Our defence

[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.