Defence - Time for a Change? (2 Viewers)

[johnwillomagic]

I personally normally like a settled back five and we have largely had this in recent times - only the right back slot has really altered and you cna normallt name the back five of Murphy, Christie, Wood, Edge & Adams.

However I was disappointed with the defending last night and we have been regularly conceeding even when we win.

Was wondering if people think it is time to give back four a bit of a boot up the ass and change it about a bit for Yeovil on Saturday?

I think that maybe we should recall Clarke for Christie and maybe give Cameron a crack in for Edge imo but would not be too fussed if Cameron came in for Wood eiher? Think Adams has to stay LB not much choice.

I am hoping Murphy is fit but if not Dunn has to play anyhow so enforced change - he has some making amends to do in my eyes if he does start.

Think we should also go 4-5-1 recall Bailey and drop Elliot to bench - maybe a little harsh but the 4-5-1 has served us well.

What are people's thoughts?

Cheers

 

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[Cigarfingers]

Wouldn't be devastated to see Cameron come in for the Edge tbh, would keep everyone on their toes. But the flip side of that is a settled back line n keeper is important,look how it cocked things up last night!

 

[Warwickhunt]

I personally normally like a settled back five and we have largely had this in recent times - only the right back slot has really altered and you cna normallt name the back five of Murphy, Christie, Wood, Edge & Adams.

However I was disappointed with the defending last night and we have been regularly conceeding even when we win.

Was wondering if people think it is time to give back four a bit of a boot up the ass and change it about a bit for Yeovil on Saturday?

I think that maybe we should recall Clarke for Christie and maybe give Cameron a crack in for Edge imo but would not be too fussed if Cameron came in for Wood eiher? Think Adams has to stay LB not much choice.

I am hoping Murphy is fit but if not Dunn has to play anyhow so enforced change - he has some making amends to do in my eyes if he does start.

Think we should also go 4-5-1 recall Bailey and drop Elliot to bench - maybe a little harsh but the 4-5-1 has served us well.

What are people's thoughts?

Cheers

Drop Clarke and leave Elliot on

 

[Grendel]

I personally normally like a settled back five and we have largely had this in recent times - only the right back slot has really altered and you cna normallt name the back five of Murphy, Christie, Wood, Edge & Adams.

However I was disappointed with the defending last night and we have been regularly conceeding even when we win.

Was wondering if people think it is time to give back four a bit of a boot up the ass and change it about a bit for Yeovil on Saturday?

I think that maybe we should recall Clarke for Christie and maybe give Cameron a crack in for Edge imo but would not be too fussed if Cameron came in for Wood eiher? Think Adams has to stay LB not much choice.

I am hoping Murphy is fit but if not Dunn has to play anyhow so enforced change - he has some making amends to do in my eyes if he does start.

Think we should also go 4-5-1 recall Bailey and drop Elliot to bench - maybe a little harsh but the 4-5-1 has served us well.

What are people's thoughts?

Cheers

We let too many goals in. Most of the defenders are average at best at this level. The right back position is a real problem. Neither are up to it. Christie lacks discipline -- last 20 minutes of yesterdays's game became almost farcical --head down charging forward with no thought for defending. Clarke has been very poor this season. These two would not get into a lot of League One sides.

Considering where Edjuingele has come from he hasn't done too bad. He is committed and so will always get a following but for a big defender he gets out muscled far too easily. Wood is just another wonderful Coleman signing - poor.

Unfortunately Cameron seems to have gone backwards career wise and is heading to becoming another Clarke.

If Murphy is injured for more than a week we will get a new goalkeeper.

Formation did not cost us just a complete lack of discipline. Players were all out of position. Baker and Christie were just ridiculous towards the end and Jennings was charging all over the pitch. We were virtually playing with only 2 defenders at the end.

I guess Crewe are used to 2 legged cup games -- we aren't and it really showed. A draw or a one nil defeat and we would have been favourites .

 

[sw88]

I think Edge will get a rest soon. Not sure theres much difference between him and Cameron, although im more confident with the ball at Edge's feet than I am with Cameron. Cameron knows the English leagues though and is good at the nitty gritty stuff!

