Our defence

[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.

[Ragatino]

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.

23 goals scored all season in the league Hughie, you make a compelling argument.

The attack simply hasn't been good enough.

As we can attest, from a decade and half of sh!tty, clueless managers who idea of tactics was calling the take away 15 mins before full time to that the Lamb Bhuna and Pashwari nan was ready for delivery right on time, a lack of attacking threat = considerable more defensive pressure = leading to more goals conceded & more games lost.

The team have been ahead in many matches, yet, unfortunately the threat has then fizzled out during the later part of the first half or in the 2nd.

The legs go due to the fatigue and injury list. The team drops back and back inviting the pressure that has inevitably ended in goals being shipped and 15 odd points being dropped.

Best form of defense is attack. The team have the balance at the back despite the injuries. The squad is flexing and stretching to maintain but Eddie is able to put out a competitive team.

JJ is starting to come good and looks better and better with every performance. Elanga, I kinda feel sorry for. He's had a touch start to life on the Tyne. I get the feeling that he's now putting a lot of pressure on himself to perform whilst the terraces collectively shy and grumble each time he miscontrols or misplaces a pass.

The decision making in the final 3rd hasn't been great from Either winger. Gordon has no excuses IMO. He's proven his quality in previous seasons. The Chelsea game proved he's still got it. Malo Gusto (In English - Bad taste) should have seen red. However, against a top team expected. Away to the filth at the swamp in a few days he needs to take the muppet Dalot to school and dominate that left hand side.

Elanga I really want to see get on at 60 mins at the swamp and bang in a goal against his old club.


All that being said. I still think the best solution to the current defensive woes would be resolved with a more deep lying DMF. Not expecting the club to go out and this gen's sign prime Pirlo. However, I firmly believe that the best solution is to enable the CMF 3 to get into the opposition physically and intensely get ahead and make the tactical changes to maintain an attacking threat and work rate in the middle of the park but bring on a more combative shielding DMF to see out matches.

[Ragatino]

https://www.transfermarkt.com/dayann...pieler/1191444

Dayann Methalie is linked. A 19 yr old multi-position player.

Main position:
Left-Back
Other position:
Left Midfield
Centre-Back

Not the No.6 I'm championing but someone who appears to have a huge future and is highly sort after by top clubs across Europe.

Certainly a decent addition to reduce the age of the squad and offer some potentially high quality rotation in positions where we are currently a bit thin with injuries.

[Ragatino]

DMFs we have been linked to.

Kees Smit is a player we've all seen linked. His details are on the 'January' Thread.

Camara Lamine - 21 - Monaco - 30m Euro
https://www.sofascore.com/football/p...lamine/1389846

Class DMF, technical, intelligent, physical.

Luciano Valente - 22 - Feyenoord - 18m Euro
https://www.transfermarkt.com/lucian...spieler/601495

Not so much of a DMF as more of a CMF/AMF.

Wouldn't be my choice.

Aleksandar Stanković - 20 - Club Brugge - 15m Euro
https://www.transfermarkt.com/aleksa...spieler/780136

Son of the legend Dejan. The kid is versatile
Main position:
Defensive Midfield
Other position:
Centre-Back
Central Midfield

Gonna be a star where ever he ends up. Not quite as developed as Lamine but I'd put him above Valente in the list.

Jorthy Mokio - 17 - Ajax - 8m Euro (wildly under valued)
https://www.transfermarkt.com/jorthy...pieler/1105532

This kid is going to go right to the top of football. At 17 he's bossing games in the lowlands. Destined for a Barcelona or Real Madrid. The kid can play. Techincal, smart, reads the game, physical. He, like Miley is mature beyond his years. He's versatile too

Main position:
Defensive Midfield
Other position:
Central Midfield
Left-Back

[toonviking]

Interesting stuff...

Also, defending as a unit and a team is important. The whole team has to defend. Not just the defence.

Thats why we have been good the last few seasons. Now it seems like the defence is more left alone, sort of.

Joelinton (in form, that is) is maybe what we need. Joe is a fantastic ball winner when hes in form. Gordon is also a fantastic pressing player and first defender, when hes in form. I think we saw some signs of his old self in the Chelsea game.

If we can get Joelinton back in form, in addition to Gordon, I think that can take a lot of pressure off the back four.

[Ragatino]

Interesting stuff...

Also, defending as a unit and a team is important. The whole team has to defend. Not just the defence.

Thats why we have been good the last few seasons. Now it seems like the defence is more left alone, sort of.

Joelinton (in form, that is) is maybe what we need. Joe is a fantastic ball winner when hes in form. Gordon is also a fantastic pressing player and first defender, when hes in form. I think we saw some signs of his old self in the Chelsea game.

If we can get Joelinton back in form, in addition to Gordon, I think that can take a lot of pressure off the back four.

Yeah absolutely Viking. Defending from the front. JJ's growing into the role that Joelinton perfected in seasons past. Joelinton of 2 seasons ago was bordering on world class, unique, dynamic, physical, aggressive, dominant terrifying, brilliant.

This season, he's not been on that kind of form. Whether it's a matter of fitness, niggling injuries or confidence I'm not sure.

The current Joelinton couldn't trap a bag of sand, let alone a ball. His retention and passing has been woeful. Losing possession of the football more time that controlling and moving it on, causing more pressure on that back 4.

JJ' still getting up to speed but he seems to be trust by Howe already and this can only be a good thing. Whilst he's not as physical as peak Destroyer J7, he is a dynamic player and he's learning the press patterns. Again JJ's relationship with Gordon or Barnes on the left wing and Hall at LB is still in the early stages. As they all play more together we should see that LCMF / Left side become more fluid and knitted together.

People that are all whining about demanding the manager be sacked are ridiculous when you consider the changes this team/squad is currently undergoing.

As a club financially/commercially & as a playing squad tactically and mentally, we are experiencing growing pains.

Nothing in life is linear. Success is never perfect. It's peaks and troughs, a swift improvement, a plateau of slower development with the odd backwards step.

Last season after 17 matches NUFC were 8th on 26 points - W7,D5,L5
This season after 17 matches NUFC were 11th on 23 points - W6, D5, L6

When we consider the turmoil and upheaval of the summer and the entire blueprint of the team having to be ripped up with the frustrating injury to Wissa for the first 3 months of the season, all the injuries to the defensive line & Goal Keeper, the miss firing winger & the challenges of Elanga to assimilate to the new team and provide the goals & assists he contributed last season for Forest (played - 43, Goals - 6, Assists - 12)

It's still early doors for Elanga. The situation isn't as bad as the bedwetters making out.

Eddie's teams always far better during the Christmas period and to the end of the season.

When we consider the lads are still within touching distance of the top 8 best clubs IN THE WOOOOORLD in the UCL, sitting in 11th with 2 to play, PSV at home is gonna be electric ahead of the big one in Paris when the lads get to have another crack at putting unjust draw right!

A semi final of the Carabao awaits. Two legs against City. The Citizens took a loss in the league at SJP earlier this season and face the reining champions of competition in the first leg. Frank Sidebottom's men will have to overcome their deficiencies and raise their game to compete with the holders over 2 legs. The toon beat an Arsenal team last season convincingly despite being written off before a ball was kicked.

With league is a marathon and we're nicely tucked in with the pack as they round the half way bend.