I think that we would all agree that last Saturday saw this seasonâs least impressive display from our back four as a unit. The most generous statement about Onouhaâs performance was that he was rusty, at times he seemed to have forgotten that he was not playing in the centre so woeful was his positioning. On the opposite flank BAE was caught out several times being far too casual and overly confident in his superior ability which had previously saved him in similar lapses. The two rocks in the centre were exposed for their lack of speed by two of this divisionâs liveliest strikers who had little difficulty getting ahead of them. Possible changes would include swapping Traore and BAE around? Perhaps giving Max Ehmer an outing in the centre? Or bring in Aaron Hughes at right back which would, in turn, release Ned to play in the centre, perhaps then freeing Clint to play at left back? Maybe even recalling Harriman off his loan (if this is possible) to play at right back? So would anyone make a change?
Can't really draw anything from Saturday's game re defence IMO ... BAE mucked up but look at it again I would give more credit to Ings than slag BAE. 9/10 any defender would go for the best option a run out for a goal kick ... Ings clever ... got on the right hand side of him and muscled him out. Ings first goal again was all about him acting quickly as the cross was pinged into a area... It's full credit to Burnley for a quick one two from a throw ... that was no accident as Burnley have worked on that for sure ... surprise makes any defence look poor ... I would offer an argument re their defence as we scored two set piece goals and the equaliser should of been snuffed out. I cannot seriously point fingers at the defence of our team so i would start the same four ... Hughes when he comes in will IMO possibly stay in. Nedum needs a few games there and sorry but his class will show through. I see Hughes getting his chance soon however but I very much doubt if it will change. Midfield is the key for me and Henry could start depends on Saturday's results as by Sunday we will know what is required ... Very tough game Monday very tough and we need to win that midfield
The fact that BAE faced up to his poor performance against Burnley tells me he should get a chance to redeem himself. Think every sport psychologist would agree. Ned didn't look comfortable at right back, he never has really. Would bring Aaron Hughes in at RB for Derby. But a back four of Hughes, Dunne, Hill and BAE would lack serious pace. Problem is I can't decide which of Dunne or Hill to drop, I lean towards Hill which I personally feel is very harsh. Imo our best chance for success away against a very strong Derby outfit would be to play a back four consisting of HUGHES - ONUOHA - DUNNE - BAE.
Any of you lot even know if he is fit or playing well? ... Hughes = Premiership player therefore must be good. Can he gel into this back four? why don't we play Cesar in goal ... Oh he is rubbish as he let in four against Everton and we don't like him anymore... forgot Hughes wasn't touched by any other club and rejected a move earlier ... he has to earn his way in IMO. What to drop anyone? ... drop Hill as his step up on Saturday was comical as was his marking first half chance the Burnley boy fluffed. My lad was at the game and said Hill looked very shaky on and off the ball ... yet people see BAE and Nedum. Crazy stuff
I think Arry should give BAE a right good bolokking and the message that if he does another Burnley he's on the bench, but then pick the same back 4. But then I haven't much idea what Hughes is like, if he's in good form and sharp and quick then Arry may play him at RB and move Ned into the middle replacing the one of Clint and Dunne in most need of a rest. I think Derby play through defenders and having Ned's speed and muscle in the middle may improve us there. Think he needs to play a more defensive / play starting midfielder with Barton - Carroll's quick feet for me.
Few of us will have seen Hughes play of course but if he does what it says on his CV it's hard to see how Onohua would remain first choice at right back. Despite a lot of games for us in that position I don't recall Onohua ever being entirely comfortable and he is clearly a much better centre back with the pace that Hill and Dunne do not. The real shame is that BAE and Traore are such one-footed clones of one another otherwise we could consider 3 across the back with 2 very attacking full backs down each flank. As it is I think Nedum is the one that will lose out.
As you say we were up against probably the most formidable striking partnership in the division and our shortcomings were exposed (ooh matron!). I wouldn't go for wholesale change because of this. Benny's calamities have been well documented and I would be surprised if he were not personally embarrassed by what happened and determined to show himself to be the player he is. Hill and Dunne have been magnificent this season and I would stick with them. In fact I would go with the same back four as last week and perhaps introduce Hughes if need be.
Nedum was exposed a bit but by my MOM but I was always looking at us going forward as we wanted a win ... hence such a open game at times. Burnley's second Barton was too deep in a stretched midfield ... he hung back and a ball was on between Hoilett and Onunha and the lad had time to play in a cross. How anyone can pick out Onunha is daft ... the entire team was at fault and there was acres in the middle of the park and as a unit we were spread too thin ... It was that sort of a game IMO 2nd half we didn't get tight at all and allowed confidence and Burnley's game to grow to a point where i thought we could really fail today. Sorry but I think any post mortem would start for me at how we came out second half and exactly why was Barton off the pace.... and he was that. In the end we did brilliantly to recover and Barton to his credit did that by pushing us onto the front foot
Having seen Citeh and Chelsea play with their most fluid CB as a DM How about Green Hughes Dunne Hill BAE Onuhua Barton Kranky Hoillet Doyle AJ/Maiga
I would play against Derby away -----------Green----------- Onunha---- Dunne--- Hill--- BAE --------------Henry-------------- --------Barton-----O'Neill-------- --------Hoilett------Krancjar----- --------------Doyle-------------- If we go behind then change it as this could well be a chess match Traore on for ONeill Yossi On for Henry Maiga on for Doyle If we get our noses in front ... Yossi for O'Neill, Carroll for Barton Johnnson for Hoilett
Think this is a bit OTT. Onuoha wasn't that bad at all and isn't a right back but he adds a lot of pace which helps us to defend higher. Traore is as much of a Championship defender as I am- midfield or nothing for me. That back four is good enough to keep clean sheets against most teams. Burnley have a tremendous front two and we committed silly errors. Keep it as it is.
I like your thinking Beth, I would prefer 5 midfield at Derby, so: How about Green Hughes Dunne Hill BAE Onuhua Hoilett Barton Kranky Traore Doyle
Defensive midfielders aside I reckon the back four should remain the same. Dunne and Hill should have more than enough experience to deal with Derby's Chelsea youngster and hopefully BAE will be a bit more alert come Monday evening...he looked like his brain was still on the sofa having his breakfast on Saturday - that's not to say he should be dropped...just hopefully it was a bit of a wake up call. It is much chronicled on here and elsewhere that Ned is a better centre half than he is a right back but the form Dunne and Hill have shown make them very difficult to drop. I'm guessing Hughes will get a bit of a run out at some point on Monday maybe replacing Ned to protect his chance of injury or one of the centre halves if they're getting the run around - that could give Ned a chance to step inside and show his pace. As for the rest of the team...who knows but I'm guessing a packed midfield with Doyle up top on his own for a good chunk of the game.
Centre-halves in midfield rarely works. Someone like David Luiz is the exception rather than the rule. If he was English he'd probably be a forward.
I doubt Ned has the overall tactical awareness of the oppositions game or the passing abilty to play defensive midfield. For me this is the negative with him, especially at CB. I am not convinced he is a better CB than RB - I think he looks uncomfortable / unsure of himself wherever he plays, but his strength, speed and willingness carry him through.
