I mentioned in my player ratings that I'd marked Willis down against Swindon for his ball watching for the first goal so wanted to expand on it a bit as it also cost us the 1st Cambridge goal too. Rather than just a criticism, I hope it's an area for improvement being worked on in training - if we're going to start being more adventurous in our forward play, it's the kind of basic mistake at the back that needs to be cut out as you can't afford to give strikers space like that at any level.
If you watch Willis carefully (central, at the top of the box) in the build up to the goal he twice checks over his shoulder to see where Norris is but goes back to watching the ball instead of marking his man. It was a great finish but if he gets tight when he sees Norris is free then it's an easy headed clearance after the loopy deflection off McDonald.
Not pinning the whole goal on Willis as just like the Cambridge goal there were other mistakes in the build up too. Doyle is too easily beaten (in the run up before I started the gif) and then Stokes gets sucked towards the ball so his player has time to cross before he gets over to him. However even after that the goal is still very preventable if Willis marks up.
I mentioned in my player ratings that I'd marked Willis down against Swindon for his ball watching for the first goal so wanted to expand on it a bit as it also cost us the 1st Cambridge goal too. Rather than just a criticism, I hope it's an area for improvement being worked on in training - if we're going to start being more adventurous in our forward play, it's the kind of basic mistake at the back that needs to be cut out as you can't afford to give strikers space like that at any level.
If you watch Willis carefully (central, at the top of the box) in the build up to the goal he twice checks over his shoulder to see where Norris is but goes back to watching the ball instead of marking his man. It was a great finish but if he gets tight when he sees Norris is free then it's an easy headed clearance after the loopy deflection off McDonald.
Not pinning the whole goal on Willis as just like the Cambridge goal there were other mistakes in the build up too. Doyle is too easily beaten (in the run up before I started the gif) and then Stokes gets sucked towards the ball so his player has time to cross before he gets over to him. However even after that the goal is still very preventable if Willis marks up.
Yeah you're right. Nobody should analyse performances ever and just be happy with what they're given.FFS get off his back and listen to yourselves, experts at defending now are we. The lad is as good as we have got and we should be glad to have him.
He is quick, strong and the best athlete on our books. So just be grateful he is still here. :yawn:
I get your point but a bit harsh in my opinion
He was in a good position until the ball took the deflection
No deflection, no goal.
Are football fans not allowed to talk about the actual football? There's very little talk about the match itself after they finish on here - only 25 replies to the player ratings thread and half of those are arguing over whether 700 fans was good or not. I'm an overseas fan that doesn't have the luxury of sitting in the pub with 5 Cov supporting mates and dissecting the game over a pint but I do enjoy the technical side of the game and the fine margins that win or lose games. I'm not calling Willis shit or asking for him to be dropped, in fact I deliberately called it an area for improvement as a positive message. I just thought it might be an interesting topic on a quiet Friday afternoon that might spark a bit of debate - Otis agreed with me, Bawtry and Hill disagree and Steve's a bit more in the middle.FFS get off his back and listen to yourselves, experts at defending now are we. The lad is as good as we have got and we should be glad to have him.
He is quick, strong and the best athlete on our books. So just be grateful he is still here. :yawn:
I get your point but a bit harsh in my opinion
He was in a good position until the ball took the deflection
No deflection, no goal.
A little harsh in this case
A different cross for the attacker to run onto, and willis is in the perfect position to be 1st to the ball
A deflection takes it slightly behind the forward and then he looks lost
If he was tight, a better cross may have produced a goal also
Good points again but I still think he is ball watchingI think your usage of the term "ball watching" is not being used in the right context, usually when a player is ball watching you will find that a defender is out of position due to them not watching the player and daydreaming while the ball is away from then. The attacker ( who is switched on) is then able to make a run and generally get away from the player. In this instance Willis is where he should be, he knows where his attacker is, the ball takes a deflection and he then has to change direction and try to close it down, as the forward is running on to the ball and is able to get there quicker.
It's really not my intention to single him out especially, it just struck me as similar in some aspects to the Cambridge goal - I did also refer to Doyle and Stokes part in it in my OP. And I really wouldn't blame Willis, like I haven't blamed McDonald for the deflection as the winger absolutely puts his laces through that cross into the box rather than side footing it.Crazy to single out Willis for this. McDonald is my favourite player but if those two's roles were swapped in this goal, people would be saying "lazy / shit attempted clearance by Willis".
The fact is we have the best defence in the league and he's a consistant part of that.
I agree. He should be a bit tighter on his man in my opinion.I also take your pointsIs it really a good position though? There's no danger apart from Norris - he's the only red shirt in the box at the point of crossing and Willis is the last man, a yard or 2 deeper than the rest of the defence - when the ball is deflected he's half way between the penalty spot and the 6 yard box.
Good points again but I still think he is ball watchingHe drifts into the penalty area, deeper than the rest of the team and is then too far away from the only danger in the box to react when something unexpected happens.
I think he said to himself 'I had better show one mere mortal moment at some point, otherwise I will be far too godlike for my own good.'It's a tough one. I think Rod should should deal with the ball in better, then the danger is gone. Then again, I also think Rod is God. So how can he be wrong. He must have done it for a reason.
Did it for the fans, always feels better when you come from behind to win.It's a tough one. I think Rod should should deal with the ball in better, then the danger is gone. Then again, I also think Rod is God. So how can he be wrong. He must have done it for a reason.
Agree, Torch. His distribution isn't good enough and he does make a fair number of mistakes.I have to say I've never been a fan of Willis. I feel he is always a heartbeat from making a mistake. Would rather have McDonald and Davies or McDonald and Hyam in defence.
Agree, Torch. His distribution isn't good enough and he does make a fair number of mistakes.
I always do better, talking from behind my keyboard. That way I can be a better politician, astronaut and lover.OMG YOU DO BETTER THEN TALKING FROM BEHIND YOUR KEYBOARD
He's not bad. I just think McDonald is leagues ahead of him.Best defensive record in league
Lets start a thread about how bad our centre back is....
He's not bad. I just think McDonald is leagues ahead of him.
All about opinions isn't it.I don’t think he is ‘leagues’ ahead of him. I do think they compliment each other well. Willis still is ‘stained’ with his involvement with past City teams. I think that’s what attracts some hate. McDonald hasn’t been perfect, and neither Willis, but he and Willis clearly have a very good understanding! Any calls for Davies or Hyam to start ahead of him, are frankly ridiculous.
I was disappointed Davies got injured after he’d seemingly earned a run in the starting XI.
And you would be right. Everyone knows my thoughts on Willis but you can't argue about the defensive stats at the minute. More to do with who is playing alongside Willis than the actual player himself.He's not bad. I just think McDonald is leagues ahead of him.
Yeah but what about how good they are on the football pitch . :emoji_scream:I would be interested to see how Davies and McDonald would fare together.
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