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SSN reporting that Anton is likely to miss out again tomorrw. I'm afraid to say that at the moment if he don't play then we won't win. Such a quality defender that holds and organises the back line together. People rate Connolly because he is good in a tackle but the fact is if you watch him, his positional play and defensive organisation is as good as Gabbidon's. Getting Anton fit and then getting a proper centre back with a footballing brain is vital for us getting points.
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He has been brilliant for us but Connolly done very well Sunday for someone with so few mins under their belt. I have full confidence in him. Seems like he has really thought about his game since last season where he made a few blunders.
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Was I watching a different game? Every member of the back four had an absolute shocker defensively, as demonstrated by the MOTD analysis. Yes, we were playing a fantastic side, but our defence was all over the place.Originally posted by Ric-Roc View PostComment
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And this is my point about Connolly. People rate him because he is good in a challenge. His positioning and ability to command are woeful however. Unfortuantely you can be the best tackler in the world but as a CB thats not enough, especially not in this league.Originally posted by The Godfather View PostComment
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Guess you must of been. I wasn't talking about 'the whole back four' I was talking about Matthew Connolly who as I repeat hasn't played for a long time who I believe had a decent game considering those factors.
Man Utd will rip 99% of defences apart so hardly fair to slate the back four considering they were playing the Champions of England.Comment
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Originally posted by Ric-Roc View Post
Connolly is a scape goat for alot of our fans, FACT.
He could play the game of his life and people would still make comments about something or other and not give him credit.
He played very well Sunday, and I, personally, would have him as first CB on the team sheet tomorrow, with Gabbidon partnering him.You should never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.Comment
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Agreed Matty.
I have been a critic of MC in the past but credit where its due. He kept a lively Welbeck very quiet. Granted he didn't have a worldy not 1 of our outfield players did but he looked comfortable for a player who hasn't played for ages.Comment
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Guess its just a matter of opinion. We caught Utd on an off day finishing wise, could have easily been 6 or 7 then I'm sure Connolly would not have been getting so many plaudits. Next time you watch him, please just watch his positional play and how he gets other players into trouble.Comment
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Lol...how dare you have an opinion...Matt's first game back for ages and he has to mark Man Utd ...I say Man Utd, because for once,Faurlin and barton were ripped apart leaving the defence exposed.Originally posted by Ric-Roc View Post
A combo of Ferdinand and Matt will do for me,Matt and Gabbidon worries me....but ....Sunderland are having problems up front.When Jan comes, we will get another C/half in and Matt can continue to rehabilitateAs for the MOTd analysis....the answer is in the first 4 letters
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Plus cerny played well to keep score down.Matt needs to have a more experienced player next to him....I am more frightened by Gabbidon that Matt....To be honest...if Anton is not fit...id start Young at CBack....As you say...opinions...i thought Matt did alright...Now Glenn Johnson of Liverpool...watch his positional play...and he gets in the England team ...Originally posted by AgsQPR View PostComment
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Its just something that I have always noticed about with him. Gorkks was excellent positionally which in turn helped Connolly out when fit. Anton might do the same but with Gabidon and Connolly playing together there is no organiser. I would be tempted by Young or even Hill.Originally posted by Spencer View PostComment
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Usually the pundits on the BBC talk a lot of nonsense, but on this occasion their views on our defending and the video evidence used as justification were very revealing indeed. To dismiss their analysis without actually having watched it and to use the '' icon is, frankly, rather ignorant. It illustrated that our back four were too spread out and not tight enough, making it incredibly easy for the likes of Rooney and Welbeck to make runs in between Connolly and Gabbidon. Yes, Barton and Faurlin should have offered the defenders more protection, but I'm afraid that does not excuse the appalling positional play from our defenders. It was painstakingly obvious that they all had a poor game. I am not 'making Connolly a scapegoat' - in my view he was no worse (or better) than the rest of the back four. I am merely attacking the suggestion that he 'did well' against United, something that is extraordinarily inaccurate. That said, if Anton Ferdinand is not fit for Sunderland tomorrow, I would still start with Connolly, since he is certainly a better player than Hall.
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Our problems are not at the back but further up the field!Comment
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I'm sorry to bump this thread up again but maybe now people will take the blinkers off. Our 2 CB's cost us 3 goals tonight. A professional footballer losing their man at the front post from a corner twice is suicide. Quite frankly based on our defensive display tonight (2 x front post headers and a horrendous basic defensive header) we deserved to get beat, these 2 are simply not good enough. Bendnter ran Connolly ragged tonight. This is an average prem striker who made our CB pairing look quite frankly Sunday league. The people who just blame Gabidon are deluded, and as much as I will get slated Fitz Hall knows how to defend where the other 2 don't. Unless we buy Anton a partner in Jan we're gone. Also why we played 1 up top home to Sunderland god only knows. I will keep the faith with Jan looming but please Nw get a CB with a brain!Comment
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