We are 3rd from bottom in the table for clean sheets

Only 3 clean sheets in the league...scoring isn't necessarily the problem..sort our defence in January.
Our goals conceded tend to come from mistakes or poor marking from Earl, MDG and our keepers

 

It's a weird one. When we click we don't have many weaknesses. However, when it goes wrong it does so in calamitous fashion. If I were Clarke I'd get rid of our flakiest players and replace them where possible regardless of their position. Defence has been crying out for attention. That said, when the midfield fires we don't notice the defensive frailties so much.

As you elude to going forward hasn't really been a massive issue. Lack of competition has been the main issue. People want a striker but when fit Humphry's and Watters will start anyway along with Keiller Dunn and Phillips.

I don't like signing players to warm the bench.

 

A good solid keeper would make a difference. Killip has done ok, certainly better than Slonina but the Orient game showed up his limitations.

 

Bit Harsh D. I reckon the wind and poor defending (the one where some people said he should have saved. Many others wouldn't have either. But I've yet to read anyone other than missen that mentioned his save on sunday. That if boro had scored could have led to a different outcome) that day would have tested most goalies. He's not Muller and a few others. But been a capable even if No.2 goalie. I have yet to talk to anyone who doesn't put Slonina (as you say) well down the list of past goalies. He has far more to learn than Killip imho.
It'll be interesting if we are looking at another Goalie in the window. If so it has to be a permanent signing, not loan for me.

 

Clean sheets are nice, but not essential. We've just had back to back away wins and conceded in both games. At its heart, football is about outscoring the opposition. Give me an entertaining 3-2 win over a dull 1-0 any day of the week.

Not that defensive weaknesses shouldn't be tackled, mind. But it feels to me that we're not too far off being a force to be reckoned with, if we could just get one or two players to tighten up a bit.

 

Very much like the Dave Bassett years, you score 3 we’ll score 4, nerve a dull game

 

I’ve been saying it for ages mate. Yes we need another striker in but it’s shipping goals at Oakwell that is the problem, I think 19 so far, it’s costing us too many points and nearly always through shyyte defending. Our actual goals scored this season fairs pretty well with the teams at the top end, goals conceded doesn’t.

 

Nice lovely clean flanelette candy stripe sheets.
Snuggly and warm.

 

Maybe I am being a bit harsh P but he did have a mare against Orient. I accept everyone has a bad day but I don’t think he commands his area enough. A keeper that defenders know will come and claim crosses breeds confidence in a back line. We need a permanent keeper that does that and who defenders can build some confidence with.

 

I once knew a goalkeeper for my local pub team who used to go to the launderette every week. When I asked the woman who worked there why he was such a frequent customer she said '......................'
(please feel free to fill in the blank)

 

"He's always 5hitting the bed".

 

A championship quality centre half is 100% required. Even if it's another older head, some of our defensive play is so panicked this almost always costs us.

If we have to ship 2 players out even on free tranasfers, maybe Cosgrove plus another to free up a decent wage packet, it's gotta be worth it longer term.

Obviously we are very unlikely to bring someone playing every week in the champ but there have to be people with maybe a couple of seasons left who could just come in and steady the ship somewhat, like a Solbauer type.

 

I honestly don't get the stick Gaga gets. Hes nowhere near the worst goalkeeper we've ever had

 

Do you really think a player good enough for the championship would come to us, mate? Or even if he would, could we afford? I think defence is okay when settled. Roberts, MDG, Earl, Pines & McCarthy is good enough for this league. Need another left back for competition with Gent, another striker & another keeper with Gaga going back, those are the priorities for me - whether they get addressed or not we will soon find out!

 

The trouble is. Lots on here were giving Killip critical.comments on where he's played and at what level without seeing him play. I wonder if Smith will get the same treatment.
I'm too old in the teeth to expect greatness just because of where a player comes from as in Solinas case. And tbf no real expectations of Killip, But he has shown he is more than capable.

I knew little or nothing about several of our best keepers to wear the shirt. Eg.
Muller never heard of him, knew nowt about how good he was. But what a signing.
Luke Steele. Possibly the greatest debut I've ever seen of any player in any position to wear the shirt.
Clive Baker. Was aware to a degree. And excellent.

 

Yes completely agree with your statement about people judging Killip mate. It really bugs me how they can be so critical before even seeing him player at all, for any club, let alone ours. Felt sorry for him when he joined, glad he's done relatively well, orient aside. How many brilliant players have we had from lower leagues? Loads!

 

Yeah that was sort my point about a Solbauer type player. We just look so panicked when under pressure, I do think we need an extra head. Even on loan maybe.

Then up top we need to find that extra spark. But even then, we need to look at the service our current strikers get, is that more lacking than the ability to put the ball away.

 

I'm half & half on that, origionally it's what I thought, but seeing the 'big chances missed' stat, we are (3 or so weeks ago anyway) right up there, DKD especially. Feels like he missed about 5 big chances in a row a couple of months ago so might be unfair on him, because recently I do think he's had a vast improvement in performances. It's a steady mix of both I imagine, because a lot of our chances do come from set plays as well

 

Ahh that's like asking "Why did the chicken cross the road ?"... Err because it was on a Friday.
Ohh no hang on, that's the wrong punchline innit!!.

 

Defence is the weakest part of our team. I'm amazed they get so much praise.