But, on this occasion I don't entirely agree with this. “They are learning that you can’t always go for the jugular in every game; you’ve got to make sure that you keep possession and keep tiring the opposition out. (agree) “I remember when I first came in a pass back to the goalkeeper used to get booed. Now it’s just expected, because they can see what we’re trying to do. That’s a real bonus.” (true, but lets make this even better!) Read more at http://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/article/players-still-learning-cotterill-2193828.aspx#IldIouGp8Efjtfmj.99 I completely agree with keeping possession when its required and Cotterill has been able to bring us the difference between low tempo possession for its own sake (SOD boring rubbish style) to a better possession based, high tempo, mixed with forward momentum style, but Sat in the Atyeo yesterday (first time) it was frustrating me that every time Fielding got the ball passed back to him, he just does not possess the confidence to give a pass back wide or even back to Flint who has gained a bit of space. (Flint looks such a better footballer as the season has gone on) When you just boot it up front you are reducing our chances of retaining possession, Matt Smith was fantastic in the air yesterday and Jet won a few, but it seems unnecessary to me. Its my only complaint about Frankie. Trust your players Frank, they're confident and ready. (Ayling what a great player, so impressed with this kid)
Took my mate yesterday, being an pub landlord has not been able to get to games for years now so it was his first time for near on 10-15 years. He kept commenting on the defence, saying that they just look so confident, I told him that it's good as for the past 3-4 seasons they've just been scared of the ball. Can't believe how much they've changed, but agree with you Banksy Fielding just needs to slow down a bit and pass it out. Half the time he does, just the other half its big boot and flies over the head of the intended person he's trying to pass too.
How many times did Fielding waste the ball and kick it straight out,or give it to a county player. Keep the ball on the floor,give it to Ayling,Flint,Williams,keep the bloody ball. As said the weakest link in the team.
"As said the weakest link in the team" I don't want this to be a "lets criticise Fielding" thread he has done very well this season and the fact the defence looks so confident now he has got to take some credit for that. This is supposed to be a small criticism and an observation of how I think we could slightly improve our distribution, for all I have said, I am sure Frank feels he is doing it for the right reasons, its a reflection of his own confidence and I believe he has now earned the right to feel confident in both himself and his defence.
He may be the weakest link but it's not a problem (mainly due to how good our defence is). I do hope we buy another keeper next season as first choice. Whilst I like Fielding, the players will be a lot better next season (should we get promoted) and our defence will get opened up and I don't see him as a keeper that saves/earns us points. Can't really remember him producing any "match winning saves" in his time here and we need one of those. I think in the summer we should look to buy a top quality keeper as the defence is pretty much there.
When you get the ball under pressure you want to get rid off it without risk as you are the last man, always better to boot it than risk it at the back, often it shouldn't be going back to fielding in the first place as there are often better options.
Flint won't keep the ball. Teams press others to allow Flint the ball knowing he will go long, or pass it backwards.
Not worried about his kicking, his flapping at crosses as the main issue for me, just causes panic in the defence which is seriously un-necessary. He's improved but if we go up we need a new goalkeeper.
I guess there was that one at Rochdale late in the game, which was a point saving save rather than a match winning one
It seems we are agreeing we will need a new keeper if we go up. Positive - shot stopping Negatives- command of the box,kicking,crosses,Distribution. But he has improved big time this season,but he is not championship standard.
I would have agreed with this even a few weeks ago, but I have definitely seen an improvement in his game lately, even yesterday he was looking to move it short, although he does go back to Fielding at the slightest bit of pressure. There are many times when Fielding does have an option and he just boots it. We need a bit more composure back there and as the confidence grows we can achieve that. We need to remember how far this team has come in such a short time.
'We need to remember how far this team has come in such a short time' I agree. It's very unusual for a team who bring in 5 new players pre season to gel as quick as City have. Cotterill deserves massive credit for this and the longer the season goes on the better we will become. I'm determined to remain positive, so I'll leave others to comment about Fielding.
"back to Fielding at the slightest bit of pressure. The option left in a three often is Flint. Teams press the other two leaving Flint hoping for the error, or knowing he goes backwards and Fielding will go back to front rather than return it again to Flint. They are still doing more than fine ..
Fielding has done very well- At the start of the season, he lacked confidence, but given little choice other that to play him once it was clear that we wouldn't get Moore, he has been able to get a long run in the side and it has done wonders for his confidence. He is a shot stopper, yes. What concerns me most is his how he might feel towards our going up- By playing well and getting promoted, he is almost playing his way out of the side/club, as many of you have pointed out, that in the championship, we are likely to need a replacement.
Fielding is still rough around the edges, but to say that he's the weakest link in this team is crazy. On his day, he's a Championship quality shot stopper, but I will concede that he's trying far too hard. With confidence, he's become solid for us, but he really needs to work on his positioning and delivery. It often takes a keeper a year or two to build on this so I reckon he'll only continue to improve.
