Willis - ball watching. (1 Viewer)

[Esoterica]

I mentioned in my player ratings that I'd marked Willis down against Swindon for his ball watching for the first goal so wanted to expand on it a bit as it also cost us the 1st Cambridge goal too. Rather than just a criticism, I hope it's an area for improvement being worked on in training - if we're going to start being more adventurous in our forward play, it's the kind of basic mistake at the back that needs to be cut out as you can't afford to give strikers space like that at any level.

If you watch Willis carefully (central, at the top of the box) in the build up to the goal he twice checks over his shoulder to see where Norris is but goes back to watching the ball instead of marking his man. It was a great finish but if he gets tight when he sees Norris is free then it's an easy headed clearance after the loopy deflection off McDonald.

Not pinning the whole goal on Willis as just like the Cambridge goal there were other mistakes in the build up too. Doyle is too easily beaten (in the run up before I started the gif) and then Stokes gets sucked towards the ball so his player has time to cross before he gets over to him. However even after that the goal is still very preventable if Willis marks up.

 

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[Otis]

I mentioned in my player ratings that I'd marked Willis down against Swindon for his ball watching for the first goal so wanted to expand on it a bit as it also cost us the 1st Cambridge goal too. Rather than just a criticism, I hope it's an area for improvement being worked on in training - if we're going to start being more adventurous in our forward play, it's the kind of basic mistake at the back that needs to be cut out as you can't afford to give strikers space like that at any level.

If you watch Willis carefully (central, at the top of the box) in the build up to the goal he twice checks over his shoulder to see where Norris is but goes back to watching the ball instead of marking his man. It was a great finish but if he gets tight when he sees Norris is free then it's an easy headed clearance after the loopy deflection off McDonald.

Not pinning the whole goal on Willis as just like the Cambridge goal there were other mistakes in the build up too. Doyle is too easily beaten (in the run up before I started the gif) and then Stokes gets sucked towards the ball so his player has time to cross before he gets over to him. However even after that the goal is still very preventable if Willis marks up.

Yep, like you say, so basic and just a yard nearer to his man and that shot simply doesn't happen.

 

[bawtryneal]

I get your point but a bit harsh in my opinion
He was in a good position until the ball took the deflection
No deflection, no goal.

 

[steve82]

I mentioned in my player ratings that I'd marked Willis down against Swindon for his ball watching for the first goal so wanted to expand on it a bit as it also cost us the 1st Cambridge goal too. Rather than just a criticism, I hope it's an area for improvement being worked on in training - if we're going to start being more adventurous in our forward play, it's the kind of basic mistake at the back that needs to be cut out as you can't afford to give strikers space like that at any level.

If you watch Willis carefully (central, at the top of the box) in the build up to the goal he twice checks over his shoulder to see where Norris is but goes back to watching the ball instead of marking his man. It was a great finish but if he gets tight when he sees Norris is free then it's an easy headed clearance after the loopy deflection off McDonald.

Not pinning the whole goal on Willis as just like the Cambridge goal there were other mistakes in the build up too. Doyle is too easily beaten (in the run up before I started the gif) and then Stokes gets sucked towards the ball so his player has time to cross before he gets over to him. However even after that the goal is still very preventable if Willis marks up.

100% agree on the Cambridge goal where Ibehre escorted him out of the yard of space to easily but the Swindon I'm a little more forgiving given the deflection from McDonald.

Ive said before i don't think Willis attributes are best suited to L2 at times and the physical target men he may face. O'Grady had the beating of him against Chesterfield tho wasn't effective with it thankfully but Ibehre exposed him again.

Hopefully Chris Porter don't work on him tomorrow and do the same.

 

[Old Warwickshire lad]

FFS get off his back and listen to yourselves, experts at defending now are we. The lad is as good as we have got and we should be glad to have him.
He is quick, strong and the best athlete on our books. So just be grateful he is still here. :yawn:

 

[Liquid Gold]

FFS get off his back and listen to yourselves, experts at defending now are we. The lad is as good as we have got and we should be glad to have him.
He is quick, strong and the best athlete on our books. So just be grateful he is still here. :yawn:

Yeah you're right. Nobody should analyse performances ever and just be happy with what they're given.

 

[hill83]

I get your point but a bit harsh in my opinion
He was in a good position until the ball took the deflection
No deflection, no goal.

Yep. I agree with this. He was pretty much where he needed to be if the ball was coming in as expected. The attacker reacted quicker, but he was nearer to where the ball ended up anyway.

