In Defence (1 Viewer)

SlowerThanPlatt · Sep 1, 2024

Some Sunday digging on our defence in the last season and a bit, our clean sheets in that time:

Middlesbrough - Thomas, McFadzean, Latibeaudiere

Sunderland - Thomas, McFadzean, Latibeaudiere

Blackburn - Thomas, McFadzean, Binks

/change 4back

Stoke - Thomas, Kitching

Millwall - Thomas, Kitching

Plymouth - Thomas, Kitching

Birmingham - Thomas, Kitching

Sunderland - Thomas, Kitching

Sheffield Wednesday - Thomas, Kitching

/Kitching sent off

Stoke - Binks, Thomas

Rotherham - Thomas, Latibeaudiere, Kitching

Blackburn - Thomas, Kitching

Evo1883 · Sep 1, 2024

SlowerThanPlatt said:
Some Sunday digging on our defence in the last season and a bit, our clean sheets in that time:

Middlesbrough - Thomas, McFadzean, Latibeaudiere

Sunderland - Thomas, McFadzean, Latibeaudiere

Blackburn - Thomas, McFadzean, Binks

/change 4back

Stoke - Thomas, Kitching

Millwall - Thomas, Kitching

Plymouth - Thomas, Kitching

Birmingham - Thomas, Kitching

Sunderland - Thomas, Kitching

Sheffield Wednesday - Thomas, Kitching

/Kitching sent off

Stoke - Binks, Thomas

Rotherham - Thomas, Latibeaudiere, Kitching

Blackburn - Thomas, Kitching

Thomas and kitching are our best defenders

Cally Fedora · Sep 1, 2024

Thomas and Kitching are our best defensive pairing but Thomas distribution has been lacking. There seems to be a school of thought that is anti Kitching but for me he’s a nailed on starter.

shmmeee · Sep 1, 2024

Ben Wilson holds the clean sheet record. Bring him back. Or even RCC!

Earlsdon_Skyblue1 · Sep 1, 2024

When you have spent as much as we have on a pair of defenders that are sitting on the bench, it does seem a bit odd. I get that they have made some mistakes, and some of the discipline has been ropey last season, but they are extremely expensive signings that surely cannot be worse than what is playing. Got to find a way to make it work with them otherwise it is a complete waste of everyone's time.

shmmeee · Sep 1, 2024

Earlsdon_Skyblue1 said:
When you have spent as much as we have on a pair of defenders that are sitting on the bench, it does seem a bit odd. I get that they have made some mistakes, and some of the discipline has been ropey last season, but they are extremely expensive signings that surely cannot be worse than what is playing. Got to find a way to make it work with them otherwise it is a complete waste of everyone's time.

Why is it odd? We’ve done it for left wingers too and arguably strikers.

Evo1883 · Sep 1, 2024

Earlsdon_Skyblue1 said:
When you have spent as much as we have on a pair of defenders that are sitting on the bench, it does seem a bit odd. I get that they have made some mistakes, and some of the discipline has been ropey last season, but they are extremely expensive signings that surely cannot be worse than what is playing. Got to find a way to make it work with them otherwise it is a complete waste of everyone's time.

Latibeaudiere made 2 mistakes in the first 6 minutes yesterday .

But the reality is both kitching and Thomas help get the team forward , both try and pass through the lines rather than sideways all game , both are happy to carry the ball and both can defend better than the 2 that are starting currently..

They also both have leadership qualities the team is so desperately lacking and with the added bonus of offering more from set pieces.. they both should be starting

Earlsdon_Skyblue1 · Sep 1, 2024

shmmeee said:
Why is it odd? We’ve done it for left wingers too and arguably strikers.

If a player isn't performing then they have every chance of getting dropped, right? I am not saying play a player just because the cost a lot, but you should be looking at trying to get a return of value. Our defence hasn't been brilliant recently but we have two CB's on the bench, one of which was about 4 million IIRC - that is an outrageous amount of money for someone to be sitting there not contributing, especially when we aren't defending spectacularly.

shmmeee · Sep 1, 2024

Earlsdon_Skyblue1 said:
If a player isn't performing then they have every chance of getting dropped, right? I am not saying play a player just because the cost a lot, but you should be looking at trying to get a return of value. Our defence hasn't been brilliant recently but we have two CB's on the bench, one of which was about 4 million IIRC - that is an outrageous amount of money for someone to be sitting there not contributing.

Can’t go back in time and not have our pants pulled down. Otherwise Rudoni and EMC wouldn’t be here either

Our CBs have been fine. It’s almost every other part of the pitch that’s the issue.

Earlsdon_Skyblue1 · Sep 1, 2024

shmmeee said:
Can’t go back in time and not have our pants pulled down. Otherwise Rudoni and EMC wouldn’t be here either

Our CBs have been fine. It’s almost every other part of the pitch that’s the issue.

Other areas of the pitch might be more important, but that doesn't mean just forget it. We haven't kept a single clean sheet in the league yet. If you can't score goals then at least don't concede them. Maybe a pair of defenders currently sitting on the bench that cost a fortune could contribute to helping us with that.