Would throw Malaga into the mix but its obvious hes out of favour and will never be in contention under Robins

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

I hear Reece Brown is available on loan, pretty good apparently

 

[SBS]

We let too many goals in. Most of the defenders are average at best at this level. The right back position is a real problem. Neither are up to it. Christie lacks discipline -- last 20 minutes of yesterdays's game became almost farcical --head down charging forward with no thought for defending. Clarke has been very poor this season. These two would not get into a lot of League One sides.

Considering where Edjuingele has come from he hasn't done too bad. He is committed and so will always get a following but for a big defender he gets out muscled far too easily. Wood is just another wonderful Coleman signing - poor.

Unfortunately Cameron seems to have gone backwards career wise and is heading to becoming another Clarke.

If Murphy is injured for more than a week we will get a new goalkeeper.

Formation did not cost us just a complete lack of discipline. Players were all out of position. Baker and Christie were just ridiculous towards the end and Jennings was charging all over the pitch. We were virtually playing with only 2 defenders at the end.

I guess Crewe are used to 2 legged cup games -- we aren't and it really showed. A draw or a one nil defeat and we would have been favourites .

Can you explain how Cameron's career has gone backwards? From what I've seen of him, he looks like he has lots of potential. He looks similar to how Ben Turner looked at that stage of his career. For what it's worth I thought the Edge was soft last night and Christie was one of better players until the 75th minute. Heads went down after, Moussa should have gone off instead of McSheffery

 

[Grendel]

Can you explain how Cameron's career has gone backwards? From what I've seen of him, he looks like he has lots of potential. He looks similar to how Ben Turner looked at that stage of his career. For what it's worth I thought the Edge was soft last night and Christie was one of better players until the 75th minute. Heads went down after, Moussa should have gone off instead of McSheffery

Two seasons ago Cameron played 25 games in the Championship, last season it was 14 with a weaker squad. This season he has played 5 games. We signed 3 centre halves in the summer. This is hardly looking like a player whose career is on the up.

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

Two seasons ago Cameron played 25 games in the Championship, last season it was 14 with a weaker squad. This season he has played 5 games. We signed 3 centre halves in the summer. This is hardly looking like a player whose career is on the up.

Turner did similar, he played a lot of games when he was 18 under Dowie then hardly got a look in under Coleman before Boothroyd came in

The thing about last season is Cranie an Keogh rarely got injured. I wouldn't say he has gone backwards, just he hasn't had a chance. Different to Clarke whose performances have seemed to decline from the level they were at last season

 

[Dimi_Konstantflapalot]

Cameron is definitely a more physical presence than Edjenguele - even Robins has alluded to him getting bullied by oppo forwards and underlining the need to toughen up his game. I agree with CCFC, he hasn't had much of a chance but when he got a run in the side towards the back end of last season he looked good. This season he's been unlucky with Reece Brown initially selected ahead of him and then the initial form of Edjenguele keeping him out.

Would certainly welcome him back into the fold - as outlined above we do concede too many goals so perhaps something needs to change in the back 4.

 

[psgm1]

I personally normally like a settled back five and we have largely had this in recent times - only the right back slot has really altered and you cna normallt name the back five of Murphy, Christie, Wood, Edge & Adams.

However I was disappointed with the defending last night and we have been regularly conceeding even when we win.

Was wondering if people think it is time to give back four a bit of a boot up the ass and change it about a bit for Yeovil on Saturday?

I think that maybe we should recall Clarke for Christie and maybe give Cameron a crack in for Edge imo but would not be too fussed if Cameron came in for Wood eiher? Think Adams has to stay LB not much choice.

I am hoping Murphy is fit but if not Dunn has to play anyhow so enforced change - he has some making amends to do in my eyes if he does start.

Think we should also go 4-5-1 recall Bailey and drop Elliot to bench - maybe a little harsh but the 4-5-1 has served us well.

What are people's thoughts?

Cheers

Cov have been leaking goals far too softly all season. Clearly Wood is now past his best and the edge - well hardly fills me with a feeling of invincibility.

This is the problem when your gameplan relies heavily on goals coming from one source! Sure you'll get the odd goal here and there, but no where near enough to get promotion!

I'd say cov need a new back line, but tbh they need a new squad!

 

[Sky Blue Sheepy]

Cov have been leaking goals far too softly all season. Clearly Wood is now past his best and the edge - well hardly fills me with a feeling of invincibility.

