Living over the pond, all I get to see are the Youtube highlights (bloody good to have this option) and then the press and web reports. Seems that we continue to struggle in defence like we did all of last year and clearly until we sort out this, we will have no foundation to build on. The question I have is whether it is the defensive unit as a whole that is $hite or whether Fielding is the weak link? The clips I've seen on the web seem to indicate he has terrible positional sense. Do we need to give Parrish a shot?
Possibly but this season there is a major difference to last. City are in positions to defend and are falling back into a shape quickly. Cut out the errors which affect not just one player [one has gone on loan], and City make a significant improvement. Its a team game. The whole XI should defend. The primary cause sometimes is a midfielder switching off further up the field. You cant drop all. Ending on a high City looked a threat Saturday, aspects of the football going forward looked very good. The win is coming.
'this season there is a major difference to last. City are in positions to defend and are falling back into a shape quickly' BUT we still lose. In league 1. Tampa, I don't know how much you played but if you did I'm sure you'd agree one of the biggest problems for a team, and not just the back 4 is a 'dodgy keeper'. The long through ball showed me 1st game that Fielding doesn't know when to come or to stay. All that produces is panic - the back 4 in particular remember and confidence is shot. Anticipation is something you can't teach on a training ground, you either have it or you don't, end of. Fielding obviously doesn't. There's usually a reason why clubs move players on - Derby County are no different.
Redprintt - I played footy for many years until my early 40s and still coach kids today at a club in Tampa. I played defence for most of my playing years, full back / wing back when I was younger and then sweeper in my twilight years. I always enjoyed playing with keepers who controlled the defenders and instilled confidence in us, especially at set pieces. I think I am relatively knowledgeable in footy terms. Seems to me that Fielding is just not doing himself or the team justice from the limited times I have seen the opposition goals. Doesn't matter how good your strikers are, without the ability to defend and keep the goals against down, the team will fare badly. Fielding was brought in under a fanfare of "ex-England keeper" but does not seem up to the task. Parrish has deputized during the cup games and the reviews have been favorable. I'd hate to think that SOD will continue to back a number 1 if the level of performance is not there. How is Flint playing as this was a key area of concern for us over the past 4 or 5 seasons??
Flint has looked good in the air, wins 99%. On the floor he's a typical 6'5' CH, adequate but still a bit early to judge. He looked terrified last week against Shrewsbury and certainly his confidence and others is struggling. Must add the atmosphere last week was verging on the poisonous so understandable that some players were really affected. Honestly think if Parish is given a run of games in the league we'll definitely improve. Won't be overnight as our confidence is shot and although others disagree SOD's judgement worries me.
Hugely disappointed in Fielding's performances and judgement so far but you don't drop into L1 willingly, so there was a bound to be a reason he wanted to come to us, when most others don't ! That reason was he's probably not good enough for the Championship which is a shame as he was touted as a really good keeper a few short years ago.
The reasons City conceded goals are generally different to last season. Game after game City were leaving players 2 v 1, that has ceased to happen, or has ceased to happen as regularly. The keeper is not the reason City conceded a goal primarily from a thrown in Saturday. They switched off, that one unfortunately is reminiscent of last season.
Clifton - Tampa asked 'The question I have is whether it is the defensive unit as a whole that is $hite or whether Fielding is the weak link?' I agree what you said about Saturday, however in my judgement Fielding is the weak link. It's impossible to play in front of a keeper who fills you with dread. I was lucky, I played with better keepers than I was a defender. However I played against dodgy keepers, the ones who couldn't anticipate, it was Christmas. Dodgy keepers affect hugely the confidence of shirts 2 to 11. Can't understand SOD at all.
Don't feel the keeper was at fault for any of the goals. First players zzzz. Second should been cleared and then a player dived in selling himself. Third centre halves ball all day long. Errors were shared around between defenders and midfield. Team there need to up their game. Pity as it was a performance that did not deserve a defeat.
maybe a watch of the first, but especially the second goals, and look at Fielding then tell me what u think. hes too small, dodgy on crosses, doesnt command his box, doesnt know wether to come or stay and most of his kicking is awful. Oh yeah, and he takes too,too long to play the ball aswell.
I would say yes. I think SOD is aware of our defensive shortcomings, as he has said regarding a replacement for O'Connor. However, it must be pointed out that our best defensive midfielder has been injured, and that is why we have lost a few daft goals. If the defence is continually ripped apart through the middle, it shatters the confidence and silly things start to happen. We have not looked able to compete since Cisse left the club, and Kelly is the player most likely to replace him At least until Messrs Pack and Wynter gain more experience Maybe Wynter is due another run in the team
