Leicester's Defence - What will we do?

[marbelladave]

Depends on Mattocks character, is he going to chase the money or does he care enough to stay for at least 1 more season?

Stearman is more likely to leave, not because he is after more money but he has been in the team longer than Mattock and perhaps now is the time for him to move on. Mattock hasnt served his time yet .

Not knowing either of the lads I have no idea of their character, but I would go all out to keep them if at all possible. I would go as far as to give Stearman the captaincy and promise Mattock pretty much any thing. (in a football sense, obviously)

Think Holloway could be a big problem, specially for Mattock!

[Houdini Logic]

You would think so wouldn't you?

So why, as we settle back in the second half of games we should be dominating, did we see Holloway screaming at the defence to push out and get forward?

They may be decent players individually, but the were poor as a team, change the combination! We need more pace and the ability to pass the ball out of defence to a midfield that is not concentrating solely on defence.

Sorry, we must be on about diferent teams

[marbelladave]

Sorry, we must be on about diferent teams

Clearly!

[Manwell Pablo]

You should go and watch Marbella Dave, they'll have a strike force of Carl Cort and Tommy Mooney next season.

[marbelladave]

You should go and watch Marbella Dave, they'll have a strike force of Carl Cort and Tommy Mooney next season.

Back in the UK next season, so will be able to get to the Walkers more often than this season when I mostly went to away games against teams with grounds next to an international airport!

Charlton, Palace QPR and Chelski from Gatwick ..... Luton, and Watford from Luton were all easy and relatively inexpensive (apart from Chelski).

Barnsley and Blackpool are easy too as I can stay with friends, but the Walkers usually means an overnighter and a car hire, only managed 4 home games all season!

BTW Saw Carl in Linekers bar in Porto Banus, his ankle was in a protective boot, there's a surprise! Did not look at all fit, unlike the woman he was with!!!

[reynard]

I thought a few people on here understood football and know how it works at a professional level? (I know some of u do! )

the defence ie paddy, mcAuley, stears, mattock, clapham... Same as everyone else on the pitch play how the MANAGER tells them too! They hoof the ball up to Howard! We know it hasn't worked! But that is how holloway has TOLD them to play. Posting blame on our defence for relegation is laughable! You muppet!

I hope we don't lose any of our great defence, but sadly I can see us losing 2, maybe 3 of them

So did any of our 5 or 6 managers who have managed them say?

1 Kisnorbo old chap please make sure you over hit every single free kick you take and please when you get the ball in space don't look up but just kick it in the general direction of the opposition goal in the hope that our (often) smallish strikeforce can attempt to outjump their larger taller defenders on the extremely odd occassion on which your aimless hoofs go anywhere near them.

2 Gareth please get rid of the ball as soon as you can thereby guaranteeing possession to the opposition so the can launch an attack. By the way if you can aim it "down the channels" towards our non existent wide players or even better 20 yards in front of any attacker of ours then that would be even better.

No is the answer. These players have been found wanting not just under Holloway but under several other managers as well. All good sides can build from the back as well as realising when is the time to just clear as quickly as possible. The whole team is to blame for our relegation and whilst defensively we were good they offered nothing else. Other defenders were equally culpable and in fact the only one who consistently seemd able to pass to one of his own team mates was N'Gotty who has plenty of other failings.

The truth about our lauded defenders is this

Yes they managed to keep our goals against column down but

They are uncomfortable in possession of the ball

Too often gifted back possession to the opponents

With the exception of Stearman offered very little going forward

Were seldom threatening at set pieces.

They may be good enough for the 3rd tier of English football but they will never be good enough to take this club back to the premiership. Despite his popularity here I think it is noteworthy that Kisnorbo has hrdly been the subject of huge interest from premier league clubs. Why? Because they know he is simply not good enough.

Yes we went down because we didn't score enough goals but if our fantastic defense had done their job properly against either Charlton or Preston then we would have stayed up. The charlton game in particular showed the weakness of Mccauley who was simply not strong enough in his own penalty area and failed to clear. Would Elliot or tagert have allowed that to happen? Probably not.

[reynard]

Why would Mattock leave other than to ensure he still gets picked for England? I know this club is a proper shíthole but he should stay for at least next season where he will be playing regularly instead of warming the bench for someone else.

Why the hell should he stay?

Unlikely to play for England under 21s from the 3rd division.

Better wages.

Hardly been a regular under Holloway and probably wont be unless the manager changes.

The chance to train/play with higher quality players and managers.

I know what I would do if I was ambitious to get on in the game.

[marbelladave]

Reynard

Nice analysis of our defensive problems and sadly all to true. Our defence was inept as a unit, in almost every way bar last ditch heroics.

They defined the style of football we played and that style was rubbish!

The only thing that could get Mattock to stay is a sympathetic manager promising him that he will play every game next season, fitness permitting.

