Preston had 24 clean sheets we had 8!

[burgesshillblue]

so what is our problem ? is it the system or is it just individual weaknesses. Even when we played with 5 in midfield we were cut to pieces on many occasions.However the defence received many plaudits with DeVos, Naylor and Wilnis all being praised by manager and fan alike. DeVos while commanding in the air is painfully slow and not only is easily beaten on the floor but also in the air by quicker forwards reacting to crosses quicker than he does. Naylor I feel has been adequatee while the frequent changes to the full back positions have not helped understanding. In my opinion none of the present full backs are good enough for a push for promotion.
Solution 2 new fullbacks 1 centre back and Williams and Westlake to be the wide midfielders to give some help to the full backs. Any views ?

[Rach]

Solution 2 new fullbacks 1 centre back and Williams and Westlake to be the wide midfielders to give some help to the full backs. Any views ?

I agree about Williams and Westlake, but I think that Casement is gonna be a top player next season, so perhaps we just need one fullback (Someone strong, who stops crosses)

[azbedwell]

I have to agree with the winger/full back situation being a large part of our problem. For a few years now we have not had any players that will stay out wide in midfield. This not only means the full backs are exposed defensively but also forces them to do the attacking out wide which means they are often even further exposed. This might not be such a problem with ashley cole and lauren as full backs but with ours it causes a lot of problems.

While not all our full backs are sh*t (ie as bad as riachards is when he plays there) they all have their limitations wich mean that when they are left so woefully exposed they are going to have problems.

Wilnis is not bad defensively or in attack, but at 45 or however old he is he cant man the whole wing on his own.

Barron is younf and inexperienced as well as being quite shirt and thus needs some protecton.

Sito is in his first year in English football and is alos crap in the air and needs protection.

If we can get some players to keep their shape in midfield and provide some protectin down the flanks i think there will be a sifnificant improvement in our defense.

I dont think this is the complete answer to our defensive problems but would at least be a start (It would also help in giving us some width in attack which i also think we need)

[Riviera]

Joe Royle aint worried about our defence, his idea of winning games is to score more than our opponents, but even that idea went tits up this season

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

so what is our problem ? is it the system or is it just individual weaknesses. Even when we played with 5 in midfield we were cut to pieces on many occasions.However the defence received many plaudits with DeVos, Naylor and Wilnis all being praised by manager and fan alike. DeVos while commanding in the air is painfully slow and not only is easily beaten on the floor but also in the air by quicker forwards reacting to crosses quicker than he does. Naylor I feel has been adequatee while the frequent changes to the full back positions have not helped understanding. In my opinion none of the present full backs are good enough for a push for promotion.
Solution 2 new fullbacks 1 centre back and Williams and Westlake to be the wide midfielders to give some help to the full backs. Any views ?

The obvious solution is to have a manager and coaching staff that understand the defensive requirements of a modern football team and are prepared to train players accordingly. That's not rocket science, is it (although, thinking about it, I'd love to send Royle to the moon on a rocket, preferebly a rocket housed inside his defecation orifice).

[vaalae]

so what is our problem ? is it the system or is it just individual weaknesses. Even when we played with 5 in midfield we were cut to pieces on many occasions.However the defence received many plaudits with DeVos, Naylor and Wilnis all being praised by manager and fan alike. DeVos while commanding in the air is painfully slow and not only is easily beaten on the floor but also in the air by quicker forwards reacting to crosses quicker than he does. Naylor I feel has been adequatee while the frequent changes to the full back positions have not helped understanding. In my opinion none of the present full backs are good enough for a push for promotion.
Solution 2 new fullbacks 1 centre back and Williams and Westlake to be the wide midfielders to give some help to the full backs. Any views ?

The obvious solution is to have a manager and coaching staff that understand the defensive requirements of a modern football team and are prepared to train players accordingly. That's not rocket science, is it (although, thinking about it, I'd love to send Royle to the moon on a rocket, preferebly a rocket housed inside his defecation orifice).

Cant fault you on the creativity of your plan!! Agree with the prognosis and solution - rubbish wing backs - but not sure if Williams or Westy will be needed in the middle!?!? I think Casement is too young to be consistent at this level - I'd far prefer the much prayed for 25 year old centre back..to go with Naylor..plus new wing backs..