We can't defend counter attacks

This is something that has been prevalent since the start of last season, we are far too porous down the middle when dealing with counter attacks.

The first issue is that we lack a genuine premiership class CDM, Fox has the composure and on the ball technical abilities for the job, but lacks athleticism and a strong tackling ability, where as BJ can do the dirty work but can't bring the ball forward or get us playing well, if we play Fox then we know that we'll have a great deal of possession but won't be able to protect the back four sufficiently well enough, if Johnson plays then we become very one dimensional in our play, always looking to work the channels and play long balls. We need to find a player that has the combined qualities of both these players. Unfortunately, for the last half an hour we were completely exposed due to neither man being on the pitch, hence the capitulation.

The second issue, suprise, suprise, is our defence. Russell Martin should not be starting at right back if we have Kyle Naughton available, a player that we must sign in the summer, Martin doesn't have the pace or positional sense to cope with PL wingers week in week out. Elliot Ward lacks pace and a strong tackling ability which leads to him constantly backing off and dragging our defence deeper, this played into citeh's hands (or feet), their front four all being exceptional dribblers with the ability to create space in and around the 18 yard box. Ryan Bennett has massive potential but needs to learn quickly from todays experience, he musn't play that poorly again for a long while. Adam Drury was actually very solid for the first hour and didn't let anything get passed him, but then he got tired (as he usually does at that point in a game) and faded away, we can't rely on him week in week out due to a lack of fitness and durability.

Some poor tactical and personel changes from Lambert, but he can only work within the budget that he's allocated. The board needs to back him in the summer so that he can get a quality CDM, Kyle Naughton, another left back (if Tierney is going to be a long term injury worry) and possibly another CB to replace Ward/Barnett. Just my opinions, don't take them to heart!

Posted By: Common Sense Police, Apr 14, 15:23:22