Defensive Coach

[Black N Tan]

Looking through yesterdays programme I noticed we used 9 players for 4 defensive positions. Bearing in mind the mainstay at the centre was McShane and Butters ( 38 and 42 games ) this leaves 7 others chopped and changed for what is basically 2 positions. I think our priority next season should be to stop conceeding stupid goals like we did this year. To achieve this I think the club should look for a specialist defensive coach, maybe at the expense of one of the existing staff. We have 2 good promising players for the right and left in El Abd and Lynch so with McShane gone and Butters getting old now is the time to either develope what we have or look for someone to play in the centre. I do not think the likes of Dodds or Butters should be given this role as all the players know them, we need someone to be hard, who will be obeyed when driving them every day through attacking scenarios, so much so they will hate the coach but come match day will be ready. If you read Tony Adams biography this is what happened at Arsenal. The back 4 were not great players, except maybe Adams, ( who everyone labelled donkey ) but they went on to become the most formidable defense of all time. All the top sides rotate midfield and attack, but they keep the same defense whenever possible. The Kevin Keegan idea approach of who scores most wins is great for entertainment, but what did he ever win as a manager with endless cheque books.

 

[BensGrandad]

Somebody who speaks sense I have just suggested the same on another post but I suggested Steve Gatting as the coach or what is Gary Mabbutt doing now.

Who would you replace Dean White or Bob Booker or both?

 

[Race]

so much so they will hate the coach but come match day will be ready.

So you are saying the players need to hate the coach to be any good?

 

[Gwylan]

I agree with the idea of a stable back-four but part of the problem was the lack of a decent left-back. Let's hope we can keep Lynch and have a bit of stability there.

BTW, I make it 10 players: McShane, Butters, Dodd, Hinshelwood, Reid, El-Abd, Hart, Mayo, Elphick and Lynch.

 

[Black N Tan]

Re: Re: Defensive Coach

So you are saying the players need to hate the coach to be any good?

No, I think to get the best out of anyone in any job you need someone in charge who is respected and obeyed. But you also need someone who will push you to do what you don't want to, i.e. rehearsing set routines so many times you will at least start to dislike them. Butters and Dodd would be good for the youth who look up to them but not the 1st team who know them as mates and could adapt the wrong attitude towards them.

 

[Black N Tan]

I agree with the idea of a stable back-four but part of the problem was the lack of a decent left-back. Let's hope we can keep Lynch and have a bit of stability there.

BTW, I make it 10 players: McShane, Butters, Dodd, Hinshelwood, Reid, El-Abd, Hart, Mayo, Elphick and Lynch.

My apologies, didn't include Elphick because after seeing him sent off at Reading calling him a footballer would be a breach of the trades discription act.

 

[Black N Tan]

Somebody who speaks sense I have just suggested the same on another post but I suggested Steve Gatting as the coach or what is Gary Mabbutt doing now.

Who would you replace Dean White or Bob Booker or both?

Open to debate, do you say the current backroom staff are good because of 2 promotions to the 2nd tier of football, or are they bad because of 2 relegations. My own opinion would be to put all support staff, except at youth level, to the discretion of the manager, if we suceed they are praised, if we fail they could all go.

 

[Gully]

Out of the players listed we have, potentially, a defence that could make our goal somewhat similar to a fortress in Division 1. The key is to decide which positions each player is suited to most and keep them there, that way they build up an understanding of what each is capable of and exactly where they should be at any given moment. From the little I saw this season it appeared that we chopped and changed, apart from our first choice centre back pairing, we need to avoid this next season unless a player is suspended or injured.

What B&T says about the Arsenal back four is right, they weren't necessarily the most skilfull players, but as a unit they were almost impregnable and with Seaman at the top of his game between the sticks it was no surprise that they ran games with ease. Chop and change the midfield and forwards to suit each game but keep the defence rock solid, that way the rest of the team will grow to trust them and rely on them.

 

[Schrödinger's Toad]

I agree with the idea of a stable back-four but part of the problem was the lack of a decent left-back. Let's hope we can keep Lynch and have a bit of stability there.

Although he's improved greatly there, I see him much more as a centre-back for us, and a natural replacement for Butters.

A back four of El Abd/Hinsh/Lynch/New Player would look pretty handy so long as the left-back is reasonably experienced and a natural full-back.

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

Although he's improved greatly there, I see him much more as a centre-back for us, and a natural replacement for Butters.

A back four of El Abd/Hinsh/Lynch/New Player would look pretty handy so long as the left-back is reasonably experienced and a natural full-back.

As I've said before, the big problem with our defence is a lack of experience. When Tank was missing the most experienced player was Hinsh and he's only really played one full season for various reasons (injury, alcohol, etc).

Down in League One, Tank and/or Dodd will be valuable in bringing those young players on in the same way that Morgan was a superb example for Cullip to follow.