Stanlys Defence

[JEFF]

Coley has said the same thing over and over again but he does nothing. A few weeks ago he said the defence wasn't good enough and if it didn't improve changes would be made in January. So why not make the changes instead of making them train all week. No matter how much you train if you are not good enough you never will be. We are still playing with a right back (Edwards) at left back and a left back (Richardson) at right back. Before last New Year's Day we were playing with Miles and Edwards on the left and only Richardson on the right. Toddy came in on the right and made the balance. Last Saturday we played with Richardson and Toddy on the right and only Edwards on the left, Chester came at us on our left so Coley changed it - he brought Toddy from the right and put him on the left - this meant we had Edwards and Toddy on the left and only Richardson on the right so Chester then came at us on our right. With about five minutes to go Coley brought on Dennehy to play on the left and put Toddy back on the right, so for only five minutes of the game we had balance with Edwards and Dennehy on the left and Richardson and Toddy on the right. We had three other midfielders playing (Procter, Harris and Craney) all three racing about in the centre of the pitch. Is it any wonder we lose goals ? I don't know which game the people who said Rocky played well were watching. When Rocky came on we were winning 2-1, five minutes later it was 2-2. Rocky's first contribution was to head the ball sideways into the Stanley penalty area. His other contributions included falling down when he was going to kick the ball and completely missing the ball when he went to head it. if anybody thinks that is playing well they don't know what they are talking about. We need a leader/organiser in defence and we have needed this for years but we have done nothing about it and I will say again what I have been saying for years IF WE HAD A DEFENCE WE WOULD BE DANGEROUS.

[Stanleymad]

Must say even Toddy was confused about it nevermind the rest of us hehehe I share you view Jeff & as redraine said we need some kind of coaching in that area.

[Revived Red]

I agree partly with the idea of a defensive coach - but I think the problem is deeper than that. To my mind, it's a "team thing", and as others have said some of it stems from having players of similar style in midfield. Also linked to it is the issue of distribution by Ian Dunbavin. No players, defenders or midfield, get themselves into position for a quick throw from the goalkeeper. So we do not have the tactics of a quick break or even slower build, once an opposition attack has broken down. If the players are not clear just what their role is, they cannot be in positions to collect clearances from defence.

Furthermore, defence is not just about the "back four". The midfielders have a role here, too. A good forward will try to drag a defender out of position. If/when that happens, other defenders should be alert enough to see what is happening and provide cover - and one or more midfielders should also see this and provide further cover. Again, if the players are unclear about their role, this is unlikely to happen.

Mark Roberts has been immense this season. I didn't see the game on Saturday so I cannot comment on what happened them. But for goodness sake, let's not make him a scapegoat. We had enough of that after the Rochdale game last season.

[Pendle Red]

Bit of Good News on Fishy Site!

Great to see him back at the FES on Saturday

[Stanleymad]

Glad Kennys near to returning be great to see him back, shame for bavs though, lets not forget how well he has done being our only defence at times!!

[caretaker]

I agree with you jeff,we do need a leader in defence. Towards the end of last season we managed to get two loan players from Liverpool,Godwyn Antwi ,central Midfield, and Martin in goal,its my opinion that they to were highly instramental in Stanley avoiding relegation.

[Stanleymad]

Ooo Godwin what a player he was, shame we couldnt keep him