DEFENSE FOR SATURDAY?

------------------------------------MARSHALL---------------------------------------
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-----------------------HUDSON-------------------TURNER---------------------------
-MCNAUGHTON-------------------------------------------------------CONNOLLY--
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Connolly, as we know is one of the most versatile defenders in the championship, being able to play right across the back four.
He stepped in for Kev on Tuesday after Malky decided to play Turner in the center alongside Hudson, clearly opting for a more physical and stronger presence at the back.

For me, and this is MY OPINION, Taylor is well overated. OK, he's better than some defenders in this league, but his somewhat recent lack of going forward to attack has taken a step backwards of late, and I've noticed an increasing amount of times he has and keeps backing off defenders running at him (running backwards and leaving himself in a vulnerable position to be swept aside by wingers with forward momentum). he has started to shit out of important tackles and allowing players to stay on their stronger foot instead of turning them onto the weaker foot. His backward passes and side passes are really starting to annoy me also. Some might think I'm being a bit harsh on him, but I really don't feel he is the player some of our fans make him out to be.

Anyway, If we are going to go for a more stronger and physical back four, I'd rather the above set up, this way we have a combination of height at the back, a degree of forward pace on the flanks although not that important, but at least Kev goes forward and attacks more than Taylor even though he loses the ball as much as him!

What are everyones thoughts on the above set up and also Taylor in general? are you a Lover, or a Criticiser?

I've never liked Taylor. I call him Andrew AWOL Taylor, because he's out of position too often and doesn't get back enough, as witnessed against Forest, never mind anywhere else.

I'll praise him when he does well, which he sometimes does, but I think he is the weakest player in the team and I'd go with your back four as mentioned above, Craig.

I've never liked Taylor. I call him Andrew AWOL Taylor, because he's out of position too often and doesn't get back enough, as witnessed against Forest, never mind anywhere else.

I'll praise him when he does well, which he sometimes does, but I think he is the weakest player in the team and I'd go with your back four as mentioned above, Craig.

This ^

Add to it that Kevin McNaughton (despite his poor distribution) is the best actual defender in the league, and Taylor has to be the one to miss out for me!

I've never liked Taylor. I call him Andrew AWOL Taylor, because he's out of position too often and doesn't get back enough, as witnessed against Forest, never mind anywhere else.

I'll praise him when he does well, which he sometimes does, but I think he is the weakest player in the team and I'd go with your back four as mentioned above, Craig.

Agree, always concerned when the other side "take him on" - we need to strengthen here come the January window if not before.

Kev has his off days but I still consider him to be worthy of selection

Don't bring McNaughton back, not unless we want the team to have to track back every time he loses the ball.

Got to agree with the selection. Naughts is the best defender in our team and even though his passing is shite with a solid winger in tommy smith in front of him hes been playing well. Taylor is the weakest link by far, hes good going forward but shite in defending. Stands off too much. However I dont normally like having a left back that isnt left footed

Drop Turner, Connolly back in the middle and Naughts to fullback

As long as they keep Austin away from the goal ill be happy

Drop Turner, Connolly back in the middle and Naughts to fullback

Same

id personally stick with the same back four as tuesday, turner played well but I really hope malky and the staff are working on defending corners,simply not good enough at the moment
definetly need left back competiton for taylor in january,hes lost his consistency from last serason

Why not just go with what got us to top of the league?
Kev--Huds--Connolly--Taylor
Worked so far. Plus I think Taylor had the second most assists in our side last year

Why not just go with what got us to top of the league?
Kev--Huds--Connolly--Taylor
Worked so far. Plus I think Taylor had the second most assists in our side last year

Worked so far! thankfully - but have you not noticed the amount of goals we are conceding, and mistakes we are making! Gary (Castle Blue) highlighted this in his fantastic Stats post that was up in the sticky section. Compared to last season our defense is actually poorer even though Hudson has been leading by example.

We stuck with certain players and formations last season which got us close to the top of the league, and looked what happened after January!!!

Malky did the right thing dropping kev in my opinion,gave turner game time and gave conolly a chance to show how versatile he is,which he did pretty well
mcnaughton is far from finished and im sure hell get back in the side but something had to change after forest,we were hopeless defensively at times

I didnt feel Connelly gave us enough natural width from fullback if I'm honest.
Very solid though and grew into the game but we were two players up.

For me I'd rather Kev in home games just to give us the width.

It all depends where Cowie plays on Sat for me, if he's on right then I agree KeV should play cos he will get forward. if Cowie however stays in the middle with Conway & Noone on right then same again with Connolly there

I didnt feel Connelly gave us enough natural width from fullback if I'm honest.
Very solid though and grew into the game but we were two players up.

For me I'd rather Kev in home games just to give us the width.

yeah id have to agree with that,
i thought malky was brave and correct to drop an established player after a very poor overall defensive performance at forest, just to shake things up and give them a kick up the backside