Our defensive record

[jardi]

Our goals against column is second worst only to Brechin, which clearly explains why we are struggling this season.

Clearly, a big, strong goalkeeper who is not afraid to come for crosses should be top of our shopping list for next season, but given that we still have an outside chance of the play-offs can we avoid certain goals against us by not putting a wall in front of our goal-keeper?

Once again, on Saturday against Livingston for the ump****th time this season, we gave away a free kick just outside the area, and I wasn't alone in saying to the fans around me "well this is a definite goal."

In a previous post I was berated for suggesting that the wall should be dispensed with, - because allegedly the manager would be crucified if the opposition scored from the free kick..........well almost every time a wall is placed in front of our keeper, the opposition scores regardless!

Instead, let the keeper see the free kick, - place a defender on each post, maybe place a couple of players strategically in front of the free kick and see what happens.

Incidentally Livi scored from the long throw on Saturday, because the attacker was given a free header and there was no defender on the post

[JRSLEFTPEG]

I thought Livingston were going to score every time they went forward in the second half as we looked that vulnerable. Gary Naysmith played at the top level as a defender and you'd think we'd be tighter at the back with someone of that background in charge .

[JRSLEFTPEG]

The other flip of the coin is that we can score goals even without Dobbie and are currently +2. Jack Leighfield has potential but we could ruin his confidence by playing him too much before he is ready.

[deek5trans]

Fans critisicised Dowie and Higgins but weve been no better off without them at the back.

I like Jack Leighfield, imo he's got a lot of potential. He just needs some experience and tips with setting the wall up.

[ALBERTZ_11]

The setting up of a wall is quite simple. The keeper lines the last player on the wall in line with the near post. The keeper then moves across to cover the other side of goal. It isn't rocket science. Martin should be showing him in training and this is covered at Level 2 Goalkeeper Coaching with the Scottish FA.

With regards to the long throw-in, this should be defended like a corner and at least have a player on the near post.

[jardi]

Albertz absolute basics I agree, and that long throw / header could have been stopped with a defender on the post.

There are some really fundamentals that are not being adhered to with regards to our defence, which is extremely disappointing for the fans and must be demoralising for a player of Dobbie's ability.

[Spikefaethesouth]

Our goals against column is second worst only to Brechin, which clearly explains why we are struggling this season.

Clearly, a big, strong goalkeeper who is not afraid to come for crosses should be top of our shopping list for next season, but given that we still have an outside chance of the play-offs can we avoid certain goals against us by not putting a wall in front of our goal-keeper?

Once again, on Saturday against Livingston for the ump****th time this season, we gave away a free kick just outside the area, and I wasn't alone in saying to the fans around me "well this is a definite goal."

In a previous post I was berated for suggesting that the wall should be dispensed with, - because allegedly the manager would be crucified if the opposition scored from the free kick..........well almost every time a wall is placed in front of our keeper, the opposition scores regardless!

Instead, let the keeper see the free kick, - place a defender on each post, maybe place a couple of players strategically in front of the free kick and see what happens.

If we do not have a defensive wall what is then stopping the opposition putting one there simply to obscure the keepers view. As for defenders on the post then that simply plays all of their players onside. If it was that simple then it would have been adopted long ago by every team in the game and since it has not it is obviously a non starter.

[Ftivano1]

Albertz absolute basics I agree, and that long throw / header could have been stopped with a defender on the post.

There are some really fundamentals that are not being adhered to with regards to our defence, which is extremely disappointing for the fans and must be demoralising for a player of Dobbie's ability.

It has been pointed out before that Mr Naysmith had 40 - odd caps as a defender for Scotland so you would expect
his defensive coaching to be pretty good - then again maybe the players are just not good enough or don't listen to
instructions.

[JRSLEFTPEG]

No one has mentioned how more difficult the foam sprayed by the referee has made to defences. Now the wall more or less stays still and doesn't edge it's way towards the ball like a Roman battle formation, closing the space down.

[arrol1919]

Crazy to think we’ve actually had 9 clean sheets in the league this season and 14 in total including cup games