Defending Turning their back on Crosses/Shots

[g_harry]

I have raised this issue on a number of occasions previously, and pointed out it was one of the major reasons we conceded so many long range shots.

Im afraid to see this season has not changed. Yesterday in the boro game there was a number of occasions when boro were in crossing positions, zokora particulary turned his back on the player crossing the ball. Jenas turned his back on a shot from outside the box.

Last season in the repeat match Young scored a screamer, but everyone says this cant be defended cos the shot was so good. However if you look at the footage Lee stood out of the way of the ball, if he had been brave he could have took the sting out of the shot and prevented it going anywhere near goal.

I must say this annoys me immensely, if the player is brave enough and run directly towards the ball striker this will stop the source of supply ie crosses/shots. I cannot believe this is picked up at the training ground.

However we as a team defended very badly yesterday.

 

[Waddle11]

I agree whole heartedly,though i think the major problem is not cutting out crosses by not getting tight enough and pressing the person crossing,i have been saying this for years. Stewart Robson wrote a piece exactly outlining this and hes a uefa pro a licensed coach.

 

[Krafty]

General disorganisation. No one knows where they should be, so no one is confident to fully commit themself.

 

[g_harry]

Woodgate was great again yesterday, he is a class player. Oue defenceive coaching must be in question. Dawson has not improved since he started the club. Loads of potential but still unsecure in the heart of the defence, plus he keeps making silly mistakes.

 

[si_yidarmy]

i thought dawson was at fault on the occassion where there was a potential penalty, and the first goal they scored. Did not follow his man atal! However apart from that he was good. All the players played quite well, the second goal could not really have been avoided.

I think we are being silly to think thats what our season will be like. Our season starts at the lane next saturday! We should comment after that game, not the boro one.

 

[Corky]

I have raised this issue on a number of occasions previously, and pointed out it was one of the major reasons we conceded so many long range shots.

Im afraid to see this season has not changed. Yesterday in the boro game there was a number of occasions when boro were in crossing positions, zokora particulary turned his back on the player crossing the ball. Jenas turned his back on a shot from outside the box.

Last season in the repeat match Young scored a screamer, but everyone says this cant be defended cos the shot was so good. However if you look at the footage Lee stood out of the way of the ball, if he had been brave he could have took the sting out of the shot and prevented it going anywhere near goal.

I must say this annoys me immensely, if the player is brave enough and run directly towards the ball striker this will stop the source of supply ie crosses/shots. I cannot believe this is picked up at the training ground.

However we as a team defended very badly yesterday.

Yep whole heartidly agree with this one - saw it time and time again last season and it really winds me up - what is wrong with these players? worried about getting it the canines !! or the mush !!

 

[si_yidarmy]

my manager would have gone mental n taken me off if i turned my back on a shot!

 

[g_harry]

it is very fustrating and shows the lack of courage these players have for the team. and also highlights their commitment ie. giving 100% to win and challenge for every ball, which has a team we have been very poor in recent years

 

[truespur]

dawson was at fault for all 3 goals, yes all 3 goals

 

[johnmc]

I have raised this issue on a number of occasions previously, and pointed out it was one of the major reasons we conceded so many long range shots.

Im afraid to see this season has not changed. Yesterday in the boro game there was a number of occasions when boro were in crossing positions, zokora particulary turned his back on the player crossing the ball. Jenas turned his back on a shot from outside the box.

You are so right our central midfield do seem to lack the know how about defending. They do not close people down quick enough or as you so rightly say even stand up to any sort of physical encounter. Not good is it. Yet we the fans appear to be the only ones that are concerned about this.