Our Defense.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

We've conceded far too many goals trying to play offside but one of Mangala or Kolarov absolutely cocking up. Funes Mori would've been offside had it not been for Mangala because the rest of the team pushed up. If we make a list of goals conceded like that, it would easily be half or more goals we've conceded so far.

Why didn't he get out on time? Did you even bother to look, he was grappling with Lukaku when the corner came in and got out as quick as he possibly could.

[DoomMerchant]

As individuals at times our defense is weak but you can see there is some organisation there from the very disciplined high we play and it was very evident last night as it worked countless times.

Then you have the individual weaknesses. The Otter falling over and getting muscled out in one to one situations. Mangler making the odd rash decision and giving the ball away. Demic just a tad off the pace and not covering his man a la last night but I still see the biggest probelm for our defence is often our midfield and the knack we have of passing to the opposition. Counless times last night we just gave the bal away. Do that when we have players in advanced positions and it creates big holes and problems which Dinho alone cannot fix.

If we pass and move better and of course our front players start finding real form we will be fine but I have been looking for that for most of the season.

I would have Tosin in place of Demic like a shot given that Mangler is out now for a while.

Is Mangler out for the season? It wasn't career-ending I hope.

Cheers

[Clowncrete]

We've conceded far too many goals trying to play offside but one of Mangala or Kolarov absolutely cocking up. Funes Mori would've been offside had it not been for Mangala because the rest of the team pushed up. If we make a list of goals conceded like that, it would easily be half or more goals we've conceded so far.

Why didn't he get out on time? Did you even bother to look, he was grappling with Lukaku when the corner came in and got out as quick as he possibly could.

Maybe I missed that, but if that's the case, that does highlight a lack of understanding and communication between the defenders.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

We've conceded far too many goals trying to play offside but one of Mangala or Kolarov absolutely cocking up. Funes Mori would've been offside had it not been for Mangala because the rest of the team pushed up. If we make a list of goals conceded like that, it would easily be half or more goals we've conceded so far.

Why didn't he get out on time? Did you even bother to look, he was grappling with Lukaku when the corner came in and got out as quick as he possibly could.

Maybe I missed that, but if that's the case, that does highlight a lack of understanding and communication between the defenders.

Don't think so mate, it's just one of them things, everyone pushed out like they should, the reason Mangala was slower than everyone else is, like I said, because both himself and Lukaku had a handful of each other.

I never understand why we leave an opposition player free to loiter on the edge of the box at corners, it's asking for trouble.

[Original Dub]

I didn't read your usual 5 paragraph thread opener. But let me guess - you blame Pellergini, correct?

How did you guess??

[iwasthere2012]

As individuals at times our defense is weak but you can see there is some organisation there from the very disciplined high we play and it was very evident last night as it worked countless times.

Then you have the individual weaknesses. The Otter falling over and getting muscled out in one to one situations. Mangler making the odd rash decision and giving the ball away. Demic just a tad off the pace and not covering his man a la last night but I still see the biggest probelm for our defence is often our midfield and the knack we have of passing to the opposition. Counless times last night we just gave the bal away. Do that when we have players in advanced positions and it creates big holes and problems which Dinho alone cannot fix.

If we pass and move better and of course our front players start finding real form we will be fine but I have been looking for that for most of the season.

I would have Tosin in place of Demic like a shot given that Mangler is out now for a while.

Pass and move and do it quickly, it's as simple as that really.
If you don't dwell on the ball the opposition haven't got time to kick/tackle you. This would great reduce our impact injuries.
This is the root of our problems in my opinion....the lack of movement. The onus is on every player not on the ball to give the player on the ball the easiest angle for a pass. The team as a whole are not working hard enough at doing this, whereby they don't concede possession. Or secondly, they are not working hard enough to get the ball back when the opposition are on the ball.

Either way.....pass and move.

[nottsblue]

Needs better protection from the other areas of the team

We are playing as separate units of defence and midfield and attack. The sooner we play as a team with every man playing his part the sooner we tighten the ship.

[Hazy2]

The line we held failed for a goal, the cross was defended from under the bar. Petty I know but we have spent shed loads and the goals we concede are never worldies excluding Walcott the rest involve us getting nudged or the wrong side of one player Lukaku 2 yards from our goal.

[FA cup winners 2006]

The line we held failed for a goal, the cross was defended from under the bar. Petty I know but we have spent shed loads and the goals we concede are never worldies excluding Walcott the rest involve us getting nudged or the wrong side of one player Lukaku 2 yards from our goal.

Although sometimes the defenders could do better, we also have to ask, where was the pressure on Barry when he was putting in the cross. Time and time again our midfielders give up to much space right up the middle of the pitch

[gillie]

Hard work will beat talent every time when talent is'nt working hard enough.That is our main problem this season too many talented individuals being too LAZY.Every hard working pressing team has given us problems all season we need to match hard work with hard work and then our defence may look like the defence it should do.

