Liam Kitching (6 Viewers)

[mmttww]

top championship centre halves still not in their primes

I'm not convinced they're top CBs at this level yet. If we still have one of the tightest defences in the league in Jan, I'll start to feel different. It's not an issue for me because I like how we play and I get they're not in their prime. Just not on board with the idea that being critical of some of what they do (or don't do) is a hot take.

 

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[SkyBlueDom26]

Oh, so no is the answer.

Usual @mmttww nonsense, embarrassing

 

[mmttww]

Oh, so no is the answer.

We conceded 58 goals last season, and 59 goals the season before. We've conceded four goals in the last two games. I don't think it's mad to be conscious that some old habits might be creeping back in with those two.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

We conceded 58 goals last season, and 59 goals the season before. We've conceded four goals in the last two games. I don't think it's mad to be conscious that some old habits might be creeping back in with those two.

Well yes if the responsibility for conceding goals is purely on the two centre halves.

Evo pointed out previously the reason this isn't always the case.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

I'm not convinced they're top CBs at this level yet. If we still have one of the tightest defences in the league in Jan, I'll start to feel different. It's not an issue for me because I like how we play and I get they're not in their prime. Just not on board with the idea that being critical of some of what they do (or don't do) is a hot take.

Bobby was struggling yesterday in fact a number of players looked leggy
Obviously Rushworth, Kitching, Jay, grimes, torp, simms and Rudoni and Allen and Kkh when they came on were very much on their games

 

[mmttww]

Usual @mmttww nonsense, embarrassing

This post makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. Thanks!

 

[TomRad85]

I'd hate to think how many points clear we'd be if we had 2 good centre backs.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

the number of goals we conceded in their first two seasons at the club and the trend towards us conceding more in the last few weeks.

Does the joint 3rd best defence mean nothing to you?

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

We conceded 58 goals last season, and 59 goals the season before. We've conceded four goals in the last two games. I don't think it's mad to be conscious that some old habits might be creeping back in with those two.

It's potentially something for the coaching staff to keep an eye on but there probably won't be anything in it long term.

10 goals conceded in the past 7 games compared to 7 goals conceded. in the first stack of 10 fixtures.

That also includes 6 clean sheets in the first 10 compared to 1 in 7.

However there's peaks and toughs across a season it's not going to be a case of: "we must only concede X over X games otherwise there's clearly a crisis."

The goals conceded as of late have been a bit amateurish but that's Championship football for you. We're still excellent defensively.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

It's potentially something for the coaching staff to keep an eye on but there probably won't be anything in it.

10 goals conceded in the past 7 games compared to 7 goals conceded. in the first stack of fixtures.

That also includes 6 clean sheets in the first 10 compared to 1 in 7.

However there's peaks and toughs across a season it's not going to be a case of: "we must only concede X over X games otherwise there's clearly a crisis."

The goals conceded as of late have been a bit amateurish but that's Championship football for you. We're still excellent defensively.

3 of those 10 were against wrexham with a make shift defence

 

[mmttww]

Does the joint 3rd best defence mean nothing to you?

Yeah, it got us where we are. I want to stay where we are and I'm not convinced we'll do that conceding two goals a game. If we calm down at the back between now and Jan, I'll be more confident. Ipswich went up conceding a fair chunk so maybe that's the way we'll do it. Just not sold on the idea Thomas and Kitching are immune from criticism. Wright was our top scorer and he was getting pelters!

 

[TomRad85]

Our full backs have had a poor couple of games on the trot now imo, even MvE who is the outstanding RB in the Championship has looked a bit off. Doesn't mean they aren't any good.

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

3 of those 10 were against wrexham with a make shift defence

With respect it's hardly like one legged pirates were played in place of Dasilva, Thomas and MVE.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Yeah, it got us where we are. I want to stay where we are and I'm not convinced we'll do that conceding two goals a game. If we calm down at the back between now and Jan, I'll be more confident. Ipswich went up conceding a fair chunk so maybe that's the way we'll do it. Just not sold on the idea Thomas and Kitching are immune from criticism. Wright's our top scorer and he's getting pelters!