This is the problem when your gameplan relies heavily on goals coming from one source! Sure you'll get the odd goal here and there, but no where near enough to get promotion!

I'd say cov need a new back line, but tbh they need a new squad!

This squad would be in the automatic promotion spots if Robins point/game ratio was spread over the season. I agree the defence needs a shake up but the above is a bit OTT. Nothing new there then...

 

[TrueSkyBlueLiam]

Last time i saw Cameron he looked very dodgy. Maybe this is his chance to redeem himself. I say keep the 4-4-2, that way we have more depth in attack. Drop Moussa and put Bailey in. Maybe take Edje out for a game and give Cameron a chance. Woody has been mr consistent along with Carl Baker this season so keep him in, it was just a bad day at the office. Put it behind you and focus on Saturday

 

[Godiva]

This squad would be in the automatic promotion spots if Robins point/game ratio was spread over the season.

Actually that is not strictly true.
Under MR we have managed 1.83pts/game and are behind Donny (2.00), Bournemouth (1.91), Swindon (1.87) and Brentford (1.86).

 

[blitzer109]

Cov have been leaking goals far too softly all season. Clearly Wood is now past his best and the edge - well hardly fills me with a feeling of invincibility.

This is the problem when your gameplan relies heavily on goals coming from one source! Sure you'll get the odd goal here and there, but no where near enough to get promotion!

I'd say cov need a new back line, but tbh they need a new squad!

Yes we need to strengthen there isn't a side in this league that doesn't but "need a new squad" is just a nonsense comment

 

[CovMatt1987]

its amazing how people react to one result. can anyone argue our form has been excellent up until the Crewe game?

I maintain that I dont think Wood or the Edge played bad at all on Tuesday. The problem was, they got done by pace - we all know the sort of defenders they are, they did what they do well, and got done in an area we all know they struggle. The midfield should have stopped it before it got that far - even taken a foul if needed.

So I would agree in terms of if we are playing a game where we know there is a chance we could get hit on the break - bring maybe Cameron in for that match. We could probably do with some competition for Adams too. I like him as a player but competition would help him push on - he took alot of risks Tuesday, too to many players on and lost the ball alot, but there isnt much pressure on him

 

[SkyBlueM]

Not sure it needs a change unless the guys are jaded and need a game off to freshen up - plus it tends to be the case that when you are scoring goals you tend to let more in and we are scoring more than last season and have a pretty good goal difference (positive !!) so things can't be that bad at the back.

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

Actually that is not strictly true.
Under MR we have managed 1.83pts/game and are behind Donny (2.00), Bournemouth (1.91), Swindon (1.87) and Brentford (1.86).

Doncaster have 56 points in 29 game which is 1.9

Brentford have 50 in 29 which is 1.7

Swindon have 54 in 30 which is 1.8

Bournemouth have 52 in 30 which is 1.7

 

[RichieGunns]

I felt Edge was fantastic on Tuesday! I saw him come out of defense on numerous occassions to head balls away from our goal and Wood was also a presence.

It's time to worry when they do not make their presence known and these two do in every game.

Jennings is defensive midfield because he back's both of these two up.

It also allows Adams and Christie/Clarke to bomb up the wings to support the midfield and strikers.

After that first goal went in, the players went at Crewe like they were possessed but when Crewe counter attacked they lost their composure for a few second and allowed them the space to run in too to score the 2nd and 3rd.

The frustration was evident for all to see (especially from Baker).

They kept on going though despite being 3 down and if they had had their scoring boots on, we might have got one or two back before the final whistle.

But to single out the Edge and Wood is idiotic. Yeh we're not especially good at keeping goals out and thats a problem but I don't think its these two's particular problem.

The whole team needs to start evaluating what they need to do to make sure we don't get scored against and that we have the cusion of goals if we do.

Possession needs to be kept, goals need to be scored when they arrise and we need to get in hard when they come at us. Backing off people only allows them the time to get into good positions (as we saw on tuesday!) and most importantly, they need to do the basics right and cut out some of the technical wizardy because thats what lets them down on so many occasions!

And in the case of McSheffrey (and a few others) they need to stop being greedy and actually look at their options before playing a pass or taking a shot!

 

[CovMatt1987]

Agree with alot of that Richie - I think they both had decent games, just got caught by pace three times and who is that actually a surprise to? neither of them are known for pace.

