Reading most of the posts on here, everyone seems happy with the midfielders and attacking options (even with injuries) with the guys coming through like Clayton. and Nunez. Lonergan looking good so far in goal... But what about the defence? For me, Lees is a quality crosser of the ball and looks good as a Danny Mills esq wing back. Aidy White is well rapid and closes them down well. Unsure about their defensive capability though. Not so sure about the centre backs as OB and Paddy looking tired and out of sorts, not the guys we've seen in the past. Anyone any ideas? (We were totally bossed in the air by West Ham. Was it me or were all their players 7ft tall?)
Agree with you about white. Not exactly strong in the tackle but if he can get his positioning right then I'd take him and his pace most days. Lees, I'd say he's not our answer for right back. He put in a great cross for Clayts on sunday, but thought he looked uncomfortable coming forward for most of that match and against middlesbrough. Paddy - if he's still playing like this 5 games down the line, I'll be a bit worried. He's better than what we've got, but not one of the best centre backs in the league any more unfortunately. O'B - should be sold/loaned/released/beheaded. Confidence gone, absolutely useless, retreats from attackers, always out of position, slow.... I'd like to see Connolly-Lees-Kissa-White given a go for the next few matches with Bromby, O'Dea and Parker as our back-up.
What has bruce done to SG that he is not getting a sniff of an oppurtunity, 'cause if he is so far diwn the line let him go FFS!!!
We can't just "let him go" if no-one wants him. Look at how long we've been trying to get rid of Grella and Bessone.
Who would be a good defensive boss? With 5 days to go and the amount of players we have, it's one or two out before one in. We definately need something to change, attitude, ability, cohesion or a new face to take charge at the back. OB did great last season, Paddy the year before, the guys need to step it up in defence and close out these games.
I would pull in a CB on loan from a prem club...unless we can get that tight git to give s u 800K to buy one... For me CB is the one position we have weak... someone with pace and strong in the tackle and great in the air.... i still feel nervous everytime a ball is played into the box....i found myself Sunday closing my eyes when West ham knocked one into the box (John Carew was a giant.... lord of the rings size....)
No one has mentioned that we need someone who can play from the back. That's been one of our biggest problems. We have players who like to knock the ball around in midfield and up front, but no one can link the play from the back.
Tom Lees is a quality talent. Only 20, won a promotion and player of year at League Two (a really physical league so it shows he can stand up to players). I'd prefer to see him at centreback than right back. Aidy White gets stuck in, his pace can be vital for our usually slow defence. His positioning can be suspect, but he will improve and his pace helps him cover for that. Good going forward as well. If SG persists with him and our coaches can work with him on his weaknesses he'll be a quality leftback. Kisnorbo is as committed as ever, but he does seem slower and more mistake prone. AOB is terrible. His positioning is awful, weak in the tackle and slow. IMO one of the worst SG signings. Alex Bruce is clearly surplus to requirements. He reminds me of AOB except younger. Mistake prone, although he was okay at Ipswich. Bromby has been our most consistent defender - never really makes mistakes. Darren O'Dea. Has potential to be a good centreback, but still isn't the commanding defender we need. He's only on loan, but alongside a quality, strong centreback he'd improve. Awful at leftback, and was very mistake prone at Ipswich. Ben Parker and Bessone don't seem to have a future at the club. I rated Parker 2 years ago, but haven't seen him play much since then and he always seems unfit. Bessone was good at Swansea. The worrying thing for me, is that all these defenders are average but play really ****. Bruce, Bromby, AOB etc. aren't players that should be contributing to a defence that was one of the worst in the league last season. For some reason decent defenders seem turn into awful players when they pull on a Leeds shirt in recent years.
I agree with all your assessments of the players. They can have Bremner or Brolin games... If one of them could step up and take charge of the defence, co-ordianting between them. I can't make it to matches much as I'm employed overseas, but which player, do those who go to the matches, see and hear taking command? Do we need more experience (fresh talent) or just to get the defence to bond as a unit?
Im a great believer in using a back five using two wing backs, white would be ideal, and would be fab if we could sign Lijac perminantly from Villa. I also believe we would benefit from a proper defensive coach, I'd choose Radebe.....
Would that not prevent us from using our two best players Snodgrass and Gradel? Just because he's a defender who did well when he was here? I'd rather take someone proven.
Clive i never thought i would ever say this but your right...... A ball playing CB...strong in the tackle good in the air and linking to the midfield.
I don't really see any of those players being the leader of our defence. They're all average, and when SG signed AOB to try and fix our defensive problems he basically signed a player of similar ability to Bruce. We need a new, top class centreback IMO. The rest of our CB could form a quality partnership, but none of them are really going to be our stand out performer.
If we could offload two average CB's and get one Leader, who gets the push? And who would be a good strong perm signing? (A Prem fringe player / old & bold or a raid on another team?) My guess would be: OUT Bessone (if someone will have him) Parker/Bruce (don't mind either but if we're being ruthless....) IN: No idea!
lichaj will not be coming back unless we do something unheard off BUY him McLeish statedthis week he was not letting anyone go . what we need is Adam Barton from PNE HE WILL COST MONEYso thats out but a greatt talent for the future will probably end up at Blackburn Put LEES at cb and bring back Connelly get rid of the following this will reduce our wage bill by at least £2.5m a year Parker sorry he his a liability never fit Bessone useless Bruce needs a change of club too much pressure here Obrien too old Simon has reduced the average age of the team to around23 this season so our recruits should be no more than 25 we must plan for the future but getting cash from the dictator is another thing