Monty · Sep 1, 2024

I think Lati and Binks area little more light weight as well. No threats st attacking set pieces. Bullied by opposition. Lati hasn't got the passing range either. To me at the least Thomas for Lati

Marty · Sep 1, 2024

Lats is dreadful, he's an absolute liability and a disaster waiting to happen every game, that sliced clearance in the opening minutes yesterday is the norm, he's not a championship standard player, Binks I didn't want us to sign, I didn't rate him last season and I don't rate him so far this.

Kitching and Thomas are the best CBs at the club, neither are great but they move the ball much quicker up the pitch, both are willing to step out and join the attack, both willing to be more physical. We so badly needed an old big bruising CB in the summer, help marshall the defence and just be an all round leader on the pitch.

shmmeee · Sep 1, 2024

Monty said:
Lati hasn't got the passing range either. To me at the least Thomas for Lati

I suppose adding “straight to the opposition midfield” and “pointlessly out of touch” would increase the range of passes our CBs make

Cov98 · Sep 1, 2024

Really don't understand the negativity surrounding Binks, he's class and will only get better.
Is he the finished article? No of course not, but none of our CB's are.

I do fully agree with Kitching/Thomas driving the ball forward from the back and starting attacks, Kitching especially.
Whenever we play with Kitching I feel we're a lot better going forward because he'll step up and run with the ball into space pushing everyone forward. Binks doesn't do that and prefers to spray a pass and Lati just doesn't do either.

I feel Kitching / Binks should be our go to and then Thomas to rotate with Binks.

wingy · Sep 1, 2024

Evo1883 said:
Thomas and kitching are our best defenders

Seem to be!

Chris1987 · Sep 1, 2024

No idea why Lati is starting every week. Kitching should be first choice and then Thomas or Binks alongside but with one being the definite preferred starter. Nothing against Lati but he is at best back up in any position.

SeaSeeEffCee · Sep 1, 2024

I don’t really rate any of our centre backs tbh. I don’t think many of them would get into any of the top teams sides.

Jamesimus · Sep 1, 2024

Lati has done better than I thought at centre back tbh.

That being said, Bobby T is a far better footballer and the way he tries to pass makes his “mistakes” look worse than they are. Don’t think he should have been dropped, should have been given more time.

Jamesimus · Sep 1, 2024

I think it’s mainly that Lati panics when he receives the ball and treats it like a hot potato. Bobby Thomas doesn’t panic enough and tries to play through balls to the strikers from central defence.

wingy · Sep 1, 2024

Jamesimus said:
I think it’s mainly that Lati panics when he receives the ball and treats it like a hot potato. Bobby Thomas doesn’t panic enough and tries to play through balls to the strikers from central defence.

Just the type you want really, to succeed!

shmmeee · Sep 1, 2024

Jamesimus said:
I think it’s mainly that Lati panics when he receives the ball and treats it like a hot potato. Bobby Thomas doesn’t panic enough and tries to play through balls to the strikers from central defence.

Thomas constantly panics. He’s always lumping it out for no reason or steaming across when the full back has his man.

Jamesimus · Sep 1, 2024

shmmeee said:
Thomas constantly panics. He’s always lumping it out for no reason or steaming across when the full back has his man.

Personally think he makes poor decisions and is far too laid back with the ball at his feet. Absolutely no doubt in my mind he’s technically a far better footballer than Lati though.

Im not sure what the answer is, probably just finding the right balance.

Cally Fedora · Sep 1, 2024

shmmeee said:
Can’t go back in time and not have our pants pulled down. Otherwise Rudoni and EMC wouldn’t be here either

Our CBs have been fine. It’s almost every other part of the pitch that’s the issue.

Judgment already passed on emc and Rudoni then. At least you gave them 4 games.

The Philosopher · Sep 1, 2024

My observation about Thomas is that he’ll bang it out of touch like an 80’s CB more often than needed. This of course gives opponents a throw in often in an advanced position, or a not-necessarily needed corner where often there is time to find one of our own players.

I get the need for safety, but it’s a game of fine margins.

I think that the new post Ady coaching strategy for game play is for the defence to create from deep by passing short and accurately. The theory would be then for ball playing centre backs rather than 80’s type clogger stoppers. I can only guess that this is why they prefer Lati who theoretically is a better passer than Thomas.

It’s not working, partly because Dovin is, IMO, young and inexperienced; talented maybe, but inexperienced in pass selection.

A back pairing of Binks and Kitching is my (absolutely irrelevant of course) preference with Lati adding steel to the midfield.

Our attacking play is mainly from MVE and Bidwell linking up with the corresponding wide frontman and there are few centre through balls to Ellis.

For his faults, Wilson was on his toes picking up the ball and getting it out to the mids to create breaks and (as a former midfielder) has reasonably decent ball control and passing.

Why not:

Wilson

MVE Bidwell WBS.

Two CBs of Kitching and Binks.

Lati as a deep midfielder / defence cover either flank when WBS are forward.

