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Are you more impressed with us going forward or our defending?

hoxton casual

By hoxton casual
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hoxton casual

hoxton casual

Posted
Posted

Last season, sitting in a service station car park we went 3 up at Derby, and then we all know what happened. Shock is the only way I can describe it. Time and time again we would go ahead and then I would really start to worry. Thank the lord for Tammy as our ability to defend was shocking last year. This year we look solid with our defence starting from the front and real steel and organisation to denying them space and time on the ball. The confidence of our second half defending was a different class today and the confidence has spread all the way to Frankie, who now looks like a Premier League keeper.

But saying that, some of the movement and interplay going forward is thrilling and we don't have a striker like Tammy and we are scoring plenty of goals from everywhere. But all in all I love the solidity of our defence so far and I don't get that awful feeling in my stomach in the last twenty minutes of every game.

Rossi the Robin

Rossi the Robin

Posted
Posted

We are definitely more solid this season and goals are coming from a variety of positions / players

Hard call, but we definitely play at a higher tempo and more exciting- the ball is going wider more also but I would say defending is the base

INCRED

INCRED

Posted
Posted

We don't seem to be making too many mistakes that cost us goals last season, other players are busting a gut to cover their team mate and blocking everything that is going goalwards. What I'm impressed with is the team spirit in the team which started to come to light towards the end of last season (minus a certain individual). Team spirit counts for a lot and not only gets you through tough times but also drives you forward to succeed. I had a gut feeling in the summer about us this season and bought a ST for the first time because I could see something developing, I'm glad I did now as I truly believe we can finish somewhere in the top six, LJ won't make the same mistakes this season!

SedRA

SedRA

Posted
Posted
8 minutes ago, Between heaven and hell said:

Defending.

We have three seriously hard men in that back four.

Who's the not seriously hard man in the back four? Didn't Cotterill say Bryan was the toughest player he'd ever managed, or something to that effect? 

Red Army 75

Red Army 75

Posted
Posted

Defending. Tremendous work ethic as a team. All working there socks of for each other. And no pains in the ass disrupting what the management are trying to implement. I'm won't get carried away . But it's been an outstanding effort by all involved. Had an unbelievable September. And I admit i didn't think we would be 5th come the end of it . Long may it continue 

Between heaven and hell

Between heaven and hell

Posted
Posted
8 minutes ago, RedSA said:

Who's the not seriously hard man in the back four? Didn't Cotterill say Bryan was the toughest player he'd ever managed, or something to that effect? 

Well he can certainly front up to who ever he wants to this season because he has three hard lads behind him.

eardun

eardun

Posted
Posted
20 minutes ago, Gillies Downs Leeds said:

Defending for me and that includes Diedhiou and Reid closing down from the front.

Agree. Defending and pressing well all over the pitch. With aggression. We look street wise now too. 

1960maaan

1960maaan

Posted
Posted

Most impressed with team play, throughout.

Said on another thread, the pressing bares no resemblance to last year. The Fulham game springs to mind , one man press never works. Now we press as a team and for 90+ minutes , the difference is startling.
The balance of the side is really good and we have a squad where players can be swapped without weakening the team.
The one worry is , I'm starting to think we could actually do something so I'm on a mixture of tablets and alcohol to temper my enthusiasm :city:

Gimme Shelton

Gimme Shelton

Posted
Posted

We have been too nice for too long,having Baker back certainly helps the nasty colomn,Joe has always left a bit on his opponent and I like that Pisano isn't afraid to leave a foot in now and again in a typically Italian way! All in all keep up the good work.

BobBobSuperBob

BobBobSuperBob

Posted
Posted
14 hours ago, RedSA said:

Who's the not seriously hard man in the back four? Didn't Cotterill say Bryan was the toughest player he'd ever managed, or something to that effect? 

JM was saying at q&a what a 'good set of lads ' we have this year

I asked him if we had any that were 'different' when the whistle went

He chuckled noodled and with a grin highlighted two players in particular (with some little comments ;))

Nathan Baker , .....and Joe

:thumbsup:

 

14 hours ago, Gillies Downs Leeds said:

Defending for me and that includes Diedhiou and Reid closing down from the front.

 

13 hours ago, eardun said:

Agree. Defending and pressing well all over the pitch. With aggression. We look street wise now too. 

 

13 hours ago, 1960maaan said:

Most impressed with team play, throughout.

Said on another thread, the pressing bares no resemblance to last year. The Fulham game springs to mind , one man press never works. Now we press as a team and for 90+ minutes , the difference is startling.
The balance of the side is really good and we have a squad where players can be swapped without weakening the team.
The one worry is , I'm starting to think we could actually do something so I'm on a mixture of tablets and alcohol to temper my enthusiasm :city:

All of you , IMHO , getting to the core of this

First of all , as others have commented our back four options look a unit , and resolute

But I think the press is the key

Coming back to post match q&a recently at AG , was talking to JM about the press and narrowing the pitch at AG

He said the players lost confidence last year that they could press for the 90 mins (Personally think this majorly contributed to our bad run last season as we ended up pressing without confidence or conviction at times and the press is a large part of Lees philosophy and game plan.

