What I am struggling to understand is....

McConville was outstanding for NI by all accounts. Cordoba had Kane in his back pocket for much of the game in the world cup.

These are two top quality centre backs who we know from last season can form a very good partnership at this level. We know Fisher, Chrisene and Stacey can been good also, albeit the latter is a bit positionally iffy.

So why then are we repeatedly seeing goals like the first goal yesterday or multiple occasions in each game where our entire back like is completely out of shape and nobody is marking the opposition properly.

Perhaps part of it is a confidence thing but for it to be happening so regularly it must be a structural issue with how we are playing and if so, what has he changed this season in that regard? Is it just the wingers not tracking ack or is it as simple as the fact that Matteson is not playing like superman this season and thus papering over cracks?

Posted By: Jim on October 12th 2026 at 11:22:27

Message Thread

What I am struggling to understand is.... (NCFC) - Jim, Oct 12, 11:22:27
- One thing I think is that Maghoma gives us a problem in that he (NCFC) - Pixelman, Oct 12, 14:06:55
  - I'd play Wright there - or as part of a three (n/m) (NCFC) - norwaay, Oct 12, 14:16:28
    - I think we need to play a three at the moment (NCFC) - jamesward, Oct 12, 14:28:58
      - 3 may well make us even easier to get at! (NCFC) - The Ghost MP1969, Oct 12, 14:34:31
        
        Well it would be a 5 in defence wouldn't it? FFS (n/m) (NCFC) - jamesward, Oct 12, 14:39:01
        
        Then its not THREE!,,,Better off with a four and a five then a one (n/m) (NCFC) - The Ghost MP1969, Oct 12, 15:03:38
        
        It is always written as 3-5-2, not 5-3-2 (NCFC) - jamesward, Oct 12, 15:05:29
        
        Missing the point! (NCFC) - The Ghost MP1969, Oct 12, 15:10:40
        
        3-FIVE-2 (NCFC) - jamesward, Oct 12, 15:12:40
        
        Because the midfield we have is lightweight (NCFC) - The Ghost MP1969, Oct 12, 15:18:42
        
        Not for me, nothing in attack (n/m) (NCFC) - jamesward, Oct 12, 15:26:00
        
        I'd go 9 0 1, Big Mak up front, mighty norfolk shield doming the penalty area (n/m) (NCFC) - paulg, Oct 12, 18:51:22
        
        Thanks for the banter (NCFC) - The Ghost MP1969, Oct 12, 16:27:27
        
        Not for the whole game! (NCFC) - The Ghost MP1969, Oct 12, 15:37:03
    - Yes. Also... against opinion... I like Slimane there. I thought Saturdays game was made (NCFC) - Pixelman, Oct 12, 14:23:28
      - Kenny is injured for another two weeks though (n/m) (NCFC) - jamesward, Oct 12, 14:30:04
- Football is a team game. (NCFC) - Henclrikus, Oct 12, 12:59:41
- Watch the first goal again (NCFC) - jamesward, Oct 12, 11:44:46
- For me the issue is further ahead. (NCFC) - Azteca, Oct 12, 11:24:48
  - Is it as simple as we need better central midfielders? (n/m) (NCFC) - Trent_Canary, Oct 12, 11:31:12
    - Maybe. Mattson isnt as good as he was last season (NCFC) - Azteca, Oct 12, 11:55:43
  - It does seem as though we are back to the days where one misplaced pass and the opposition (NCFC) - Jim, Oct 12, 11:26:45
  - Plus a forward - Kvist & Toure who cant hold a ball up (n/m) (NCFC) - Azteca, Oct 12, 11:26:14
    - And our 10s don’t do enough off the ball for me (n/m) (NCFC) - jamesward, Oct 12, 11:37:22
      - Agreed!..Only one Slimane contributes defensively..a little! (n/m) (NCFC) - The Ghost MP1969, Oct 12, 12:51:04
      - The most industrious of them all is Slimane (NCFC) - Azteca, Oct 12, 11:53:52
- Sorry not yesterday, I meant on Saturday obviously (n/m) (NCFC) - Jim, Oct 12, 11:22:59
  - Spot on! (NCFC) - The Ghost MP1969, Oct 12, 12:18:53

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