lambtiss

We also could have taken one of the 3 centre backs off.

Russell Martin mode plus Jander, Fellows and Scienza.

The highlights miss the important lead up to the goal which reflect even more poorly on Manning. Firstly, there is a cross from Coventry which Maning bravely attempts to duck but which hits him on the back and then bounces towards the corner flag, under no pressure whatsoever Manning then decides to clear up-field, completely slices the ball which goes stright to a Coventry atacker on the edge of our box. He then strolls to the edge of our box whilst the attack leading up to the goal takes shape, so that he is out of place whilst the winger, now unmarked, puts the cross over for the goal. Unforgivable trio of errors. Awful defender.

Even worse, I heard small town in Villa being sung ..

I thought we looked pretty ordinary until they went down to 10 men after a justified red. Too much slow passing around the back and in midfield with the only apparent attacking intent coming from Scienza. Their goal was textbook Saints. 1) Bad defending and give the ball away .. Tick (Manning) 2) Winger given too much time to cross the ball .. Tick (Manning out of position) 3) Soft header from an unmarked player in the 6 yard box .. Tick (centre backs) We deserved the equaliser with a rally after they went down to 10 men. For the remaining 30-40 minutes we huffed and puffed but lacked a cutting edge with Scienza again being the only creative influencer. From about 20 minutes out to the end I didn’t feel that a winner was coming. The game was crying out for a strong , battling number 9 to put their defence and keeper under pressure but we got Cameron Archer who did absolutely diddly squat. The nearest we got to an equaliser was after a tantalising bit of play from Scienza to get to the goal line and put a perfect ball across the penalty box which cut their keeper out, but nobody was there for the needed tap in, which we have seen too many times.

You’re just a Shit Steven Gerrard was all that I heard … seems fair to me

Quite the opposite, a keeper that isn't rooted to his line and tries to claim or punch crosses has to be a better bet. McCarthy is far better than Bazunu in this regard.

Personally, I'm hoping Bazunu is dropped (again)

Yes,our 3 centre backs are so good at handling set pieces at the moment. 🤣

He has taken 4 and scored all 4. If he wants to take them, I would certainly like to see him given an opportunity; he strikes and places the ball better than any of our other players.

He has missed three out of the last 4, time for a change.

Leo Scienza should take them

Rant 2 ... How to beat our defence. 1) Pick a tall, burly centre forward. 2) pick one or two speedy wingers 3) cross the ball into the box, again and again

Under Sports Republic our defence has been porous at best, indefensible at worst. Even in the promotion season, we conceded 63 goals, only 2 less than Birmingham who were relegated. What is perhaps even more frustrating is that the issues have remained constant and untreated by the club or by recruitment. We have needed a better goalkeeper ever since it became apparent, early on I would argue, that Bazunu was simply not a good enough keeper, particularly as a shot stopper and also with crosses into the box. Many, myself have included, have argued that our promotion through the playoffs would probably not have happened if he hadn't been injured. Our defence has also suffered from the same issue match after match. A lack of pace and height at the back, a tendency to overplay and invite pressure rather than progress and a lack of leadership with a resulting tendency to crumble under pressure. Despite this our recruitment strategy has remained oblivious to these issues. In the goalkeeping department, not a single change to the Bazunu, McCarthy era, a dereliction of duty in my opinion. At the back, we are actually worse than the promotion team that conceded 63 goals with the loss of our best defenders in Bednarek and Kyle Walker Peters. Our recruitment at the back has focussed on young potential CBs rather than experience and, allegedly, ball playing skills rather than defending skills, although that is hard to discern at times. Many on this forum have pointed out the lack of leadership since the days of Fonte and VVD. What I cannot understand is the seeming sanction and acceptance of this approach by the clubs ownership and scouting. Can they not see the issues?

That's not the answer, give the penalties and all free kicks to Scienza

But the chances werent taken, so where was the Plan B?

Two thoughts : 1) We have no Plan B We have seen it in the previous 2 matches in the 2nd halves when Scienza goes off and today we saw it almost from the start because Fellows wasnt in the line up. 2) We have an awful defence. 3 centre halves, none of whom can defend and a calamity keeper.

Congratulations, first this year?

Or a left back

Nigel Farage to be appointed head of the Catholic Church

Fair analysis. However,I think Tonda is more aware if the issues than the article makes out.

I wholeheartedly agree, but I retain no optimism whatsoever that Manning will improve as a defender. He makes mistake after mistake, game after game and never seems to learn. We just need a better player in his position.

In the first half against Birmingham, we were awarded a free kick in a good position on the left-hand side of the pitch, and Adam Armstrong grabbed the ball whilst Leo looked miffed. Much as I like Adama, having observed both players, Leo's shooting from that side is excellent, and that is while on the move. I have seen YouTube videos of him taking and scoring free kicks. I think Leo should be taking all free kicks from that side of the pitch (I think he is already taking the corners from that side).

I think it is clear that Leo gives 100% whenever he is on the ball, no dithering, he turns and hares off for goal, I'm not surprised that he gets tired and now that he is targeted from the off by the opposition's defenders I'm not surprised that we need to protect him whenever we can.

So noticeable from Archer wasn't it. He started off at Aston Villa so I guess his desire to score against their arch rivals explains his energy. That run he went on beating two or three defenders was a revelation. Tonda should grab him and tell him that he needs to play with that level of intensity all the time.