"Defence must be sorted out"

[Callabinho]

Apparently the CB impressed yesterday on trail!

[Happy Fox]

Apparently the CB impressed yesterday on trail!

Ayina?

[l444ry]

It might be worth switching to 3 at the back, in order to shore up the breach.

I wonder how the players rate our coaching team. Faz with his pedigree should be able to sort out the problems and improve the players. I've always wondered about Mike Stowell, how good a coach he really is (but that maybe just because he's been here throughout the last few years when we struggled and went down to league 1).

The same Faz who was defensive coach in the infamous Newcastle side managed by Kevin Keegan! I wouldn't hold your breath there.

[Legend_in_blue]

Paintsil is the only defender I am not convinced at all about. He just doesn't seem tough enough for this league. Far too lightweight.

The defensive problems are there because the players in front of the back 4 offer no defensive qualities whatsoever. This is only made worse when we play the stupid 4-3-3 system and leave ourselves open to counterattacks down the wings.

[Number 6]

Everyone is aware of the difficulties at the moment. Considering the vast improvement we have made in the goalkeeping dept we should really be conceding less than last season, not 2 a game. I'd stick with the back 4 for now although personally I like Peltier who, whilst still young and learning, might be more willing to take on instructions to support attacks.

Would almost take a 0-0 this weekend just to see a clean sheet and hopefully build confidence. The 4 players we have in defence haven't suddenly turned awful.

[bald reynard]

Paintsil is the only defender I am not convinced at all about. He just doesn't seem tough enough for this league. Far too lightweight.

The defensive problems are there because the players in front of the back 4 offer no defensive qualities whatsoever. This is only made worse when we play the stupid 4-3-3 system and leave ourselves open to counterattacks down the wings.

For me, Pantsil and Mills are both too unreliable for us at the moment. Pantsil gets caught out of position far too often and Mills doesn't seem to have any 'presence' in the box (just not commanding enough for a central defender - let alone Captain). I would certainly give Peltier a go at right back - he's looked good in all the games he's played so far - and give St Ledger a run at centre back (he's hardly had a chance up to now). Of course if St Ledger (or Mills) doesn't fit the bill - we've got the opportunity for Tunch to come back in November (and I really hope Sven gives him another chance).

[Rhysm]

For me, Pantsil and Mills are both too unreliable for us at the moment. Pantsil gets caught out of position far too often and Mills doesn't seem to have any 'presence' in the box (just not commanding enough for a central defender - let alone Captain). I would certainly give Peltier a go at right back - he's looked good in all the games he's played so far - and give St Ledger a run at centre back (he's hardly had a chance up to now). Of course if St Ledger (or Mills) doesn't fit the bill - we've got the opportunity for Tunch to come back in November (and I really hope Sven gives him another chance).

As someone said Mills and Paintsil haven't become bad players overnight. It also seems like a waste to ditch the 4-3-3 system we have been working on all summer - in fact since Sven arrived.

The players need to show more discipline in their defending. At least one of the midfield 3 needs to take sole responsibility for defending (I personally still think we need a Billy Mckinlay type player to sit in front of the back four and cover the full backs if they choose to go forward.) Whilst it is Gallagher and Vassel's job to score and create rather then defend I still think that they should be doing more as well.

These views are all backed up by the fact we have conceded way too many chances and goals on the counter. Like another person said I would like to see us string a few clean sheets together to build the confidence of the defence.

[The Dessert Fox]

For me, Pantsil and Mills are both too unreliable for us at the moment. Pantsil gets caught out of position far too often and Mills doesn't seem to have any 'presence' in the box (just not commanding enough for a central defender - let alone Captain). I would certainly give Peltier a go at right back - he's looked good in all the games he's played so far - and give St Ledger a run at centre back (he's hardly had a chance up to now). Of course if St Ledger (or Mills) doesn't fit the bill - we've got the opportunity for Tunch to come back in November (and I really hope Sven gives him another chance).

I agree with that. Peltier, St Ledger, Bamba and Konchesky would be a decent back four. And Tunch has got to be given another chance. I'd hate it if we sold him to Palace, or anyone else, without him having the opportunity to prove his fitness with us.

[surrifox]

I've lost count of the times we've "needed to sort our defence". We've got a defender as coach in The Faz so what's the bloke doing week in week out? For sure he's not sorting the free-kicks out instead, at least not according to any evidence I see on the pitch. So what is being done on the so-called training pitch?

Our defence is not just a matter of personnel. because, for whatever reason, I'm not convinced we've got the option to field an outstanding defence unless the guys we've got have been severely underperforming?.

So right now it's about making the best of what we have and not letting the problem of having to hold our defenders' hands ruin our attacking potential.

Yes, we should attack and defend as one unit. But our defenders just aren't collectively mobile enough for that, nor do they have the understanding of one another nor the game-reading skills to do that job. Bristol City perhaps highlighted it best. And Forest to some extent in the second half. Hit on the counter our defence crumbles like merangue.

There's no organising brains in there and the best we've got, Tunchev, is away at Crystal Palace.

Wayne Brown was an organiser. Hell, the bloke couldn't pass a ball and you'd never describe him as quick. But he could read the situations, organise people around him and he would die for the cause.

He's never been replaced though it grieves me to think that we can't find a fast, mobile passing version of the guy and we send the nearest thing we've got out on loan.

Peltier is a very ordinary right back from his performances so far, Mills doesn't link with him (nor anyone else). Bamba is an eyecatching but flawed maverick and Konchesky looks a journeyman.

Collective marks out of 10? Maybe 5 or 6 in relation to what I'd expect. Answers, given the commitment we've made? Build something better.

In training I'd be trying everything - even the most extreme idea of playing Andy King as sweeper because he's the only defence-capable player we've got available who seems to have the ability to read a game. But the loss of his goals would surely be too costly.

I'd definitely want more pace, skill and energy at full-back even if we had to play Schlupp there. As for a right-back I haven't got a clue. Cos I don't see any indication that we've got one who's good enough. At this stage I might even think of converting someone like Danns.

It looks strange, I admit, but from what we have available or potentially available I'd be looking to something like Danns, Tunchev, Bamba , Schlupp with King just in front. People capable of reading the game blended with speed, strength, mobility and the ability to pass and support. Bamba would be a concern. He fits so many of the requirements but is so indiscliplined. But someone surely can make him see the bigger picture.

Danns and Schlupp might wonder about converting to full-back but to me it's an absolutely vital role in any team - look at the influence of Bale, Gary Neville, Evra, Irwin and so many more. But even then it drains our attack somewhat and we still need to find some wingers. It's a nightmare and I cannot understand why we've gone through an entire close season and left ourselves in such a mess.

Please accept the above is not presented as magic wand solution. It's a line of thought given the severely limited options we've got. I've not mentioned St Leger. People say he's brilliant but there's been nothing vaguelly brilliant about what little I've seen so far and I sincerely hope I'm mistaken about that.

But, whatever centre-backs we choose, one of them has to be able to pass and organise. On top of that the full-backs have to be fast, mobile, tenacious, able to pass and keen/capable of supporting in attack. An ability to shoot/take free kicks would be a bonus. All standard stuff really but we're way short.

It sounds as if your favoured solution involves playing forwards/ midfielders in defensive roles - more players out of position which history teaches very rarely if ever is a formula for success

[Burmesefox]

How long has he been saying this?

We had the same message from MON when he first arrived but he DID sort it out, and somewhat quicker.

Difference is that there is an expectation that we will play attractive football and there is a pressure for us to win. MON didnt really have that when he took over. I do think we will gel but always said it would take 6/8 games - we are critically now at that point. Cometh the hour cometh the man.......................

[somebum]

We need to get Bamba out of the back 4. He lacks concentration and mucks up his positioning, sending the entire back 4 in disarray. That's not to say he's a scapegoat. Sven's tactics do little to inspire confidence in players.

[Thracian]

It sounds as if your favoured solution involves playing forwards/ midfielders in defensive roles - more players out of position which history teaches very rarely if ever is a formula for success

My desire is to have pace, passing and mobility in the back four so we can press properly as a team and attack/defend as one for 90 minutes. My "favoured solution would be to get two brillliant young, genuinely attacking full-backs and a mobile, organising, centre-back.

"

What I've suggested is not my "favoured solution" at all. It is the best I can think of for delivering what I want with the players we currently have available.

[Guest Col city fan]

No Sven, your tactics are wrong and that needs sorting out. Maybe then the defence could be more settled.

Good to finally see a sensible post from you..

[sphericalfox]

Ayina?

Ayina is the striker on that was/is on trial from PSG.

Aristote Lusinga was the CB who came on for SSL in the reserve match. (A Nantes player who is now a free agent)