Defence, what's changed?

[Crabbycanary3 994]

Now we haven''t gone on a Worldy of a defensive run, but for over a game and a half, the opposition haven''t had a shot on target, so what could have gone right, that didn''t look like happening for more than 20 minutes in a game before?

[Herman 9,698]

Russell Martin''s vegan diet. Nobody wants to get near him after his fibre-rich lunch.

[Thirsty Lizard 3,154]

Timm Klose - John Ruddy coming back to form after being dropped - Russell Martin playing well in his best position at right back - Martin Olsson putting in his best performances of the season - better screening from the central midfield - and Bennett/Bassong doing the defensive basics well.

Think that covers it ;)

[? 0]

TL, agreed, but I think Klose getting up to speed in this league has made all the difference.

[westcoastcanary 0]

[quote user="Crabbycanary3"]Now we haven''t gone on a Worldy of a defensive run, but for over a game and a half, the opposition haven''t had a shot on target, so what could have gone right, that didn''t look like happening for more than 20 minutes in a game before?[/quote] Olsson restored at LB, Klose''s experience, O''Neil''s positional discipline, Jarvis giving his RB some proper help and, most important of all, not over-committing in attack (i.e. not having both full backs the entire midfield and the striker swanning around the opposition penalty area).

[Alex Moss 2,165]

Dare I say it but we''ve looked better since Tettey got injured and G O''N has come into the side.

[Well b back 3,180]

A premiership goalkeeper being given his place back and signing a premiership centre half in my opinion.

[HampsteadCanary 0]

O''neil is generally much better at keeping the ball, even though we were lucky to get away with a few misplaced passes today

[firststeps 0]

Klose is a proper CB, he''s organising the defence and the midfield infront of him. He''s essentially doing the job of the captain, a job that the captain hasn''t done all season. No offence Martin!?

[firststeps 0]

Oh, & he can actually do the job of a CB too.

[A Load of Squit 5,111]

[quote user="firststeps"]Klose is a proper CB, he''s organising the defence and the midfield infront of him. He''s essentially doing the job of the captain, a job that the captain hasn''t done all season. No offence Martin!?[/quote]

No, it''s definitely the introduction of the plastic bags, haven''t conceded.

[Move Klose 303]

I agree with the right back getting some more cover. No suprise that were reaping the rewards of players playing in the correct positions. Martin, Olsson, Brady & Howson etc.

[djc 0]

A fortnight break, with a training trip to Dubai has helped also

[Katie Borkins 1]

We went to Abu Dhabi for a training camp, despite the whining of many on this message board.

[nutty nigel 7,506]

Looks like it helped[Y]

 

 

[Katie Borkins 1]

[quote user="nutty nigel"]

Looks like it helped[Y]

[/quote]

Yes.  Imagine the people running our club knowing roughly what they''re doing... 80% of the posters here would be amazed.

 

 

[It's Character Forming 1,160]

[quote user="Alex "]Dare I say it but we''ve looked better since Tettey got injured and G O''N has come into the side.[/quote]

Hey Alex, how''re you doing? I''m a lot happier today. I think it''s more about ONeill stepping up than Tettey being out!

[Alex Moss 2,165]

[quote user="ItsCharacterForming"][quote user="Alex "]Dare I say it but we''ve looked better since Tettey got injured and G O''N has come into the side.[/quote]

Hey Alex, how''re you doing? I''m a lot happier today. I think it''s more about ONeill stepping up than Tettey being out![/quote]

Good ta Bob, and good to hear you''re happy too mate! I trust you were at the Hawthorns today? Absolutely delighted with the result obviously, totally agree re G O''N, he really has stepped up and I''m pleased for him after the slating he got after that admittedly stupid sending off. Seeing the likes of him coming into form at just the right time can give us a genuine sense of optimism for the remaining games I feel buddy!.

[Lessingham Canary 99]

Agree that Gary O''Neil has been immense since that knock on the head ! But Klose is Klass for me, wins almost everything in the air, looking the part now. RM is playing much better at RB and Olssson has a point to prove at LB to keep his place, all shaping up nicely for the run in.

[Crabbycanary3 994]

One goal conceded in 3 and a half games.

Small steps, and at just the right time..........

[Yellow and Green 334]

It''s much better and we have restricted Man City and West Brom to very little.

Klose has been very good indeed. Now that he is match fit, formed partnerships with his team mates and acclimatised to the Prem, he is providing dependable displays which breeds confidence throughout the defence and helps us to relax under pressure, rather than the opposite!

I don''t know how much it is down to Klose, but the team as a whole looks tighter defensively recently. One would assume it was the trip away that did it.

On Ruddy, generally good today but kicking in the first half was awful.

Our attacking play remains unconvincing. We lack that bit of quality in the final third - be it cross or final pass - and seem to rarely have many shots on target.

Enough of the negatives though. A missive win from the boys

[Cantiaci Canary 556]

Playing a LB at LB.

Playing at RB at RB rather than CB.

Playing with 1 Premier League quality CB.

Playing a RM/W with an ounce of defensive ability.

[GJL Mid-Norfolk Canary 1,735]

square pegs in square holes.....unfortunately its taken us this far into the season to work that out.....hopefully its just in time

[Thecanaryfan 0]

You''re fishing for a response to your criticism of the 80% aren''t you Borbyn?

[nutty nigel 7,506]

If so he''d probably have had more luck on a busier evening....

[damn that Ralph Coates! 47]

to be honest, although I''ve not always been a massive Jarvis fan, he tracks back and does his defensive duties far better than Redmond, and that helped today.

[ball bag 0]

Tim Klose, Olsson back in and Rm nowhere near a CB position with the cover he needs to disguise his inadequacy.