Defence

I thought we looked suspect last night, wasn't too impressed with Kelvin Wilson & Loovens letting that fat striker through, that * cost us dear last season.

We're getting linked with forwards & midfielders - we've not been linked with hardly any defenders - especially CB's.

We're going to be stuck with what we already know is * + K. Wilson & Wanyama (If he gets a game at CB.?)

Mathews looks like a very attacking full back, which is what Emilio is...doubt we can play with 2 very attacking full backs & still have dodgy centre backs - unless we change the system from 4-4-2.

Disappointed, if we don't sign a good quality CB.

Really disappointed, that's 2 seasons without spending money on the defence (unless we get someone in).

 

Think last night there were some extenuating circumstances. Yes, I agree, there were some very suss moments, but it is highly unlikely that the 4 that started last night will start against Hibs on the weekend. I'd envisage M Wilson starting at RB & I would further suggest that it will be Maj & K Wilson that will start in the centre, while Izzy is getting closer after a couple of run-outs this week.

 

Its pre seasson so give Kelvin a chance.

I think we had the best defesive record in the UK last season if not 1 of the best so all we had to do is tweak it slightly.

Maj is must start for me, his experience and understanding of the game is class, really helped Mulgrew last season. Izzy is top class as M.Wilson was at the top of his game last season also.

So we have brought in Matthews, Kelvin and Vic, all young fiercly hungry to improve and be successful with the club and Rogne is still here. So give the new boys a chance to settle in get match sharp and i think we'll be dandy.

Think a lot of pessimism comes from the fact we still haven'y sorted the GK position yet. Think Stipe will sign but more importantly than that in Lenny, Lawell and Park I trust.

 

Good post, but I've not the same confidence in Madge as you do.

His heading is abysmal, I'll never forgive him for ICT's 2nd goal, when he actually headed it twice inside our penalty box & gave the goal away - a draw would've won us the league.

We might have had a good defence on paper last season, but in reality it was poor - we lost 3 goals to ICT & Motherwell FFS.

I'm just annoyed that we're not spending money on this area of the team AGAIN in 2 years, if we want to improve bosman signings aren't the best quality...see Madge for evidence.

 

CBs are shaky still. Loovens is guff and a liability so he should be sold. K.Wilson and Maj are the choice for CB but I agree we need a quality CB in place for the new season. Hooivelt - however its spelt; what happened to him? Rogne and Thompson are not that great nor will they turn out to be Celtic CBs.

 

Maybe a bit unfair on Rogne, he seems to have the requirements - but is easily injured.

He certainly won't be the answer this season anyway.

I'd kill for Boularouz or someone of that ilk, a real sign of intent from the Board...instead of Bosmans, or wonderkids.

 

Maj is quality, our best centre-back by a mile. When did we lose 3 goals to Motherwell btw?

 

Good post

 

I'd agree that Maj's ability in the air is woeful, but what he lacks in that department he makes up as an organizer. The only reason I think Loovens is still in the squad is that he was 1/2 decent in the air - probably the most capable of our CB options when it comes to heading, but does that make up for all his other deficiencies? I would suspect that Lenny will start with Maj & K Wilson at this stage, especially whilst K Wilson is getting his understanding etc down, so it will be reassuring to have a proven organizer like Maj alongside him.

 

i still think madge and Rogne are our best defenders but one of them partnering wilson will give the defence a bit of pace. Actually thought our defence looked a bit scrappy til big maj came on yesterday

 

I still don't get how people can still say Rogne is one of our best defenders......how many games has the boy played?

 

THIS is happening most of the time by playing a high back line when the wing back go forward, the midfield 2 or three of them don't go back to help the defense when there is a hit on the break, this is seen loads of times the ball is played into our end of the park and always about, 25 -20 yards out to there one of 3 attacking strikers
our only 2 defenders come to meet them and they then find them self wrong side of goal as the ball is then played into space for there forward to race into, this should be addressed. kayal, ledley, Brown, ki, 2 of them should be in the area at all times when the wing backs go forward, if you watch any game we play this is always happening that the midfield move up when the wing back move up but fail to see the big space for the ball over the top of them onto a line of 3 attackers just waiting on half a chance to nail us. and to remind you of such player that loved this are jelvic, millar, goodwullie, so don't blame the defense, blame the 4 amigos as they cant all be involved in our attack so should be made to get back and shore up, when the wing backs are up the park

 

All of our defenders are decent ,the thing is they dont seem to play as a unit.this can be sorted out on the training ground. But do we have the coaches capable of making them a unit.Given how they played last season,defensively, I would say no.

 

Would that be the defence that has been dodgy for the LAST 5 YEARS!!!!!!

 

I would have maj and k Wilson at the back with kayal and wanyama sitting in front protecting them. cos let's face it wanyama ain't going to get bullied off the ball same goes for kayal. ones a wee bulldug the others brick shithoose

hail hail

 

Sorry, when they beat us 2-0 at the tattie patch...my bad.

Madge is pish poor in the air mate.

Did you see him try to clear the ball twice, unchallenged in his own box at ICT?

His 1st went clear up in the air, his 2nd (still unchallenged) went about 10 feet to a ICT player - who scored.

On the night that lost us the league.

Aye, he's quality.

And there are many more examples, his heading is terrible - he was out jumped plenty of times by guys much smaller than him...but lets just agree to disagree, I can't be arsed...I need to cut the grass...lol.

 

My ideal defence would be Wilson Maj K.Wilson Izzy. For lesser games this year I'd like to see wanyama and mathwes put in there for exp as I think next season they will be cemented in o the team.

 

Probably the only way to play with * CB's & attacking FB's, without getting raped at the back door.

Kayal can pass & shoot too, so it's not overly defensive really...but we'd probably need to drop a striker.

Away games in Europe or ICT, Motherwell, Ibrox etc...

 

Nonsense, he is our only CB with proper heading ability. Our defence was at it's most solid when he was playing and fully fit. The only lapses he had were when carrying injury or on way back from injury. He never gave big Jelavic a sniff any time he played aginst him, that cannot be said for any of the others.

 

loovens was played to sell or loan out , stands to reason .