Defending the flanks.

[Blademan89]

This isn't a moan and i know we havnt conceeded that many and have been pretty solid defensively this season, but I've noticed that teams are starting to target our full backs more often and getting players overlapping down the flanks.

We have looked poor when teams have attacked with speed and overloads down the side. First 30 mins today, Sunderland did this, Coventry, Leeds and Oxford tried but didn't have the quality.

My question is are we been sussed out (sort to speak) ie more and more teams are targeting us in these areas with similar pattern of play.

It also leads to us struggling to transition from defence to midfield to attack with no out ball, as when we get the ball the fullbacks are already outnumbered and pinned back.

As say today in first 30, Coventry game, Sunderland Leeds and boro, we struggled to get out and often hit aimless balls into channels for it to come right back or ball becomes bit hot potato.

As I say it's just an observation from these sort of games.

 

[BigBed]

Oh how miss gorgeous George, RIP, in more ways than one!!

 

[Blademan89]

Oh how miss gorgeous George, RIP, in more ways than one!!

Not sure if our wide players are leaving our full backs too exposed.

Thing is George would be perfect in this team and formation for us.

 

[robbiez666]

Not sure if our wide players are leaving our full backs too exposed.

Thing is George would be perfect in this team and formation for us.

This

I think Burrows is probably our best defensive fullback but his positioning isn't great. Seriki's is bad. Gilchrist and McCallum's is ok.

Against Sunderland it was appalling at times. Stood miles off the attacker and giving them all the time in the world to put balls in.

This team would get absolutely pulled apart in the EPL.

However, the major issue this season is the lack of help they get from JRS, O'Hare, Hamer etc. Often left 1 on 1.

 

[Frank the tank]

Seriki and burrows just aren't tight enough to their man
They get no cover from rak sakyi or hamer and peck and vini seem to leave them to it as well

We are also missing our out ball in Moore and are struggling to play through the lines without blaster which makes us a bit more one dimensional and easier to box in

 

[Jan Age]

Agree with all the above

The full backs get no help from the wide midfielders

Seriki - great going forward but not great defensively

Gilchrist - great defensively not great going forward

Burrows - strongest of the lot but starting to look like he needs a rest , gets shut down too easily but superb delivery’s in final third.

I wouldn’t say Hamer doesn’t help out he’s all over the pitch but there in is the issue. If he wanders off it leaves the full back exposed.

JRS … just don’t bother starting.. I’ve never seen such a lazy footballer out of possession … can’t recall one single tackle he’s made this season.

 

[loyalblade95]

Seriki-Brooks (Brooks does usually drop back to help defend as Seriki is more attacking)

Gilchrist-Rak-Sakyi (Gilchrist has the awareness and positioning to cover RB on his own without JRS dropping back)

In my opinion, playing either of those combinations on our right hand side are the only ways we can use our right hand side.

 

[Bladezz]

This isn't a moan and i know we havnt conceeded that many and have been pretty solid defensively this season, but I've noticed that teams are starting to target our full backs more often and getting players overlapping down the flanks.

We have looked poor when teams have attacked with speed and overloads down the side. First 30 mins today, Sunderland did this, Coventry, Leeds and Oxford tried but didn't have the quality.

My question is are we been sussed out (sort to speak) ie more and more teams are targeting us in these areas with similar pattern of play.

It also leads to us struggling to transition from defence to midfield to attack with no out ball, as when we get the ball the fullbacks are already outnumbered and pinned back.

As say today in first 30, Coventry game, Sunderland Leeds and boro, we struggled to get out and often hit aimless balls into channels for it to come right back or ball becomes bit hot potato.

As I say it's just an observation from these sort of games.

Agree with that really. Gilchrist is always solid defensively but offers little going forward. It’s the opposite for Seriki.

Burrows is a real danger when plays higher but defensively he’s learning too. All 3 will develop in time but luckily at the moment we are attacking more than defending.

If we go to the Premier League as always most of our team won’t cut it.

 

[SGBlade]

This isn't a moan and i know we havnt conceeded that many and have been pretty solid defensively this season, but I've noticed that teams are starting to target our full backs more often and getting players overlapping down the flanks.

We have looked poor when teams have attacked with speed and overloads down the side. First 30 mins today, Sunderland did this, Coventry, Leeds and Oxford tried but didn't have the quality.

My question is are we been sussed out (sort to speak) ie more and more teams are targeting us in these areas with similar pattern of play.

It also leads to us struggling to transition from defence to midfield to attack with no out ball, as when we get the ball the fullbacks are already outnumbered and pinned back.

As say today in first 30, Coventry game, Sunderland Leeds and boro, we struggled to get out and often hit aimless balls into channels for it to come right back or ball becomes bit hot potato.

As I say it's just an observation from these sort of games.

Yeah there’s definitely something in this and can tell that the opposition are targeting these areas. Let’s see if wilder can figure it out.

We’re still top of the league, so it’s obviously working overall, but if we continue to have issues with it then might need a change. The problem is lack of support for the fullbacks, so they’re stuck in no man’s land worrying about being 2 on 1. That’s the worst feeling for a fullback and you end up looking like you don’t know what you’re doing - not being able to get right nor drop off. Gilchrist deals with this better than the others at the moment due to excellent positioning and defensive instincts.

Hopefully we can figure this out in the current formation - probably starting Gilchrist over Seriki for a bit. Might be worth trying O’Hare on the left and Hamer in the middle as he’ll give more protection to burrows. If not, we might try 4-3-3, but that’s quite a big change tactically and means we have to move a bunch of other positions.

 

[Keen Blade]

Seriki-Brooks (Brooks does usually drop back to help defend as Seriki is more attacking)

Gilchrist-Rak-Sakyi (Gilchrist has the awareness and positioning to cover RB on his own without JRS dropping back)

In my opinion, playing either of those combinations on our right hand side are the only ways we can use our right hand side.

Seriki/JRS combo was widen open to Johnston today and on the other side Burrows has no proper LW ahead of him coz Hamer isn't a LW.

The OP makes a good point and it needs a bit of CW attention because WBA were getting crosses in far too easily especially in first 30 mins.

I'm sure we can correct it - I do recall one home game in which it was clear JRS was defending better , but he's forgotten again - a young kid who needs a regular reminder from his manager