Our tackling and leadership

[Expat Smoggie]

Last season we basically defended from the front for obvious reasons. I dare say those reasons haven’t changed as we’ve basically got the same setup, in terms of formation and midfield.

What I’m seeing now is kind of what we saw under Wilder, limp-like tackles, sheep-ish defenders and zero leadership. It’s hard to fathom why we’ve suddenly gone back to this poor attitude especially when many of the players have changed.

It’s a team game of course but today I saw nearly every player make mistakes and no other player took action against offending player.

I remember when we had the likes of Merse or Leadboots playing — if any player made a gaff they were quickly made to understand it wasn’t acceptable.

For me, apart the obvious problems with squad integration, our main issues are revolving around the bread and butter requirements of playing , namely tackling and leadership— both have been non existent from the opening game.

Maybe if we address these issues, we probably have a starting point on how to play, otherwise we’ll be in basement for much of the season if these fundamentals aren’t (quickly) addressed.

Lastly anyone care to explain where was Lenihan today or perhaps the bigger question is where has he been since the opening fixture? He’s the team captain but his leadership has been (so far) very poor.

 

[newyddion]

Last season we basically defended from the front for obvious reasons. I dare say those reasons haven’t changed as we’ve basically got the same setup, in terms of formation and midfield.

What I’m seeing now is kind of what we saw under Wilder, limp-like tackles, sheep-ish defenders and zero leadership. It’s hard to fathom why we’ve suddenly gone back to this poor attitude especially when many of the players have changed.

It’s a team game of course but today I saw nearly every player make mistake and no other player took action against offending player.

I remember when we had the likes of Merse or Leadboots playing — if any player made a gaff they were quickly made to understand it wasn’t acceptable.

For me, apart the obvious problems with squad integration, our main issues are revolving around the bread and butter requirements of playing , namely tackling and leadership— both have been non existent from the opening game.

Maybe if we address these issues and we probably have a starting point on how to play, otherwise we’ll be in basement for much of the season if these fundamentals aren’t (quickly) addressed.

Merse/Leadership.. Alex Pritchard
Leadboots.. Josh Brownhill, Lewis O’Brien, Isaac Hayden.. all contenders.

Coburn - Ross Stewart - more experienced

Coulson - Novatus Miroshi
Payero - Han-Noah Massengo
McNair - Bashir Humphries

pass completions up, interceptions increased

Dijksteel - REGGIE CANNON
(obviously the icedning on the cake)

 

[h_m_boro]

The WBA second goal by Swift was very similar to Willocks goal for QPR last season - just strolled through the midfield too easily before popping it into the top corner. Worrying.

And the last goal ...... Hackney allowed their player to get goal side in the box, left him in yards of space to smash it in.

We're too soft and too slow in CM, seems manager after manager just kind of ignores it and think things are fine.

Need a tackling, athletic CM in this week even if we bite the bullet and get a good loan in.

 

[Zoophonic]

A Josh Brownhill type in the middle is what is required. A vocal hard b***r calling the shots. Last year Burnley acquired a guy called Cullen an absolute midfield gem. We desperately need one.

 

[Priv]

Too many changes, team is unsettled, every week we’re changing at least 3 players need to get a settled team out a few games in a row and let the players learn to play with each other, learn which way their team mates turn, what direction they generally run in and at what point they make their run so know when to release it. Also whose tracking who, when they need help and protection or just covering.

 

[festa5]

The second goal yesterday was absolutely shocking. There's a number of players at fault for it. We definitely need one or two who would find it personally offensive for a player to carry a ball unchallenged in that part of the pitch for that distance.

It's as if they were all waiting for someone else to do something about it. It's as much about attitude as anything else.

We play some good stuff at times, we even defend well in spells. But it's all pointless if you're not switched on for 90 minutes.

I want us to play out from the back and be brave on the ball. But as a defender you should first and foremost be bothered about keeping clean sheets and hate conceding. I'm not convinced enough of ours care as much as they should on that front (looking at Fry in particular here).