[Moonchesteri]

As individuals at times our defense is weak but you can see there is some organisation there from the very disciplined high we play and it was very evident last night as it worked countless times.

Then you have the individual weaknesses. The Otter falling over and getting muscled out in one to one situations. Mangler making the odd rash decision and giving the ball away. Demic just a tad off the pace and not covering his man a la last night but I still see the biggest probelm for our defence is often our midfield and the knack we have of passing to the opposition. Counless times last night we just gave the bal away. Do that when we have players in advanced positions and it creates big holes and problems which Dinho alone cannot fix.

If we pass and move better and of course our front players start finding real form we will be fine but I have been looking for that for most of the season.

I would have Tosin in place of Demic like a shot given that Mangler is out now for a while.

Pass and move and do it quickly, it's as simple as that really.
If you don't dwell on the ball the opposition haven't got time to kick/tackle you. This would great reduce our impact injuries.
This is the root of our problems in my opinion....the lack of movement. The onus is on every player not on the ball to give the player on the ball the easiest angle for a pass. The team as a whole are not working hard enough at doing this, whereby they don't concede possession. Or secondly, they are not working hard enough to get the ball back when the opposition are on the ball.

Either way.....pass and move.

Eggsactly.

[Hazy2]

Our team stood off Gazbaz and allowed a decent cross after that it was a joke from Demi the Keeper 2 yards out aiming for 1 man. Sums us up at the back, no pressure on the ball and we always allow a cross. = chance = goal - Basics we struggle with. Look at KDB, Not sure what Flemish is for Jokers !

[Foreverinbluedreams]

Our team stood off Gazbaz and allowed a decent cross after that it was a joke from Demi the Keeper 2 yards out aiming for 1 man. Sums us up at the back, no pressure on the ball and we always allow a cross. = chance = goal - Basics we struggle with. Look at KDB, Not sure what Flemish is for Jokers !

Are we looking at KDB in general or specifically on the concession of that goal?

[Hazy2]

Our team stood off Gazbaz and allowed a decent cross after that it was a joke from Demi the Keeper 2 yards out aiming for 1 man. Sums us up at the back, no pressure on the ball and we always allow a cross. = chance = goal - Basics we struggle with. Look at KDB, Not sure what Flemish is for Jokers !

Are we looking at KDB in general or specifically on the concession of that goal?

i was pointing out his reaction to a joke goal.

[sheblue]

No Mangala tomorrow. Suppose its MDM in there. Where is Zaba, is he still alive. Would rather see him at RB and Sagna beside Ota.

[Hazy2]

Sagna did a job at Arsenal, Zabba needs games. Or is he surplus and like Demi seeing out the season. Denayer needs to have a strop and get back works for the scum, pretty sure Monaco will be getting Falcao back.

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

We don't attack enough. It was considered great wisdom to get an extra defensive midfielder in and that two strikers was not viable. But we look far worse with a lone frontman and an extra midfielder.
At least it was only the likes of Barca and Bayern who exploited our weakness before, now it's Stoke, West Ham and Leicester giving us trouble.

[ENIAM NAM]

We don't attack enough. It was considered great wisdom to get an extra defensive midfielder in and that two strikers was not viable. But we look far worse with a lone frontman and an extra midfielder.
At least it was only the likes of Barca and Bayern who exploited our weakness before, now it's Stoke, West Ham and Leicester giving us trouble.

I agree, 1 up front is required in Europe but there is def place for 4-4-2 in the premier league.

[DoomMerchant]

We don't attack enough. It was considered great wisdom to get an extra defensive midfielder in and that two strikers was not viable. But we look far worse with a lone frontman and an extra midfielder.
At least it was only the likes of Barca and Bayern who exploited our weakness before, now it's Stoke, West Ham and Leicester giving us trouble.

I agree, 1 up front is required in Europe but there is def place for 4-4-2 in the premier league.

It really seems that simple doesn't it. And yet we make it hard.

And even when it's "4-4-2" it really isn't that simple so I suppose we do the tactically interested among us, or the allegedly so, a disservice when we call it that as it's far more fluid than something from 20 years past.

Either way it isn't hard to see for the layperson so I dunno why we make it so hard.

Football managers are a stubborn crew. I suppose it comes with the turf. Show some weakness and you're soft and the inmates overrun the asylum. Stick to your fucking guns even if you get proven wrong time and again because invariably you'll be proven right from time to time. Etc.

[blues2win]

Just saw a bit of video of Denayer. We don't need to buy another centre back. He's the real deal. Really elegant and comfortable on the ball apart from anything else.