I know that this is win-or-die for Blackburn and meaningless for us but it has to be said we have been very poor today. Thought Rusty had a stinker first half and made lots of mistakes and Drury was repeatedly caught out of position (due I suspect to a lack of pace). First goal was awful defending - four city players in the box not marking the one Rovers player there - were we trying to play zonally and no-one thought to check the far post? Second goal was world class so fair enough but they could easily have had another couple and it would not have been an unfair result. I know it has been on the boards but how badly we need to keep Naughton and either get Tierney fit or acquire a decent replacement. I wasn't hugely impressed by Ward either and even Ruddy looked a little shaky and out of sorts. On the upside I think we are now mathematically safe and Howson played well. I really hope that the next couple of games are not going to be a bit after the Lord Mayor's Parade and I'm sure PL will be kicking some backsides in the dressing room as I type this.
Massive over-reaction, and for me it is bizarre you have targeted the full-backs when the reason our performance was so poor was mainly Surman and Hoolahan in midfield. I'll admit I am puzzled at too why Naughton has been on the bench before and the two games after Tottenham, and I am certain Lambert WILL buy new full-backs in the summer anyway.
I've just put on the match day thread that Lambert must be thinking long term for not playing Naughton. No point playing him now if he isn't going to be here next season and he can at least learn how badly he needs replacements (or not) in these positions based on games between now and the end of the season by Martin and Drury.
If Naughton is a better player than Rusty/Drury he should be playing because we want to finish higher in the table! Lambert played Lansbury etc until the end of last season I think and definatley did Paccheco!
In which case it raises the question why is he not playing? Bad attitude in training? Slight injury problem that is being covered up? Out of form? (hardly put a foot wrong for most of the season so cannot believe it is that!) Another reason I cannot think of maybe!
We need to sort something out for next season sharppish. Things are not brilliant at the moment with various things concerning me. We condede too may so have to look at the defence and GK. Srtikers not to hot in front of goal. We have done brilliantly this season but if we want to become "established" then there is work to do.
I'm going to stick my head above the bunker and suggest that we have the full backs that we need as I think Ayalla is class as the new lad looks like he is going to be great, Whitbread is great, ward, barnett and rusty can be used a cover. (if they re-sign) I think it's our wingbacks that need to be looked at. Without Naughton our centre backs are very exposed and the service to midfield is not ideal. Did you see how many balls were played from left to right and over hit today? It was frankly embarrassing. Surman was ridiculous today, he and hoolahan were totally overwhelmed in midfield and as a result we had to resort to a long ball game. Howson bust a gut but I think we should have played Fox alongside howson as holding midfielder. Our wingbacks do not have enough pace to push forward and get back when we loose possession. I'm not convinced that we can use the diamond anymore it just leaves us so exposed when the wingbacks push forward and we loose the ball. It's ok to play a diamond when you have Dani Alves on the wing but we don't and I'm not convinced that we have pacey enough wingbacks to play that system in the prem week in week out. For an example of this see Hoiletts goal, it was IDENTICAL to the one he scored a CR and it was caused by the wingback not keeping pace with him as he cut inside, why we directed him inside from 25yards knowing the right foot he has got and from previous experience I will never know. Great goal though, wish we had a player like him who could bang them in like that. I think in the summer PL will have to think long and hard about what direction he wants to go in formation wise, but I feel like we are loosing the momentum of the last 3 years and next season will be crucial. Do you guys think that Drury and Rusty are really the answer going forward for wingbacks?
poor performance and very poor result but total over reaction in my opinion. improvements will be coming in the summer - just think for a minute how well this group of players has done this season, especially baring in mind we've not actually played our first choice back four AT ALL this season if, as many presume, that would include tierney, naughton, ayala and bennett.
Superman, I know we have done well etc........ but do you think we need to look at new wingbacks? Who would you guys want to get in summer in what positions, playing what formation? Don't just reel off a list of names what formation would you like to see? I've always fancied either the 4-3-3 or the 4-3-2-1 with holt as the lone striker and howson and Fox as the 2. However you need to play a high line and have plenty of pace on the wings and center back to pass the 4-3-2-1 off. It was used by Spurs when Venables was in charge.
i think thats what lambert is doing isn't he? tierney would naturally be left back but he's injured - nothing lambert can do about that and drury, despite his age, has done a remarkably good job at this level as his replacement. however, he will not be the long term answer - tierney will be or a replacement. likewise, naughton is outstanding but martin has been able cover. this is another area being looked atas we may lose nauthon. we did not lose to blackburn cos of the full backs, nor have we lost any games due to their performances - the two full backs currently playing are not first choices so i think they've done brilliantly for us this season. i do find it odd that there always has to be some massive failing in our playing staff whenever we lose... sometimes teams have off days and lose. to me, we look a bit as though we've started to run out of gas after a hard season. lambert just keeps trying to keep things fresh but its difficult when players come in and under perform.
I don't agree with you on this superman. Also, I don't think it is a "massive failure" I just think it is something that needs to be looked at in the close season as if we are going to continue playing a diamond in midfield we need more defensive pace on the wings. A diamond relies heavily on the wingbacks pushing up and giving service to midfield and strikers. If you are going to insist on playing a diamond you need to have plenty of pace on the wings.
I actually think the best right ack at he club is Elliott Benett. His defense is great and obviously his play n the wing is good. He's better as a winger but if we aquires a new winger and he's on the bench next year I'd like to see him given a chance there if he wants it.
I totally agree! You need that kind of pace if your going to play a diamond I think he would do a good job, would have to see though he may push us a bit too much being a winger. Worth a go though.
but lambert doesn't insist on playing the diamond - thats the great thing about these players - they can adapt to numerous formations. its not as simple as just plucking two new full backs from other clubs. will they be better than what we have? they'll need to be flexible and work in our many systems. the two guys who played today are back up anyway - you won't find many clubs outside the top six who have really decent full back reserves. you have to give the manager time to build the squad and shape it how he wants it - he can't just click his fingers and replace players and to be honest, i really struggle to understand fans criticisms of certain players at the moment... its been an incredible season. sorry if that sounds a bit off, its just i think some people haven't quite taken in what the club has done. of course, there is nothing wrong with wanting to improve - we all want that! for me though, the absolute must sign is a holding midfielder - thats the area of the field where it is abundantly clear we need improvements, not at full backs, though i concede we will definitely need a new right back if naughton leaves. anyway, apologies - none of that probably makes much sense - bit pissed!
I think this is a key reason to conceding. We need a settled back 4, something that has not happened this season.
Heres a player who i think would be an ideal back up of starter for LB and thats danny rose from spurs! I think hes quiet a decent looking player, good at the back and going forward which is something lambert certainly likes and theres only so long you can go with playing reserve and back up football before getting fed up! Full backs are proberbly high on PL's list of priority signings hence why weve been linked with the likes of gunter, making naughton full time, aidey white etc and certainly yes it will need to be sorted. But today was just and overall off day and hopefully will bounce back next week against liverpool.
this is my point - its difficult to judge our defence because they have never been settled at all this season due to injuries. as individuals they are all good defenders, even those in reserve, but it takes time to make a defence solid. i think we've defended pretty well in most games though certainly not today, but there is often the odd slip up which gets punished. i think if you stuck my first choice of tierney, naughton, ayala and bennett on the park for 90 minutes three or four games in a row, you'd see that its a good defence with an excellent balance between pace and awareness, good touch and attacking/crossing prowess
What if we get injuries again? Like we've had all this season. This is where I totally disagree with most of you on here I'd prefer to have stronger back up I'm not saying cull everyone, I just think we need to look at strengthening it a bit.
