Do we need a CB???

[stfc1969]

i'd fancy having rose and sheehan in the same starting line up

[Arriba]

having seen yesterdays goals conceeded the two centre backs need fucking shooting.
morrison looks nowhere near good enough to step up a level.

[Batch]

I'm still not convinced we need a CB. Cuthbert, Lescinel and Morrison are all good enough and have put in plenty of decent performances this season that everyone was more than happy with.

The fact is that despite some good individual performances the defence have conceded 31  (thirty-one) league goal this season, an average of over 1.8 a game. Last seasons "dodgy" defence conceded 57 total (1.24/game).

Our goals scored this season is pretty much bang on the goals per same average of last season (1.56 this, 1.59 last) We have spread Paynters goals around the team.

That proves we don't have what it takes in defence at the moment. Its not just down to the centre backs, its as a unit. But sometimes we are at 6's and 7's back there. We NEED cover - an older head and possibly a proper RB.

Wilson is no fool, he spotted this, hence Frampton. Unfortunately his leg fell off.

[jonny72]

The fact is that despite some good individual performances the defence have conceded 31  (thirty-one) league goal this season, an average of over 1.8 a game. Last seasons "dodgy" defence conceded 57 total (1.24/game).

Our goals scored this season is pretty much bang on the goals per same average of last season (1.56 this, 1.59 last) We have spread Paynters goals around the team.

Everyone is going on as though our defence has been shit all season and it hasn't. We conceded exactly the same number of goals in the first 11 games of this season as we did last season. It has turned to shit over the last 6 games.

But if the problem is due to inexperience and needing a leader, why didn't it make a difference in the first 11 games?

I'd say the explanation is our defence playing like shit, rather than being shit. Putting another player in there isn't going to change that, they'll probably just end up playing shit as well. Wilson needs to figure out what is going wrong and fix it.

[Batch]

Last season we conceded more than 1 goal in 3 of our 11 opening fixtures. This includes a 5-0 hammering. This expands to 4 in 17.

This season we conceded 2 or more in 5 of 11. This expands to 9 in 17. Even if we are out of form,getting back "in form" isn't good enough. We'd still need to score 3 in nearly half our games to win them.

We can all argue about the reasons why, but the fact is the defensive side of the team hasn't been good enough* all season and its getting worse!

*to form a promotion challenge.

[jonny72]

I'm not arguing about whether our defence is shit or not, as it blatantly is.

Just about what the solution is - I don't think an experienced CB will make much if any difference.

[DV]

Gordon Greer, Jamie Vincent and Adie Williams have all come in over the last 5 or so years and instantly improved our defence.

Not just themselves they've also got much more out of the players alongside them (Cuthbert, Morrison, Ifil)

All players who have looked worse off without an experienced pro alongside them.

[flammableBen]

Reeeeeeeeeeves is the classic example of a player, who although slightly (haha slightly) past it, made our defence look much better when he was playing.

Although on reflection that might have just been when you compared the other three to him.

[Barry Scott]

Gordon Greer, Jamie Vincent and Adie Williams have all come in over the last 5 or so years and instantly improved our defence.

Not just themselves they've also got much more out of the players alongside them (Cuthbert, Morrison, Ifil)

All players who have looked worse off without an experienced pro alongside them.

I often find myself finding reasons to not agree with you, because a/ I'm a fucking child, b/ You have incredible hindsight. However, on this occasion I agree with you Rodders. Completely and utterly. Enough is enough. We're leakier than 60 year old whore with bladder problems. I like all our centre backs, but I'll always like winning and our team more. Some egos will be bruised but either Cuthbert or Morrison, along with LJF should get benched soon.

[Benzel]

It's all rather exciting really.

[Batch]

Just about what the solution is - I don't think an experienced CB will make much if any difference.

I think it will so we'll disagree. But not just any player. My worry about Framton is that it'll take games to get his fitness and sharpness up.

Reeeeeeeeeeves is the classic example of a player, who although slightly (haha slightly) past it, made our defence look much better when he was playing.

Although on reflection that might have just been when you compared the other three to him.

I never really liked or rated Reeves until late in his STFC stay. I think your last statement might be closer to the truth.

[Iffy's Onion Bhaji]

At the moment we are still 6 points off the play-offs. I think if we can keep the distance the same or close it by some then come January we can bring some personnel in to suit us and gear us up for a real charge in the 2nd half of the season. I think a CB is really all we need providing we don't sell Austin or let any other key players go. We don't need another striker IMO unless someone like Ward becomes available to us then obviously it would be silly to not sign a player of that calibre.

[Benzel]

Agree with that, Iffy.

Not even worried at the moment. Frustrated - yes. But there is perrrrlenty of time to step it up.

[Bogus Dave]

Anyone who thinks the back four don't need changing need to get a grip

[Batch]

I think we are all agreed. This season is far from dead. But we need to improve.