09 Aug 2020 08:09:59
I made my comments after the cup final and unsurprisingly nothing has changed after last nights match.
We need leaders all over the pitch.
I could give my views as others have of who we should sell but in general I'm in agreement with other posters.
I also have concerns about the way we have set up our defence but I'm also sure that defending requires an ability to anticipate danger and some of our defenders don't possess that instinct and IMO never will. You can't coach that into a player.
August is the time when all supporters dream of success.
COME on MY MIGHTY BLUES.
09 Aug 2020 10:09:14
I have to agree, I am concerned with how we are setting up our defence. There definitely seems to be an issue from a coaching perspective. It is understandable given the inexperience of both Lampard and Morris which is made harder given how they want us to play which leaves a lot of gaps in defence.
I agree we probably don't have the personal to play I hoping they put this right even if it means appointing an experienced defensive coach as part of their team.
I agree that we don't have the best defenders in the league, but we certainly don't have the worst. It's very easy to blame the players and say we lack quality, leaders etc.
I cannot explain how and why we have gone from the being the 3rd best defence in the league last season to literally becoming one of the worst. We are the leaders in conceding goals from cornerkicks and set pieces. I know we lost David Luiz and replaced him with Zouma this season but I would have expected a better return there.
I hoping we bring in reinforcements which will help in solving the deficiency, however it will require our coaching team to fully resolve the issue.
09 Aug 2020 11:12:47
The coaching is the main issue we have not the players. Conceding 7 against Bayern would not have happened to Wolves for example. The argument that the management team lacks experience doesn't hold water either when so many people can see that the way the team is set up is so inviting to our opponents.
Any team who plays us knows that playing a low block and counter attacking gives them a better than even chance in the match.
We are witnessing a half baked Citeh approach without the knowledge or players to carry that out.
Next season we will undoubtedly continue in the same vein hopefully winning a few more with the increased firepower.
But to be true contenders it will take more than buying a new goalkeeper and CB it will take a new tactical approach with more emphasis on defending as a team.
09 Aug 2020 11:50:43
I agree with both above postings and TomB's point about lack of leaders is one of the reasons why I have been worries about us losing too man y experienced - been there, done that - players whose experience, even if they are not all natural leaders on the pitch, can help younger players develop.
This is one of the reasons why I am sorry that Willian is apparently going, if especially to Arsenal, though can see why this happened, and that I was sorry when Luiz went there because although we all knew he could make silly errors was also to my mind a big game player and could help offer that leadership needed in marshalling the defense on those occasions (and he did look much better generally for us when in a back 3). Ideally of course you need that kind of leadership ability right down the spine of a team from GK to Striker as we did in the days of PC, JT, FL and DD. Especially needed perhaps when manager is young and still learning, though I think Frank is learning and can develop into a great manager. So we need world class talent like Havertz, who may turn out to be a leader too (but has hardly old enough to have proved this) but hopefully if/ when recruiting especially for CB and GK we will be looking at and get that leadership quality too. Perhaps Rice would offer this or why Dunk is given his captaincy of Brighton.
09 Aug 2020 12:19:44
Wolves conceded 7 to us.