But the reason the wing backs aren't as high is because we were being exploited in the space behind them. It's swings and roundabouts. Of course with the extra CB it should be they can come across and deal with it, but in order for them to have the time to get across before the attacker can get the ball the WB has to stay reasonably close to the defence. You say how much more Giles was involved and further forward. But you seem to be forgetting than in earlier matches teams have got in behind him and exploited his flank. Which considering we've been playing people out of position on the opposite side almost all season suggests they see that weakness.
Otherwise the CB are all pulled across, there is no full back on the opposite side to fill the gap and there'll be a gap at the far post for them to exploit. Or even worse the other CB's retain their position and leave a space in the centre.
Now for bigger clubs with much better players they can get away with that because they have so much ability and possession the other team don't have it enough to be able to exploit ir. We're not in that position. We've got players that are on the whole average to just below average in this league, so we're going to likely have at least our fair share of defending to do. Which means opposition will have opportunities to exploit this weakness.
Our goalscoring isn't that bad, despite the fact we've also missed some gilt edged chances. Our big problem is how many go in at the other end and although there have been far too many from sloppy mistakes it's not as simple as "push the wingbacks up".
McCallum was still exploited in behind time & again yesterday, this is because he's positionally not as proficient on his opposite side - understandably so.
There should always be a full back on the opposite side defensively unless it's a rapid counter attack such as from an error like Biamou's on Wednesday.
A properly executed wing back system defensively sees the wing-back whose side the attack comes from engage the ball carrier & the opposite side wing-back tuck in to almost make a back 4 with the 3 CBs.
Watford didn't dominate possession either, they edged it at best 53%-47%
Unless you suggest we play a flat 4 at the back the wing-backs absolutely
have to get forward.
That's all kind of bye the bye though, we know the strengths & weaknesses of the system - the point was just how much we miss Dabo/Dacosta or simply a natural player in that position.
It's not McCallum's fault, same as it wasn't Pask's but this is not normal:
