Out Foxed Posted 30 April 2012 Posted 30 April 2012 I agree but only we can make players worse!!! SSL and Sol are international defenders and Matt Mills was Reading captain last year in a succesful side! doesn't mean **** all
chris_lcfc_85 Posted 30 April 2012 Posted 30 April 2012 doesn't mean **** all Maybe not but Matt Mills and SSL are proven at this level for sure..... I feel we've had good enough defenders this season to go up but its just not worked as a unit. The fullbacks need to take their responsibilty in that too
chris_lcfc_85 Posted 30 April 2012 Posted 30 April 2012 Interesting read especially when related to Bamba.... Leicester City’s winner with the deflection at the end on Saturday did seem to sum up our season really. Especially at Elland Road. You’ve just got to be honest and say our form at home this season has been horrendous. When you think we’ve lost 11 games at home. Out of 23! When you have that sort of form, there’s no way you are going to be up there in the table. I do think when the final whistle went everybody – supporters included – will have been a bit relieved it was over and done with. It’s not been a good season, especially for those who just watch us at Elland Road. The away form has been a bit better. But even when you weigh that up over the course of the season, it’s not been that good, although we’ve seemed better suited away. But really, the season never got going at all. The players will be glad it’s finished. Looking at it, for the past three months, we’ve not really been at the races or in the hunt. I suppose mathematically it was still possible, but with the way we were playing, it was never going to happen. We’ve finished where we have – in the bottom half of the table. It would have been nice to finish higher than 14th, but looking at some of the games we’ve played, it could have been even lower. Look at the times we got out of jail, such as the Burnley game at home..Doncaster at home... The bottom line is that it’s just got to improve next year. But there will be a lot of hard work for Neil Warnock between now and the start of next season. It’s a big job. How many players who played against Leicester will he be looking to start with next season? There will be a big turnover, I expect. Looking at Saturday, I didn’t think we played well and it was a disappointing performance. I thought we started well enough and Luciano Becchio should have scored, but once they got into the game, I thought they controlled it. There were long periods where we couldn’t get into it and for me, Sol Bamba in the middle of the park ran the show. Him and Danny Drinkwater ran the game and before we equalised, you have to say we were fortunate not to be two or three nil down as they missed a couple of good chances. We had a couple of good chances near the end after we scored, which picked us up a little bit and it was nice to see Danny Webber get a goal, even though it was just a tap-in. But he had to knock it in the net, or else Paul Konchesky would have cleared it off the line when you see the replay. I know there was a bit of dispute about their second goal being offside. But looking at it, I just didn’t know where Paul Connolly was; I saw somebody in the corner of the pitch and it might have been Paul, although I couldn’t really tell if the Leicester player was offside or on. We were playing against a side who cost a lot of money in Leicester. And when you look at their performances this season, they must be terribly disappointed. Looking at their stats, if you just count their performances against sides in the top half of the table, they would have finished third. But against the bottom half, they would have ended 21st. They actually did the double over Southampton, who have got promoted. But on the day, they just had a bit more quality than we did. Mind you, they have spent a lot more money. Looking at the Championship next season, no doubt Leicester will improve their squad and be a force and tough nut to crack. Then there will be the sides who come down and those fighting in the play-offs and you would imagine if West Ham don’t go up, they will have a right go next season. So it will be tough. Speaking to Neil, he has basically said it will be as tough, if not tougher, next season. That’s why he wants to be up and ready to go at the start of next season and not be chasing players just before the start. He wants everything in place, so he knows exactly what direction the club are going in. His retained list is announced on Wednesday and it will be interesting to see who he keeps and moves on and what plans he’s got for some of the players who are under contract. Will he put many of them on the transfer list for example? It will be an interesting week. I think Neil will be looking to bring in a bit of power and pace. Looking at Bamba, who was a centre-back playing in midfield, we couldn’t cope with his power and strength on Saturday, for instance. It will also be interesting to see what Aidy White and Robert Snodgrass are going to do as they haven’t committed themselves yet. In terms of Robert, he’ll be thinking about his situation and maybe playing in the big league, that will be the big decision for him. Robert was my player of the season; I don’t think there was anyone else really. Ross McCormack did have a good season and scored his goals but, overall, I would have gone for Robert.
Guest Col city fan Posted 30 April 2012 Posted 30 April 2012 Have you actually watched his positioning and ball watching? His awful decision making when he rushes recklessly out of the back line far too often? How easily he got turned by Jason Scotland? He's not the worst player and I don't want him out of the club, I think he can be improved. But at the moment he is a liability. I do agree but isn't that what the club has coaches for? In Bamba we have a beast of a player. Hes quick, he's strong, I think he's actually pretty good in the tackle? No pun intended It's rare that forwards beat him one on one. Surely the positional awareness and playing with a defensive partner thing can be taught to the man? You get an 'aware' Sol Bamba you got a pretty useful defender on your hands. I'd rather see him stay and we improve him , than let him go and see him improve elsewhere?
Haydos Posted 30 April 2012 Posted 30 April 2012 I do agree but isn't that what the club has coaches for? In Bamba we have a beast of a player. Hes quick, he's strong, I think he's actually pretty good in the tackle? No pun intended It's rare that forwards beat him one on one. Surely the positional awareness and playing with a defensive partner thing can be taught to the man? You get an 'aware' Sol Bamba you got a pretty useful defender on your hands. I'd rather see him stay and we improve him , than let him go and see him improve elsewhere? I said a few months ago he needs a good talking to and some actual genuine coaching. He needs it drilling home time after time. I agree with you, he has the makings to be the best in this division and a Premiership player but at the moment he is nowhere near that. I do want him to stay, I just don't want him as first choice at the moment. The defensive coach and Pearson really need to get him focusing on his positioning, thinking all the time, not switching off. I can live with a consistent Sol Bamba.
Guest Col city fan Posted 30 April 2012 Posted 30 April 2012 I said a few months ago he needs a good talking to and some actual genuine coaching. He needs it drilling home time after time. I agree with you, he has the makings to be the best in this division and a Premiership player but at the moment he is nowhere near that. I do want him to stay, I just don't want him as first choice at the moment. The defensive coach and Pearson really need to get him focusing on his positioning, thinking all the time, not switching off. I can live with a consistent Sol Bamba. +1 'Glass half empty' Col City genuinely believes that Sol has the potential in him to be the best centre back we have.. And possibly in the division! How's THAT for positive!! He does need intensive defensive coaching though to drill into him the importance of doing the basics correctly time and time again. Spot on IMO
LCFC_FAN_1995 Posted 30 April 2012 Posted 30 April 2012 I rather have Mills in defence than him, at least Mills clears the ball unlike fvck about with it in our box like he did against West Ham
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