Macca is guilty of taking some stupid very low percentage shots, and I made this point about Baker too. they will shot with two players stood right in front of them, or in Macca's case some really poor positions.

Its so hard though because - we really did play well in general, just got caught and punished.

 

[RichieGunns]

Agree with alot of that Richie - I think they both had decent games, just got caught by pace three times and who is that actually a surprise to? neither of them are known for pace.

Macca is guilty of taking some stupid very low percentage shots, and I made this point about Baker too. they will shot with two players stood right in front of them, or in Macca's case some really poor positions.

Its so hard though because - we really did play well in general, just got caught and punished.

In the case of Baker, he can score from those shots and to hit the post was really unfortunate for him because his performance deserved a goal!

As for McSheffery I think it's time he realised he is not a goal scorer anymore nore is he a striker.

He's still trying to recapture the goal scoring form he had when he was younger and I just don't think its recapturable.

It's sad because I think he's a good player, he's just so focused on trying to score goals that it affects the rest of his game.

It's my belief that that is what has hampered him all season and maybe he's beginning to realise his days of scoring loads of goals are numbered!

 

[SBS]

Shooting from difficult angles does show confidence and also makes it difficult for the opposition to know what to expect. Obviously if there's a better chance for a team mate then pass - however I remember when McAllister was in charge, the tendency to pass instead of shoot was so frustrating!!

 

[CovMatt1987]

I agree Baker can score from range, my only slight issue is that theres a difference between shooting from far out and shooting from far out.............with one or two of the opposition right in front of you. Ive seen him do that a fair few times this season - he did it a couple of times against Crewe, when he just wasnt going to be able to get it past defenders.

im literally talking just smacking it at defenders. dont get me wrong though - Im a big Baker fan this season and think as a captain he has been excellent, his play has been good and his passion is excellent. this would be my only slight (and it is slight) negative on him.

 

[Diehard Si]

Maybe just for freshness but look, we got done 3 times on the break while pushing all out for goals.

We were also playing 442 meaning our holding midfielders were further up, offering less support to the defence. Jennings was less able to break up the play as he would normally.

 

[Steve.B50]

Not sure about Cameron, always makes me nervous when on the ball

 

[johnwillomagic]

I think to say Cameron has gone backwards is a little harsh, he has just not been the preferred choice.

It is interesting a few comments on here, mine was not a knee jerk reacton the fact is we do conceed at least one goal in most games. I also think that sometimes dropping a regular to kick them up the backside is not a bad thing. I would like to see at least of one of Clarke or Cameron being given a go Saturday, no-one should feel they are undroppable. I also agree ideally we need to sign someone to challenge Adams at LB.

I would play 4-5-1 with Bailey recalled as we just seem a little too open playing 4-4-2. I would keep Clarke up top on his own his scoring record is good and if playing up front on own you need to either be a big lump or have something about you like McGoldrick or raw pace. Elliot although a hard worker for me does not fit the bill of a lone front man.

Robins has not done too badly at the end of the day be interesting to see who he does pick!

 

[Godiva]

This squad would be in the automatic promotion spots if Robins point/game ratio was spread over the season.

Actually that is not strictly true.
Under MR we have managed 1.83pts/game and are behind Donny (2.00), Bournemouth (1.91), Swindon (1.87) and Brentford (1.86).

Doncaster have 56 points in 29 game which is 1.9

Brentford have 50 in 29 which is 1.7

Swindon have 54 in 30 which is 1.8

Bournemouth have 52 in 30 which is 1.7

My source: http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/league-one/2012-2013/custom-table
Enter at top starting date 19th sep (date MR joined) and pres 'go'.

This is my post no 1000 - it would have been nice if I had used it for something special, enlightning, humorous or even intelligent. But sadly it ended up exactly like the preceding 999.

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

My source: http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/league-one/2012-2013/custom-table
Enter at top starting date 19th sep (date MR joined) and pres 'go'.

This is my post no 1000 - it would have been nice if I had used it for something special, enlightning, humorous or even intelligent. But sadly it ended up exactly like the previous 999.

Yea I was talking about the whole season

Robins points to game ratio this season is only worse than Eddie Howe an Ronnie Moore (marginally) of current league 1 managers

He has a better points to game than any other manager in the league including Di Canio an Rosler who you used in your post

An don't worry you're not capable of any of what you mentioned