We are defending too deep.

[The Hairdryer]

From a tactical point of view we are defending far to deep. This causes a catalogue iof problems, the main one being that a gigantic hole appears in between the midfield and the defense. Also, it also means our midfielders don't press like the should as they are too concerned with plugging tha gaps. It also means we do eventually win the ball we have to go the entire length of the field to score, the other team has a shit load of time to get set and it isolates our strikers. During our treble year 1/2 of the goals we scored were from making the opposition lose possesion in their own half.

I don't think it's helping that Rio has lost his confidence and we don't have a natural leader on the park, but it needs to be sorted.

 

[Romaleouf]

THD, have to agree with your point. Too deep meaning the midfielders and defenders form the last line of defense instead of midfield being another line the opponent's attack need to breach.

The link-up for counter attack is also crucial, hence, Rooney has to drop deep to collect the ball leaving Ruud isolated again upfront. Whilst, Fletcher does not do enough to pull defenders out wide with him on the counter. Heck, sometimes I don't even see anyone in the way of Fletcher until the half way line. Perhaps they know about his prowess or limitations.

Rio needs a pay cut, perhaps he would remember how to play once more. Park had tried had but there is very little one man can do in a team game. Same for Rooney, no one can fault him as well.

The Chelsea game is going to be interesting because it is our make or break, if we lose further, morale and spirits are going downhill. It would be a great feat to bounce back from that later in the season.

Perhaps, the Chelsea game is more of mental and how much they wanted to win, ask the lads...

 

[Kristjan]

given that Rio and Silvestre aren't exactly the slowest defenders around we're certainly defending far too deep

 

[vijay]

If we stick to a three men midfield, there is no other option but to defend deep like the Italian teams. Its the midfielders job to carry the ball forward and support the attackers.

 

[Cockney Red]

Agree with you hairdryer, i would also add that when we do lose the ball we do not work hard enough to get it back.

 

[Whiteside]

From a tactical point of view we are defending far to deep. This causes a catalogue iof problems, the main one being that a gigantic hole appears in between the midfield and the defense. Also, it also means our midfielders don't press like the should as they are too concerned with plugging tha gaps. It also means we do eventually win the ball we have to go the entire length of the field to score, the other team has a shit load of time to get set and it isolates our strikers. During our treble year 1/2 of the goals we scored were from making the opposition lose possesion in their own half.

I don't think it's helping that Rio has lost his confidence and we don't have a natural leader on the park, but it needs to be sorted.

This is a good point - demonstrated beautifully by the first boro goal, where the feck was everyone - seemed that mf were ahead of the play with a huge gap between them and the back 4