I remember during the promotion season Ben Gibson being interviewed after we'd beaten someone comfortably but conceded a consolation goal late on which ended a long run without conceding. He said something along the lines of "it feels a bit like a defeat to be honest". I think Maddo was a bit gobsmacked, but that is exactly the attitude I want my defenders to have.

 

[Dave Doriva]

The second goal yesterday was absolutely shocking. There's a number of players at fault for it. We definitely need one or two who would find it personally offensive for a player to carry a ball unchallenged in that part of the pitch for that distance.

It's as if they were all waiting for someone else to do something about it. It's as much about attitude as anything else.

We play some good stuff at times, we even defend well in spells. But it's all pointless if you're not switched on for 90 minutes.

I want us to play out from the back and be brave on the ball. But as a defender you should first and foremost be bothered about keeping clean sheets and hate conceding. I'm not convinced enough of ours care as much as they should on that front (looking at Fry in particular here).

I remember during the promotion season Ben Gibson being interviewed after we'd beaten someone comfortably but conceded a consolation goal late on which ended a long run without conceding. He said something along the lines of "it feels a bit like a defeat to be honest". I think Maddo was a bit gobsmacked, but that is exactly the attitude I want my defenders to have.

Totally agree with this. Fry needs to step up his defending because I think he’s ok on the ball for a CB but not so good that he can be so weak defending.

I wouldn’t be shocked to see McNair in for Fry. I don’t think he’s brilliant but he can move the ball quicker than Fry and played well in the playoffs against Cov.

 

[Diego]

I’d drop Fry. He’s been diabolical and isn’t deserving of his place.

 

[Priv]

I’d drop Fry. He’s been diabolical and isn’t deserving of his place.

I’d be giving VDB a run if games at CB give him chance to build a partnership with Lenihan.

 

[uncle_rico]

Totally agree with this. Fry needs to step up his defending because I think he’s ok on the ball for a CB but not so good that he can be so weak defending.

I wouldn’t be shocked to see McNair in for Fry. I don’t think he’s brilliant but he can move the ball quicker than Fry and played well in the playoffs against Cov.

McNair is going to be playing right back again.

 

[Diego]

I’d be giving VDB a run if games at CB give him chance to build a partnership with Lenihan.

If his thumbs ok and he can play then yeah, this is what I would do against Bolton to get them an understanding of playing together.

 

[festa5]

Totally agree with this. Fry needs to step up his defending because I think he’s ok on the ball for a CB but not so good that he can be so weak defending.

I wouldn’t be shocked to see McNair in for Fry. I don’t think he’s brilliant but he can move the ball quicker than Fry and played well in the playoffs against Cov.

I've never been his biggest fan, but he was much better than we're seeing now.

I wouldn't be surprised if that head/eye injury has had an impact on him mentally. Wasn't there talk of it being very close to have potentially caused very serious damage to his eye if the boot had connected in a slightly different place? Caused him enough problems as it was.

Couldn't blame him if part of him was now a bit hesitant putting his head in where it hurts. But you can't afford that at this level.

 

[Diego]

I've never been his biggest fan, but he was much better than we're seeing now.

I wouldn't be surprised if that head/eye injury has had an impact on him mentally. Wasn't there talk of it being very close to have potentially caused very serious damage to his eye if the boot had connected in a slightly different place? Caused him enough problems as it was.

Couldn't blame him if part of him was now a bit hesitant putting his head in where it hurts. But you can't afford that at this level.

Could be a good point. Aggression and desire certainly isn’t there as much as it used to be. It’s sad to see but you can’t carry passengers and you get found out.

 

[newyddion]

A Josh Brownhill type in the middle is what is required. A vocal hard b***r calling the shots. Last year Burnley acquired a guy called Cullen an absolute midfield gem. We desperately need one.

Thank gawd we’ve got Michael Carrick! What midfielder wouldn’t want to play for Michael Carrick?!?

