Sort out the defence

[BaggieSingh]

From what I saw today if we sort out the defence we should walk away with the league this season

COYB

[Johnny on the spot 1]

From what I saw today if we sort out the defence we should walk away with the league this season

COYB

I wouldn't be as bold as that BS but what I seen in the first half we play so good stuff but the defence is poor + goalie is a joke for me , nice to see some decent goals today tho

[BaggieSingh]

I think we can only improve offensively

We’ve seen us go up with Dichio as our main cf

Let’s keep it tight at the back and we will win a lot of games

[baggieal]

I wouldn't be as bold as that BS but what I seen in the first half we play so good stuff but the defence is poor + goalie is a joke for me , nice to see some decent goals today tho

Totally agree Johnny. Both goals conceded were shocking. No excuse for Johnstone yet again!!! One penalty save does not redeem losing us a goal almost every match but what confidence must have defenders have in him!!!

[mickd1961]

Johnstone is a pile of 💩

[BaggieSingh]

Mick, I wish he was that good

[Prando]

I have commented for a considerable time that Bartley is a conduit for precarious defending. Dreadful positional sense, a reluctance to close down approaching players and continual pointing to deflect blame contribute to our abysmal defending.
He heads the ball well, but that’s about it.
It irritates me to see him constantly making a 6 yard pass followed by a pointing instruction. In too many situations his passing of this nature has created the pressure which has lead to our conceding goals.
Nothing personal about the guy, but very much our defensive weak link.

[stripes39]

I have commented for a considerable time that Bartley is a conduit for precarious defending. Dreadful positional sense, a reluctance to close down approaching players and continual pointing to deflect blame contribute to our abysmal defending.
He heads the ball well, but that’s about it.
It irritates me to see him constantly making a 6 yard pass followed by a pointing instruction. In too many situations his passing of this nature has created the pressure which has lead to our conceding goals.
Nothing personal about the guy, but very much our defensive weak link.

Spot on Prando. Bartley is not good under pressure. The good defenders all are. Bartley looks like he wants to get rid whereas better players play out of trouble. Him and Johnstone are our Achilles heel no doubt whatever else we might be like in other areas.

[Yarmbaggie]

Spot on Prando. Bartley is not good under pressure. The good defenders all are. Bartley looks like he wants to get rid whereas better players play out of trouble. Him and Johnstone are our Achilles heel no doubt whatever else we might be like in other areas.

I think the problem is when to play out of defence and when not to.

I watched Man U yesterday versus Southampton. They started off playing around the penalty area at goal kicks and nearly conceded a goal early on a bit like us. After a few tries they went to Plan B of draw the pressing forwards in near the penalty area and then get De Gea to belt the ball up to the halfway line stretching the play and leaving their forwards with plenty of room to attack.

Why risk sloppy passes like yesterday when the ball control just isn’t up to it. Look at KB’s attempt to score from a few yards late on. No control or composure at all. Surely better to play within your abilities and hoofing it upfield, even regularly, is fair enough in my book for the likes of KB.

[mickd1961]

You have to assume a quality manager like Bilic looks at Johnstone and Bartley and thinks to himself.....”f u c k me”.

I was no fan of Hegazi in the Prem but for me him and Al Habsi or another have to come in soon.

I’d sell Gibbs in January too and replace him with a traffic cone.......anyone who thinks he can defend doesn’t understand football.