Holloway might tell him that but, after the Clapham farce I doubt Mattock will listen.

[Joe.]

At least Mattock would get games if he stayed here. If he went elsewhere he'd just end up like the majority of other promising youngsters, rotting in Premeirship reserve teams.

Le's face it, he's not good enough for Premiership or Championship first team football yet. It would be much more beneficial for him to stay here with us, get a few more games under his belt and then if he's ready let him move on.

[Houdini Logic]

At least Mattock would get games if he stayed here. If he went elsewhere he'd just end up like the majority of other promising youngsters, rotting in Premeirship reserve teams.

Le's face it, he's not good enough for Premiership or Championship first team football yet. It would be much more beneficial for him to stay here with us, get a few more games under his belt and then if he's ready let him move on.

If Holloway stays i wouldn't guarantee it.

[Joe.]

If Holloway stays i wouldn't guarantee it.

Well it all depends what happens in the summer really. Clapham's no longer here and unlikely to join on a permanent and Sheehan's unlikely to come back and stay. So that basically leaves Mattock as our first choice left back at the moment.

Obviously we'd be expecting to bring in another left back or two in the summer but I'd be quite confident Mattock would play in League One even if Holloway's still here.

[Houdini Logic]

Well it all depends what happens in the summer really. Clapham's no longer here and unlikely to join on a permanent and Sheehan's unlikely to come back and stay. So that basically leaves Mattock as our first choice left back at the moment.

Obviously we'd be expecting to bring in another left back or two in the summer but I'd be quite confident Mattock would play in League One even if Holloway's still here.

Sheehan's not coming back because he wasn't favoured.

Mattock will go in the summer (can't blame him).

Mattock should have started every game last season, and if he were to stay he should undoubtably start every game next season. I'm sure Ollie will bring in some 'experience' instead

[Joe.]

Sheehan's not coming back because he wasn't favoured.

Yeah I know that, he rejected our contract offer.

[AyewJoking]

Why the hell should he stay?

Unlikely to play for England under 21s from the 3rd division.

Better wages.

Hardly been a regular under Holloway and probably wont be unless the manager changes.

The chance to train/play with higher quality players and managers.

I know what I would do if I was ambitious to get on in the game.

Yeah but at Mattocks age 1 more year (at his home town club) even in league one isnt sacrificing a lot. He was being picked for England despite being in and out of a team struggling at the foot of the championship, if he plays regularly in what will hopefully be a competitive league one side then why should england overlook him?

Holloway should tell the lad, "look son, youre not my first choice for left back so if you want to leave then good luck to you" or "youre my first choice left back for this season and you will be a major asset to the club in going straight back to the championship".

Over to you Ollie (you fúcking useless wánker)

[marbelladave]

Yeah but at Mattocks age 1 more year (at his home town club) even in league one isnt sacrificing a lot. He was being picked for England despite being in and out of a team struggling at the foot of the championship, if he plays regularly in what will hopefully be a competitive league one side then why should england overlook him?

Holloway should tell the lad, "look son, youre not my first choice for left back so if you want to leave then good luck to you" or "youre my first choice left back for this season and you will be a major asset to the club in going straight back to the championship".

Over to you Ollie (you fúcking useless wánker)

After this season I can't see Mattock believing that, even if Holloway would say it, which he won't.

If some of our more established players see that Holloway is staying then it will be they who move on. I'm thinking Stearman, Mattock, Weso and Hume for starters. All of them have the hump with Holloway for one (pretty good) reason or another.

[Tommy G]

What will we do? Drink usually, dance usually, bubble, drink usually, dance usually, bubble

Haha thats quality.

I like your style Wiley!

[Les-TA-Jon]

OK guys - fair enough to most of the comments on here. LCFC's defence was awful at keeping possession and also lacked any kind of confidence or ability to pass the ball around at the back, which resulted in it often being booted up and which helped to cause our inadequate playing style/quality.

I realise that I was being a bit extreme when I said that "the defence weren't to blame for the relegation at all". They were clearly a part of it.

But we must realise that despite the flaws of the back four they are still the best thing in the squad? They should still act as a foundation to build around when buying players this summer?

Another point - there seems to be a feeling that many people think the current players don't "deserve" to play for leicester. Yes they got us relegated. But why do we have this idea that LCFC is a shining beacon of footballing quality and history. And that men down the ages have played for LCFC for honour and that honour was the reward for playing. LCFC is a great club and we all think that. But LCFC is a small club now and has been for years. We're now in League 1 and don't have the luxury of being able to turn players away because we don't think they "deserve" to play.

