Defence

[gerryinromania]

Another enjoyable result against a good team...Our defence is supposedly weak, but is it really that bad, down here in the Chapionship ? Maybe it's the pairing of Johnson and Tettey in front of them,giving them much better protection and allowing the defenders a little bit more time to do their jobs..The past two games have seen two 10 million pounds rated strikers, Deeney and Rhodes, to be subbed, they have not scored..I guess the defence could be strengthened, but it does appear to be working with the Johnson, Tettey pairing. It's also giving those two working in tandem a chance to play

 

[BarclayBoy88]

Spot on, I don't think our defence is quite as bad as some expected. Mainly because of the competition we are facing in the Championship and because of Johnson/Tettey. Don't get me wrong, the strikers we have come up against are rated highly and flashed a little talent (mainly in the air) but it also comes down to the service into them and neither Deeny or Rhodes had good service. I am hoping that moving Martin to RB is a permanent thing, as I really thought Turner and R.Bennett looked good together at the back.

 

[KeiranShikari]

Didn't out back line get something like 11 or 12 clean sheets last season? I know the mentality of the team has changed this season but were never going to be awful in this department. Obviously need a couple more players though whatever happens to Seb.

 

[The Ghost of Michael Theo]

We've conceded 2 goals in 3 games, against some decent strikers. Not too shabby.

Here is an interesting conundrum though. I think we looked much better at the back the way we ended last night with a back 4 of Martin, R Benno, Turner & Whittaker - and I believe others agree from the posts on here this morning. There is a possibility that Garrido is injured, but even if he isn't, I think this might be the way to go.

However if Garrido is out for the weekend, unless we make a defensive signing before Saturday, this gives Adams quite a conundrum. Who would we have as cover on the bench at Centre-Back?

Outside the u21 squad, the only one I can think of would be the old outcast of Seb Bassong.

I wonder what Adams will do if that scenario becomes reality.

 

[Josh]

Turner had Rhodes sewn up last night, but Gestede was winning a lot against Martin. At one point Martin came out to meet a ball, missed it completely and Rhodes would've been through but for Turner covering. This is but one example of why I don't like him at CB. He reads the game well enough, but constantly surrenders space, fails to win headers or impose himself. Bennett and Turner need to be back there, with Martin at right back to actually defend - something Whittaker can't do.

Garrido was good last night.

Also wouldn't read too much into Watford, that game was an odd one cos of the dynamics. Deeney still targeted Martin and had some joy.

 

[lyb]

We've conceded 2 goals in 3 games, against some decent strikers. Not too shabby.

Here is an interesting conundrum though. I think we looked much better at the back the way we ended last night with a back 4 of Martin, R Benno, Turner & Whittaker - and I believe others agree from the posts on here this morning. There is a possibility that Garrido is injured, but even if he isn't, I think this might be the way to go.

However if Garrido is out for the weekend, unless we make a defensive signing before Saturday, this gives Adams quite a conundrum. Who would we have as cover on the bench at Centre-Back?

Outside the u21 squad, the only one I can think of would be the old outcast of Seb Bassong.

I wonder what Adams will do if that scenario becomes reality.

With both left backs unavailable, I can't help but wonder if that would be the perfect time to try 3-5-2 with a back three of Turner Bennett and Martin?

 

[KeiranShikari]

Carlos Cuéllar will probably be registered by then.

 

[Yellow Fever]

And so he has, Keiran!

 

[The Ghost of Michael Theo]

Conundrum over.

 

[Jimmy smith]

So now do we chuck Carlos straight in there or start with what finished the match on sat?

 

[KeiranShikari]

Carlos on the bench for me.

 

[Yellow Fever]

Same for me.

 

[BarclayBoy88]

I'd definitely stick to what we had. So go Whittaker/Turner/Bennett/Martin. Cuellar on the bench...and I'd go with Garrido over Whittaker if he is fit.

 

[gerryinromania]

I'd go along with that BB88..With the contracts being done, I'd say that NA is looking at a future Bennet,Turner pairing. Maybe Russ will have to re-evaluate his career position..Also think that Whittaker does a good job at left back

 

[Salopian]

The defence can be quite good at times, and Adams has clearly tried to organise them and to protect them by having two defensive midfielders in front of them. What concerns me about them is the following:

Apart from Olsson, and perhaps Bennett, they are lacking in pace and struggle with pacey wingers. They seem slow to close down and block shots. Last year we conceded a lot of goals from the edge of the penalty area or outside.In the pre-season games it was quick attackers who left them standing and who were able to create chances. Our defence is much like othdr defences when Redders or Josh runs at and past them.

