Defensive worries.

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jaffaSlot

jaffaSlot

Well-Known Member
Jun 4, 2011
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Great win today, fully deserved, even with another ref trying to class a WWE elbow drop legal...

My big concern is our defencive structure as a whole, not necessarily our defence as such. Yes, I know Lucas is still out and would help us massively, but we still let teams just walk or bundle it through somehow. Reina is a liability at times also.
We have conceded so many goals in the league and Europa league. 2 goals a game to be exact in the EPL, that just isn't good enough.

Why are we having such a problem in our general structure? Brendan really needs to address this.

Anyway, Udinese, Stoke, Reading and Anzhi Makhachalakakala all at home next, here's for 4 big wins and then an even bigger one away at the bitters.
 
There isn't a whole lot wrong that can't be fixed on the training ground. We've finally found our shooting boots which had been a concern. One step at a time, winning breeds confidence, we're a better side than our league position suggests.
 
jkielq91 said:
We just need to be patient. Rafa had hi awful zonal market, but we still mounted a title challenge and got 3(?) golden gloves in his time.
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I still think its best to have a mix of zonal and man marking. Although our main problem is how open we are at times.
One thing I notice every game is how the opposition have been urged to press our defence as much as possible, knowing that we will try and pass it out and may make a mistake.
 
There is little doubt that at times we look very open in midfield just in front of the back 4. The return of Lucas will make a big difference but once again it's mistakes that are giving goals away. I can only think of one maybe two prem goals we have conceded that weren't defensive errors.
Reina just looks to be totally lacking in confidence esp with shots straight at him,another today that he mishandled and led to a goal. Skrtel plays brilliantly for 89 mins but then misses a simple ball and bingo,another goal.
As well as we played today and going forward,ball retention and pressing we're excellent we do look vulnerable at times. Maybe this is an effect of the type of football we are now playing in which case we may have to put up with it.
Anyway great to get first win and thought we looked great esp in midfield with saihin in there. Suarez brilliant just wish he could finish the easy ones. Wisdom is very impressive and great passer too.
 
Brendan got an astonishing amount of clean sheets for a newly promoted team last season. I'm sure it will click at some point. Dalglish got 4 consecutive clean sheets with a defence that was previously very leaky.
 
Zingy said:
Brendan got an astonishing amount of clean sheets for a newly promoted team last season. I'm sure it will click at some point. Dalglish got 4 consecutive clean sheets with a defence that was previously very leaky.
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I agree. We're still a bit disjointed, it all has to come together and when it does, we're going to be a very good side. I'm more encouraged than I was last season because of the quality of the signings and the football.
 
It is a concen but we do need to be patient as I'm sure it will become tighter, and then Lucas will come back as well.

I suppose the only 'good' point that I can think of is that we only seem to be conceding as a result of our own errors, as opposed to being outplayed.
 
Jimmy Squarefoot said:
It is a concen but we do need to be patient as I'm sure it will become tighter, and then Lucas will come back as well.

I suppose the only 'good' point that I can think of is that we only seem to be conceding as a result of our own errors, as opposed to being outplayed.
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Could have conceded many more during the game. Just leaking atm.
 
jaffakop said:
Could have conceded many more during the game. Just leaking atm.
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I finally saw the entire match last night and I agree. Especially at the start of the second half - should have conceded one straight from the kick off but luckily went over, then we quickly went to score. It was 3-0 but could have easily been 2-1 and we would have been under pressure.
 
Rodgers says 'defend with the ball' and 'rest on the ball'.

I like these ideas but they are new and the players are still adjusting, which has lead to some dodgy stray passes.
 
jkielq91 said:
Rodgers says 'defend with the ball' and 'rest on the ball'.

I like these ideas but they are new and the players are still adjusting, which has lead to some dodgy stray passes.
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Yeah true. It will take time and we're seeing the benefits. Finally, the attack is looking good. If we can keep scoring goals, it will take the pressure off the defence.
 
jkielq91 said:
Rodgers says 'defend with the ball' and 'rest on the ball'.

I like these ideas but they are new and the players are still adjusting, which has lead to some dodgy stray passes.
Click to expand...

Like I said on the thread earlier, last season he had a great defensive record. It was mostly down to the other teams not having the ball which is his philosophy of 'defend with the ball'. With the defence we have compared to Swansea, we should hopefully start getting a much better record once they start to click.
 
Yet again we concede 3 goals. Getting to be common place now, good going forward, terrible in defence. Shame though, as Coates was good tonight.
 
Until we get Lucas back, I can only see this continuing. Every side that pushes two men wide will create huge gaps in the centre of our half.
 
You can have 99% possession but if you're **** at defending, they'll score that 1% all the time they cut through. Instead of 99%, we're having around 65%...no wonder we leak goals.

Hendo, Shelvey and Allen are not particularly great at defending positionally. It's not all about tackles, it's about being in the right place to either mark someone out the game, blocking a pass option or intercepting a ball. Those are things Lucas does all the time which those three don't do; hence our midfield looks disjointed on the back foot. We also play with very attacking fullbacks which leaves the flanks exposed, especially if our wingers cut inside (as they do).

Badly need a backup for Lucas, someone defensively minded. Tell you what, that Spearing lad on loan at Bolton looks good!
 
You'll smash us. Everton have had more shots than anyone in the top Europeans leagues thus far and Liverpool can't keep a clean sheet. Therefore all logic goes out the window and you'll win 3-0
 
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