Our defence.

[gamble]

Everyone keeps saying we have a poor defence and that this will probably be our biggest problem thuis season if we don't strengthen it but, is it really as bad as we think it is?

I ask this question as there are only 8 teams with a better defensive record this season we have conceded 12 the rest have:
Newcastle 5;
WBA 11;
Cardiff 11;
Fester 11
Bristol City 9
Palace 11
Swansea 10
QPR 9

Palace and QPR also have a game in hand so could easily go above us in goals conceded, also when you take into account the 5 deflected goals that would put our GA to 7, also the defence has only had 1 really bad game in Watford where we shipped 4, so this make me wonder if our defence is actually quite good.

 

[Timothy Pope]

It can't be that good if we have to play one of our best midfielders as a left back.

 

[earthworm]

Maybe our midfield is keeping the pressure off them ... for now.

 

[Baronvon]

It's looked pretty solid in the last three games despite being decidedly dodgy for the most part prior to this run.

That said the three sides we've played have a weaker front line than the French.

 

[Hoax]

Everyone keeps saying we have a poor defence and that this will probably be our biggest problem thuis season if we don't strengthen it but, is it really as bad as we think it is?

I ask this question as there are only 8 teams with a better defensive record this season we have conceded 12 the rest have:
Newcastle 5;
WBA 11;
Cardiff 11;
Fester 11
Bristol City 9
Palace 11
Swansea 10
QPR 9

Palace and QPR also have a game in hand so could easily go above us in goals conceded, also when you take into account the 5 deflected goals that would put our GA to 7, also the defence has only had 1 really bad game in Watford where we shipped 4, so this make me wonder if our defence is actually quite good.

deflected goals are still goals though unfortunately

 

[gamble]

Tis true they are but some of the deflected goals would of been easily saved by camp were it not for the deflection

 

[Jelly Bean]

Good point, i actually think our defence is reasonably good. Considering how often our midfield lose the ball (particularly away from home) i have been very impressed with how we've defended so far as a team - Wes must take much of the credit for this though i feel.

Granted we need a left back.

 

[redwood]

Mentioning the deflected goals is fair in that it demonstrates that the defence havn't just been lucky to only concede 12. If anything, with a bit of luck it would be less than that.

9th for goals conceded isn't fantastic though if we want to be pushing for the playoffs, it's probably fair to say we have a top 6 strike force, but only a mid-table defence.

 

[Superstar7]

Everyone keeps saying we have a poor defence and that this will probably be our biggest problem thuis season if we don't strengthen it but, is it really as bad as we think it is?

I ask this question as there are only 8 teams with a better defensive record this season we have conceded 12 the rest have:
Newcastle 5;
WBA 11;
Cardiff 11;
Fester 11
Bristol City 9
Palace 11
Swansea 10
QPR 9

Palace and QPR also have a game in hand so could easily go above us in goals conceded, also when you take into account the 5 deflected goals that would put our GA to 7, also the defence has only had 1 really bad game in Watford where we shipped 4, so this make me wonder if our defence is actually quite good.

Yes it is I guess as maybe that's the reason we haven't scored as many as all those teams as we are helping our defence too much... Saying that I am happy with our season so far and I am sure Billy will get the right player's when they are available...

 

[T.B.T.]

I reckon our defence has done well considering the well documented weaknesses we have. Wes has been as great as ever yet I think it's Gunter who has really made a difference. Imagine how good we'd have been had we been able to secure any one of the defensive targets over the summer.

I still think our back line is where Billy wishes to strengthen and the sooner the better so we can further build upon our league position and point tally.

 

[No 1 Brian Rice]

It can't be that good if we have to play one of our best midfielders as a left back.

Is Cohen really one of best midfielders at the club anymore? Can't see him getting into the midfield at present.

 

[clusternakker]

Our defence is mediocre, a cb and lb are still required

 

[Timothy Pope]

Is Cohen really one of best midfielders at the club anymore? Can't see him getting into the midfield at present.