A vocal hard b****r calling the shots might not be needed as much as a talented game changer who can control the midfield.

Noise seems to have dropped on the younger big ticket midfielders..
Ardon Jashari - FC Luzern - £5.5m
Renato Veiga - Sporting Lisbon B - £5.5m
Hopefully in favour of the Championship baptised Han Noah Massingo!!
I would have looked at Max Bird from Derby but unfortunately he recently suffered quite a serious injury. We definitely need to change out Martin Payero for someone more defensive.

 

[newyddion]

Totally agree with this. Fry needs to step up his defending because I think he’s ok on the ball for a CB but not so good that he can be so weak defending.

I wouldn’t be shocked to see McNair in for Fry. I don’t think he’s brilliant but he can move the ball quicker than Fry and played well in the playoffs against Cov.

He is a fcuking fanny! Needs to harden the fcuk up!! 25 years old.. surely he knows his job by now?

 

[Tryasize10]

It's not just tackling though is it. Modern football demands closing down and pressing as a unit. For me I don't see that happening it's all isolated players doing the pressing, there doesn't seem to be any cohesion to it.

You don't need "hard" individual players. You need a unit pressing together.

We need so much more when we don't have possession.

 

[Glover_elbow]

It's not just tackling though is it. Modern football demands closing down and pressing as a unit. For me I don't see that happening it's all isolated players doing the pressing, there doesn't seem to be any cohesion to it.

You don't need "hard" individual players. You need a unit pressing together.

We need so much more when we don't have possession.

We pressed well under wilder and then it dropped off and then the same thing happened under carrick. However the fact remains we are very small slight phyiscal unit for a championship side we dont have the physicality that good sides have like Burnley who as well as being great with the ball were the best without it last season. That short coming in experience and physicality can only be addressed through recruitment instead we have gone for projects who have exasperated an existing fundamental failing in physicality.

Carrick has got it wrong so far this season, as well as silvera has done for us there is no way he should be starting above jones mcgree or forss with their championship experience. Rogers straight in the team ahaed of coburn yet hes not not a centre forward nor a no 10, hes shown absolutely nothing so far other than nice touch here and there to indicate hes any better than dare i say ashley fletcher and i dont think he is.

 

[Caesium137]

Aggression and desire certainly isn’t there as much as it used to be. It’s sad to see but you can’t carry passengers and you get found out.

He's never had that aggression and desire IMO. For a 6' 3" centre back who goes up for every set piece pretty much to have 2 goals in 210 appearances is pretty dire. The fact he has 13 bookings and one red (which was a bit harsh) also suggests he's either immaculate in all he does, or he's not rattling people and taking one for the team when needed often enough as well.

As a comparison Ayala has almost the same appearances for us at 216, but 23 goals, 48 booking (three doubles bookings, leading to reds) and two straight reds.

 

[Diego]

He's never had that aggression and desire IMO. For a 6' 3" centre back who goes up for every set piece pretty much to have 2 goals in 210 appearances is pretty dire. The fact he has 13 bookings and one red (which was a bit harsh) also suggests he's either immaculate in all he does, or he's not rattling people and taking one for the team when needed often enough as well.

As a comparison Ayala has almost the same appearances for us 216, but 23 goals, 48 booking (three doubles bookings, leading to reds) and two straight reds.

True, it’s something I’ve levelled at McNair too but i actually think McNair has shown more recently. Especially towards end of last season. Truth is we need better than both.

I hope this ends the myth that Fry was staying at Boro because he’s loyal, he’s still here because all this rumoured premier league interest in the past was just that, rumours. He isn’t good enough for that level and never will be.

 

[Glover_elbow]

True, it’s something I’ve levelled at McNair too but i actually think McNair has shown more recently. Especially towards end of last season. Truth is we need better than both.

I hope this ends the myth that Fry was staying at Boro because he’s loyal, he’s still here because all this rumoured premier league interest in the past was just that, rumours. He isn’t good enough for that level and never will be.

The invisible shield in front of the back four is a more critical problem