Defence sorted? (10 Viewers)

[Hobo]

Not until they can keep clean sheets playing a back four. Let's give it 10 more games and see if it's the norm.

What's your fixation with a back four?

 

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[Hobo]

Blackburn could have had three before we scored. Sometimes you just get lucky and the ball falls right.
Dovin of course was exceptional and kept us in the game. Number of times Schmeichel did that against us for Man U. Dovin looked as if he was suffering the move when he first came and was not vocal enough. Later he got that unfortunate concussion. Last few games he has been the difference.
The defence early on in the season suffered from every odd mistake being punished and teams having every shot go in whomever was the goalie. The classic example was the second Derby goal against Dovin where their player crossed, took a freak deflection and flew in the net.
Collins obviously lost confidence and Wilson got injured.
There is still something wrong with our defence to give Blackburn and Portsmouth so many chances, although a back three has helped.
We need a midfield battler, although it was noticeable against Blackburn that Torp was fouling and breaking up play way more than under Robins.

Games are full of missed chances, as we know watching Cov, only the ones that go in count. Teams that know how to win ugly usually do well.

 

[mmttww]

What's your fixation with a back four?

I don't have one. We've used it a lot. We'll use it again. It's important we can keep things tight when we do.

 

[Hobo]

I don't have one. We've used it a lot. We'll use it again. It's important we can keep things tight when we do.

We don't look secure with a back four. Van Ewijk and Dasilva aren't the right sort of players for a secure back four.

 

[mmttww]

We don't look secure with a back four. Van Ewijk and Dasilva aren't the right sort of players for a secure back four.

I'm sorry to break it to you, but it's Lampard's first choice formation and we recruited for it, so it'll be back. He's gonna have to get them into shape so we can be secure enough playing that way.

 

[Hobo]

I'm sorry to break it to you, but it's Lampard's first choice formation and we recruited for it, so it'll be back. He's gonna have to get them into shape so we can be secure enough playing that way.

With our current squad he has clearly abandoned it for the time being. Sorry to break it to you.

 

[mmttww]

Not now with our squad, sorry to break it to you.

You're picking a really niche argument here. We switched to three CBs when Sakamoto was injured, along with Wright and EMC. I'll be surprised and confused if we don't revert to four at the back once at least one of them is fit. If we don't, meh. I'd rather we did but I'll get over it if we don't.

 

[Hobo]

You're picking a really niche argument here. We switched to three CBs when Sakamoto was injured, along with Wright and EMC. I'll be surprised and confused if we don't revert to four at the back once at least one of them is fit. If we don't, meh. I'd rather we did but I'll get over it if we don't.

He switched from a back four because we were leaking goals. Yes injuries have played a part. It will be interesting how we move forward. But under Robins and Lampard we looked better with a back three rather than a two, especially away from home.

Personally I think you should set up for the situation, home, away, opposition.

 

[JSL]

We have improved and stopped conceding so many goals since we switched to a back 5 instead of a 4. That should tell us something. Perhaps our CBs are quite good enough for a back two? Or our full backs are better wing backs that full backs and suit a back 5 better?

 

[Gint11]

It’s a lot better and we are more solid and proven with a couple of clean sheets but being brutally honest, it’s largely due to saves by Dovin.

That is what he’s there for but it also means we are not quite as solid as it now appears. Still work to do there.

 

[shmmeee]

If the defence has been sorted, then with this latest signing it appears that Lampard wishes to un-sort it

Who?

 

[shmmeee]

What's your fixation with a back four?

It allows you to play wide forwards, which happen to be our best players.

 

[Flying Fokker]

Plain weird that Dovin hasn’t played more….Kitch too. Both inspire confidence.

Now, yes… Kitching et al inspired little confidence.

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

We have improved and stopped conceding so many goals since we switched to a back 5 instead of a 4. That should tell us something. Perhaps our CBs are quite good enough for a back two? Or our full backs are better wing backs that full backs and suit a back 5 better?

I've not seen much to suggest that the defence has drastically improved really.

Dovin has dug the side out of some pretty deep holes against both Bristol and Blackburn. Something our previous GK was incapable of in games.

It's certainly more solid than it was, but we're still poor at anticipating danger, and far too open. Because we play a high line, and often are exceptionally flat as a backline, we also let forwards run in behind far too easily.

There's a lot to work on and i still think we need support in that area in the form of new additions.

 

[SBT]

Who?

If we’re about to make a significant investment in another winger then we’re clearly planning to abandon the current defensive setup

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

Now, yes… Kitching et al inspired little confidence.

In what way? He got forward well and make some nice passes but defensively I didn't think he was that brilliant.

He was partly culpable for a few of Blackburn's chances the other night.

 

[shmmeee]

If we’re about to make a significant investment in another winger then we’re clearly planning to abandon the current defensive setup

Got you. Too early I thought you meant we were signing a defender.

 

[johnwillomagic]

Don't think the defence has looked more solid at all if i am being honest.......but think it is right given that fact to play three at the back and glad to see Kitching being given a run in the side.

We still look incredibly soft at the back and with the exception of MVE get busted for pace incredibly regularly, Bristol City despite coning for the draw still bust us open several times - Nakhi Wells looked like an olympic sprinter the way he stripped Binks on one occasion. Against Blackburn we lost 80% of aerial challenges got rolled by Gueye several times and got in down the channels too.

Dovin has made some good saves but saves I would expect him to make as do think he has potential to be great goalkeeper however has also been poor finishing from the opponents.

I will reserve my judgement on defence until we play Watford whose forwards have pace to burn and think they could due to this destroy us we will definitely need 3 at the back for sure on Saturday.

Pleased with wins but defensive issues resolved and looking more solid? Not for me currently

 

[SkyBlueMatt]

I think it has improved slightly but at least now we're not conceding half as many goals. It can't be down to Dovin since Wilson's golden glove, we know clean sheets are very little to do with the keeper.

It's a foundation, something to build on. Before, the defence was shitting their pants on every attack and Collins was scared of the ball being kicked in his direction.

Clean sheets will breed confidence, that will help the players improve their game.

 

[fernandopartridge]

Blackburn could have had three before we scored. Sometimes you just get lucky and the ball falls right.
Dovin of course was exceptional and kept us in the game. Number of times Schmeichel did that against us for Man U. Dovin looked as if he was suffering the move when he first came and was not vocal enough. Later he got that unfortunate concussion. Last few games he has been the difference.
The defence early on in the season suffered from every odd mistake being punished and teams having every shot go in whomever was the goalie. The classic example was the second Derby goal against Dovin where their player crossed, took a freak deflection and flew in the net.
Collins obviously lost confidence and Wilson got injured.
There is still something wrong with our defence to give Blackburn and Portsmouth so many chances, although a back three has helped.
We need a midfield battler, although it was noticeable against Blackburn that Torp was fouling and breaking up play way more than under Robins.

You are going to concede chances in games, it isn't pointing to anything wrong.