[Webbo]

It's the centre backs that worry me. I fully expect Stearman, Mattock, McAuley, N'Gotty and Kisnorbo (eventually) to leave this summer. Clapham (we could probably pick him up for a free) and Chambers are adequate fullbacks in this division. Worley could be good but equally could be crap, it's too early to tell. And that's it. We will need to sign another 1 or 2 CBs and cover for the others.

[Scow]

Valid points raised in this thread - some people are basing the ability of the defenders purely on the statistical count of goals against.

McAuley and Kisnorbo have always been a liability with the ball at their feet - they've shown little or no composure in receiving the ball and playing the right pass. Even Mattock and Stearman (more often the latter) has demonstrated this as well. I think Renards summed it up well.

[Dom_Harborough Fox]

I think it's a fair point about the route of our attacking problems starting with the defence (particularly the centre backs). Too many balls are hoofed aimlessly up the field when better short options are available which would, at the very least, result in us keeping posession.

But, defensively speaking, our defence was very good last year. Mattock & Stearman have been improving all the time while Kisnorbo & mcAuley are both very solid players, strong in the tackle & dominant in the air. Besides the odd mistake they all did very well last year. I think keeping thos core 4 together has to be a priority this summer because they are all good enough to play at a higher level & the longer they play together, the better the understanding between them will be.

I know it may well be out of the club's hands who stays & goes realy but I, personally, hope we can keep those 4 together

[marbelladave]

I think it's a fair point about the route of our attacking problems starting with the defence (particularly the centre backs). Too many balls are hoofed aimlessly up the field when better short options are available which would, at the very least, result in us keeping posession.

But, defensively speaking, our defence was very good last year. Mattock & Stearman have been improving all the time while Kisnorbo & mcAuley are both very solid players, strong in the tackle & dominant in the air. Besides the odd mistake they all did very well last year. I think keeping thos core 4 together has to be a priority this summer because they are all good enough to play at a higher level & the longer they play together, the better the understanding between them will be.

I know it may well be out of the club's hands who stays & goes realy but I, personally, hope we can keep those 4 together

No, No, and thrice no.

The centre backs set the back line far too deep and no amount of goalmouth heroics can rectify that fundamental flaw. As has been said before this drags the fullbacks and the midfield too deep so the defenders have no option but to hit the long ball.

Defending further up the pitch would give our defenders more options, allow our fullbacks to get forward and improve our attacking play. It does however require our defenders to have some passing skills, which sadly, in the case of McAuley and Kisnorbo, they don't!

[Father Ted]

I mostly agree with what's being said in here that the defence's distribution is poor - mainly the centre-backs and that could be one reason why we haven't scored many goals. To change it either Kisnorbo or Mcauley must be taken out and for me it has to be Kisnorbo. Mcauley isn't as bad - distribution-wise as Kisnorbo, Mcauley is better in the air, gives less fouls away (Kisnorbo always pulls his man back or wrestles him to the ground! ). I reckon next season could be the season that we should switch Stearz to centre-back. He's big and strong, very quick, has much better distribution than Kisnorbo and Mcauley and could even burst forward at times. Thoughts?

[marbelladave]

I mostly agree with what's being said in here that the defence's distribution is poor - mainly the centre-backs and that could be one reason why we haven't scored many goals. To change it either Kisnorbo or Mcauley must be taken out and for me it has to be Kisnorbo. Mcauley isn't as bad - distribution-wise as Kisnorbo, Mcauley is better in the air, gives less fouls away (Kisnorbo always pulls his man back or wrestles him to the ground! ). I reckon next season could be the season that we should switch Stearz to centre-back. He's big and strong, very quick, has much better distribution than Kisnorbo and Mcauley and could even burst forward at times. Thoughts?

Start pre-season with Stearman and Worley, with McAuley as backup. Get them to play a higher line and when that style is established then either McAuley or Kisnorbo (knee) can be brought in to play the new system. (In reality McAuley and Kisnorbo would be off if the were not going to start, shame)

I'll say it again. New back 4, Chambers .... Stearman .... Worley .... Mattock.

It's the future!

[Dom_Harborough Fox]

The probems with the defence (distribution, deep line etc) could & should surley be sorted out by a competent manager.

Ollie should be seeing these things as well & doing something about them on the training ground. We shouldn't have to get rid of any 1 of 4 defensively sound players without trying to coach them out of their failings first. Ollie should be telling them to play higher up & look to pass the ball out of defence to feet. Maybe he is & they are still failing to do so, in which case I would also be in favour of dropping either McAuley or Kisnorbo but if they're just playing the way they've been told to then it is surley down to poor management.

[Scow]

...we should switch Stearz to centre-back. He's big and strong, very quick, has much better distribution than Kisnorbo and Mcauley and could even burst forward at times. Thoughts?

No and no.

He isn't particularly strong - that's probably why a few players have targeted him.

And for being very quick, that really isn't the case. He isn't slow but not as quick as some make him out to be.