Defensive Problems!

[A fox for life]

i've read a few other posts about johansson and apart from a few little tricks he did and ,ok, well done for setting up the goal, in Defence where we needed him most he look on another planet, he had no pace and the first goal was crossed in from his side of the pitch, he was very poor at left back.

secondly i am a fan of Stearmon but he was not with it today he cost us Hulls first goal because he was not marking his man at the back post, it almost happened again when THREE leicester players all went for the ball in the area at once leaving a man open at the back.

and finally Gerrbrand didn't have his heart in it today and he was simply poor and doesn't have what it takes at the moment.

apart from that Kisnorbo, excelent display!! defently in my top 3 players on the pitch, and also Henderson put in his first solid diplay, absolutly incredible save in the second half and also not one bad kick, hopefully he's found some confidence.

it defently shows were missing McCarthy though

[Flemmish]

We have been missing McCarthy and have shipped in 4 goals since he has been banned. He will be back for the next game which is vital for us to stop letting in more goals, but if Joey can keep banging them in from 50 odd yards, we'll be fine

[A fox for life]

We have been missing McCarthy and have shipped in 4 goals since he has been banned. He will be back for the next game which is vital for us to stop letting in more goals, but if Joey can keep banging them in from 50 odd yards, we'll be fine

yeah, it just annoyed me because there was no comunication at the back, i think Rab does more for the defence than we think and shouts commands, they all looked out of place except Kisnorbo was was cleaning up after every ball.

[Loake]

kisnorbo and gerrbrand don't communicate well enough in my views, not used to playing together i suppose.

[steve_wilson101]

Great to see Kisnorbo finally coming of age. Think with Paddy Mac back and Stearman on form we're OK at the back apart from still looking a bit dodgy at left back. How did Brevett do when he came on? Don't be too harsh on Johannson - he is really a centre back being played out of position after all and he looked solid in his natural role when he was playing there earlier in the season.

[Milky]

let's not forget the fact that it isn't just down to the back line to defend, are the midfield players doing there share of the defensive work?

it's a double edged sword really, we've started scoring more goals but we are conceding. in a dream world we would score and be tight at the back, but we can't have it all our own way. not yet anyway.

[Anish]

i've read a few other posts about johansson and apart from a few little tricks he did and ,ok, well done for setting up the goal, in Defence where we needed him most he look on another planet, he had no pace and the first goal was crossed in from his side of the pitch, he was very poor at left back.

secondly i am a fan of Stearmon but he was not with it today he cost us Hulls first goal because he was not marking his man at the back post, it almost happened again when THREE leicester players all went for the ball in the area at once leaving a man open at the back.

and finally Gerrbrand didn't have his heart in it today and he was simply poor and doesn't have what it takes at the moment.

apart from that Kisnorbo, excelent display!! defently in my top 3 players on the pitch, and also Henderson put in his first solid diplay, absolutly incredible save in the second half and also not one bad kick, hopefully he's found some confidence.

it defently shows were missing McCarthy though

The reason Stearman got dragged in the middle for Hull's first goal was because all three of the other defenders (Kisnorbo, Gerrbrand and Johansson) drifted to the left of the penalty area - all 3 went to mark the same player, thus leaving the rest of the penalty area free. Stearman had to move across because there was a Hull striker in the middle - meaning he left his right back position clear for Elliott to score. It was Gerrbrand and Kisnorbo's fault for getting caught out of position - which Stearman tried to cover for.

[holly]

apart from a few dodgy things i didnt think our defense did that badly today, i do think we miss mcarthy but he has good command at the back and there is no one back there who took it today or at ipswich!! nils i thought played well today, yeh he is slow but he keeps on at players he doesnt stop untill they have either finsihed him or he has got the ball!! stearman has got a bad ankle so a say fair play to him for still playin!! and gerrbrand he just gets slightly carried away and to be fair to him he hasnt been playin so his confidence is going to be down and he knows that when mcarthy is back he is back to the bench cant be nice to know can it!!

[Mark]

Doesn't really bother me as long as we're winning games and being entertained.

To stay up we had to hit playoff form, we hit it straight away and are well on our way to survival, who'd have thought that while seeing us score more goals in the last 7 games than the final 11 games under Levein.

Football is entertainment. I hope we can carry on this way (though the first 30 minutes today was dire) so I can enjoy the rest of the season at least. It really has been dire stuff the last year and a half.

My only gripe is the wingers. Though I understand Kelly's reasons for it as he wants to protect his full backs. We're in a much safer position now so let's get Welsh started on the left at least next game...

[Thracian]

i've read a few other posts about johansson and apart from a few little tricks he did and ,ok, well done for setting up the goal, in Defence where we needed him most he look on another planet, he had no pace and the first goal was crossed in from his side of the pitch, he was very poor at left back.

secondly i am a fan of Stearmon but he was not with it today he cost us Hulls first goal because he was not marking his man at the back post, it almost happened again when THREE leicester players all went for the ball in the area at once leaving a man open at the back.

and finally Gerrbrand didn't have his heart in it today and he was simply poor and doesn't have what it takes at the moment.

apart from that Kisnorbo, excelent display!! defently in my top 3 players on the pitch, and also Henderson put in his first solid diplay, absolutly incredible save in the second half and also not one bad kick, hopefully he's found some confidence.

it defently shows were missing McCarthy though

Re the back post goal I think you'll find it was four chasing that one man and how Hull were ever able to get a cross in was remarkable. We were more exposed than a pole dancer.

