How to defend the indefensible?

[lambtiss]

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?

[lambtiss]

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 

[Miltonaggro]

1 minute ago, lambtiss said:

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 

Shoot on sight from distance all the time is another constant.  Obvious since the Jones / Selles season that managers are briefing their players that having a pop is always worth a go against Saints.

A fair bit of player power also a constant in our demise.  Think of the zero reaction and lack of respect towards Juric, the anonymous 'senior player' appearing in the press a month into this season, and Armstrong admitting a lack of effort under Still after he was sacked.  Keeping the senior pros 'sweet' seems to be a priority for this Board and the coaches they employ. Heaven forbid introducing a manager or a few senior pros keen to win at all costs and happy to kick some backsides and upset some egos in doing so.