Selles and the Defence

[Ldn_Rd_Blades]

After watching the Preseason games, I think the general consensus is, we look good going forward but very open to counter attacks at the back.

Obviously we are missing a Souza type midfielder, that sounds like being rectified.

I had a look at his record at Hull and they conceded a goal a game (27 in 27) with a weaker squad, definitely a weaker Keeper. They only lost 1 game by 2 goals or more against Burnley.

Ironically, goal scoring was their problem (26 in 27). This was helped massively by us and Illan Meslier.

It gives me hope that, when the players get to grips with his system and we bring some new players in, we should be OK defensively.

 

[BladeByChoice]

Said this all along, teams who can beat the press will destroy us, we need to put that right, singings and using subs to change shape. Lot of nail biters comming up, but I'd much rather be going into the last 10 3-2 up after being entertained than 1-0 up after a borefest,

UTFB

 

[Frank the tank]

His teams are much better defensively than we have been but we havent played a settled back four or any combination of that so I wouldn't judge just yet

 

[Nick Jansky]

His teams are much better defensively than we have been but we havent played a settled back four or any combination of that so I wouldn't judge just yet

And we will still be bringing players in over the next few weeks.

 

[DifferentClass]

Is the title a new navelgazing indie band?

 

[I should coco]

And we will still be bringing players in over the next few weeks.

You keep saying that, without any obvious proof.

Obviously I hope you are right.

 

[Nick Jansky]

You keep saying that, without any obvious proof.

Obviously I hope you are right.

The proof is that Selles has mentioned it several times.

 

[KMC-1889]

during his time at Hull & Reading he was very tactically flexible playing against stronger teams, best displayed with his Hull team absolutely mugging us off at Bramall Lane with the same team that didn’t have any threat under the previous manager.

 

[A Storm of Blades]

Honestly, the amount of negativity knocking about is a bit silly. The window is weeks away from closing and Selles has clearly stated we’re active in the market. We’ve won all 4 preseason games with a style and swagger I’ve really enjoyed. I’m no conspiracy theorist but it would seem those still sore about Wilder going will refuse to accept any positive signs, and are gleefully willing Selles to fail

 

[metalblade]

Any team playing us will know to knock the ball over Robinson to get instant joy. Selles and defence? We haven't got one

 

[jono_t2000]

We're gonna concede some sloppy goals this season. All I ask is that, we don't get on the backs of our defenders.

It's clear they're on a move the ball upfield as quickly as possible and get as high up in support as possible.

 

[Stretch]

As already said, it's still early days, both in terms of signings and the players adapting to a new system.

I hope that we will sign at least 2 more defenders (RB and CB) and it sounds like a CDM is nearly done.

And once the competitive season starts we won't be ripping teams apart up front like we have been doing pre season anyway. The games will be less stretched and more about the midfield battle, in which I expect us to do well.

What the pre season games have shown us is how Selles wants us to attack once we have the opportunity, and more importantly that we take chances when they come.

Everything will be harder, from back to front and everywhere in between, and a good manager won't be reading too much into the friendlies. He will be running the lads ragged from here on in, to prepare for harder and better opponents all over the park.

 

[Wayne_Kerr89]

I think Selles is showing signs of a top coach saying all the right things not buying into the media nonsense or transfer tittle tattle


However a manager is only as good as his squad and he right now has a much weaker squad than last year


Let’s hope the radio silence on rumours means we have 3/4 top European signings in the pipeline


If we signed Antman / Soumare / A CB & Forward that would go a long way

 

[Tony_Kaufman]

As already said, it's still early days, both in terms of signings and the players adapting to a new system.

I hope that we will sign at least 2 more defenders (RB and CB) and it sounds like a CDM is nearly done.

And once the competitive season starts we won't be ripping teams apart up front like we have been doing pre season anyway. The games will be less stretched and more about the midfield battle, in which I expect us to do well.

What the pre season games have shown us is how Selles wants us to attack once we have the opportunity, and more importantly that we take chances when they come.

Everything will be harder, from back to front and everywhere in between, and a good manager won't be reading too much into the friendlies. He will be running the lads ragged from here on in, to prepare for harder and better opponents all over the park.

I think the speed in which we can break now, and the manner in which we do it with players either making quick meaningful passes or running with the ball, will stretch teams open more, especially with the three up top. The tactics, formation and players we now have are set up to stretch teams open a d create large gaps on the break.

But I agree that the key to this is the midfield battle behind in getting the ball back and retaining it.

The other issue is when teams park the bus. As we saw against League One Burton, even pace and quick attacks struggle to break through a 9 man wall in and around the 18 yard box.

 

[Bell4]

We're gonna concede some sloppy goals this season. All I ask is that, we don't get on the backs of our defenders.

It's clear they're on a move the ball upfield as quickly as possible and get as high up in support as possible.

Why will we concede some sloppy goals . Have you seen the team sheet for Sept 1st?

 

[Dnblade]

Some of the attacking play has been good to watch,and great seeing us getting to the byline and scoring more goals,moving the ball quickly and retaining it better.
He's certainly trying out different players and giving everyone a look.
We do look a bit vulnerable in behind us playing that higher line at times,so will have to recruit the right defenders...Anel & Bindon look the best pairing for now,i'd worry about Robbo though,& not convinced by RND.
Looking promising though,with 3 or 4 new signings in i think we will be ok.

 

[brownblade]

When you're being set up to outscore the opposition, yes, you will concede some goals.

But last season was sometimes boring, so wouldn't we prefer some goal fests?

 

[mancunianblade]

WE'RE GOING TO SCORE ONE MORE THAN YOU!!!