JM said they had been working on this and that the narrowing of the pitch helped with the psychology / mindset of the players as much as anything 

From what I've seen our press is looking well drilled , done with confidence and helped enormously by the selfless work of Famara and the quite unblelievable rise in Bobby Reid and the fitness and work closing down he brings - we defend so high up the pitch where we can 

Everyone joins in , the 'wide men' (COD is excellent)

Defending from front to back - great sign and a recipie for success if we can maintain it 

:clapping:

 

 

so for me all good posts above 

:thumbsup:

Dolman_Stand

Dolman_Stand

Posted
Posted

Defensively we have improved massively, I think having Bailey Wright at right back has helped as alongide Flint & Baker we are so strong in clearing balls into the box. Will be interesting to see if Pisano gets back in straight away.

Also the impact Nathan Baker has had on the side shouldn't be underestimated he is a proper centre half in terms of aggression, physicality and looks comfortable on the ball as well, why did Villa get rid of him???

 

RedM

RedM

Posted
Posted

I wonder what would have happened if Pisano wasn't injured. I'm not sure on Pisano yet as I haven't seen him enough compared to the others, I'm certain though we wouldn't have tried the present combo without having to because of injury. Flint is playing the football of his life, Bailey Wright is playing out of position but not suffering greatly and Baker has slotted in seamlessly he's almost unnoticed.

Bobby Reid would often come on last season when we were a goal or two down and would always be chasing the game. Him moving further forward and being free to play from a 0-0 start has been the masking of him, and having players around him who seem to be on the same wave length as eachother.

i see from social media a few are out at the NFL game together today at Wembley, so they play and socialise together which is good to see.

Davefevs

Davefevs

Posted
Posted
42 minutes ago, RedM said:

I wonder what would have happened if Pisano wasn't injured. I'm not sure on Pisano yet as I haven't seen him enough compared to the others, I'm certain though we wouldn't have tried the present combo without having to because of injury. Flint is playing the football of his life, Bailey Wright is playing out of position but not suffering greatly and Baker has slotted in seamlessly he's almost unnoticed.

Bobby Reid would often come on last season when we were a goal or two down and would always be chasing the game. Him moving further forward and being free to play from a 0-0 start has been the masking of him, and having players around him who seem to be on the same wave length as eachother.

i see from social media a few are out at the NFL game together today at Wembley, so they play and socialise together which is good to see.

Pisano is a fine defender, who is also capable going forward, as well as a presence in both boxes.  His positional sense and awareness of danger is first rate.  Is that the Italian in him?  He’s an organiser too.  Not one to allow a tricky, little left winger to get into his stride.  Will be so important imho as the season goes on.

RedM

RedM

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, Davefevs said:

Pisano is a fine defender, who is also capable going forward, as well as a presence in both boxes.  His positional sense and awareness of danger is first rate.  Is that the Italian in him?  He’s an organiser too.  Not one to allow a tricky, little left winger to get into his stride.  Will be so important imho as the season goes on.

I don't doubt his ability, just saying if all were fit an available it looked more obvious that Wright & Baker would be the CB's and he and Bryan at Left & Right. But we seemed to have accidentally found a back four that works, looks comfortable with much that is thrown at them and they have been tested, and that are getting results. Of course we don't know what Pisano's influence would have been. But it's working right now.

I think Pisano may get his chance if Wright looks a bit jaded from international duty for example. What a nice headache to have.

robin_unreliant

robin_unreliant

Posted
Posted

I suspect Pisano's injury has been a bit of a relief for LJ. When he's back there will be a decision to make on which of our CBs to leave out.

I would prefer to see Pisano back in as he is a specialist RB. So either BW misses out or he replaces one of the CBs. Personally I would bench him and he would have to wait for an injury or loss of form by NB or AF.

Lanterne Rouge

Lanterne Rouge

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, robin_unreliant said:

I suspect Pisano's injury has been a bit of a relief for LJ. When he's back there will be a decision to make on which of our CBs to leave out.

I would prefer to see Pisano back in as he is a specialist RB. So either BW misses out or he replaces one of the CBs. Personally I would bench him and he would have to wait for an injury or loss of form by NB or AF.

You could be right. The Burton game`s easy to pick if Eros is fit and Bailey is bound to be jet lagged.

Leeds is a different matter though. The only cert is Baker as he`s the only leftie but perm any two from three for the other two slots - I expect it will come down to whether we want to be more defensive or more attacking down that side really.

Tipps69

Tipps69

Posted
Posted

The fact that we defend as a team & attack as a team is a massive difference from last season.

