Better with 11 men

[Flatulent_Bob]

He didn't look to be filling in at all. It seemed to me that he was given a specific role towards the back. Precisely where have I said that there is no problem?



What the hell are you talking about? For a start, I have neither a golden nor whipping boy. Never have, never will. I think you must be confusing me with someone else, old bean.



I agree, as I'm sure most do.

If you read the last page of the thread you will see who this was aimed at.

 

[happyhippy]

If you read the last page of the thread you will see who this was aimed at.

Well at least that's cleared up

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Well at least that's cleared up

Glad to be of assistance.

 

[lenners]

You are playing with figures, which is easy anyone can use it to back up their argument. In the previous 10 games before last night we had conceded 19 goals nearly 2 a match in the same period we scored 15 (12 via our forwards). Lies, damn lies and statistics.
But don't tell me that we are looking in the wrong area when we look at the defence. The problem has been that the defence has been shipping goals, we haven't defended consistently well since before the derby. I still think our problem is our lack of pace and width in midfield for the formation we play. We need to change our wingers or change our formation.

We defended consistently well last night my friend.
Restricting a team who'd scored five last time out to no chances indicates a strong defensive performance over here in the real world.
Was there a reason why they took the left winger off when Walker was so terrible? I mean, he was having a field day...

 

[Bladesman]

Yep defensively spot on last night it was going forward where we were lacking ideas.

 

[SheepdipBlade]

We defended consistently well last night my friend.
Restricting a team who'd scored five last time out to no chances indicates a strong defensive performance over here in the real world.
Was there a reason why they took the left winger off when Walker was so terrible? I mean, he was having a field day...

Do you think so??

Be interested to hear how Bergen viewed our defending - I thought it was lousy at times!

Walker spent almost as much time out of position as he did at right back - leaving Ward to act as makeshift full-back - - which might make Walker a useful ersatz winger but doesn't help the defence.

Both Morgan and Killa struggled at times - and all four defenders were guilty of giving the ball away cheaply in some really dangerous positions (with poss exception of Killa). I know we don't like to see too much "hoofball" - but as a defender there are times when it's right to put your foot through the ball and get rid!

I noticed that Deadbat also points out that distribution from the back was poor too (I assume he means when players had time to pick a pass and weren't under pressure)

Whilst I'm more than happy that we didn't concede again - on last nights showing I think there was plenty of room for improvement in the back 4 (and elsewhere to be honest too )

 

[lenners]

Do you think so??

Be interested to hear how Bergen viewed our defending - I thought it was lousy at times!

Walker spent almost as much time out of position as he did at right back - leaving Ward to act as makeshift full-back - - which might make Walker a useful ersatz winger but doesn't help the defence.

Both Morgan and Killa struggled at times - and all four defenders were guilty of giving the ball away cheaply in some really dangerous positions (with poss exception of Killa). I know we don't like to see too much "hoofball" - but as a defender there are times when it's right to put your foot through the ball and get rid!

I noticed that Deadbat also points out that distribution from the back was poor too (I assume he means when players had time to pick a pass and weren't under pressure)

Whilst I'm more than happy that we didn't concede again - on last nights showing I think there was plenty of room for improvement in the back 4 (and elsewhere to be honest too )

I know so. Stopping a team from having any meaningful chances is a good defensive display.
Ward was covering for Walker when he went forward - that's intelligent football and his efforts are the reason why Cotts is no longer with us. Ward is likely to be more reliable in covering and getting back than Cotts.
I actually thought Walker wasn't at his best but overall the defence was excellent, particularly down the middle.
When they play like that, there aren't many, if any, better centre half partnerships in the league.

 

[Micalijo]

I think it was pretty obvious that Walker was told to push forward. Blackwell sees him, quite rightly, as a major threat who can get round the back and put a cross in. That is why Wardy was spotted at right back occassionally.

If we're going to criticise Walker for trying things then the whole world has gone mad. He's virtually the only player we have who can go past a man, make that vital bit of spce by beating a man and is capable of breaking down the defensive formations that Forest adopted last night. He aint a world beater but he's pretty good for a 19 year old right back in the second tier and he's a very rare bright spot in what is a generally very miserable period in SUFC watching for me under this pathetic manager (and he aint even our player)

 

[SheepdipBlade]

I know so. Stopping a team from having any meaningful chances is a good defensive display.
Ward was covering for Walker when he went forward - that's intelligent football and his efforts are the reason why Cotts is no longer with us. Ward is likely to be more reliable in covering and getting back than Cotts.
I actually thought Walker wasn't at his best but overall the defence was excellent, particularly down the middle.
When they play like that, there aren't many, if any, better centre half partnerships in the league.

I wouldn't disagree for a minute that stopping them having any meaningful attempts on goal was a positive - but would you agree that the defensive performance was marred by a number of unforced mistakes that against a better side could easily have been punished?

I'd accept that Ward is probably stronger that Cotts defensively - but personally I'd generally rather see the winger attacking and the full back defending. Shades of grey and opinion I know, and attacking full backs are all the rage - but he attacked too much (and gave the ball away to easily) for my liking.

 

[lenners]

I wouldn't disagree for a minute that stopping them having any meaningful attempts on goal was a positive - but would you agree that the defensive performance was marred by a number of unforced mistakes that against a better side could easily have been punished?

