For anyone who has played left/right back and come up against a winger who is technically better/ or just a lot faster, you will know that it would unbelievably stupid to be within arms length of the opponent when he receives the ball. Especially at this level he would just flick it round and within seconds would be baring down on goal, I agree he should be closer when jockeying his man although when you compare the distance when marking between Fox and say Valencia, one of the fastest players in the league, and a player such as Beckham, who's doesn't have pace but a wicked right foot, then the distance will change, I'm sure Nigel will have him doing a lot of homework. The circumstances change as well, If the opponent is head down about to start tearing up the flank, you have to give him a few yards otherwise he will blitz it past you, if the balls coming to him and he has his back to goal and not really going anywhere, that's when you can press.
Having played at both left and right back for a while when younger. Your positioning did depend on the format you are playing. However I was always taught a couple of basic rules. If the player you are marking is about to receive the ball you harry him only if you can be there as he receives it so you can actually challenge for possession. If not you should close him down as quickly as you can.You should always assume you are up against a two footed player and be ready to step between him and the ball at the earliest moment. Finally always keeping him on the outside and not giving him the space to cross. For me Fox does not read the game so well and his anticipation sometimes is way off. However in his defence quite a lot of the time he is caught in two minds as he See's an opponent open on inside right position and in his mind if he is not closer to the corner of the area the guy has a clear run through. Trouble is because he is there it is not giving Josh a chance to move himself to challenge this position, until Fox moves on out. So for me it is not ball skill that foxy lacks but he needs to read the game a bit better.
I agree. I play right back for my Sunday League team. I'm not fast so if I'm up against a nippy winger I give them plenty of room to recieve the ball, and hope to get some support from our midfield when I go to close him down. It seems there's a lot of people criticising a player for things they don't really understand because they've never played/ haven't played football for so long. Fox has had to play against Valencia and Silva, and this weekend he will be up against Walcott or Oxo. It's definately not easy, and I thought Fox was excellent for us last season. Not just for his defending, but for his crossing and dead balls.
What is interesting, is that most people who have responded, have not criticised his positioning, but more his reading of situations or closing down. My conclusion (so far) from this, is that my initial thoughts were correct; Foxy doesn't have bad positioning, but other weaknesses and so those who just follow others comments with "Fox's positioning is shocking", should consider understanding the game a little better before commenting. I believe that he can be improved and as mentioned above, he has played against Silva and Valencia, which is tough for most left backs in this league. I personally think he needs a break from certain sections of fans.
Lets hope he is fit tomorrow. Sounds like Shaw is only just back from illness and hasn't trained since Stevenage.
There's not a player in the side who hasn't made mistakes and misjudgements, they made them last year and the year before, the difference is in the Prem you tend to pay for them. I dont think Fox has been any worse than many others and in part I'm sure it's tactical, prioritising the protection of the central area sacrifices space on the wings but keeps the central areas crowded and prevents opposition midfield finding the gaps in danger areas, Of course that means accepting that there will be crosses coming in but dealing with it with through two strong CB's. Of course timing the decision of if and when you need to go and close the threat down isnt easy and maybe Fox is overly conservative, but thats better than being reckless. I'm more concerned about our cental pair than Fox, maybe with a stronger central pairing Fox will be less conservative and the perceptions will disappear.
If Fox and Shaw are both unavailable then who do we play, Dickson? Or put Clyne LB and Richardson RB?
Fox has played left-back a a good level before and I think his issues are more confidence and tactics based. For the Man U goal, Valencia has his head up and isn't running at full tilt. Fox should get close to him and show him the outside. Last season, Fox didn't get much help from Lallana or the 2 man midfield and he had to play very cautiously. With the 3 man midfield, he gets more support, but hasn't shifted the reluctance to gt close when the situation calls for it. He'll get there, but he needs to do it quickly because it will be costly if he doesn't.
I agree and will add that his constant positioning inside is likely to be due to lack of confidence overall in our central defense. When we have an attack minded team as we do it will often seem that our defence is lacking when often it is a case of midfield players being caught upfield.
Hopefully.....his 1st half performance at Stevenage was poor, where Seaborne was excellent at left CB defending a number of sutuations when Shaw was caught out of position. Shaw is talented with undoubted potential but I would be concerned if Fox picks up a long term injury, shame we never tied up Butner deal.
It isn't just about the last 3 games. I personally (and remember others) noticing his failings towards the end of last season. When it got to Feb / March and the promised land was looking like a reality, hence some added pressure, Fox started to struggle then. By the end of last season i.e. Reading, Middlesboro he was absolutely terrible. He has just continued that 'poor under pressure' form on from last season and that does not look good for his future if he cannot handle the pressure!!!
When i played football a full back just battered you none of this poncing around no pink or lime green boots either it should be law that defenders wear black boots and pink boots should be for the Lallanas of the world .No for me a defender is there to get stuck in my son leave the fancy stuff alone
I would have been the ageing balding easy to catch lightweight right winger no pink boots though strictly black with a dash of white probably Keegan Patricks
