Defending

[Art Vs Science]

Massive respect to Poyet/Taricco and the rest of the coaching side for turning our defence from sub standard to a unit solid as a rock. El-abd has been different class this year and the players Poyet has brought in have been spot on, i can barely remember a better set of defenders albeit maybe one left back light.

 

[Mendoza]

Our defenders look amazing when all they are doing is heading away long balls and crosses, and getting tackles in and blocking shots. But the second you ask them to play football, it is unnerving.

When Ankergren, El Abd and Elphick pass the ball between themselves, there is a massive triangle of uncertainty, where absolutely anything can happen from a good pass, us giving the ball away, to a comical 1st touch, a slip, or us conceeding a goal.

El Abd deserved MOM yesterday, he was outstanding as a defender, and took a booking for the team when Bennett sold him short

 

[Simster]

Our defenders look amazing when all they are doing is heading away long balls and crosses, and getting tackles in and blocking shots. But the second you ask them to play football, it is unnerving.

When Ankergren, El Abd and Elphick pass the ball between themselves, there is a massive triangle of uncertainty, where absolutely anything can happen from a good pass, us giving the ball away, to a comical 1st touch, a slip, or us conceeding a goal.

That's 4 clean sheets in 5 games isn't it? It would seem that if there is any uncertainty, it's only amongst some fans in the stand. All I see is that opposing players try to close them down, but in the first ten minutes it becomes clear they're getting knackered for little reward, and for the next 35 minutes, the back four are afforded the time and space to knock it about waiting for the right pass up the pitch.

It's why we're going up, Brettles.

 

[Art Vs Science]

I can see your point about the passing but it is the way Gus wants them to play and in previous yrs they could not manage that do any degree, where as now confidence is growing and some fans(not myself) are maybe nervous because of the past. My point of view is that you either hoof it out all the time or try and play the right way and play it out and the latter is more attractive and the right way to keep the ball on the ground. El-Abd has improved beyond any expectation to be honest and credit where it is due, Taricco has probably been the source of this. Conceeding one goal on five games is not a coincedence.

 

[Giraffe]

You can see what Leeds are missing.

It's a measure of our success that not so long ago people were raving about Whing and McNulty. Now I'm thinking who the hell were they!!

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

But the second you ask them to play football, it is unnerving.

When Ankergren, El Abd and Elphick pass the ball between themselves, there is a massive triangle of uncertainty, where absolutely anything can happen from a good pass, us giving the ball away, to a comical 1st touch, a slip, or us conceeding a goal.

Regardless of El Abd's suspension - I would have brought Greer back Saturday.

Also I would play Brezovan. Ankergren looks like an accident waiting to happen at the moment. Brezovan may be the same - but at least he attempts to dominate his area.

 

[Hunting 784561]

Still not convinced Elphick looks very comfortable on the ball. Every sense in his body is telling him to hoof it upfield, but he has been coached to pass it instead. Still a massive improvement on what went before though.

 

[steve-c]

some fans may not be happy with our defenders, but from where i am sitting, we have let in 1 goal in the last 5 games, oh and a small point we are 3 point's clear at the top of league one. let's just get behind the team and i mean the whole club, not just our favorite players or who we think should be playing, Gus knows what he want's, the team to do and how to play. god help them if we slip up ,cause some people on here will slaughter them.many teams below us would be happy to have the squad we have got, so lets all just get behind the albion and enjoy..................

 

[Art Vs Science]

some fans may not be happy with our defenders, but from where i am sitting, we have let in 1 goal in the last 5 games, oh and a small point we are 3 point's clear at the top of league one. let's just get behind the team and i mean the whole club, not just our favorite players or who we think should be playing, Gus knows what he want's, the team to do and how to play. god help them if we slip up ,cause some people on here will slaughter them.many teams below us would be happy to have the squad we have got, so lets all just get behind the albion and enjoy..................

Bloody well said sir! :albion1: :albion1: :albion1:

 

[severnside gull]

the second you ask them to play football, it is unnerving.

When Ankergren, El Abd and Elphick pass the ball between themselves, there is a massive triangle of uncertainty, where absolutely anything can happen from a good pass, us giving the ball away, to a comical 1st touch, a slip, or us conceeding a goal.

but it hasn't happened!

We have been most vulnerable and conceded goals when we are attacked with pace and when occassionally (as when Brentford hit the bar last night) we just lose concentration momentarily.

On the other hand we are at our most dangerous when we build from the very back and (surprisingly I have to admit!) el Abd has been central to this

 

['sladegull]

Still not convinced Elphick looks very comfortable on the ball. Every sense in his body is telling him to hoof it upfield, but he has been coached to pass it instead. Still a massive improvement on what went before though.

