Forum | Defence by Gloucs_R

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Defence on 13:42 - Jun 28 with 2399 views

We've just lost two games 1-0 after six unbeaten but let's just write off the whole defence.!

Defence on 13:48 - Jun 28 with 2388 views

Hunterhoop

This and centre forward are undoubtedly the areas we need improving. We look good in the middle 3rd but in both boxes we look poor.

Masterson will hopefully develop.
Gubbins I have hopes for.

Barbet is not as good a defender as some make out. He’s still start level, but he makes a lot of mistakes and is beaten in the air a fair bit (see Saturday again).

Wallace could play centre half but he looks incredibly slow to me and i’d suggest he is in no way a starter.

That’s it at CB. IMO, we need to find a starter level CB, urgently.

Up front, and have one loanee in Hugill. That’s it. Oteh isn’t a genuine no. 9, certainly not a hold up and link man, who will get on the end of crosses in the box. Hugill is that sort of player, but he costs a lot of money and misses a lot of chances. He also appears to have given up on this season. It’s quite possible he won’t be here next year.

That means we need at least 2, possibly 3, centre forwards to sign next year. With out budget, that is going to be bloody tough. If we sell Eze, we’re almost certainly going to need to reinvest some of it.

Ironically, loosing Eze and BOS are probably the two positions we are most able to replace in: Chair, Smyth, Shodipo, Dalling, Battache, Oteh... I’m confident some of those will develop into being good attacking players, at this level.

But for all our pretty play between the boxes, which is better than most sides in this league...it’s all a bit irrelevant if we concede very soft goals and don’t turn that pretty play into goals.

Defence on 13:58 - Jun 28 with 2372 views

Hunterhoop

Defence on 13:42 - Jun 28 by francisbowles
We've just lost two games 1-0 after six unbeaten but let's just write off the whole defence.!

To be fair, he has a point.

As well as needing a starter CB, you can make a strong case for a RB. I doubt Rangel will be playing next year. We’ve just extended his contract to the end of this season...but no further.

Todd Kane needs to seriously improve to me a regular starter. He looks scared of his shadow and gives the ball away repeatedly.

So that’s a RB too.

At left back we have Wallace and Manning. That’s fine for us. But if Manning is sold (only 12 months left on his contract and neither he nor BOS seem likely to sign an extension, so selling is likely), then we need a LB too.

So that’s a starting quality
CB
RB
LB
2 CFs

plus we probably need another CM to replace Amos.

That 6 quite important pieces on recruitment to be done in the next 2-3 months.

Defence on 14:46 - Jun 28 with 2290 views

gazza1

1 - Hugill just isn't good enough....to think West Ham bought him for the Premiership is beyond belief. The chance he had yesterday should have been scored by any pro in any league....keeper should not have seen it. There has been many others too, general all round play is very average indeed. Gives away obvious fouls far too often.
2 - Defensively we must tighten up, Barbet is decent enough, Masterson hopefully will develop, a RB is needed (Kane has disappointed after a decent enough start) & Rangel, whom I would pick ahead of Kane needs replacing. the jury is out on Manning at LB, I would start Wallace. I know very little to comment about any of the other defensive players.
3 - Midfield is OKish, plenty of options. Get rid of Shopido too, he has been here for years and still not doing enough - limited indeed. Why have Clarke here if he not getting any minutes??

So, imho, I would be looking at recruiting a RB, CB and Striker x 2 for starters.....obviously if we loose our most talented players we will need to replace them too.

Defence on 16:00 - Jun 28 with 2186 views

Defence on 13:58 - Jun 28 by Hunterhoop

FWIW I thought Rangel and Masterson were, on the whole, OK yesterday. I thought Manning was, and something I often think about him, far too negative when on the half way line or further forward. The number of times he turns inside instead of trying to get down the line, which we know he is capable of doing.

Barbet was guilty of conceding possession a number of times but did make some good blocks and tackles.

Kane was terrible. A worry, as I believe he was given a lengthy contract. He seems to have gone backwards. He was also hesitant to go on the outside yesterday. He may benefit from starting a few games if Rangel has to be rested. I think, if his demands aren't too great that we should keep Rangel, maybe on a six month contract.

Yes we definitely need another cb. We have Kakay and Hamalainen as full backs as well, so we may have to go with what we have in those positions.
Amos did ok when he came on and I think we could see him here again next year.

Hugill was poor but he always needs two or three chances to score, and we didn't give him enough chances or support him enough in the two games. I agree we need one or two more forwards next season.

BOS seems to have gone back to his early season frustrated, lack of belief, mood.
Eze's shooting has gone back to it's waywardness as well.

Cameron and Ball did ok until they tired. I thought Shodipo, Bettache and Oteh all did reasonably well.

I also think that we need to play more free kicks in the vicinity of the half way line into the box. We are too predictable going short and sideways all the time.

We have lost two of our regulars from before the shutdown so the squad does need strengthening. It's whether we can manage to find and afford the right players.

Defence on 16:33 - Jun 28 with 2137 views

Defence on 13:42 - Jun 28 by francisbowles
We've just lost two games 1-0 after six unbeaten but let's just write off the whole defence.!

Only luton and Hull have let in more goals.

A few have mentioned it but we seem to lack a bit of leadership and some nastiness.

Poll:

Defence on 16:37 - Jun 28 with 2129 views

MedwayR

As things stand I think we'll see...

Kane and Kakay competing for RB.
Barbet, Masterson, Gubbins + 1 at CB.
Manning, Wallace at LB unless we resign Hamalainen and move Manning forward.

I don't think we'll do much in the transfer window other than sign a CB and get a CF or two. Contract renewals will be just as important as signings.

Poll:

Who’s better?