[Flemmish]

Great to see Kisnorbo finally coming of age. Think with Paddy Mac back and Stearman on form we're OK at the back apart from still looking a bit dodgy at left back. How did Brevett do when he came on? Don't be too harsh on Johannson - he is really a centre back being played out of position after all and he looked solid in his natural role when he was playing there earlier in the season.

He looked a bit suspect to me. His first touch was when he sliced it stright into the crowd, near where I sit. He also went into a two footed tackle and missed the ball and the player

[holly]

He looked a bit suspect to me. His first touch was when he sliced it stright into the crowd, near where I sit. He also went into a two footed tackle and missed the ball and the player

yeh not sure experience is always the best thing, but he wasnt really on long enough to make himself noticed imo!! well apart from the clearence he sent into the stand ! looked quick at 1 point though, so only time will tell really!

[ithuriel]

paddymac should be back for the next game and hopefully stearman will be over his injury that he is carrying

[Micky Singh]

I think that stearman should be brought back as a centre back nxt season. he is not a right back. he would make a great partner for paddy. Kisborno (apart from today) has played well recently in defence, but is not good enough, niether is gerbrannd. Both showed today that they are very fragile without the presence of paddy. both should be considered squad players. Hopefully we can get in a solid right back and left back nxt season and see Stearman fulfil his potention in his natural position. we would be more solid.

[Flemmish]

yeh not sure experience is always the best thing, but he wasnt really on long enough to make himself noticed imo!! well apart from the clearence he sent into the stand ! looked quick at 1 point though, so only time will tell really!

...and that is just coming on for a few mins, how would he fare in a full game?

[Louise]

I know Kelly doesn't like to make too many changes but I'd put Douglas and McCarthy back in for Luton. Gerrbrand, for whatever reason (lack of match fitness? not being used to playing with Kisnorbo?), seemed rusty and Henderson (despite a great save in the second half) was worrying again and seemed stuck to his line or out of position a lot of the time... although his kicking was a bit better.

[bald reynard]

Not sure why we signed Brevett. I thought he'd be in for Johansson, while he covered for Paddy Mac in the centre - but that obviously didn't happen. CAN ANYBODY GUESS why RK signed a (nearly) 37 year old, who can't even get on the bench for Championship rivals (apparently he was on his way to first club Doncaster, when we stepped in for him !) ?

[Swedging]

I know Kelly doesn't like to make too many changes but I'd put Douglas and McCarthy back in for Luton. Gerrbrand, for whatever reason (lack of match fitness? not being used to playing with Kisnorbo?), seemed rusty and Henderson (despite a great save in the second half) was worrying again and seemed stuck to his line or out of position a lot of the time... although his kicking was a bit better.

Agreed. I think a lot of the problem comes from Hendo - he's never in charge in the box, never directing the back 4.

[Phube]

I,m also quite worried about the defence... Under RK we have only kept 1 clean sheet in 7 games... and every game we have won has only been by one goal (obviously a win is a win) but we're always open to an equaliser in the last ten or so minutes.

[theboywillmott]

To be fair, we would look a lot safer with a new keeper during the summer. Both Rab and Hendo aren't the best for me.

[simtacular]

When we go into thr lead we seem to relax and we look like conceding. We need to keep our concentration for the full game.

[Thracian]

The reason Stearman got dragged in the middle for Hull's first goal was because all three of the other defenders (Kisnorbo, Gerrbrand and Johansson) drifted to the left of the penalty area - all 3 went to mark the same player, thus leaving the rest of the penalty area free. Stearman had to move across because there was a Hull striker in the middle - meaning he left his right back position clear for Elliott to score. It was Gerrbrand and Kisnorbo's fault for getting caught out of position - which Stearman tried to cover for.

Excellent analysis. Can you also explain how the cross ever got delivered in the first place with a possee of players to prevent it? My mind is not completely clear on all the details but I rather thought Hughes had the best chance of an early tackle .

[ithuriel]

i think kisnorbo is good at the back but lacking in midfield because in footballing terms he isnt the most clever player. needs a strong leader like paddy alongside him.

gerrbrand is obviously very rusty and still has a bit to learn.

stearman is a quite intelligent player but he needs to learn and is carrying an injury.

just shows how much we miss paddymac organising the back four , though his walsh like tendency to get into trouble is a bit of an achilles heel.

nissa is slow but somehow he does seem to work out at left back.

[A fox for life]

I,m also quite worried about the defence... Under RK we have only kept 1 clean sheet in 7 games... and every game we have won has only been by one goal (obviously a win is a win) but we're always open to an equaliser in the last ten or so minutes.

we have only had one 1 clean sheet in the last 23 games anyway. (against wolves)

[spirefox]

I think Maybury was also caught way out of position for their first goal.he was right over on the left hand corner of our box,missed the challenge and was therefore nowhere near the left winger who scored.You could see Stearman look round for the covering player as the goal went in.

Now we've got Welsh what chance Hughes playing wide right instead of Maybury?