I know this is stating the obvious, but at the moment we are playing 4 at the back but with our full backs playing like wing backs, particularly Van Ewijk. With 5 at the back the central defender from that side would move over to cover when our attack breaks down, but with our system the deep midfielder has to do more of the covering, and the opposite full back needs to have discipline in his game and stay back to cover off any cross field balls.
The second goal we conceded was a near perfect demonstration of this.
Individually I think our defenders are much better than their sum parts, and this is where the defence needs working on by our coaching staff.
Their first goal was down to Simms getting in Lati's way and not putting his foot through the ball. I'm not a fan of strikers defending in our own box anyway except, maybe for corners where their arial ability can help.
So I think a lot of this is down to game plan and coaching. This is my view anyway, and I expect others to disagree.
On defending set pieces the more men we leave up the more men they have to keep back, simple as that, leave Simms and Tatsu up. That should be enough to warrant them leaving 2/3 men back keeping our numbers advantage, leading to a leas congested box allowing Dovin to claim the crosses so much easier. Also gives us 2 outlets, Milan can get up the pitch quickly as well so theres the added ability of Dovin, Torp, Rudi, Eccles, Sheaf, Binks whoever is playing or wins the ball to rid it quickly and start a dangerous counter
On defending set pieces the more men we leave up the more men they have to keep back, simple as that, leave Simms and Tatsu up. That should be enough to warrant them leaving 2/3 men back keeping our numbers advantage, leading to a leas congested box allowing Dovin to claim the crosses so much easier. Also gives us 2 outlets, Milan can get up the pitch quickly as well so theres the added ability of Dovin, Torp, Rudi, Eccles, Sheaf, Binks whoever is playing or wins the ball to rid it quickly and start a dangerous counter