Half hearted defending

[Baudelaire]

Whilst Coleman, Dunbavin and the whole team are getting the flack for the recent poor results, the real reason has surely been the lack of proper commitment in defence. Look again at the goals we conceded recently. Where are the players throwing themselves in the way of the ball? Who's commanding the area for corners and free kicks ? Who's even jumping to try and head the ball away or get in the way of attackers ?

[Revived Red]

Originally Posted by Baudelaire

Whilst Coleman, Dunbavin and the whole team are getting the flack for the recent poor results, the real reason has surely been the lack of proper commitment in defence. Look again at the goals we conceded recently. Where are the players throwing themselves in the way of the ball? Who's commanding the area for corners and free kicks ? Who's even jumping to try and head the ball away or get in the way of attackers ?

In the games I have seen this season, the words "Mark Roberts" answers all three questions.

Yes, he has made mistakes - but not as many as some of the other defenders. And let's remember this. As long as we continue to use the same primitive "up and under" tactics (sorry, tactic) which all League 2 defences can cope with easily, we shall continue to be in a situation where we do not win and keep the ball and where the opposition will constantly threaten our defence. No defenders are perfect - they all make mistakes. And the more pressure they are put under, the more mistakes they will make. It's the law of averages.

I'm not sure if this is relevant, but I wonder how many corners we have won this season compared to the number we have conceded.

[Oggy]

Originally Posted by Revived Red

I'm not sure if this is relevant, but I wonder how many corners we have won this season compared to the number we have conceded.

Sadly, I think we're as at risk of conceding whether it's our corner, or theirs.

Still feel defensively a lot more could be done in training, but I've been saying this for years, and am not the only one.

[Baudelaire]

It's not just a training issue, otherwise it would be simpler to solve. There's no willingness amongst Roberts etc to put their bodies on the line for the club. When you are being paid to play the least you can do is show some effort.