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Post by gromley on Apr 13, 2017 0:18:27 GMT
Our defence has improved in the last few months I don't think that is true in any sense. Even during our unbeaten run we have still (in the games I saw) looked very vunerable at the back. Not sure if the clean sheet at the Daggers was 'deserved', but in the only other recent clean sheet away at Braintree we were very fortunate not concede at least two. It has been a puzzle to me that having signed the beast we haven't used him yet - I can understand the 'don't change a winning formula' idea, but if you look at our defence it clearly is 'broke' so should be 'fixed'. Coyle & Lokko have both done a decent job and it's no disrespect to them (I didn't think Ache was terrible either) but collectively we have not had a strong enough CB unit at any point in the season and (going only on what I've read - having not seen him play) I think Magnus could have / could still make that difference. We have hopefully done enough now for survival anyway, but I'd still like to see us look commanding at the back at least once this year.
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Post by Nick on Apr 13, 2017 7:00:28 GMT
I have to agree 100% with gromley. Jay Saunders has worked wonders in midfield and up front by recruiting better quality players. The defence has looked vulnerable for much of the season, with the goals against column being one of the worst in the league. So many poorly defended dead ball situations, penalty gifts, individual errors and the rest, has left the team chasing goals for most matches. Strangely enough Jay has been the severest critic of our defending, time and time again, in his post match interviews. Magnus (The Beast) was signed with all the pedigree and experience the defence has solely needed but we have yet to see him start a match. As individuals all our defenders are decent players but collectively not quite good enough for this league. Over to you Mr Saunders !
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Post by daveu on Apr 13, 2017 7:15:27 GMT
Not sure why people are so hung up on the central defense. Millsy and Seth have both contributed to our vulnerability this season but it's only ever Coyle and to a lesser extent Lokko who ever get any criticism.
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Post by 61666 on Apr 13, 2017 7:44:43 GMT
Maybe Jay will change centre defence for Wrexham, but considering the options there it remains odd he hasn't thus far when we continue to leak goals AND goal difference could yet play a part. The two full backs have less competition. Isn't Driver out on loan? BJT has filled in at times, but looking at the squad, that seems to be it for recognised full backs. Mills has only missed three league games and Lokko six. A total of four clean sheets all season and 70 goals conceded undoubtedly show we have a problem. Boring Wood have only let in 34! They have only scored 40 too - hence the name and why nobody goes to watch them - but makes you wonder. Anyone who has seen every Stones game has got 123 goals to BWs 74, so we are good value in that department. Likewise Southport (129), Woking 129, SM 124, and FGR 129. All pretty meaningless, but mildly interesting.
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Post by Ant on Apr 13, 2017 8:18:17 GMT
He was asked about a week ago about the reason for Magnus not displacing Lokko or Coyle, and his answer was quite valid. "How about because we are 8 unbeaten"
Third game in a week tomorrow, and after a 3-0 defeat then there may be a change.
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Post by nws on Apr 13, 2017 11:15:23 GMT
An appalling result. Probably seals our fate
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Post by jdl on Apr 13, 2017 11:31:40 GMT
"Unbeaten" is nice, but it's not the whole picture. We DO have a defensive problem, there's no point in denying it.
A glance at the table tells you all you need to know - 71 goals conceded in just 41 games, that's an average of almost 2 goals a game. Without a decent strike force, that's relegation form.
On goals scored, we are comfortably mid-table at 13th - on goals conceded and GD, we are relegated at 21st.
Had we not had such a brilliant run recently, we'd be shitting ourselves about goal difference.
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Post by skydweller on Apr 13, 2017 11:48:56 GMT
An appalling result. Probably seals our fate Complete nonsense.
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Post by nws on Apr 13, 2017 11:50:20 GMT
Sigh....stats tell us so little.
Since the start of Feb we have been conceding at one per game. Could it just be that part of our defensive problem was the midfield? If the midfield looks better we start to concede less. It may not be perfect and TBH I think the CB positions are where the focus is best fixed if you want to improve. However, everyone seems in a massive rush to get a centre back in that - unless I am mistaken - may not be particularly match fit all because they want a very experienced CB. Yes, best we oust the inexperienced Coyle to get that extra experience. Maybe I am just misinterpreting my esteemed fellow forum members.
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Post by Nick on Apr 13, 2017 11:58:30 GMT
come on nws, you can do better than this ! firstly you seem to concede that we have a problem defensively but then you think maybe, just maybe, that the midfield is part of the problem then you meander on about the best way of fixing the defence is through the centre back but it appears that we really don't need a quality experienced centre back, because we already have Coyly pretty sure Jay Saunders will have learnt a lot by reading your post
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Post by nws on Apr 13, 2017 12:02:43 GMT
As I said earlier, both sides scoring is about the only safe prediction in one of our matches at the moment. Can't be bothered to hunt out the pre-season expectations thread but I'm pretty sure I said 14th and win as many as we lose. I might not be all that far off. I'm sure nws will be able to help... It's really easy. He quoted his own pre-season post in the 'This Season's Hopes' thread (on the first page of general chat). He did this less than an hour after saying he couldn't be bothered to do it. You didn't bother to note it before asking me to do it. Lazy stupidity from the pair of you!
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Post by nws on Apr 13, 2017 12:09:40 GMT
come on nws, you can do better than this ! firstly you seem to concede that we have a problem defensively but then you think maybe, just maybe, that the midfield is part of the problem then you meander on about the best way of fixing the defence is through the centre back but it appears that we really don't need a quality experienced centre back, because we already have Coyly pretty sure Jay Saunders will have learnt a lot by reading your post He might get more because he might be able to understand better than you. I didn't seem to concede there was any kind of problem. I said that it would be the best area to focus on. I said that, historically the midfield was part of the problem. I said that we probably did need to do something about the centre back positions (i.e. it would be the best area to focus on). I question whether bringing a centre back in who is not match fit is a good idea. I laugh at the fact that by replacing Coyle with someone else it is for experience. I doubt Jay Saunders reads my posts. If he does and takes notice then thank the lord that he listened when I banged on about our midfield on here and on Town End talk because he offloaded Sweeney and brought in Lewis and Prestedge. I will accept your thanks for potentially being the saviour of the season.
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Post by Nick on Apr 13, 2017 17:29:56 GMT
Easter cometh and nws proclaims himself as the 'saviour' (potentially)
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Post by nws on Apr 13, 2017 21:05:23 GMT
Easter cometh and nws proclaims himself as the 'saviour' (potentially) I think it was you that did that not me
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Post by Nick on Apr 13, 2017 21:58:03 GMT
No, I think it was you nws, in fact I'm sure of it !
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