 

[Esoterica]

FFS get off his back and listen to yourselves, experts at defending now are we. The lad is as good as we have got and we should be glad to have him.
He is quick, strong and the best athlete on our books. So just be grateful he is still here. :yawn:

Are football fans not allowed to talk about the actual football? There's very little talk about the match itself after they finish on here - only 25 replies to the player ratings thread and half of those are arguing over whether 700 fans was good or not. I'm an overseas fan that doesn't have the luxury of sitting in the pub with 5 Cov supporting mates and dissecting the game over a pint but I do enjoy the technical side of the game and the fine margins that win or lose games. I'm not calling Willis shit or asking for him to be dropped, in fact I deliberately called it an area for improvement as a positive message. I just thought it might be an interesting topic on a quiet Friday afternoon that might spark a bit of debate - Otis agreed with me, Bawtry and Hill disagree and Steve's a bit more in the middle.

 

[SkyBlueScottie]

I think your usage of the term "ball watching" is not being used in the right context, usually when a player is ball watching you will find that a defender is out of position due to them not watching the player and daydreaming while the ball is away from then. The attacker ( who is switched on) is then able to make a run and generally get away from the player. In this instance Willis is where he should be, he knows where his attacker is, the ball takes a deflection and he then has to change direction and try to close it down, as the forward is running on to the ball and is able to get there quicker.

 

[skybluesam66]

A little harsh in this case
A different cross for the attacker to run onto, and willis is in the perfect position to be 1st to the ball
A deflection takes it slightly behind the forward and then he looks lost

If he was tight, a better cross may have produced a goal also

 

[better days]

When all's said and done it was a terrific goal
I was right in line with it and as it came over I'd have given you 100/1 against the guy scoring with a first time shot
If one of our players had scored it we wouldn't be saying that it was the fault of an opposing defender

 

[harvey098]

Crazy to single out Willis for this. McDonald is my favourite player but if those two's roles were swapped in this goal, people would be saying "lazy / shit attempted clearance by Willis".

The fact is we have the best defence in the league and he's a consistant part of that.

 

[Esoterica]

I get your point but a bit harsh in my opinion
He was in a good position until the ball took the deflection
No deflection, no goal.

A little harsh in this case
A different cross for the attacker to run onto, and willis is in the perfect position to be 1st to the ball
A deflection takes it slightly behind the forward and then he looks lost

If he was tight, a better cross may have produced a goal also

I also take your points Is it really a good position though? There's no danger apart from Norris - he's the only red shirt in the box at the point of crossing and Willis is the last man, a yard or 2 deeper than the rest of the defence - when the ball is deflected he's half way between the penalty spot and the 6 yard box.

I think your usage of the term "ball watching" is not being used in the right context, usually when a player is ball watching you will find that a defender is out of position due to them not watching the player and daydreaming while the ball is away from then. The attacker ( who is switched on) is then able to make a run and generally get away from the player. In this instance Willis is where he should be, he knows where his attacker is, the ball takes a deflection and he then has to change direction and try to close it down, as the forward is running on to the ball and is able to get there quicker.

Good points again but I still think he is ball watching He drifts into the penalty area, deeper than the rest of the team and is then too far away from the only danger in the box to react when something unexpected happens.

 

[Esoterica]

Crazy to single out Willis for this. McDonald is my favourite player but if those two's roles were swapped in this goal, people would be saying "lazy / shit attempted clearance by Willis".

The fact is we have the best defence in the league and he's a consistant part of that.

It's really not my intention to single him out especially, it just struck me as similar in some aspects to the Cambridge goal - I did also refer to Doyle and Stokes part in it in my OP. And I really wouldn't blame Willis, like I haven't blamed McDonald for the deflection as the winger absolutely puts his laces through that cross into the box rather than side footing it.

 

[Warwickhunt]

All i see is that the deflection off concrete put the whole back line a couple of yards out! if Rod had not touched the ball there is no way they can score. I have seen it a ouple of times this season where a defender throws out a lazy leg instead of a commited blocking effort

 

[Otis]

I also take your points Is it really a good position though? There's no danger apart from Norris - he's the only red shirt in the box at the point of crossing and Willis is the last man, a yard or 2 deeper than the rest of the defence - when the ball is deflected he's half way between the penalty spot and the 6 yard box.


Good points again but I still think he is ball watching He drifts into the penalty area, deeper than the rest of the team and is then too far away from the only danger in the box to react when something unexpected happens.

I agree. He should be a bit tighter on his man in my opinion.

 

[Skybluefaz]

It's a tough one. I think Rod should should deal with the ball in better, then the danger is gone. Then again, I also think Rod is God. So how can he be wrong. He must have done it for a reason.

 

[Otis]

It's a tough one. I think Rod should should deal with the ball in better, then the danger is gone. Then again, I also think Rod is God. So how can he be wrong. He must have done it for a reason.

I think he said to himself 'I had better show one mere mortal moment at some point, otherwise I will be far too godlike for my own good.'