Cohen provides energy to the midfield that is often missing. I would put him ahead of Tyson.

 

[Rudgey]

Is Cohen really one of best midfielders at the club anymore? Can't see him getting into the midfield at present.

I have been impressed with the way Cohen plays left-back and would love him to convert to a full-time left-back.

His distribution is better than Jules and Lynch, who I believe is a centre-back really. He is solid in the tackle but just needs to improve his positioning. He is pretty good in the air, is quite quick and obviously has a football brain due to his midfield experience.

I think he is behind Majic and Lewis as an attacking centre mid and I would have Tyson on the left any day.

 

[adam09]

I think the problem is that, whilst we keep opposition's chances to a minimum, when we do give them chances, they tend to be good ones - eg Blackpool.

The deflections are quite unlucky. We get a a couple of own goals now and then, but don't seem to get many that take slight deflections to fool the keeper.

 

[Pasty Power]

Is Cohen really one of best midfielders at the club anymore? Can't see him getting into the midfield at present.

He was last season but has now been shown up as having limited ability compared to say McKenna or Mejewski, can't fault his work rate though & may well make the LB possition his own?

 

[jimbo]

everything will be ok when perch gets fit again

 

[TheDude]

I like seeing Cohen at LB for now anyway and think McKenna and Mejewski are playing too well to leave out.

 

[paolo nutmeg]

MCKENNA AND MAJEWSKI HAVE BEEN HANDS DOWN BEST PLAYERS SO FAR THIS SEASON,ALTHOUGH THE LIKES OF NATHAN,GUNTER AND WES ARE HAVING GOOD SEASONS TOO

 

[Gingers Across the Midfield]

MCKENNA AND MAJEWSKI HAVE BEEN HANDS DOWN BEST PLAYERS SO FAR THIS SEASON,ALTHOUGH THE LIKES OF NATHAN,GUNTER AND WES ARE HAVING GOOD SEASONS TOO

Please stop shouting

 

[Timothy Pope]

I think Cohen is a better midfielder than Tyson. Tyson is useful as a winger but is nullified against a quality full back.

Cohen brings so much more that is wasted as a full back.

My opinion.

 

[barky]

I think Cohen is a better midfielder than Tyson. Tyson is useful as a winger but is nullified against a quality full back.

Cohen brings so much more that is wasted as a full back.

My opinion.

The trouble is with Cohen on the left wing is that he offers no width whatsoever because he always drifts in to the middle which then leaves the full back exposed.

 

[Erik]

MCKENNA AND MAJEWSKI HAVE BEEN HANDS DOWN BEST PLAYERS SO FAR THIS SEASON,ALTHOUGH THE LIKES OF NATHAN,GUNTER AND WES ARE HAVING GOOD SEASONS TOO

To be fair to Cohen I don't think he's been given a fair crack in his preferred position this season has he?

 

[weasel]

To be fair to Cohen I don't think he's been given a fair crack in his preferred position this season has he?

Don't get me wrong, I love Cohen and he's probably the main reason we got out of League One. But I also don't think he's quite as talented as people like to think. He not as good as McKenna or Majewski and he's also not as far or productive down the wing as Tyson or Anderson. Once Bennett gets back I think he's out of the first choice 11.

That seems really harsh but the fact is Calderwood probably wouldn't have dropped him because he was too nice, and we nearly went down with that attitude. With Cohen as a squad player he'll probably still play lots of games but the fact he's not the first name on the teamsheet says alot about our strength in depth these days. The same goes for McGugan.

 

[adam09]

The trouble is with Cohen on the left wing is that he offers no width whatsoever because he always drifts in to the middle which then leaves the full back exposed.

Exactly. That has been our downfall over the last few seasons.

Cohen actually looks quite threatening when he attacks as a left back. I think one of his best skills is driving up the pitch with the ball and laying it off to someone else. A bit like Anderson does, he can carry it 30-50 yards and start great counter attacks.