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Defence is the problem


Top Robin

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These are the goals against for the teams in the top ten:

Wolves 36,  Cardiff 39, Fulham 42, Villa 40, Borough 43, Derby 46, Millwall 43, Brentford 49, Preston 45 , Bristol City 55

We are bottom of that by quite a margin which tells me that our defence is not good enough and should be the first thing that Lee looks at (he should have sorted this months ago instead of buying bench warming forwards)

When looking at changes in that area we shouldn't keep players just because they show passion, we need quality players and I'm not sure any of our defence are of the quality we need to move forward.

Incidentally, out of the top ten teams, we are joint 5th in goals for.

If our defence had been better it may have been a different story this season.

 

 

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But we defend from the front, so all have to go then?

There's nothing wrong with our centre halfs but full backs aren't up to much and Bryan played in that capacity is a liability. Keepers are nothing special.

The reason we concede so many is our midfield aren't good enough and we allow teams far too much space to get quality ball into the box. That's where the rot needs to stop.

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I would pin point it to our keepers (With FF taking the brunt of it as he has had the shirt for the most games).

It not just the bloopers that have resulted in goals conceded (all keepers make the odd rick, so I forgive him that), but his overall game is simply poor, no command of his box, terrible communicater (resulted in plenty of goals this season), not strong enough, leave the central backs to head away balls in the 6 yard box he should be coming for, probably has the worst distribution I have ever seen in a city keeper.

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16 minutes ago, Red Grovesy said:

Letting in five against Hull and five against Villa didn't help.

Almost 20% of goals conceded in two matches.

Exactly this. Take away 2 freak shows, 3 if you include Sunderland, and our goals against tally reflects pretty well with the teams around us. 

Of course, those teams haven’t capitulated in those 2/3 games, but it’s not like we’ve been defensively shocking all season. 

Having said that, With Pisano in the team, we look like conceeding every time any team have the ball against us..!

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2 minutes ago, Atyeo's Love Child said:

If we had an average goalkeeper, we would safely be in the top 6....

 

Codswallop.  Fielding has had a good season overall.  What is it with fans expecting Championship keepers to be perfect every game?  Every keeper in football makes mistakes.  Fielding is a good Championship goalkeeper.  He is in the top 8 in the league, maybe even top 6 and he has rarely let us down this season.  Certainly let us down a lot less than some outfield players.

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as Shania said, you have to be joking right! frank fielding has  not had a good season, how when the pitch is 70 yards wide he manages to put the ball out time and time again, remember wolves, and don't get me started on that free kick against hull, so I'm sorry red dave we will have to agree to disagree.

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13 minutes ago, RedDave said:

Codswallop.  Fielding has had a good season overall.  What is it with fans expecting Championship keepers to be perfect every game?  Every keeper in football makes mistakes.  Fielding is a good Championship goalkeeper.  He is in the top 8 in the league, maybe even top 6 and he has rarely let us down this season.  Certainly let us down a lot less than some outfield players.

Wow, you are easily pleased!

I cannot see how somebody who cannot kick or catch is top 8 in the league.

Steele must be really poor in training to not displace him.

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24 minutes ago, Atyeo's Love Child said:

Wow, you are easily pleased!

I cannot see how somebody who cannot kick or catch is top 8 in the league.

Steele must be really poor in training to not displace him.

Can you name me 8 keepers in this league who come out and regularly catch crosses?  

Fans expectations of goalkeepers are far too high at this level.  You want a keeper who can make saves, catch regularly, kick well and (supposedly) command his area to be playing for a mid table Championship side! 