 

[Liquid Gold]

It's a tough one. I think Rod should should deal with the ball in better, then the danger is gone. Then again, I also think Rod is God. So how can he be wrong. He must have done it for a reason.

Did it for the fans, always feels better when you come from behind to win.

Thanks Rod.

 

[torchomatic]

I have to say I've never been a fan of Willis. I feel he is always a heartbeat from making a mistake. Would rather have McDonald and Davies or McDonald and Hyam in defence.

 

[Otis]

I have to say I've never been a fan of Willis. I feel he is always a heartbeat from making a mistake. Would rather have McDonald and Davies or McDonald and Hyam in defence.

Agree, Torch. His distribution isn't good enough and he does make a fair number of mistakes.

 

[Liquid Gold]

His main problem is in the air, just don't feel comfortable when he's going to head the ball. He's much better as a team player than captain though, feel like that was too much pressure for him. If he improved in the air he'd be a great lower league defender because of his pace.

 

[hill83]

Agree, Torch. His distribution isn't good enough and he does make a fair number of mistakes.

OMG YOU DO BETTER THEN TALKING FROM BEHIND YOUR KEYBOARD

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Weird. If anything, I thought Rod looked like he was in ‘no man’s land’ for the Cambridge goal, their striker got in between both our centre halves so I thought they were equally to blame.

As for that goal, I feel the analysis is harsh. The ball takes a deflection, and the striker finished really well. All the defence were in line with one another so, had Willis been tighter, there would have been a pocket of space behind him. Had they scored that way, he’d have been blamed also...

Willis has been doing really well aerially this season and he and Rod are clearly our two best centre backs. Thus far, they are also two of the best centre backs in the league too.

With the fewest goals conceded and 60% clean sheets... Complaining about individuals seems rather juvenile.

 

[Otis]

OMG YOU DO BETTER THEN TALKING FROM BEHIND YOUR KEYBOARD

I always do better, talking from behind my keyboard. That way I can be a better politician, astronaut and lover.

I am three tiny points away from being a full warrior.

 

[covcity4life]

Best defensive record in league

Lets start a thread about how bad our centre back is....

 

[JimmyHillsbeard]

Anyway, no one offside in that clip

 

[Otis]

Best defensive record in league

Lets start a thread about how bad our centre back is....

He's not bad. I just think McDonald is leagues ahead of him.

 

[covcity4life]

You made the worst thread in sky blue talk history tbf

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

He's not bad. I just think McDonald is leagues ahead of him.

I don’t think he is ‘leagues’ ahead of him. I do think they compliment each other well. Willis still is ‘stained’ with his involvement with past City teams. I think that’s what attracts some hate. McDonald hasn’t been perfect, and neither Willis, but he and Willis clearly have a very good understanding! Any calls for Davies or Hyam to start ahead of him, are frankly ridiculous.

I was disappointed Davies got injured after he’d seemingly earned a run in the starting XI.

 

[Otis]

I don’t think he is ‘leagues’ ahead of him. I do think they compliment each other well. Willis still is ‘stained’ with his involvement with past City teams. I think that’s what attracts some hate. McDonald hasn’t been perfect, and neither Willis, but he and Willis clearly have a very good understanding! Any calls for Davies or Hyam to start ahead of him, are frankly ridiculous.

I was disappointed Davies got injured after he’d seemingly earned a run in the starting XI.

All about opinions isn't it.

I find McDonald calmer, more assured, more cultured on the ball and much better at distribution.

I find him a breath of fresh air. I think Willis is just okay. No particular dislike for him, but had we sold him I most certainly wouldn't have been crying into my milk.

 

[Adge]

He's not bad. I just think McDonald is leagues ahead of him.

And you would be right. Everyone knows my thoughts on Willis but you can't argue about the defensive stats at the minute. More to do with who is playing alongside Willis than the actual player himself.

 

[Otis]

I would be interested to see how Davies and McDonald would fare together.

 

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

I would be interested to see how Davies and McDonald would fare together.

Yeah but what about how good they are on the football pitch . :emoji_scream:

 

[Somerset Sky Blue]

It is all about opinions.
They are both playing well and seem to complement each other's styles.
Personally, I think Willis is a better player and will play at a higher level (championship) for longer, in the future, barring injuries (hopefully for us)!
We have all been impressed with McDonald - I do think he is very good at this level and would be at league one.
Whilst keeper and back 4 (whoever is playing in these 5 positions) have performed well, we do setup with a very solid and defensive duo in the middle of the park, which also keeps our conceded down (and perhaps reduces goals for...).
Anyway, just my view - they seem to have quickly formed a good understanding and if this continues through to May, we will be somewhere in the top 6.