Our Defence

[Yarmbaggie]

It is so easy to blame Ajayi and Bartley for two goals being conceded at set pieces but the problem for me is that we don’t have an abundance of tall players who can defend set pieces when the opposition bring up tall defenders as well as their forwards. Townsend was about 6 inches shorter than the guy he got isolated against for the second and Ferguson was no match for their forward for the first. Our two central defenders can’t mark everyone.

When our forwards come back for corners none are tall enough or aggressive enough to make a difference and neither are our 3 advanced midfielders. Livermore and Sawyers are playing well but neither are particularly great at defending corners either, so we are left with two shortish full backs to help Ajayi and Bartley.

It is the same in reverse when we have set pieces. We get great delivery especially from Pereira, which helps enormously, but there are only really Ajayi and Bartley to aim at. They are usually the only ones getting on corners and set pieces with some help at times from Austin and Robson-Kanu, but more often on the second ball.

I think it is just weight of numbers at times and when the opposition put in great delivery then we will struggle.

[soulman101]

It is so easy to blame Ajayi and Bartley for two goals being conceded at set pieces but the problem for me is that we don’t have an abundance of tall players who can defend set pieces when the opposition bring up tall defenders as well as their forwards. Townsend was about 6 inches shorter than the guy he got isolated against for the second and Ferguson was no match for their forward for the first. Our two central defenders can’t mark everyone.

When our forwards come back for corners none are tall enough or aggressive enough to make a difference and neither are our 3 advanced midfielders. Livermore and Sawyers are playing well but neither are particularly great at defending corners either, so we are left with two shortish full backs to help Ajayi and Bartley.

It is the same in reverse when we have set pieces. We get great delivery especially from Pereira, which helps enormously, but there are only really Ajayi and Bartley to aim at. They are usually the only ones getting on corners and set pieces with some help at times from Austin and Robson-Kanu, but more often on the second ball.

I think it is just weight of numbers at times and when the opposition put in great delivery then we will struggle.

If we left one up, ie Diagano or Edwards the opposition would have to leave 2 back.