NC Defence (Discuss)

[upthemaggies]

The last N games shows us the trajectory we are on. So seeing as you won't do it I've looked at the table for the last 6 games and we have the 2nd best GD, we are the 3rd highest scorers, we have the 7th best defence and 3 more points than anyone else.

But if all that means nothing there's no point in looking at stats is there?

I would say the fact we conceded 3 at home yesterday suggests the 5 at Sutton wasn't so much the anomaly some have been claiming it to be in recent weeks.

If we'd been mostly keeping clean sheets and only the odd one goal since, then it would make more sense to isolate that result and highlight an improved trajectory, but the FGR result demands we pay attention to the whole season, particularly when 12 of the 14 conceded have been against sides currently in the bottom 8 (9 of those 14 to the bottom 3). The only clean sheets have come at 21st place and in a goalless draw.

That would all tell me we're more likely to carry on conceding more in keeping with the overall average of 1.56 than improve, without addressing what appears to be a potential issue, if we want to remain in the mix for top 3 to the end of the season.

[matt_magpie]

I would say the fact we conceded 3 at home yesterday suggests the 5 at Sutton wasn't so much the anomaly some have been claiming it to be in recent weeks.

If we'd been mostly keeping clean sheets and only the odd one goal since, then it would make more sense to isolate that result and highlight an improved trajectory, but the FGR result demands we pay attention to the whole season, particularly when 12 of the 14 conceded have been against sides currently in the bottom 8 (9 of those 14 to the bottom 3). The only clean sheets have come at 21st place and in a goalless draw.

That would all tell me we're more likely to carry on conceding more in keeping with the overall average of 1.56 than improve, without addressing what appears to be a potential issue, if we want to remain in the mix for top 3 to the end of the season.

Well I think we can call it an anomaly as they’ve lost every game since bar one draw and we’re top of the league and they beat us 5-1.
That said I think you’re right that we will struggle against some sides, let’s be realistic the start opposition wise hasn’t been as difficult as it could be, if we end up in the play offs which does seem realistic I think most would have took that at the start of the season.

[Carlton_Pie]

Gillingham have only let in 8 goals in 8 games but if a team scores against them they struggle to win

I'd much rather be like us who can potentially out score opponents.

[Carlton_Pie]

Well I think we can call it an anomaly as they’ve lost every game since bar one draw and we’re top of the league and they beat us 5-1.
That said I think you’re right that we will struggle against some sides, let’s be realistic the start opposition wise hasn’t been as difficult as it could be, if we end up in the play offs which does seem realistic I think most would have took that at the start of the season.

53 points from 37 games to make the playoffs should be achievable.

18 more wins could seal automatic promotion

[uysapie]

Every game it seems inevitable that the opposition will score. No confidence in the defence to keep a clean sheet.

[Jampie]

Our formation and tactics make our defenders look worse than they are, because we're so attacking focused.

Doesn't mean their performances can't improve, but obviously given the table the present strategy is working.

And it sure makes for exciting, higher-scoring games. I'm sure nobody wants to go back to the days of the 1-0 victory being the best case scenario...

I think being attacking focused makes more sense as a strategy because draws are only worth a point, and if you're defensive-focused you'll get more draws than you would otherwise.

[drillerpie]

Against Sutton, Smith wreaked havoc and we conceded 5.

Against FGR, Deeney wreaked havoc and we conceded 3.

Seem to remember a team with another unit of a striker (the one who was unmarked for back post looping header) doing well against us. Was it Accy?

[the_anticlough]

Our formation and tactics make our defenders look worse than they are, because we're so attacking focused.

Doesn't mean their performances can't improve, but obviously given the table the present strategy is working.

And it sure makes for exciting, higher-scoring games. I'm sure nobody wants to go back to the days of the 1-0 victory being the best case scenario...

I think being attacking focused makes more sense as a strategy because draws are only worth a point, and if you're defensive-focused you'll get more draws than you would otherwise.

Great points

I think fans have to let go of the 'clean sheet' fixation. We seem to be in a new attacking era of football. Games go on to 100 mins to make sure the ball's been in play. The interpretation of the rules, the influence of the prem, modern tactical trends, the valuing of entertainment all make for a more attack-minded game now.
If we get a clean sheet it's because we've dominated a team and a ball for most of the match, not because we've fought a 90min rearguard action. And teams can't eke out a 0-1 now so easily due to the clampdown on time wasting.

To Driller's point, if teams are lining up their big units/lads against us, I'd say bring it on.
Deeney was very fortunate to get a hat trick...and did poorly throughout the game I thought

[the_anticlough]

And journos/reporters too are always rabbiting on about clean sheets

It should never be normal for teams at the same level NOT to be able to score in a hour and a half of play. I think football is finally coming to its senses.

[queenslandpie]

There have been skeptical comments about the defence for some time. Some of them are justified. We finished second last season and we are top this season. I think that ends the conversation really. Simply the style of play means we are going to commit a few howlers but the quality of our goals last Saturday was brilliant.