I'd accept that Ward is probably stronger that Cotts defensively - but personally I'd generally rather see the winger attacking and the full back defending. Shades of grey and opinion I know, and attacking full backs are all the rage - but he attacked too much (and gave the ball away to easily) for my liking.

Considering Forest were 3rd and coming off the back of a 5-1 win, I think we can safely say that was a good defensive performance.
All players make unforced mistakes, it's how many you make and where you make them that count. We made few last night that put us under undue pressure, hence their very few, if any, chances.
Biggest disappointment for me was Ward but that's unusual for him and hopefully just a blip.
Biggest plus was Quinn who does show real ability when he plays with confidence.

 

[alcoblade]

I think Ward being up against Shorey had a bit to do with his performance.

UTB

 

[alcoblade]

Biggest plus was Quinn who does show real ability when he plays with confidence.

considering an anonymous performance guarantees his place for 10 more games, that 30 minute spell must have earned him a 5 year contract.

UTB

 

[lenners]

considering an anonymous performance guarantees his place for 10 more games, that 30 minute spell must have earned him a 5 year contract.

UTB

Don't really understand all the negativity about Quinn. He hasn't been great this season, along with a number of players, but I don't think he's been particularly terrible.
He's still a player who looked comfortable in the Prem and performances like last night show he has ability.
Needs confidence but he can play.

 

[Micalijo]

I think the wet surface helped him last night. I think he has a good touch and can turn quite quickly. Not saying it came to anything but I saw some nice little touches and quick passing in front of me in first half between Quinn and Taylor. Forest were incredibly quick to close us down and I thought Quinny coped well and tried to use the ball properly. Good performance.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

I know so. Stopping a team from having any meaningful chances is a good defensive display.
Ward was covering for Walker when he went forward - that's intelligent football and his efforts are the reason why Cotts is no longer with us. Ward is likely to be more reliable in covering and getting back than Cotts.
I actually thought Walker wasn't at his best but overall the defence was excellent, particularly down the middle.
When they play like that, there aren't many, if any, better centre half partnerships in the league.

I don't ever recall Ronaldo doing much defending for man utd.

If he wanted walker to overlap, he could have put cotts on the other wing with a less offensive full back.

 

[sitwell]

Blackwell hasn't got a clue how to attack or use wingers ,he's too busy worrying about the negative side of the game. Little ,Reid ,Treacy all available last night ,yet he plays Ward, Quinn Stewart ,Cresswell or any other Tom attacker Dick defender or Harry midfielder in front of them.

 

[Highbury_Blade]

Blackwell hasn't got a clue how to attack or use wingers ,he's too busy worrying about the negative side of the game. Little ,Reid ,Treacy all available last night ,yet he plays Ward, Quinn Stewart ,Cresswell or any other Tom attacker Dick defender or Harry midfielder in front of them.

Bit harsh lumping ward in with that lot. I wouldn't blame Blackwell if for playing a more defensive lineup against a team that had just hit five in their last game.

We need to rebuild confidence at the moment and getting spanked isn't the way to do it.

 

[sitwell]

No critisism of Ward ,he should be playing off Henderson or Cresswell or Camara up front.
this is why Sharp looked so poor for us he was always going out to the wings because the wingers are either playing full back or benchwarmer.

 

[Foxy]

If he wanted walker to overlap, he could have put cotts on the other wing with a less offensive full back.

Or just expect Cotts to jog back with a bit of purpose now and again

 

[boo radley]

lots of good from this game.
Quinny now Monty's back looks a lot more mobile and supportive of the attack - That run that Harper spotted was brill if he'd have scored that it would have been our best goal of the season so far.
the back four were great and Walker didn't cost us a goal.
I just wonder if playing Ward wide is right? if he played off Cresswell in that game or Henderson in other games would he be more effective?
Billy Sharpe playing wide got more crosses in than Cots or little or ward. Was the Ward goal against Wendies the type Sharpe is now scoring? Why do we sign these type of strickers and put them wide?

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Because we don't buy wingers to like to play wide. If we do we usually brow beat the shit out of them until they are too shit scared to do anything.

 

[Darthblade]

yeah at one point both teams were just lumping the ball anywhere.

Blackwell thought it wa great though!!

 

[Darthblade]

The whole team had more idea and purpose when Chud went off. The guy is garbage. Cresswell started winning more flick on's when he knew somebody (Camara) would be making runs off him and the attacking element to our game suddenly started to look like we had some plan and pattern of play.

Will Blackwell have the balls to ditch Chudward? Sadly, i think not.

Its not Evans thats rubbish, ts the "service" he recieves. Ball to feet is what he needs, same as Billy Sharpe.

I understand that the matchball is recovering well though after being carried off. It was suffring from altitude nsickness!!

 

[Darthblade]

Don't really understand all the negativity about Quinn. He hasn't been great this season, along with a number of players, but I don't think he's been particularly terrible.
He's still a player who looked comfortable in the Prem and performances like last night show he has ability.
Needs confidence but he can play.

He looked comfortable in the Premiership but its a much less physical divsion than the Championship. He's too small for this division and he is not a winger and gives us no width.

 

[super_pig]

thought quinn played ok second half.. (yes i did say that).. then bootwell takes him off!!
unbelievable.

 

[Wards]

I think the problem is that he looks sh*t scared everytime he has the ball. He's desperate to get rid of it like the legendary hot potato ad shift it on as soon as he can.

If he took his time and took responsibility , got his head up and looked forward more he'd be twice the player.