I'll happily leave that one to you Swords! If Arry wants to play both the old boys at CB, which seems a bit risky to me if Ipswich have any speed about them, he could give Simpson a rest and play Ned at RB again. This would better help compensate for the lack of speed at CB, and give Simpson a break - think he's played every PL game this season. Personally I'd have Sinpson, Ned, Clint and BAE in the back 4, and let Dunne stand behind the goal and bark his encouragements from there!
Its not just guarding against speed, Dunn's and hill need to defend so deep because they Have no pace, then the midfield gets sucked back to protect the gap in front of the back 4 leaving Austin with no one within 30 yards of him. We look much better when the back 4 push up.
I would say that no individual has been picked out for criticism because most people are aware that our team is not good enough as a unit and blame HR for putting that side out than the result itself. Dunne has made some mistakes this season: the first goal against Milwall was solely due to his error. And pace at the back is always an advantage. We looked far more assured against Blackpool when Ned came on which allowed us to hold a higher line. I think he just needs time to settle in again; personally I'm glad Ned's back.
Heh, see my reply as well but you are talking to someone who knows bugger all about football, after all he's a Chelsea fan.
People keep saying that but its not happened! 14 goals in 24 games, far and away the best defensive record in the division. What our boys lack in pace they make up for in reading the game very well. Besides, the boy Onouha's pace didn't exactly help him on Saturday.
Is that the best you can do mate, seriously? He's the main reason our defense is the best in the league. You don't believe me, ask Redknapp. He'll give it to you straight. If Onouha had of played instead this year we'd be many points worse off. Dunne has gelled it all together. I don't get how people don't see that. I wouldn't mind but I didn't even want him at the Club in the first place!
I haven't checked but I think the major part of this good defensive record was earned in the early part of the season when Ned was playing CB and before he got injured. Seems to me we have been letting in more goals the last 2 months or so when Ned has been out injured, or not quite back to match form. I also agree with the comments about us playing too deep with Hill and Dunne both at CB, compensating for their lack of speed, but spreading the team out to much.
It's an example, make of it what you will. Dunne was also left for dead on the Leicester goal. Not much point in using the Everton game as a barometer - they're well ahead of us in every regard. Where do I say that I don't believe you? There's no doubt the veterans have been immense and their individual efforts have kept us in a number of matches; however, if we are to take a more positive, aggressive approach I still believe Ned should partner either Dunne or Hill as not only does his pace allow for a higher line, which I mentioned above, but also he likes to push on and make an extra player in midfield, neither of which Dunne or Hill do very effectively. True, his passing was offish against Donny but overall I think it's worthwhile bringing him back.
Points well made Husk and Ozzie. I can see where you're coming from, especially regarding the high line. I think what we can agree on is that at the moment, and certainly at this level, we have three good center-halves. As others have said, perhaps what we really need now is a good DCM to offer them some protection and also get our attacks going.
While we're picking fault and then quickly modifying those views about the three centre halves in light of the Everton performance, is it not about time that some criticism was directed the way of Saint Benny for his part in the defending of at least one goal. Very reminiscent of Bosingwa at Villa when Samba mainly but he as well conspired to destroy our season. In BAE's defence, the game was probably already lost and I can understand the desire in those circumstances not to get hurt but I really cannot understand the constant drooling about his performances thus far. When he is up for it he is indeed far too good for the Championship but in the games I have seen he has with one exception (Blackpool) played as if he were having an almighty sulk because he has been told to play nicely with the kids rather than the grown ups at Spurs. Got news for you mate. They don't want you back.
Ipswich don't have too much pace although their danger man McGoldrick isn't slow and has a tendency to drift out to the left and drive in before firing low shots unerringly at the corner. Stop him and the rest will be mainly aerial which we should be able to compete with. A higher line in defense would help us IMO.
I can't. I can't understand that at all. If that's what he was trying to do then he's a disgrace and we'd be as well off rid of the cu*t.
Onuoha played in the first 5 of our 8 match clean sheet run before he got injured. BAE was on the bench for a couple of those games and came in when Ned got injured. We have looked the most solid defensively whan playing Simpson-Onuoha-Dunne-Hill as the back four. You would think that BAE would offer more forward than Clint but to be honest I can't say that I've seen it. Clint made the winner at Bolton and scored the winner at Leeds. BAE is a good player and looks very solid. He is a professional and consider this as a job and has been very upfront with that attitude throughout his time in England. Something that doesn't sit well with many supporters who want's to see passion Ainsworth style from every player. Personally I have no problem with it and actually believes it produces more stabile performances. Imo I think we should play a different back four home and away. Away I would like us to defend and grind out results, Simpson-Onuoha-Dunne-Hill would make us incredibly hard to beat. At home a back four of Simpson-Onouha-Dunne/Hill-BAE wil give us the option of playing a higher line with a more pace and a better ball player/passer at left back.
11 goals in 22 games this season for Ipswich. 16 goals in 22 games for Coventry last season. I'm more interested in his current form than five years ago. Only 26 years old, looks like he's hitting his prime. You're point is very valid Matt.
