Scoreline Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 So then. With three goals against becoming an annoying standard these days, how do we stop it? Is it the fault of the players? The system? The attacking ethos? Personally, looking at the players I would say that Imber is ok at this level (even with East in goal the simple fact is that amount of chances we give up, and goalkeeper would do well to keep matters respectable), Lockie has been one of our better players so far, McKay is limited on the ball but a decent defender with pace and Lee White has been doing ok in an unfamiliar position. Kendall is solid but unproven so far and Jey Siva... well he's not a defender in my opinion. Give him a go in left midfield. For me, Kirby is a problem this year. For all his aerial ability, his lack of mobility and pace has been exposed far too often. I know he is captain and a bit of a talismanic figure but I can't help thinking two centre halves quicker over the ground would be more solid. Maybe with our current squad, maybe with new blood. A tricky one. There is no doubt our ATTACK! ATTACK! set-up also causes us to be exposed but I'm not sure we'd be any better at grinding out 1-0 wins with nine men behind the ball. We do perhaps need a player to just sit and protect (the fabled Makelele role) and I'm not sure any of our current crop really fit that role. Three at the back? Would take some work to get right, and a run of defeats now would put us in a proper dogfight. Pesky football. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 As I said in the other thread. Kirbs has been suspect for the past 2-3 months. He is slow getting back when he comes forward and has lost a lot of his aerial ability. I note that this time last year he was training for the marathon. Has he not entered this year? I dont agree with you about Jey he does not look like a defender but he is tenacious, fast and can tackle. He can get caught out of position but that is down to enthusiasm and inexperience. The alternative, as far as I am concerned is Bardle, I dont rate Bardle as a winger or left midfield. I think jey can adapt his game to left midfield. There is a preponderance of central defenders at the club so I don't think we can get better players for that position. I am starting to come round to the pov that has been offered in the past by someone. The fault does not lie with the defence it is in the lack of fitness and speed which means that our midfield does not support the defence they can get back for set pieces but when the opponents break from defence, which is frequent in our method of play, our forwards and midfield do not get back to assist. Liam puts himself about and has frequently impressed this year and last year when he took more responsibility after Stuart Blackburn left. He is now working harder than when he first came to the club and we missed both him and hunt on Wednesday. We also don't play the gamesmanship which other clubs do. A free kick on boxing day and there was always a Leiston Player within a yard of the ball who did not retreat until a team mate took over. We do not do that. The effect is that the defending side has a few seconds more to organise themselves. The ref concentrates on getting the near player away from the ball before pacing for the wall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CD Towner Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 Agree with most of the above. I thought Dave Kendall was our best defender last year but SN seems not to fancy him. McKay unfortunately is very limited on the ball which limits our ability to play out from the back causing us to play the ball long and therefore surrender possession. Not that it's nice to watch but I do believe we need a Billericay type no nonsense defender to make us more 'nasty' as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTowner Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 There is an old saying - defend from the front. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTowner Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 So, with 3 ( or 2 x 3 ) becoming the norm, what plans do the Club have to strengthen the depleted squad ? Soon to be depleted even more following 2 defenders sent off yesterday. Quality and numbers required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Happy Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Kirby's marathon was two years ago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Father Jack Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Has he finished yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyetfc Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 So it must be 3 years ago now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Happy Posted January 1, 2013 Share Posted January 1, 2013 Well he was quicker than me and I finished last week!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.