No one else worried about the defense?

C

Chishandfips

Well-known member
I notice in most people’s starting XI’s they have Gabriel Keogh Ekky and Husband/Garbutt .. Ekky to one side does that line up not leave anyone else feeling uneasy?!
 
ElBurroSinNombre said:
We need able replacements, can't see Keogh playing 50 games at 35 years old. Either likely to be injured at some stage as well.
Thorniley may get more game time, has never let us down
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Appleton does have his fair share of options with Doug Tharme, Casey, Ekpiteta, Keogh and Thorniley
 
20togo said:
yep, it's a no from me as well. The main four all did well last season.
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All substantially better than some defences we have had in the past. Would prefer a better back up option at left back and we also need a competent right back to cover JB.

I’m content with that back line.
 
Not at all, still Garbs, Casey, Thornilly to cover plus Connolly and Reece James…. All can do a job where needed
 
Being left sided, Thorniley balances the defence, and his distribution is very good. He also has a mistake in him, and just may be unlucky, because his errors often result in a concession. At home to Forest, he turned his back, and he had no clue where the ball was, until it hit him on the foot, and looped into the net. At Rovers he just missed a routine boot up the pitch (?), and Pool were a goal down. He’s decent enough, but he makes me nervous🥺.
 
I thought having quality competition with Sterling really brought out the best in Gabriel so agree another RB is needed as competition but I’ve no issues with Gabriel as first choice.

Thorniley as stated and I would agree has never really let us down and who knows whether Casey can kick on this year and there’s the unknown quality of Tharme.

I’m content with Husband at left back but not overly convinced on Garbutt and James so I’d be tempted to let one of the latter go and replace with better if possible. Husband also does well at CB IMO.
 
Slight concern about the future of Gabriel (sneaky Hillbillies sniffing) & our left back position.
MA will strengthen.
Thorniley is steady but we can do better IMHO.
 
Gabriel’s an absolutely brilliant RB, Ekpiketa is a top Championship CB. Keogh still has it at this level (albeit likely won’t play 46 games). Husband and Thorniley have proven themselves decent Championship CB’s, Garbutt and Husband are decent LB’s. We also have Casey, Tharme and James. My only concern is a lack of cover at RB.
 
I think there is vulnerability at both full back positions and I think that is why Sterling played most games last season instead of Gabriel. He may grow into the role of course.
 
Not at all really unless we start loosing people.

One of the things Quitchley did well was to drill and organise the back line, to a fault often where we couldn’t get out of our own half.

We’ve two very competent centre backs Marvin and Mad Richard. Casey came on at the back end of the season and needs to kick on. Plus we have Tharme who looks a unit on those videos, we need to see him play this year of say.

Left back isn’t outstanding but between Husband and Garbutt we should have enough.

An understudy to Gabriel would be ideal.

I though Reece James was miles off it last season but under new management who knows. Connolly can fill in when needed in a pinch.

Looks ok to me.
 
Can’t say I’m too worried either.
We’ve not entered the loan market or the transfer market yet.
Give it 4 or 5 weeks and there will be a new RB to cover or compete with JG.

Centre backs were up for the job too last season and Mad uncle Rich plays with his head covered by pace alongside him.

Hubby never lets us down. Not the best attacking LB but full of passion and commitment

Casey is developing- could well be his season this one.

Concentrate on wide positions and bolstering the midfield. We’ve got 4 strikers plus Daniels should now be pushing for a bench place or Loan him out to make him ready for Jan.
 
The defence is average, but we do have some to come in. Casey hardly had a look in under Critchley but looked good when he was given a game. Plus we’ve also signed Doug Tharme who sounds promising, albeit having come from National League North. We could do with another full back or two though, especially on the left.

It’s midfield that’s a bigger concern though. We do have Carey back from injury and hopefully that injury won’t have affected his talent, but on the whole our midfield lacks creativity. We’re crying out for a Brannigan type player, someone who runs at the opposition, but I don’t think that deal will happen now sadly.
 
Lets not overrate Casey, he showed promise but didn't look ready to play in a Championship back four. He needs first team football to progress, if he isn't going to start for us, perhaps we should send him out on loan.

I'd personally prefer a new centre back to play alongside Ekpiteta but Keogh and Thorniley are not bad options.
 
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