Goals scored 146
Goals Conceded 100

Invincible season, Sinclair's voice permanently gone by Pompey at home in November

 

[Bladeinleeds]

Same as seemingly every year we probably need a couple of players in before we. See what the squad can do

 

[Andy67]

And we will still be bringing players in over the next few weeks.

And we can still lose players over the next couple of weeks too.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

I’m hopeful as a coach Seles is good enough to tailor the approach to the players.

Seemed to play sound defensive football at hull but progressive attaching football at reading

With better players than both sides hopefully he can blend this effectively. Hamer, Barry, Campbell, o’hare, Brooks, Another (loan) are certainly good enough to score goals

Anel, burrow, cooper, binden (!?) and a new DM should form a relatively solid backbone also. Certainly most are above average Championship players

 

[Andy67]

I think the speed in which we can break now, and the manner in which we do it with players either making quick meaningful passes or running with the ball, will stretch teams open more, especially with the three up top. The tactics, formation and players we now have are set up to stretch teams open a d create large gaps on the break.

But I agree that the key to this is the midfield battle behind in getting the ball back and retaining it.

The other issue is when teams park the bus. As we saw against League One Burton, even pace and quick attacks struggle to break through a 9 man wall in and around the 18 yard box.

People tend to forget the opposition and how they set up for such a marauding pressing team that will score every high press. The naivety of such an approach to a game is mental. I remember when we were promoted with Reading who I think might have achieved 100 points and for the most part Coppell had them counterattacking.

 

[ThirdGenBlade]

If we want to be Top 2 we probably need to be scoring around 70, and conceding around 35. Last season we were 6th in goals scored (and xg) and 3rd in goals conceded (and xga).

First impressions are that we are about to flip that. Conceding a goal a game will be too many. Burrows gets almost universal praise, but he is defensively naive. This caused the first Sunlan goal in the PO final and was as much to blame for our loss as Kieffer’s cock-up, but almost never gets mentioned.

With our FB’s pushing high we are really exposed to balls behind them. This has been obvious, even against the 4 lesser teams that we have faced so far. With a back 5 the outside CB’s can help to cover that space, but with a back 4 and attacking FB’s we will be punished against better teams.

This season looks as though it will be more fun than last, but could well be less productive, unless we can improve our defensive discipline.

UTB & FTP!

 

[ThirdGenBlade]

If Soumare is a strong disciplined 6 he may be an answer to the above problem!

 

[Tony_Kaufman]

If we want to be Top 2 we probably need to be scoring around 70, and conceding around 35. Last season we were 6th in goals scored (and xg) and 3rd in goals conceded (and xga).

First impressions are that we are about to flip that. Conceding a goal a game will be too many. Burrows gets almost universal praise, but he is defensively naive. This caused the first Sunlan goal in the PO final and was as much to blame for our loss as Kieffer’s cock-up, but almost never gets mentioned.

With our FB’s pushing high we are really exposed to balls behind them. This has been obvious, even against the 4 lesser teams that we have faced so far. With a back 5 the outside CB’s can help to cover that space, but with a back 4 and attacking FB’s we will be punished against better teams.

This season looks as though it will be more fun than last, but could well be less productive, unless we can improve our defensive discipline.

UTB & FTP!

I get what you're saying but with a back give we then wouldn't be able to attack in the same manner that we have been doing in pre-season. It's going to be interesting and hopefully exciting either way.

 

[Varkanoid]

Problem is in pre-season there were no partnerships, not in attack, midfield or defence. We needed two CB's creating that bond and it hasnt happened. Hopefully they will gel again but this is my opinion I think we are going to do a Leeds this season. Last time their start was shocking it was all attack and no defence then about October time it clicked and apart from Messlier's mistakes and the odd blunders.

It will be fun to go along with the ride this year hopefully less groans of side to side Wilder play judging by pre-season it will be good attacking football (dont think about the defences too much might scare you )

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

Problem is in pre-season there were no partnerships, not in attack, midfield or defence. We needed two CB's creating that bond and it hasnt happened. Hopefully they will gel again but this is my opinion I think we are going to do a Leeds this season. Last time their start was shocking it was all attack and no defence then about October time it clicked and apart from Messlier's mistakes and the odd blunders.

It will be fun to go along with the ride this year hopefully less groans of side to side Wilder play judging by pre-season it will be good attacking football (dont think about the defences too much might scare you )

Couldn’t agree more.

I’ve been wanting Bindon and Anel, O’Hare and Hamer with Peck when they’ve been available but it’s not happened!

Surely they will move forward with this in the two behind closed doors friendlies this week??

 

[Berkshire Blade]

I think Selles is showing signs of a top coach saying all the right things not buying into the media nonsense or transfer tittle tattle


However a manager is only as good as his squad and he right now has a much weaker squad than last year


Let’s hope the radio silence on rumours means we have 3/4 top European signings in the pipeline


If we signed Antman / Soumare / A CB & Forward that would go a long way

Right now we have a better squad than in pre season last year. Let's hope we are able to still say we are better a year on after the window ends.

 

[Trigger]

You need to look at the defence last season with Souttar and without. Unfortunately his injury seemed to be the turning point for the team. Without him we looked weak at the back and started shipping goals, ultimately leading to finishing 3rd.
The team need another Centre Half, preferably of at least Souttar’s size and quality and and another player who can play the same role effectively in case of injury.
Wouldn’t mind a little gamble of taking back Souttar and rehabilitating him back to full fitness - hopefully for him that won’t be too far away.

 

[JayGreen17]

The current defence without strengthening further will be the difference between top 2 or top 6.

We all can see it but can the manager.

We are desperate for at LEAST another centre back.

Sellles get it sorted!