It was two goals in consecutive games. Put things into perspective, Boro have a good home record and scored 2 v Ipswich and Birmingham (created more chances against Ipswich than us). The OG was unforced but probably a one off from Thomas - has he scored an OG before Boro?

This season, the top 2-3 will probably concede more goals than historically the case. Automatic promotion teams tend to concede less than 40 goals and only Stoke are averaging less than 1 goal conceded a game, Ipswich and ourselves averaging bang on 1 a game.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

It was two goals in consecutive games. Put things into perspective, Boro have a good home record and scored 2 v Ipswich and Birmingham (created more chances against Ipswich than us). The OG was unforced but probably a one off from Thomas - has he scored an OG before Boro?

This season, the top 2-3 will probably concede more goals than historically the case. Automatic promotion teams tend to concede less than 40 goals and only Stoke are averaging less than 1 goal conceded a game, Ipswich and ourselves averaging bang on 1 a game.

He scored a pretty funny one at home to PNE. Well I say funny, he was laughing but not many others were!

 

[mmttww]

Doesn't mean they aren't any good.

Agree. I think they're good CBs. I also think that if we want to finish where we are, both might need to tighten up a bit.

 

[mmttww]

the top 2-3 will probably concede more goals than historically the case. Automatic promotion teams tend to concede less than 40 goals and only Stoke are averaging less than 1 goal conceded a game, Ipswich and ourselves averaging bang on 1 a game.

Yeah, I accept that. If that's how it goes, so be it.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

He scored a pretty funny one at home to PNE. Well I say funny, he was laughing but not many others were!

I knew there was one. That PNE game was one of those you just forget ever happened. Like a mug, I stayed in the stands until the final whistle when there was a cold crisp pint waiting for me in the casino around 76 minutes in.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

With respect it's hardly like one legged pirates were played in place of Dasilva, Thomas and MVE.

well the topic was about the Kitching Thomas pairing. Bit harsh to pin that partnership with 3 goals when they didnt play together.

 

[TomRad85]

I knew there was one. That PNE game was one of those you just forget ever happened. Like a mug, I stayed in the stands until the final whistle when there was a cold crisp pint waiting for me in the casino around 76 minutes in.

Was that the game GIMOC reported Sakamoto (RIP) had been killed in the line of duty?

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Was that the game GIMOC reported Sakamoto (RIP) had been killed in the line of duty?

Yes, battered 3-0 and don't think there's been many poorer performances since we've been back in the Championship. That game went some way of ending my 'stay 90m no matter what policy'. When it's cold and miserable (weather and performance) and you're 3-0 down, meet your mates for a beer and moan.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Was that the game GIMOC reported Sakamoto (RIP) had been killed in the line of duty?

It was, and was also the only game I have ever left at half time. I think Mrs BSB kicked a bin on the way out which is her traditional way of venting after bad games.

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

well the topic was about the Kitching Thomas pairing. Bit harsh to pin that partnership with 3 goals when they didnt play together.

I was referring to the defence as a whole. Although both Kitching and Thomas have made pretty rudimentary mistakes over the past two games - but, again, that's Championship football and they're Championship footballers. Mistakes will unfortunately happen.

 

[Shannerz]

By changing the defence it handed Journeyman Moore a hatrick

They were forced changes.

It wasn't just that, either; as well as three of the back four not fit to start, we only had Grimes and Allen available to start in the middle; that wasn't the right combination for a physical team like Wrexham. A more robust midfield and you can protect the defence better.

That result was a combination of a number of things.

 

[skybluecam]

I'm not, but we've not been solid at the back consistently with them as our CBs. I rate them both, but folks are a bit binary with posts about them. Either sh*t or amazing.

Numbers say they're good but not incredible, individually or as a pair. Folks are piling on someone for being critical of Kitching. I'm saying that's harsh and they've got a point.

Judging the CB pairing purely on goals conceded is incredibly reductionist lol

We are the best attacking side in the league by an absolute country mile - given that, having the 3rd/4th best defence is very impressive.

 

[shmmeee]

I think him and Bobby are both terrible defenders, the evidence is clear look at all he games we’ve lost this season when they both play

KKH is the best player in the squad, Andrews the third best and Woolfenden is our best CB:

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

I'd hate to think how many points clear we'd be if we had 2 good centre backs.

And left back