Sheaf centre

Rudoni roaming

Front 3 - spoilt for choice.

Jamesimus · Sep 1, 2024

The Philosopher said:
My observation about Thomas is that he’ll bang it out of touch like an 80’s CB more often than needed. This of course gives opponents a throw in often in an advanced position, or a not-necessarily needed corner where often there is time to find one of our own players.

I get the need for safety, but it’s a game of fine margins.

I think that the new post Ady coaching strategy for game play is for the defence to create from deep by passing short and accurately. The theory would be then for ball playing centre backs rather than 80’s type clogger stoppers. I can only guess that this is why they prefer Lati who theoretically is a better passer than Thomas.

It’s not working, partly because Dovin is, IMO, young and inexperienced; talented maybe, but inexperienced in pass selection.

A back pairing of Binks and Kitching is my (absolutely irrelevant of course) preference with Lati adding steel to the midfield.

Our attacking play is mainly from MVE and Bidwell linking up with the corresponding wide frontman and there are few centre through balls to Ellis.

For his faults, Wilson was on his toes picking up the ball and getting it out to the mids to create breaks and (as a former midfielder) has reasonably decent ball control and passing.

Why not:

Wilson

MVE Bidwell WBS.

Two CBs of Kitching and Binks.

Lati as a deep midfielder / defence cover either flank when WBS are forward.

Sheaf centre

Rudoni roaming

Front 3 - spoilt for choice.

If I have to witness Latibeaudiere in midfield again, after I have finally accepted that he can do okay as a centre back, I will destroy myself and take you with me.

Matt smith · Sep 1, 2024

Cally Fedora said:
Judgment already passed on emc and Rudoni then. At least you gave them 4 games.

Rudoni looks incredibly underwhelming.

torchomatic · Sep 1, 2024

Cally Fedora said:
Thomas and Kitching are our best defensive pairing but Thomas distribution has been lacking. There seems to be a school of thought that is anti Kitching but for me he’s a nailed on starter.

I love Thomas. One of my favourite players at the club, but his distribution can be dreadful and puts us under pressure. This is regardless of whether he's trying to spray the ball across the pitch or just a simple ball out of defence. Aside from that, I don't think there's anyone better in defence. if he could cut out those stray passes then he would be one of the first names on the teamsheet every match.

ccfc1234 · Sep 1, 2024

Jamesimus said:
I think it’s mainly that Lati panics when he receives the ball and treats it like a hot potato. Bobby Thomas doesn’t panic enough and tries to play through balls to the strikers from central defence.

That is where we miss someone in the QB role in midfield, picking the ball up from the CBs and getting the team moving forward. When the CBs try and connect with the forwards its infrequently that it sticks.

TomRad85 · Sep 1, 2024

SlowerThanPlatt said:
Some Sunday digging on our defence in the last season and a bit, our clean sheets in that time:

Middlesbrough - Thomas, McFadzean, Latibeaudiere

Sunderland - Thomas, McFadzean, Latibeaudiere

Blackburn - Thomas, McFadzean, Binks

/change 4back

Stoke - Thomas, Kitching

Millwall - Thomas, Kitching

Plymouth - Thomas, Kitching

Birmingham - Thomas, Kitching

Sunderland - Thomas, Kitching

Sheffield Wednesday - Thomas, Kitching

/Kitching sent off

Stoke - Binks, Thomas

Rotherham - Thomas, Latibeaudiere, Kitching

Blackburn - Thomas, Kitching

Obvious to almost everyone other than Robins.

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

shmmeee · Sep 1, 2024

Cally Fedora said:
Judgment already passed on emc and Rudoni then. At least you gave them 4 games.

I think if we’d brought them in for £2m, same as Kitching, we’d all be saying they’re a decent signing. £4m+ for L1 players is always a statement IMO.

JAM See · Sep 1, 2024

I'm genuinely baffled why Kitching isn't starting.

I trust that Robins is a better judge of a footballer than I am, but I would love to see Kitching have a run in the team.

Legia Sky Blue · Sep 1, 2024

Definitely time to bring Thomas and Kitching back. They are the best combination, being bigger and stronger than Lati and Binks and offering more of a threat at set pieces. Possibly a bit tough on Binks who I don't think has been too bad but needs must.

shmmeee · Sep 1, 2024

shmmeee said:
I think if we’d brought them in for £2m, same as Kitching, we’d all be saying they’re a decent signing. £4m+ for L1 players is always a statement IMO.

Didn’t realise this until I looked, but Rudoni, EMC and Kitch make up 20% of the top 15 all time fees paid for L1 players.

blunted · Sep 1, 2024

Norwich had one shot on target deflected into the net. Think our problems are further forward.

CovValleyBoy · Sep 1, 2024

Cally Fedora said:
Thomas and Kitching are our best defensive pairing but Thomas distribution has been lacking. There seems to be a school of thought that is anti Kitching but for me he’s a nailed on starter.

Doesn't read the play well & when caught out hasn't got the pace to recover. But I agree he may be the best of the poor 4 central defenders we have available. Needs a run in the team. Can find a pass.

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