Defence on 16:44 - Jun 28 with 2105 views

Defence on 16:37 - Jun 28 by MedwayR
As things stand I think we'll see... Kane and Kakay competing for RB. Barbet, Masterson, Gubbins + 1 at CB. Manning, Wallace at LB unless we resign Hamalainen and move Manning forward. I don't think we'll do much in the transfer window other than sign a CB and get a CF or two. Contract renewals will be just as important as signings.

That's depressing. I would love to be proven wrong but Niko, Kakay and Oteh I can't ever see making it at this level.

Of the three, Niko is the one I would say has most chance. But I'm only basing that on match reports I've read when they've been on loan.

Poll:

Defence on 17:26 - Jun 28 with 2045 views

paulparker

Defence on 16:37 - Jun 28 by MedwayR
As things stand I think we'll see... Kane and Kakay competing for RB. Barbet, Masterson, Gubbins + 1 at CB. Manning, Wallace at LB unless we resign Hamalainen and move Manning forward. I don't think we'll do much in the transfer window other than sign a CB and get a CF or two. Contract renewals will be just as important as signings.

If that’s our defence next season then we are in trouble
We need x2 cb I’m not convinced by barbet , we need to replace Kane who simply isn’t up to it and can’t replace a 65 year old , and a left back as manning is off
That’s before the need for a centre midfielder who can pass a football and a striker who does need 6 chances a game like Hugill does

And Bowles is onside, Swinburne has come rushing out of his goal , what can Bowles do here , onto the left foot no, on to the right foot That’s there that’s two, and that’s Bowles Brian Moore

Defence on 17:54 - Jun 28 with 1984 views

NorthantsHoop

More worrying that we have not looked like scoring in the re-start games.

Defence on 19:40 - Jun 28 with 1871 views

Stanisgod

Defence on 13:42 - Jun 28 by francisbowles
We've just lost two games 1-0 after six unbeaten but let's just write off the whole defence.!

We were lucky to only lose 0-1 in both games really, we were hardly playing Real and Barca.

It's being so happy that keeps me going.

Defence on 19:42 - Jun 28 with 1856 views

Defence on 17:26 - Jun 28 by paulparker
If that’s our defence next season then we are in trouble We need x2 cb I’m not convinced by barbet , we need to replace Kane who simply isn’t up to it and can’t replace a 65 year old , and a left back as manning is off That’s before the need for a centre midfielder who can pass a football and a striker who does need 6 chances a game like Hugill does

Didn't our six match unbeaten run coincide with Barbet getting back from injury. Yes he had a poor game yesterday with his distribution which is usually a big positive. He still made some decent blocks and tackles though.

We are weak in the air though.

[Post edited 29 Jun 2020 10:17]

Defence on 20:29 - Jun 28 with 1808 views

Defence on 19:42 - Jun 28 by francisbowles
Didn't our six match unbeaten run coincide with Barbet getting back from injury. Yes he had a poor game yesterday with his distribution which is usually a big positive. He still made some decent blocks and tackles though. We are weak in the air though. [Post edited 29 Jun 2020 10:17]

I don't think he's a bad player, but needs a leader beside him.

Poll:

How old is everyone on here?

Defence on 09:51 - Jun 29 with 1629 views

TheChef

Defence on 16:33 - Jun 28 by Gloucs_R
Only luton and Hull have let in more goals. A few have mentioned it but we seem to lack a bit of leadership and some nastiness.

That's been the case for quite some seasons now. Probably 2014 was the last time we had that (I really dislike Barton, but he did at least give us some of that, one way or the other).

Poll:

Defence on 10:26 - Jun 29 with 1587 views

Defence on 20:29 - Jun 28 by Gloucs_R
I don't think he's a bad player, but needs a leader beside him.

Well I agree with that but how do we then get Masterson the experience to realise his potential. Warburton was going to send him out on loan but had to play him and he has done pretty well, so far.

Perhaps the solution is to get another old head in and play three at the back but that is not MW's preferred formation.

Defence on 10:34 - Jun 29 with 1577 views

Esox_Lucius

Defence on 10:26 - Jun 29 by francisbowles
Well I agree with that but how do we then get Masterson the experience to realise his potential. Warburton was going to send him out on loan but had to play him and he has done pretty well, so far. Perhaps the solution is to get another old head in and play three at the back but that is not MW's preferred formation.

No point in bringing in any defensive players until MW commits to making the defence an area which needs work on. It would be interesting to get the (honest) viewpoint of Neil Banfield & John Eustace on this topic. We could have the five best defenders in the Championship but they would struggle without coaching and integration in to the playing strategy.

The grass is always greener.

Defence on 11:06 - Jun 29 with 1541 views

PlanetHonneywood

Defence on 10:34 - Jun 29 by Esox_Lucius
No point in bringing in any defensive players until MW commits to making the defence an area which needs work on. It would be interesting to get the (honest) viewpoint of Neil Banfield & John Eustace on this topic. We could have the five best defenders in the Championship but they would struggle without coaching and integration in to the playing strategy.

Think you’re right. I prefer a defence with the likes of a Hill, Dunne, or a Macca in it. Such a defence is a different proposition than one without a dominant rock like figure pulling the strings. We’ve been lacking that solid figure since Hill and Dunne were in the back four (not seen enough of BFG2) and I’m not sure MW thinks that way.

That said, getting such players in isn’t easy, I’d hope MW would look for a no-nonsense centre-half for next season.

#backfivematters

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Defence on 11:21 - Jun 29 with 1524 views

Defence on 10:26 - Jun 29 by francisbowles
Well I agree with that but how do we then get Masterson the experience to realise his potential. Warburton was going to send him out on loan but had to play him and he has done pretty well, so far. Perhaps the solution is to get another old head in and play three at the back but that is not MW's preferred formation.

Or a quality left back?

Poll: