Our defence

[toonviking]

What the hell is going on there?

Thiaw, I dont know. I think hes been rather poor lately.

Ramsdale cant keep a clean sheet.

[Zippity]

I don't think the midfield are tracking the runners very well.

In terms of today, yes, Thiaw's positioning was poor, leading to the slip as he tried to reposition himself but the finish was good.

The free kick was a fantastic strike albeit Ramsdale left a huge gap to his right. It was so well struck, it might have beaten him anyway (although the replay showed his hand passing where the ball had been a fraction of a second previously so who knows).

[toonviking]

Were not going to win many games with this defence, thats for sure.

A center back should be on top of our shopping list.

[OwdBillCook]

I get what you mean, but I wasn't really all that concerned with what I saw. I thought Thiaw & Miley both played well for much of the game. Good to see Hall looking sharp for so long.
For me, much of the game was like 2 boxers trying to knock each other out instead of box clever. Midfield seemed wide open a lot of the time, so both defences struggled quite a bit.
Chelsea were like a different team in the 2nd half. The manager must have given them a real rocket at half time - they certainly deserved it. But we didn't just sit back and try to defend 2-0. There was a lot of end-to-end stuff, and either team could easily have scored throughout the half.
For me, it was a very entertaining match that we were unlucky to lose. I reckon that most times that game would have been a 3 pointer for us. But then I'm very much a glass-half-full man at heart!

[5under1and]

A slip can happen to the best player but Ramsdale has let us down again we need a good goalkeeper in this transfer window what was he doing so far left of the goal
Can’t believe that we only got a point from that game so many good opportunities missed could have been 5 at half time let alone the penalty and Barnes miss

[toonviking]

We draw when we play good, and lose when we play bad.

The table is tight, but for every game that goes by, its getting further and further up the table.

Its depressing but with the way we play, we are looking more and more like a bottom half team.

Cant really see any way out of this, with the personel we have available.

Next game is at Old Trafford. Man Us attacking game has really picked up lately, so I think thats another loss for us there. Just hope it doesent get too ugly.

[Jammy89]

I think Ramsdale is showing he's not the answer we hoped for.

We need an upgrade on him and Pope.

Knowing what we're like, I suspect we'll go back in for Trafford from City.

[toonviking]

Trafford is not what we need.

8-10 clubs have better keepers than us.

[Jammy89]

Trafford is not what we need.

8-10 clubs have better keepers than us.

I don't disagree to be honest but I know what we and Eddie are like - how many times have we gone back for players.

[toptoon]

Right lads - get the razor blades out and start slitting.
FFS

[toonviking]

Haha...

How do we get a topp class keeper?

We have to try and identify the next big thing...

But it doesent work like that with keepers, does it?

[Ragatino]

Haha...

How do we get a topp class keeper?

We have to try and identify the next big thing...

But it doesent work like that with keepers, does it?

Word is that Filip Jorgensen wants a move away from Chelsea after becoming frustrated with his role as second-choice goalkeeper, although the club will have to sanction an exit for the 23-year-old Denmark international who has a contract until 2031.

I don't know if he's good enough. I haven't seen him play.

Zion Suzuki is a hot prospect in Italy. Japan's national team GK. Again don't know enough about him but like the lad who went to Barca who is keeping Ter Stegen out of the team & Mamardashvili who seems content on the Liverpool bench there is plenty of quality options out there.

A Goal Keeper should be remembered for being unnoticed. When keepers are noticed it's due to howlers.

Rambo's ball playing is brilliant and has given the team a more attacking rapid response. Against Chelsea, his ball out to Elanga almost related in a goal.

That will pay off soon during the season.

[Marat18]

Just have a thought about our defense.

I dont think that player to player we are weaker than Burn-Botman-Schar-Trippier defensive line 3 years.

My opinion - the problem is that each game there are 4 different players starting.
Thiaw, I guess, is the most consistent starter, but its his first year here.
Burn plays LB one day and CB the next one.
Hall and Tino are first team, but they are injury prone.

Another one here - I believe that there should be a leader at the back who commands the line - captain-like figure. We had Trippier before, but now I cant think of anyone in that mood.

[Ragatino]

Just have a thought about our defense.

I dont think that player to player we are weaker than Burn-Botman-Schar-Trippier defensive line 3 years.

My opinion - the problem is that each game there are 4 different players starting.
Thiaw, I guess, is the most consistent starter, but its his first year here.
Burn plays LB one day and CB the next one.
Hall and Tino are first team, but they are injury prone.

Another one here - I believe that there should be a leader at the back who commands the line - captain-like figure. We had Trippier before, but now I cant think of anyone in that mood.

The constant chopping and changing is definitely not optimal. You are absolutely correct that a settled back 4 with Pope was the 2nd best defence in the league that season. It really matters.

With the NUFC injury carousel currently in full spin, it is what it is sadly.

From a laymen's view point. It seems that most of the teams pain comes from balls in between the defensive and midfield, 'the pockets of space', 'half spaced', 'the No.10' position' and all jibber jabber the pundits babble to describe it.

With the midfield looking to press in midfield they naturally step up and the defence slowly sinks deeper opening up that gap. Generally later in the match when fatigue starts to set in and the psychology is to defend a lead.

After taking the lead, seeing out the result has been a challenge this season. The dogged indomitable mentality of a few seasons ago has some what dissolved. Whilst the defence and Rambo have done well it's the fine margins. Again I take you back to my previous comment. Having a proper No.6 to bring on at 60mins to just sit in and mop up those balls through the lines to protect the back 4 would be ideal. Also, someone with a remit to cut out passes through to the No.10 or more creative MF player clubs move up around that time in games which seems to swing the balance in their favour.

[HughieG]

Our main problem is that players like Elanga and Gordon have not delivered adequately.

Sure, we have a general challenge with our style of play at the minute. Sure, there are many positions that need improvement and players that have performed below par. Most top teams go through these kinds of spells - not that we're necessarily a top team at the moment - and come out better on the other side. But they still manage to get results in the meantime.

There are many games I can think of this season where we should've gotten a result but didn't, even if we didn't play all that well. That, to me, primarily comes down to our wingers not chipping in with deliveries of quality and goals. In a nutshell.