It’s hard for the front 4 to close down their defence if one of them (Tomlin or Freeman) can’t be bothered to do it & that then gives the opposition that one easy pass to bypass our front 4 & have them all out of the game as they are the wrong side of the ball.

Similarly, when attacking, if one of the full-backs don’t offer the width, it can easily lead to the break down of an attack! We no longer rely on an individual to do a piece of magic for us to open up the opposition because as a team they understand where others will be to be able to continue a move & defensively we more often than not have somebody in a position to cover a team mate should they be needed.

There just seems to be so much of a better team understanding of what’s expected of them all as individuals to help the team collectively & it’s great to have.

robinreliant

robinreliant

Posted
Posted

I'm beginning to think that Fammy is an upgrade on Kodja and that's saying something.  Some of his play from defence to attack was outstanding.  

The link between defence and attack starts with whoever gets the ball. If you are defending deep and counter attack and the front man has to come back to

help that is where we are starting to show class. If you look at Prem teams that is exactly how they play. So for me the entire team and the link between  attack and defence are

the reason we are doing so well. Some of Fammy's surging runs from defence were excellent yesterday.

hoxton casual

hoxton casual

Posted
  • Author
Posted

There doesnt seem to be any room through the middle. That is easy to understand with our height, but with two big guys who will not be quick at turning, they do not seem to get exposed. This is really good organisation, as they are not having to step into midfield to sort things out. Also there is no confusion on the diagonal ball between the back two and Frankie. When these three played together in our promotion season, there was plenty of "is it yours, is it mine". I havent seen one instance of that this season.

CrazyInWeston

CrazyInWeston

Posted
Posted

They say a good team starts from the back. I think our defence has improved massively being more solid and this in turn helps get it to midfield who can drive it forward.

Who is our defensive coach, is it Jamie Mac? Then props to him and the defenders so far this season. It isnt only this, but also the mentality of the midfield and forwards to get back when they lose the ball rather than staying on the other end of the pitch.

Monkeh

Monkeh

Posted
Posted

Going forward, I'm still slightly concerned about our defending, we still get exposed down the flanks,

There has been a massive improvement don't get me wrong, but the goals we coincide usually involve the ball coming in from the wide areas, If we can sort that out then we'll win the league 

Whitchurch1966

Whitchurch1966

Posted
Posted

Game management has improved, I love Ipswich calling us cheats for spending the second half on the ground and stopping play, a complete exaggeration I know, but we do seem be a bit more streetwise when closing games out. Some of the matches where we lost leads last season would not happen this season.

Red-Robbo

Red-Robbo

Posted
Posted

Bobby turning, feinting and slipping past defenders; Famara holding the ball up with two opponents on him and still getting a shot off.  ... These are the things that make us roar with delight.

But as an ex-full back myself, I've been particularly impressed with our defence.  Some crucial tackles have been made with a surgical precision that would impress Joe's dad! Also we are so much better organised back there than last season - when any free kick near our box seemed to equal a goal conceded.  When you're a defender your mistakes are amplified because they can lead to goals and of course no-one's perfect. When they invent the perfect defender every game will be a 0-0 draw!!! However, I do like our options. 

I'm particularly impressed with Nathan Baker. He had a quiet confidence about him, and is nearly always to be found in the right place at the right time.

Garland-sweden

Garland-sweden

Posted
Posted

Impressed by defending and go forward. Think we play a little way like the germans. Press, counterattack with many players involved. The key in our play is that we have a solid defending. Bigg guys who takes all in the air and helps eachother. Think we are a lttle bit naughty, its needed. It should hurt for our opponents. The whole team defends and attack like a unit. Think it looks very good, at the moment I dont see any weakness in City.

Mr Popodopolous

Mr Popodopolous

Posted
Posted

More solid for sure. Can absorb pressure and manage the game better. Our excellence going forward has also gone up a notch though- primarily due to Reid but overall much improved.

LJ has also improved his in-game management which has definitely contributed to this too...the right substitutions and tweaks at Derby away- get the feeling he would have made them this season at 3-0 or even 3-1.

PHILINFRANCE

PHILINFRANCE

Posted
Posted
On 10/2/2017 at 10:00, Red-Robbo said:

Bobby turning, feinting and slipping past defenders; Famara holding the ball up with two opponents on him and still getting a shot off.  ... These are the things that make us roar with delight.

But as an ex-full back myself, I've been particularly impressed with our defence.  Some crucial tackles have been made with a surgical precision that would impress Joe's dad! Also we are so much better organised back there than last season - when any free kick near our box seemed to equal a goal conceded.  When you're a defender your mistakes are amplified because they can lead to goals and of course no-one's perfect. When they invent the perfect defender every game will be a 0-0 draw!!! However, I do like our options. 

I'm particularly impressed with Nathan Baker. He had a quiet confidence about him, and is nearly always to be found in the right place at the right time.

Very clever, and shows off your journalist background :clapping:.

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