They are prone to lose focus or concentration, and fail to see danger. We seem to lack a player who can organise the rest, to warn, and to encourage. Russell Martin can perhaps do the last, but the others?

 

[Lake District Canary]

My thoughts are that Martin is to be seen mainly as a centre back from now on - that is where he wants to be - and he has been given the number 5 shirt and the captain's job.  So if that is the case, despite the reshuffle with Olsson and Garrido out, the selection of the central pairing has to be as consistent as possible - so far it is Martin and Turner who have been picked there and we've not done too badly......

Suspect that if Garrido and Olsson are out of the running, we will continue with Whittaker out left and Martin and Turner in the middle.  That would leave Cuellar to fill in at right back, where although he is mainly known as a centre back, he has plenty of experience there.  He may even be better at right back than Martin or Whittaker, so it would solve the right back issue in one go.  That would be hard on Bennett who did well when he came on, but someone has to miss out and I'm not sure that Martin will be that man, given he is the captain.

Whatever Adams chooses, the options look good as there is plenty of flexibility in the defenders we have to mix and match. 

 

[Salopian]

LDC is right to raise the question of Cuellar, but this Saturday may be a little too soon for him. Even if he is match fit, which may be the case,he has had only three or so days to train with and get to know his new colleagues.

I think that it is a little too soon for him. The cup match next week, the last of Olsson's missing games, might be a better bet.

 

[Yellowfuture]

Lake District Canary" post "My thoughts are that Martin is to be seen mainly as a centre back from now on - that is where he wants to be - and he has been given the number 5 shirt and the captain's job.  So if that is the case, despite the reshuffle with Olsson and Garrido out, the selection of the central pairing has to be as consistent as possible - so far it is Martin and Turner who have been picked there and we've not done too badly......"

I'm not sure I agree with that. Yes Martin has said he wants to play centre half and Adams has clearly gone along with that and favours him in that position.

However Adams is not the sort of guy who will stick to a particular formation just to be stubborn, if he sees for example that playing Bennet and Turner is a better combination, particularly in the Championship, then Russell Martin will be switched to righ back, dispite his personal wishes.

I hope that Neil does start to view things this way, particularly after having seen Bennets performance second half against Blackburn.

 

[Lake District Canary]

Lake District Canary" post "My thoughts are that Martin is to be seen mainly as a centre back from now on - that is where he wants to be - and he has been given the number 5 shirt and the captain's job.  So if that is the case, despite the reshuffle with Olsson and Garrido out, the selection of the central pairing has to be as consistent as possible - so far it is Martin and Turner who have been picked there and we've not done too badly......"

I'm not sure I agree with that. Yes Martin has said he wants to play centre half and Adams has clearly gone along with that and favours him in that position.

However Adams is not the sort of guy who will stick to a particular formation just to be stubborn, if he sees for example that playing Bennet and Turner is a better combination, particularly in the Championship, then Russell Martin will be switched to righ back, dispite his personal wishes.

I hope that Neil does start to view things this way, particularly after having seen Bennets performance second half against Blackburn.

We'll see.  I tend to agree with you on principle, but it all depends on the relationship between the captain and the manager, which we can only guess at.  I think Cuellar is going to quickly come into first team contention too and that does create a dilemna for the manager and possibly Martin too.   Having been given the captain's role and the number 5 shirt, it is stating strongly that he is to be seen as a centre back imo.   Would he be disappointed to be ousted from there and moved to right back again?  I don't know, but if Bennett and Cuellar do well whenever they come on - and I agree Bennett looked really good the other night - it may be a case of  right back or nothing. 

Interestingly, Cuellar is no stranger to playing right back either and if he took over that position and Turner and Bennett establish a central pairing, Martin might struggle to get in the team at all!   Such is life I guess for a footballer, but I think that Martin won't want to relinquish that central position without a fight.  

 

[Yellow Fever]

Cuellar is reported as lacking in match fitness. He may get a role against Crawley to build that up, but I can only see him as defensive cover until then.