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Now I understand that players need to be kept on their toes and have competition for places - I understand that no-one should think their place is guaranteed. However, surely things are a bit different for defenders?
When you look not just at our defensive form last season under Sousa but when you look historically at successful defensive units, whether that be the Adams era at Highbury or any one of Chelsea or Man Utds last few seasons the back five has pretty much always been the same set of players.
We need a consistent line up, whether that be players we dont rate such as Hall included or not. The "first choice" left, right and centre backs should be known and stuck to injuries/lack of form aside.
Now when I was at the training ground getting the clobber for the charity run I asked one defender if he thought he was playing the next day and he answered "nope". This was after training and before they were getting on the coach to go up to the game. Lo and behold...he started the game!!
Now, I'm sorry but what went on in that training session? How did we line up in preparation for the game? Certainly with a different line up to how we started the match if certain players thought they were out of contention?
A defensive unit needs to be just that, a unit. And it cant be easy for players to not know who their defensive partners are! Just look at the ridiculous situation that is Williams! Bought in on loan, straight into the team and then dropped for the next game? Surely thats not fair on him, Borrowdale, or indeed any of the defence?
Magilton (and Gorman) really need to find theit back 4 (whoever that may be) and frigging stick to it else we'll be lucky to get top half. Combine the tinkering with god forbid an injury to say Faurlin and/or Simpson and the team will fall apart.
When you look not just at our defensive form last season under Sousa but when you look historically at successful defensive units, whether that be the Adams era at Highbury or any one of Chelsea or Man Utds last few seasons the back five has pretty much always been the same set of players.
We need a consistent line up, whether that be players we dont rate such as Hall included or not. The "first choice" left, right and centre backs should be known and stuck to injuries/lack of form aside.
Now when I was at the training ground getting the clobber for the charity run I asked one defender if he thought he was playing the next day and he answered "nope". This was after training and before they were getting on the coach to go up to the game. Lo and behold...he started the game!!
Now, I'm sorry but what went on in that training session? How did we line up in preparation for the game? Certainly with a different line up to how we started the match if certain players thought they were out of contention?
A defensive unit needs to be just that, a unit. And it cant be easy for players to not know who their defensive partners are! Just look at the ridiculous situation that is Williams! Bought in on loan, straight into the team and then dropped for the next game? Surely thats not fair on him, Borrowdale, or indeed any of the defence?
Magilton (and Gorman) really need to find theit back 4 (whoever that may be) and frigging stick to it else we'll be lucky to get top half. Combine the tinkering with god forbid an injury to say Faurlin and/or Simpson and the team will fall apart.
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