 

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I think most would be happy to start with Baker and Flint next year, although Baker has dropped below his standards lately, but I think MF also plays a part along with FBs. Playing 2 in CMFhas worked OK , but under pressure and Vs a 3 we have been over run. The FBs , I agree Pisano hasn't been great since a return from injury, but I think he was forced back a little early. BW was a stop gap who did a job , many times by just blocking a wingers run with a body check ! Bryan is a funny one, for spell this year he has looked good. But he seems to run out of steam about 70 mins in and gives the winger way too much room. Watch his positioning and compare it to Kelly. 
I think next year we could do with a RB, or a fully fit Pisano. Kelly has to be LB, a bit early possibly but I think he could be there a long time so why not. Bryan , if he stays should be LMF, I still think it's his best position. 
If we keep all 4 CBs , we have the option to play 3-5-2 which may sure up the centre a little, it may not be LJs first choice formation but a good plan B.

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We could try and buy an improved player for every position, but we have to remember that not everyone wants to play for a ‘smaller’ (by regards of recent league positions and not being in Prem League before) team in this league, we don’t have the financial power of others, and there might not be anyone available in certain positions that could better our own currently. Not to mention our blasted DNA...... 

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43 minutes ago, The Original OTIB said:

When was the last time that we had a GENUINE Right Back and a GENUINE Left Back + GENUINE cover in both positions? Years, and years...

Greg Cunningham and Luke Ayling were out and out full backs, with Bryan and Little providing adequate cover. 

The fact that we never played like that is neither here nor there.

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46 minutes ago, The Original OTIB said:

When was the last time that we had a GENUINE Right Back and a GENUINE Left Back + GENUINE cover in both positions? Years, and years...

Saturday’s side had a natural RB, LB and two CBs, one right footed, one who is left. It could not have been better balanced on paper and I saw no criticism of it before the game kicked off.

We also have Wright, Vyner, Magnusson, Kelly, Hegeler and Moore to choose from.

I think it is question of the right blend, I’m not a Pisano fan myself, but really do think we have the depth (maybe not so much at RB, but personally I’d have played Vyner there a lot more).

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8 minutes ago, Welcome To The Jungle said:

Greg Cunningham and Luke Ayling were out and out full backs, with Bryan and Little providing adequate cover. 

The fact that we never played like that is neither here nor there.

Like many I do not consider Bryan a genuine left back. In old money, he's an inside left. Best worked in a 4 3 3.

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4 hours ago, Top Robin said:

These are the goals against for the teams in the top ten:

Wolves 36,  Cardiff 39, Fulham 42, Villa 40, Borough 43, Derby 46, Millwall 43, Brentford 49, Preston 45 , Bristol City 55

We are bottom of that by quite a margin which tells me that our defence is not good enough and should be the first thing that Lee looks at (he should have sorted this months ago instead of buying bench warming forwards)

When looking at changes in that area we shouldn't keep players just because they show passion, we need quality players and I'm not sure any of our defence are of the quality we need to move forward.

Incidentally, out of the top ten teams, we are joint 5th in goals for.

If our defence had been better it may have been a different story this season.

 

 

A commanding keeper would be a good start

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3 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

Saturday’s side had a natural RB, LB and two CBs, one right footed, one who is left. It could not have been better balanced on paper and I saw no criticism of it before the game kicked off.

We also have Wright, Vyner, Magnusson, Kelly, Hegeler and Moore to choose from.

I think it is question of the right blend, I’m not a Pisano fan myself, but really do think we have the depth (maybe not so much at RB, but personally I’d have played Vyner there a lot more).

Like many I do not consider Bryan a genuine left back. In old money, he's an inside left. Best worked in a 4 3 3. I was pointing to genuine incumbents who speacialize in those roles. We have players who CAN fill the role but who are not specialists.

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Goalie is a scapegoat, saved more points individually than lost. 

Yes there are flaws, Johnson making him kick wide all the time doesn't help.

Defensively as a unit, since Xmas has been a shambles - defensive coach not been doing a good job, we didn't recruit adequate cover either in defence despite putting square pegs in round holes for AGES. 

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WANTED:

Goalkeeper who is a great shot stopper, commanding of his area, comes and catches crosses (rarely dropping any), solid kicker and excellent communicator.

Salary:  Less than £15k per week

Must be willing to play in a league much below his ability.

All applicants (if any) please send CV to Bristol City FC.

 

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