1) We play well going forward - very well- well enough to overwhelm a lot of teams in this division if we took our chances. </p> 2) All we know how to do is go forwards. We just attack, attack, attack. To begin with it is murder for the opposition, but when we fail to take our chances, what harm does it do them?</p> 3) Because we keep pouring forward we get tired, and we punch ourselves out. As regular as clock-work, come seventy-five minutes, we're on the back foot with our lungs burning and nothing spare in the tank.</p> 4) If we're lucky, by that time, we're 1-0 up. Often we're not even winning by then because we haven't got a decent striker. We haven't done enough.</p> 5) We don't know how to defend and we're a shambles at the back. It's not a problem when we're bombing forwards in the first half because the opposition have got enough on trying to stay alive. When it gets to the second half we know we're going to let at least one goal in, possibly two.</p> 6) There is as more chance of us suffering a late collapse and letting in four or five in the last twenty minutes as there is of us scoring four or five in the first half. Because we haven't got a decent goal scorer there's always more chance of us losing than winning by the tactics we employ.</p> 7) (finally) I must raise a massive question mark over Ritchie's ability to coach a defence. He has put together a wonderful attacking side - we go forwards in a way that is thrilling for the third party spectator - but he doesn't know what to do with that defence. We could literally sign top quality defenders, and I'm not sure Ritchie would know what to do with them (he might ask them!).</p> Top and bottom of it is, we need a six yard box predator a.s.a.p. (not another target man clown looking to 'set things up') and a good quality defensive coach who can drill that defence. Drill them and fecking drill them. We should be able to take a lead and defend it - we clearly don't know how. How do we know that the defence is inadequate until we give them the necessary support of a dedicated coach? I know one thing - a new defensive coach would cost less than a new defence.</p> </p>
No, he was only here <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">temporary</span> temporarily for a few days before the wolves match. Unfortunately.
And what did we do against Wolves? We kept a clean sheet; more than just mere coincidence perhaps? We did ride our luck on a couple of occasions that day but we did seem a hell of a lot more drilled. Completely agree with what BRF has said. You could also look at the two sending offs against Norwich and Weshday where we were bombing forward and scrambling back to defend. Although defensively we do need more coaching and fast, an experienced centre half in the form of a Malky Mackay type wouldn’t go amiss to boss the defence and drill the rest of the team throughout the game.
I've posted this 3 or 4 times Nigel Winterburn was on Sky last year almost begging to be allowed to give back some of his knowledge
Its been bloody obvious since last season It's just more than a bit galling that we have to wait until we are desperate, in a period when we cant make permanant signings that Ritchie acklnowledges the situation.</p> FFS</p> Well spotted Andy</p> Lets hope its not too late to persuade a decent experienced organising defender to come.</p>
RE: I've posted this 3 or 4 times If we brought Winterburn in as a defensive coach he might not let AR join in the training session. How would AR pass his time then? I'm 100% in agreement. Too many people on this bb are only looking at a day in Cardiff. They are not looking at the full picture. (titanic)
RE: Redknapp joins in training sessions I bet you he only joins in at the end of sessions. He doesn't play from start to finish because he actually coaches his sides.
Hassel better centre half than Kay / Reid but that still means we need a new right back because I'd be reluctant to see Austin playing a lot
did you not read the article about coaching? The one where ritchie decided to go for a bit of light relief after the loss on saturday? you know, the one that indicated it wasnt the norm and was a one off?</p> You said you watched for an hour. How do you know that he hadnt had the players doing an hour of tactical training inside prior to that? Coaching isnt just about standing at the side of players on a training pitch and saying do this do that, it involves a lot of theory based work as well. Or at least it does when you arent dealing with the under-11's </p>
RE: did you not read the article about coaching? ********, I have my spys everywhere. I'm not the only one who goes down to see what is going off on the training ground. I'm off to play footy now, whilst the Titanic is still on course for the Iceburg. (titanic)
RE: did you not read the article about coaching? are your spies inside the changing rooms and training rooms at oakwell?
reight. that sums it up i reckon... worrabart that little ***** of goal poacher who wants gone from swansea... doesn't he get his goals that way? and he has got some...