Agree with this . Very good defensively last night as were the whole back 5 .but Elphick seemed to lose confidence in his passing ability and 90% of his passes went to a player that was 'man on' cos he was rushed . I think a better side would have exploited it. I love the way that gus has us playing but we were lucky not to get caught out ....

 

[Rookie]

Our defenders look amazing when all they are doing is heading away long balls and crosses, and getting tackles in and blocking shots. But the second you ask them to play football, it is unnerving.

When Ankergren, El Abd and Elphick pass the ball between themselves, there is a massive triangle of uncertainty, where absolutely anything can happen from a good pass, us giving the ball away, to a comical 1st touch, a slip, or us conceeding a goal.

El Abd deserved MOM yesterday, he was outstanding as a defender, and took a booking for the team when Bennett sold him short

No its not, they are comfortable its only when the crowd get on their backs to tell them to get it forward that it looks like going tits up. Last night was the perfect example pass it between 3 players against their 1 forward so as to create space and entice thier midfield out a bit but still people weren't happy and want it forward. Yes it may be slow but its effective.

 

[Art Vs Science]

El-Abd certainly took a booking for the team last night and got(i think Bennett) out of trouble.

 

[Rookie]

Agree with this . Very good defensively last night as were the whole back 5 .but Elphick seemed to lose confidence in his passing ability and 90% of his passes went to a player that was 'man on' cos he was rushed . I think a better side would have exploited it. I love the way that gus has us playing but we were lucky not to get caught out ....

Good players can take a ball 'man 'on' pass it straight back to where it came thus releasing space for others. You have to have confidence in your players and thankfully our lot do unfortunately it seems some of the fans don't.

 

[goldstone rocks]

The style of play was summed best summed up by Elphick demanding the ball short from Ankergren, goalie saying no and hitting long. I could hear Poyet from the North Stand shouting/screaming at keeper and could see physically jumping up and down and pointing to Elphick.

That is the way we play and I for one think the passing style from the back works. We have seen other teams get knackered from their front men to midfield trying to close down. Is it a coincidence that we appear strong in the last 20mins of games now when we used to ship goals left right and centre in the last 10 mins last season? It is no coincidence- just a style of play that appears to be growing on the players and should be growing on all the fans.

 

['sladegull]

Good players can take a ball 'man 'on' pass it straight back to where it came thus releasing space for others. You have to have confidence in your players and thankfully our lot do unfortunately it seems some of the fans don't.

Thats all well and good , but last night Dicker and Bridcutt were passing it 'straight back where it came from' to Elphs and he didnt know what to do with it !! . He seemed to lack confidence last night on the ball ...hopefully just a one off cos he is and was outstanding in every other respect ...

 

[severnside gull]

Also I would play Brezovan. Ankergren looks like an accident waiting to happen at the moment. Brezovan may be the same - but at least he attempts to dominate his area.

wow!

harsh indeed.

Ankergren hasn't had a great deal to do in most games recently as there is clearly great understanding and confidence in each other among the defensive unit. However when he has been called on he has made crucial saves at critical times that have preserved our goal and given us the platform to go on to victory. He did it at Plymouth, against Oldham, and again last night.

 

[The Large One]

No its not, they are comfortable its only when the crowd get on their backs to tell them to get it forward that it looks like going tits up. Last night was the perfect example pass it between 3 players against their 1 forward so as to create space and entice thier midfield out a bit but still people weren't happy and want it forward. Yes it may be slow but its effective.

This.

The style of play was summed best summed up by Elphick demanding the ball short from Ankergren, goalie saying no and hitting long. I could hear Poyet from the North Stand shouting/screaming at keeper and could see physically jumping up and down and pointing to Elphick.

That is the way we play and I for one think the passing style from the back works. We have seen other teams get knackered from their front men to midfield trying to close down. Is it a coincidence that we appear strong in the last 20mins of games now when we used to ship goals left right and centre in the last 10 mins last season? It is no coincidence- just a style of play that appears to be growing on the players and should be growing on all the fans.

And This.

 

[The Large One]

Thats all well and good , but last night Dicker and Bridcutt were passing it 'straight back where it came from'

Yup. And...?

Elphs and he didnt know what to do with it !! . He seemed to lack confidence last night on the ball ...hopefully just a one off cos he is and was outstanding in every other respect ...

I thought he looked fine on the ball. He would turn and play it back to El-Abd when it was a simple or better option, or when he saw nothing else was on.

 

[Ditchboy]

Our defence are doing great. The one thing I worry about is an injury to Painter or Calderon. I don't fancy the prospect of El Abd and Tanno deputising. I'd get someone in sooner rather than later, even on loan.