Just the one clean sheet this season, and that was the Wigan game back in the middle of August. Since then, we've leaked goals at the back for the past dozen games including the Bournemouth cup debacle. Young and Gabbs couldn't plug it, and even in these first two games under Slade we've conceded in each. The Forest goal was going to come anytime in that last 20 minutes and it was a good job it didn't come before it did. Ipswich took the lead with a defensive gaff by Fabio and the rest of the defence backing off Murphy like Morrison did for that Blackpool guy to get his shot in - poor defending. Admittedly we've been found wanting in midfield and up front given the choice of players available for those areas, but we shouldn't have to rely on scoring at least 2 goals to get a win. The defence needs tightening and the time to do it is on the road at Millwall. A nil - one scoreline by going back to basics would probably be the best result we could achieve for confidence going forward. I'd honestly take a clean sheet and just a point right now, but Slade should concentrate on keeping them out and let the new found belief up front take care of that end of the pitch. Playing 4-4-2 with two up top is great at home, but this is his first game on the road and he may need to consider other options. Starting with an unchanged winning 11 in the same formation is a usually a good tactic - I hope it doesn't backfire and we end up scoring less than them.
In fairness we had Ipswich under complete control (for us.....) apart from a fabulous strike. I think our defence will watch players shoot from 25-30 yards thinking 'they wont beat Marshal from there'. Problem is every now and then someone strikes one as crisply as that!
The only time we had anyone under "complete control" this season was going 2-0 up in the first half hour against Norwich - and then we let in 4........
I think a back 5 with Turner replacing Morrisson is the best back 5 in this division by a mile. V Forest - an out of position Ralls at left back but I still thought we were comfortable until Noone was forced to go left back. V Ipswich - 1 mistake by Fabio and a wonder strike after that easily coped. Not worried about the defence. Plus Turner will improve it. Connelly , Declan , Morrisson as back up as well makes us very strong. (ive written Cala off)
I'll be really surprised if Morrison is dropped. Was better than Manga v Ipswich. No reason to change those 2 apart from suspension/injury. We really need a settled back 4 even if it does contain Fabio!
Must admit I can't understand this criticism of Morrison either. He's made a few mistakes so far but who in the team hasn't? Even Manga has been guilty of a couple of rash decisions and he's been the pick of the bunch at CB so far closely followed by Connolly. From what I've seen, Morrison is improving every game and was excellent in both our wins this past week. For Turner to take his place, Morrison would need to play a lot worse than he is right now. I watched the highlights of the Dev game at Crewe in which Turner played and he looked a mile off the pace in that - he needs a lot of work under his belt before he comes into contention. I'd put Connolly as easily the first choice to replace either our current CB's through injury or suspension - but then only for those reasons. Manga and Morrison need to carry on playing together.
Morrison and Manga are building a good partnership. Turner cannot expect to just walk back into the team; he said as much this week. He has his attributes as does Morrison. But both have their down sides such as Morrison backing off ie look at Blackpool's goal. Turner is a poor distributor but more solid tackler. It's a hard call but Morrison has the shirt and he's got to have a mare to lose it and even then Turner is not match fit. As for conceding goals, clean sheets will come but when? Our old foe Ricardo Fuller is up against us tomorrow.
We need a clean sheet - we've conceded in both Slade's games so far and it would be nice to achieve a first shut-out for him. This should be the game to do it. Unlike me to say this, but concentrate on defending in this one and trust the guys at the sharp end to pull something out of the bag. Millwall don't usually concede many goals and that recent 3-3 draw with Wolves (Ric Fuller scored twice ) was a bit of an odd result given the rest of their games this season. They don't find the net much themselves, but Holloway has got them playing as a good team unit. Tough game but we can win it.
I disagree about a safety first attitude, I think we should set out with exactly the same game plan as Forrest and Ipswich. Work hard and trust that the 11 we put on the pitch will be better than most others in this division if they don't get out worked.
Saw him net twice against City at Southampton and at Stoke - he is a bogey. After the disaster at Blackpool, this has to be targeted as an away win. Our away form needs to pick up big time. Next 2 fixtures will be at clubs with new managers which are never easy and then a huge clash at Watford. Need to see a decent return from these next 3 away games.
Stevo - I didn't mean we should adopt the Mackay approach (oops.....) - I just think we should go there to keep it tight rather than try to play too expansive and slip up at the back. I've no doubt that Slade will continue with a sort of 4-4-2 system with both Pilks and Noone operating out wide, but some variation may be needed in the structure on the pitch. I'd also be surprised if he changed the starting 11 from the Ipswich game. If he does, he will have a damn good reason I'm sure.
I wasnt criticising Morrisson and i also realise Turner needs to be 100% to replace him. I think Morrisson has played well last 2 games. Just think Turner is not only a better defender but also left footed which helps being on the left side. Im not calling for him to be dropped. I think he deserves his place. Who knows if he keeps his place I may prefer him to Turner. Even if not its not because of his limitations but the fact I think Ben Turner is just about as good as you can get at Championship level.
Whats wrong with Fabio? PL player playing in the Championship in my opinion. If we dont go up he will be sold in the summer. Along with Manga.
He has many pl attributes but there's a reason he's ended up at the bottom end of the PL then the Championship. He can't defend. His decision making is terrible, to see the difference just look across the pitch at the way Brayford decides the best way to handle each situation. If the team he's against allows him to defend by rushing/diving in for every challenge he's fine. In fact he's better than fine. If the winger/team are good enough to exploit how predictably rash he is then we're in trouble. He was destroyed away at Wolves, how they only scored 1 when they basically had open access to our left flank is anyone's guess. Going forward he's a different level, his confidence and ability on the ball is PL class, no doubt about it. As long as he faces more Connor Salmons than Van La Parra's this season he (and therefore we) will be fine.
I think I could mark Connor Salmon Cant defend is harsh. Big improvement on Andrew Taylor who was ok at this level. I wouldnt swap Fabio for anyone in this league.
Taylor made much better decisions but his chronic lack of pace meant he was always in trouble if there was any grass behind him. Fabio is a much better footballer than most of our squad.
Fabio is well worth his place in the team for the pace he can inject down the left flank - he can frighten defences rigid with the way he runs at them. Up until a couple of games ago, only he and Brayford to a lesser extent provided any thrust going forward, the rest of the team seemed to want to pass it backwards. With Pilks and now Noone back in there, it should be even better. However, it can't be denied that he's also been a prime reason for us leaking goals with his recklessness and lack of positional skills. To balance the books a bit on that, he's also pulled off some terrific covering tackles with his pace across behind the CBs. His place in the back 4 is well deserved.
