Pack it in, please, Pete

[Gowboy]

That’s the third game that I have seen where Hartley has fouled an opponent and it has led directly to a goal against us. He really has to pack that in - it’s costing us too many points. He is a “ rugged” defender and there is nothing wrong with that, but you also need to use your brain as well as your brawn and he’s failing to do that too often.

[Wellup4it]

Was it a foul at all? The challenge looked very soft.

[Gowboy]

It did look soft but there was no reaction from Hartley when it was given, nor to the yellow card which followed, and that makes me think it was a foul. It’s where he is giving these fouls away that is a problem as teams are scoring from them as they are just outside the box.

[texaco cup]

Maybe if as a team we defended a further 10yards up the pitch then giving away free kicks might have a less effect on our results. The back 3 or 4 are camped along our eigh**** yard line most of the time and any free kicks awarded against us always have the potential to end up in our net

[Wellup4it]

Maybe if as a team we defended a further 10yards up the pitch then giving away free kicks might have a less effect on our results. The back 3 or 4 are camped along our eigh**** yard line most of the time and any free kicks awarded against us always have the potential to end up in our net

I agree that we defend far too deeply but its the midfield to blame. They in turn force the back 3 even further back. But, yes we should make our mistakes a further 10 yards up the pitch.

[Handsome_Devil]

I agree that we defend far too deeply but its the midfield to blame. They in turn force the back 3 even further back. But, yes we should make our mistakes a further 10 yards up the pitch.

Interesting...I agree the midfield is a shambles but I don't think we have much choice about where we put our defensive line if we insist on using 3-5-2 at the minute.

This is where we really miss the pace of Dunne and Kipre. With three at the back you are always giving the opposition a massive target of space at either side to lob long balls into, it just can't be avoided. And obviously the further up the pitch you are, the bigger the space.

Last season we could still get up the park a bit knowing that either side of Hartley/Aldred we had guys who could get out very quickly to tidy up when the wing-back was caught out - all they had to do was get there first, ideally wallop the ball out the park or at worst be close enough to the oncoming winger/forward to delay the situation. Dunne was virtually unbeatable in a foot race and Kipre no slouch either.

This term though we don't even have that...and while sitting deep isn't ideal, it is always preferable to be organized behind the ball than have your wing-back out the game and your centre back caught in an unwinnable situation of not wanting to sit off but unable to risk going out because they lack the pace.

It means not only are we always under pressure from good teams who outplay us in midfield, even one-dimensional workers like Livi can easily keep us under pressure.

Ultimately it is another screaming loud signal that 3-5-2 is not working...after Robinson's summer transfer plan, his refusal to switch to a back four in recent weeks is a close second for me in the baffling stakes.

[sieb1886]

[QUOTE=Handsome_Devil;39033953]Interesting...I agree the midfield is a shambles but I don't think we have much choice about where we put our defensive line if we insist on using 3-5-2 at the minute.

This is where we really miss the pace of Dunne and Kipre. With three at the back you are always giving the opposition a massive target of space at either side to lob long balls into, it just can't be avoided. And obviously the further up the pitch you are, the bigger the space.

Last season we could still get up the park a bit knowing that either side of Hartley/Aldred we had guys who could get out very quickly to tidy up when the wing-back was caught out - all they had to do was get there first, ideally wallop the ball out the park or at worst be close enough to the oncoming winger/forward to delay the situation. Dunne was virtually unbeatable in a foot race and Kipre no slouch either.

This term though we don't even have that...and while sitting deep isn't ideal, it is always preferable to be organized behind the ball than have your wing-back out the game and your centre back caught in an unwinnable situation of not wanting to sit off but unable to risk going out because they lack the pace.

Agreed - we can no longer do the 3-5-2 effectively due to various reasons. An immediate rethink during this International break is certainly needed.
Ain't got no coaching badges, and far from me to tell our Gaffer what needs to happen ... but something has to change.