Just seen a perfect example on in the Derby game exactly why we conceded that equaliser v Leicester. I can't believe how many people I've seen saying 'dropping deep isn't why we are conceding late goals'. That equaliser came from us allowing Schmeichel to have the ball on the half way line and pick his spot to cross into. That is absolutely ridiculous for me allowing a team so much time and space. It was inevitable. I have just seen a perfect example where Green has come out to do the same thing Schmeichel did, picking it up and pressing team mates forward. Connor Sammon was immediately at full speed to put him under pressure and force the ball wide which ended up going for a corner. That then allowed Derby to re-organise and counter attack. I've been completely baffled at the comments saying 'taking off a striker for a defender isn't why we're conceding late'. In my eyes, that's exactly what the issue is. Well done Derby for showing us how to hold a lead!
This game also shows that we made a big mistake in throwing out Forsyth. I thought he looked very good tonight and would have been a very useful squad member for us and home grown.
Derby held onto their lead because their defence didn't make silly errors, they headed and hoofed everything away from their area and QPR are ****e.
He'd probably do a solid job but nothing amazing - no more so than what we've got (and he wouldn't have the pace needed) Anyway don't forget we threw away leads against 3 very decent sides whereas against a lesser one like Brighton we held with some comfort albeit they did score a disallowed goal! I'd be more concerned if that had happened against teams below us.
I have also seen shocking Forsyth games this season but saying that the same can be said for our latest crop as well. But for me Forsyth has no consistency, which is why I think we ultimately let him go. But back to the OP, your right its a team game and they all have to press and close down, even right until the end of the game. However don't think that just working hard off the field is going to change things. Players have to be rested and be given the right levels of intensity with their training to allow the maximum energy and levels of performance , and to ensure they are properly recovered in order to get onto the next game. Perhaps one of the reasons why Hall did not originally start for us on Saturday. But I do agree, I think sometimes we are playing too much with this Italian mindset of ensuring we are well defended but the defensive work starts at the other end of the pitch.
Insufficient fitness and tactical work by the previous manager. Tactics can be learnt quicker than getting fitness, which to be honest wont get sorted till the summer
In what game for us, apart from against lower league sides did Forsyth show he was going to be a good player for us. I'll answer for you. There wasn't one and that's why he left. I don't know how he has been playing for them or if they have any other players in his position but when he played against us earlier this season he was utter bobbins.
He scored the winning goal against Leicester once. Being our rivals we should've offered him a contract on that basis alone.
Didn't close down the keeper, didn't close down Drinkwater, didn't get enough distance on the clearing header. The last two reasons have nothing to do with us taking FF off. We took him off to add Hall to the back line as they were slinging balls in to the box. If we hadn't done that and they had scored the argument would be why we didn't bring Hall on to shore up the defence. He didn't do that at Forest and we got spanked. Every goal conceded can be avoided it's just limiting the errors and this goal I think we should accept was just a very well taken goal
I do agree to an extent. For all his hard work in terms of running, I wish we would stick Battocchio further up the pitch when defending corners or under the cosh a bit. No he isn't going to win many headers but he sure as hell doesnt do anything defensive in those situations. We should have him chasing everything down further up the pitch. Give the opposition something to thinj about when Deeney drops deeper.
Just read on Wobby site that Varese under Sanninos management went 3 consecutive seasons without losing at home. I think he probably knows more about defending leads than anyone on this forum, so lets leave him to do his job and pass judgement when he s had enough time to make an impact.
The problem with letting a lead go is that I guarantee next week you'll need to connect the device up again and have to pay a fortune for a replacement.
I do think that the side is suffering from a severe lack of fitness levels, I did hear that the pre season regeime had the least amount of fitness work & was more with the ball, then add the fact tha the Italian mentality is generally that we hold what we have all adds up to conceding last minute goals ! Interesting that Deeney keeps posting videos of himself in a Gym in birmingham so clearly he thinks fitness is important
