build from the back, we might just have the ability to stop conceding so many goals. 

I would hate to see the stats on how many goals we have conceded from our own mistakes or defenders being caught out of position however it seems when every man sticks to their defensive duties, we fare much better. Not sure how much the fans would appreciate seeing defenders clear his lines into touch every time the ball came near them against the likes of Morton or Queens Park but that is certainly playing to their strengths and benefits the team as a whole.

My opinion only...

[Reverend Lovejoy]

1 hour ago, LifelongDEE said:

I've seen a few people on here suggest that Sweeny was back to his best and that we defended better than we have done for some weeks (not hard) against a far superior side. I would agree with both statements however it leaves me thinking that if we just allowed our defenders to defend and not attempt to build from the back, we might just have the ability to stop conceding so many goals. 

I would hate to see the stats on how many goals we have conceded from our own mistakes or defenders being caught out of position however it seems when every man sticks to their defensive duties, we fare much better. Not sure how much the fans would appreciate seeing defenders clear his lines into touch every time the ball came near them against the likes of Morton or Queens Park but that is certainly playing to their strengths and benefits the team as a whole.

My opinion only...

Last night was a different game from what we face week in, week out in the Championship. Rangers had a lot of the ball and lots of attacks. They pushed men forward and pinned us back and our defenders had little other option than to just defend. In the Championship we're often the 'Rangers' with lots of possession and are trying to draw teams out by playing out from the back. Our defenders are then faced with quick counters when moves break down and can be left isolated as we push men forward. Last night we defended in depth and threw our bodies in front of the ball. The roles are probably reversed in the Championship.

[Bobby Dee]

3 minutes ago, Reverend Lovejoy said:

Last night was a different game from what we face week in, week out in the Championship. Rangers had a lot of the ball and lots of attacks. They pushed men forward and pinned us back and our defenders had little other option than to just defend. In the Championship we're often the 'Rangers' with lots of possession and are trying to draw teams out by playing out from the back. Our defenders are then faced with quick counters when moves break down and can be left isolated as we push men forward. Last night we defended in depth and threw our bodies in front of the ball. The roles are probably reversed in the Championship.

Bang on and it’s not about playing from the back that’s not been our issue - in fact when we played form the back last night we looked dangerous . 
Sweeney likes the action in his own box, he thrives on balls in his box especially in the air , unfortunately he is exposed elsewhere  particularly down the flanks . Other teams know it and will continue to pick on it as long as he plays . What may help is Cammy at LB who is miles better defensively that Marshall 

[DeeVinci]

12 minutes ago, Reverend Lovejoy said:

Last night was a different game from what we face week in, week out in the Championship. Rangers had a lot of the ball and lots of attacks. They pushed men forward and pinned us back and our defenders had little other option than to just defend. In the Championship we're often the 'Rangers' with lots of possession and are trying to draw teams out by playing out from the back. Our defenders are then faced with quick counters when moves break down and can be left isolated as we push men forward. Last night we defended in depth and threw our bodies in front of the ball. The roles are probably reversed in the Championship.

Agree but as LLD points out different defenders are suited to the two different styles of play. Sweeny looks good when he isn't relied apon to make passes, hold on to the ball and shuffle midfield players about. 

This is a conundrum for Bowyer as who is suited best for  championship games ?

[Reverend Lovejoy]

2 minutes ago, Bobby Dee said:

Bang on and it’s not about playing from the back that’s not been our issue - in fact when we played form the back last night we looked dangerous . 
Sweeney likes the action in his own box, he thrives on balls in his box especially in the air , unfortunately he is exposed elsewhere  particularly down the flanks . Other teams know it and will continue to pick on it as long as he plays . What may help is Cammy at LB who is miles better defensively that Marshall 

I thought Marshall was very good last night and the better of the two fullback's.

[Prince Buster]

3 minutes ago, Bobby Dee said:

Bang on and it’s not about playing from the back that’s not been our issue - in fact when we played form the back last night we looked dangerous . 
Sweeney likes the action in his own box, he thrives on balls in his box especially in the air , unfortunately he is exposed elsewhere  particularly down the flanks . Other teams know it and will continue to pick on it as long as he plays . What may help is Cammy at LB who is miles better defensively that Marshall 

Agree with all that except that Cammy is not miles better defensively at left back than Marshall. Probably just as good defensively overall but because it's not his natural side Cammy's much weaker there.

[Bobby Dee]

Not for me guys Marshall does not sense danger , her plays like a winger converted to a FB . 
 

The  defensive line also have the added value of McGhee and Sweeney playing in front of them for extra protection , both done a great job last night helping the back 4 

[Reverend Lovejoy]

10 minutes ago, Bobby Dee said:

Not for me guys Marshall does not sense danger , her plays like a winger converted to a FB . 
 

The  defensive line also have the added value of McGhee and Sweeney playing in front of them for extra protection , both done a great job last night helping the back 4 

I'm guessing you mean Grayson?. 

[Bobby Dee]

29 minutes ago, Reverend Lovejoy said:

I'm guessing you mean Grayson?. 

Yeh sorry

[Ludo*1]

Sweeney is at his best when he can just use his physical attributes and doesn't need to think. Give him a moment to think and he's a bombscare.

It's the reason he was PotY last season and struggled so badly this one but then again excelled last night IMO.

[ThelegendthatisBeto]

If you don't concede goals you can't lose games, let them defend and get the ball as far away from our goal as possible 

[Smokiedee]

How many times do you see even top team's playing out from the back getting caught out and conceding. 

Call me old fashioned,  but There are times when a big hoof up the park is the right thing to do. 

Defend properly and you stop conceding stupid goals and therefore gives you a better chance of winning.