DECLAN JOHN YESTERDAY

Regardless of Ole's failings and the team's total collapse yesterday, I've seen a few people on here slagging Declan John off for his poor half yesterday.

I'd just like to take a moment to stand up for Declan, since he was totally exposed at left back, he was even playing at Centre back at some points in the game! Redmond moved slightly inside, and it was clear that John had been instructed to mark him, and Redmond knew. Unfortunately for John, Redmond is quicker and more experienced and had more support from his teammates, whereas the rest of City's defence left John out to dry instead of helping him! He is not "defensively inept" at all, and I think those of you slagging him off need to sit back and take a look at the whole team's performance, plus Norwich's improvements, before you decide to blame one player, who, might I add, is still only NINETEEN.

Regardless of Ole's failings and the team's total collapse yesterday, I've seen a few people on here slagging Declan John off for his poor half yesterday.

I'd just like to take a moment to stand up for Declan, since he was totally exposed at left back, he was even playing at Centre back at some points in the game! Redmond moved slightly inside, and it was clear that John had been instructed to mark him, and Redmond knew. Unfortunately for John, Redmond is quicker and more experienced and had more support from his teammates, whereas the rest of City's defence left John out to dry instead of helping him! He is not "defensively inept" at all, and I think those of you slagging him off need to sit back and take a look at the whole team's performance, plus Norwich's improvements, before you decide to blame one player, who, might I add, is still only NINETEEN.

I agree that it's harsh to place all the blame at Declan's door and I feel sorry for any full back who has to play behind the defensively inept Whittingham. That being said, his performance yesterday was not that of a professional full back. In my opinion Declan has plenty of promise and pace but I really don't think he is a defender. He's still young enough to grow into the position but I have my doubts.

Agreed.
Declan was a victim of the strange set up - playing without a left midfielder and expecting Macheda, who was out on his feet after 30 mins to cover.

He's not as good as Fabio, who coped well with being outnumbered until he got injured (which I think was a bigger blow to us than most realise) but is still just a kid, as is Ralls who also got some flack.

We should be looking at why some of the more experienced players didn't stand up, or maybe why we didn't have more experienced players on the pitch. Dikgachoi and Guerra for 2.

Agreed.
Declan was a victim of the strange set up - playing without a left midfielder and expecting Macheda, who was out on his feet after 30 mins to cover.

He's not as good as Fabio, who coped well with being outnumbered until he got injured (which I think was a bigger blow to us than most realise) but is still just a kid, as is Ralls who also got some flack.

We should be looking at why some of the more experienced players didn't stand up, or maybe why we didn't have more experienced players on the pitch. Dikgachoi and Guerra for 2.

It just goes to show how important Fabio has become for us. Our midfield is pretty dreadful en bloc and has been overrun in pretty much every game this season

Who ever it was that slotted him at left back in the first place needs their eyes checked.

Who ever it was that slotted him at left back in the first place needs their eyes checked.

I have to agree I don't see a future for him playing LB at this level. Nice to see some loyalty towards academy players by the fans though as if he was purchased he would be the favourite of the boo-boys

OGS should have the balls to play him on the left wing, he is a winger who could cover Fabio when Fabio goes forward

Here we go yet again if a player is "one of ours" we don't criticise but anyone else, e.g. Whitts and Taylor, get it both barrels.

Declan is young and will improve but Saturday he had an absolute 'mare. Fabio coped with the set-up, he didn't, simple. Everything came down the left and, yes, Macheda didn't back John up but John was responsible for the winger skipping past him numerous times.

Regardless of Ole's failings and the team's total collapse yesterday, I've seen a few people on here slagging Declan John off for his poor half yesterday.

I'd just like to take a moment to stand up for Declan, since he was totally exposed at left back, he was even playing at Centre back at some points in the game! Redmond moved slightly inside, and it was clear that John had been instructed to mark him, and Redmond knew. Unfortunately for John, Redmond is quicker and more experienced and had more support from his teammates, whereas the rest of City's defence left John out to dry instead of helping him! He is not "defensively inept" at all, and I think those of you slagging him off need to sit back and take a look at the whole team's performance, plus Norwich's improvements, before you decide to blame one player, who, might I add, is still only NINETEEN.

I agree that it's harsh to place all the blame at Declan's door and I feel sorry for any full back who has to play behind the defensively inept Whittingham. That being said, his performance yesterday was not that of a professional full back. In my opinion Declan has plenty of promise and pace but I really don't think he is a defender. He's still young enough to grow into the position but I have my doubts.

With that in mind maybe we should get him out on loan.

Regardless of Ole's failings and the team's total collapse yesterday, I've seen a few people on here slagging Declan John off for his poor half yesterday.

I'd just like to take a moment to stand up for Declan, since he was totally exposed at left back, he was even playing at Centre back at some points in the game! Redmond moved slightly inside, and it was clear that John had been instructed to mark him, and Redmond knew. Unfortunately for John, Redmond is quicker and more experienced and had more support from his teammates, whereas the rest of City's defence left John out to dry instead of helping him! He is not "defensively inept" at all, and I think those of you slagging him off need to sit back and take a look at the whole team's performance, plus Norwich's improvements, before you decide to blame one player, who, might I add, is still only NINETEEN.

Fabio stays fit on Saturday, we win the game. The game changer was Declan coming on. I feel for the young fella but he was exposed and completely out of his depth. He was like a deer caught in the headlights.

Regardless of Ole's failings and the team's total collapse yesterday, I've seen a few people on here slagging Declan John off for his poor half yesterday.

I'd just like to take a moment to stand up for Declan, since he was totally exposed at left back, he was even playing at Centre back at some points in the game! Redmond moved slightly inside, and it was clear that John had been instructed to mark him, and Redmond knew. Unfortunately for John, Redmond is quicker and more experienced and had more support from his teammates, whereas the rest of City's defence left John out to dry instead of helping him! He is not "defensively inept" at all, and I think those of you slagging him off need to sit back and take a look at the whole team's performance, plus Norwich's improvements, before you decide to blame one player, who, might I add, is still only NINETEEN.

Fabio stays fit on Saturday, we win the game. The game changer was Declan coming on. I feel for the young fella but he was exposed and completely out of his depth. He was like a deer caught in the headlights.

Here we go yet again if a player is "one of ours" we don't criticise but anyone else, e.g. Whitts and Taylor, get it both barrels.

Declan is young and will improve but Saturday he had an absolute 'mare. Fabio coped with the set-up, he didn't, simple. Everything came down the left and, yes, Macheda didn't back John up but John was responsible for the winger skipping past him numerous times.