Defence

[Stimaclegend]

I'm a bit concerned about our defence tonight (Christie, Keogh, Shackell, Forsyth).

Are we lining up 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 with Martin in the 3?

[AngryRam]

You and me both bruv.. I am watching the game in the bog now..
Hopefully we will be proved wrong.
I think its a 442.

[southernram22]

I thought they played ok.

[LoyalFan]

Formation looked like a version of 4-4-2 but was more like a 4-2-2-2 with Baird and Thorne playing deeper roles and Russell and Ince in more advanced roles helping Martin and Bent up top. Given that we were struggling for midfielders it was a good decision imo.

[Rattea]

It's more like 4 2 4 with Russell dropping a little deeper

[Manofpride]

I thought Christie had a decent game, what I did notice was the way Shackell was trying to organise the defence shouting and pointing, great to see and IMO should be captain.

[Rattea]

Christie needs someone to cover him. Once is not defensive and you can see Christie hanging back ready to cover all the time. To be fair a bit of confidence and some support on that side is what he is lacking.

Shackel didn't impress me overly. Shouting is ok but you have to lead by example and his distribution isn't always the greatest and on quite a few occasions he needed to put his foot on it and pass it or move it forward he hoofs it up the pitch!

[AdiSalisbury]

Glad I'm not the only one who thought Shackle was bad in posession. He's a top stopper but needs someone like Keogh besides him who's not afraid to have the ball at his feet. Looks like a promising combination.

Christie played well, but I can see him being dropped for Baird as soon as another midfielder comes in.

[RamBamFan]

Defence last night is what I'd play for the rest of the season. Christie and Forsyth provide width which we need going forward. Shackell is a quality defender but the lad makes some daft decisions with his passing.

[mistaram]

Ram Bam Yes agree leave the defence as it is I thought Christie did well Gray is a handful in this division Will be the same against Leeds they play Dallass wide left and he can play and very pacey. Never thought I would say this but I thought Bent played well. That was a definite pen on Martin but they should have had one for shirt pulling by Keogh at a corner . Brum are very good going forward but not sure how they will cope with teams who just defend against them they certainly like to play on the break