Is the defence the real problem?

[Salopian]

Most of us have blamed our defence for our recent performance slump, and they certainly have made errors, even yesterday by Cuellar.

Compared with the Lambert experience, when we also conceded some poor goals, the difference is that under Lambert we managed to score sufficient goals to win. Yesterday, at Derby, according to the BBC statistics we had 17 attempts at goal and only three of them were on target and likely to score goals, - two did, and one did score but for offside!

You have to be careful in counting chances. One close in but facing a packed defensive wall may not be worthy of the name "chance", and some of those off target were only inches away from the woodwork. The fact remains that every week the number of chances seems to be about  six times the number actually on target.

It is easy as a spectator to forget that in the heat of battle, with only a split second, the urgency of the moment may lead to a snatched and missed chance. 

So I raise the question, "We now seem to have plenty of players who can provide chances, but do we lack a clinical finisher who is able to convert them? If the answer is "yes", then such a striker must surely be a target. If the answer is "no", then somehow the staff have to find a way to improve performance in this respect.

I have never been a great fan of Bradley Johnson, but I was impressed with the shot from the front of the penalty area which narrowly missed the top corner of the woodwork, and this was with his right foot! Last season his left foot was terrifying in strength, and the right foot hardly used. Now he seems genuinely two-footed in shooting. He shows what can be achieved by patient practice and development of talent.

 

[Yellow Fever]

Good post. I'm happy with our strikers and feel that there's much more to come from the Hooper/Jerome partnership, especially once Wes is fully fit and Odjidja-Ofoe as well. Many of our shots were only half chances, but still close enough. Both Grabban and Lafferty are excellent as impact subs or when the 4-2-3-1 formation is apt. The players are shaping into a closer knit team now and I think that will continue with the confidence that a good run gives.

 

[Dubai Mark]

Yep, since the arrival of a certain Mike Phelan the team looks like we are now organised and have a plan........I have now worries with defence, midfield or our strikers to be honest.....now they are receiving the level of coaching required OTBC 

 

[morty]

Yep, since the arrival of a certain Mike Phelan the team looks like we are now organised and have a plan........I have now worries with defence, midfield or our strikers to be honest.....now they are receiving the level of coaching required OTBC 

This is the biggest difference I have seen, we look so much better organised and drilled. Players know their roles and responsibilities, and look all the more confident for being better organised.

 

[RhythmicTheory]

I would like to see us not throw as many forwards on when we are trying to break a team down, it makes it too congested up top, you need movement further down the pitch to give space, draw defenders out, particularly when teams are defending deep.  This was part of our problem when we kept drawing, Saturday was another example of it for me with Grabban for O'neil, Redmond having just come on, the team shape looked great, if you wanted a change then Wes for O'neil.