Ongoing Defensive Frailties

[Dante Lavelli]

I think the most noticeable thing on sunday was that we effectively only played on one side of the pitch.  Whilst Baker would hug the touchline from a positional sense the players clearly did not trust him to take on their full back (not his fault, he's clearly a CB) so we ended aimlessly trying to switch the play.

Having Bennet or Luna back is vital as the team look so disjointed with sunday's jumble sale of a defence. 

I'd also bring Lowton back.  Bacuna received some (justified) bollockings from Clark on Sunday so the lad may need to be taken out of the spotlight before his confidence is ruined.

[Simon Ward]

Bacuna is not a full back, Lowton should play there with Bacuna in front of him!

[pauliewalnuts]

He's not a CB but I thought Chris Herd did pretty well yesterday.

[Dante Lavelli]

He's not a CB but I thought Chris Herd did pretty well yesterday.

I've got a lot of time for Herd.  You can guarantee he will give everything for the team and that aussie mongrel spirit is always an asset.
One of those players that, if sold, could really improve.  Unfortunately for him he's never had a run in the side (in the same position) except when we're desperate with injuries so it's hard to assess how good/bad he actually is.

[David_Nab]

I felt both Herd and Clark were good yesterday ..let down by poor positioning by both FB's and a midfield who once again where unable to control the game

[Clampy]

He's not a CB but I thought Chris Herd did pretty well yesterday.

It's funny how we see different things from the same game because I thought he was awful. He did his best considering it was his first game for a while but he should never had been played there. Fulham caught us out through the middle a lot during that first half because him and Clark were so far apart at times. You can get away with playing the odd person out of position but not three like he did yesterday.

[Merv]

I found it stunning that, given the injury problems we have at the back, Lambert still opted for a back four that had three players out of position. At the very least, we should/could have ensured we had a right-back and two central defenders in their natural roles, leaving just LB to fill.

I too thought Herd was poor. Seemed caught out of position too often, especially in the first half. He can head a ball and likes a tackle (though is often on the reckless side) but he looks very much to me like a midfielder player filling in at the back - still.

I'd rather we gave Donacien a chance. At least he's a specialist defender, used to playing in that position every week.

[Clampy]

I found it stunning that, given the injury problems we have at the back, Lambert still opted for a back four that had three players out of position. At the very least, we should/could have ensured we had a right-back and two central defenders in their natural roles, leaving just LB to fill.

Could'nt agree more, it was unnecessary.

[Meanwood Villa]

I felt both Herd and Clark were good yesterday ..let down by poor positioning by both FB's and a midfield who once again where unable to control the game

This is how I saw it

[Monty]

Especially Clark. Whenever I see the Vlaarless backline described as 'inexperienced' or 'youthful' I think - what about Clark? He's got a lot of experience now and it's been to show.

[Merv]

Who's been playing LB for the reserves/U21s of late?

This LB situation is daft, when you think about it. Both first teamers out, Enda Stevens loaned out, let Derrick Williams go in the summer.

[supertom]

I thought Herdy did well. Best of a bad bunch at the back. I'd like him in midfield to be honest, as an anchorman. He'd at least have an impact on the game over 90 minutes and not go missing like Westwood and KEA. And though Herd isn't the best passer, as our players can't play simple 5 yard passes anyway, he wouldn't look out of place.

[supertom]

Who's been playing LB for the reserves/U21s of late?

This LB situation is daft, when you think about it. Both first teamers out, Enda Stevens loaned out, let Derrick Williams go in the summer.

And to be fair, I'm not sure any of them are good enough.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I thought Herdy did well. Best of a bad bunch at the back. I'd like him in midfield to be honest, as an anchorman. He'd at least have an impact on the game over 90 minutes and not go missing like Westwood and KEA. And though Herd isn't the best passer, as our players can't play simple 5 yard passes anyway, he wouldn't look out of place.

I'd also like to see Herd in the defensive midfield slot, he'd give us some presence there and as Lambert seems to have no intention of playing Sylla there, despite it being his natural position, it's worth a go. The question is could Westwood step up a little further. I think he has an eye for the pass and alongside Delph could help fill the vacuum between our defence and strikers.

Right now, our problem is the midfield, we have such little faith in it the defence and Guzan just hoof the ball up to Benteke. A midfield that came bring the full backs into play in more advanced positions to provide service to the strikers, as well as attacking midfielders, seems the obvious way to go.

[SoccerHQ]

Wouldn't shock me if Herd starts in midfield on sunday. No Delph and given how crap KEA is generally at home and he got the hook at half time I'd be surprised if he starts.

I would also start Sylla aswell otherwise our midfield would be nearly as pedestrian as whatever United put out in there.