defence

[Cripple Creek]

I thought this article by Gary Neville about how the art of defending is diminishing was worth a read:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footba ... -back.html

[Ian Royal]

The weird thing is that we actually compare pretty well when it comes to keeping clean sheets. We're in the top 10 on that measure!

So there's obviously quality and potential in the defence. It's just when we do concede, we tend to fall apart and concede three.

Now that doesn't say to me a poorly organised defence. I'd expect a poorly organised defence to keep very few clean sheets. Leaking the odd goal in the vast majority of goals and also conceding quite a few in general. That says to me it's a defence with some quality, but that the team falls apart under pressure. Which is more of an experience / mental strength / form thing. Although I'm probably pre-disposed to say that as I've been banging on about the combination of Gunter being mentally weak and Obita plus Hector / Cooper being inexperienced causing problems.

Championship clean sheet stats:

Wolves - 7
Derby - 7
Wednesday - 7
Bournemouth - 6
Middlesbrough - 6
Forest - 6
Millwall - 6
Wigan - 6
Reading - 5
Watford - 4
Norwich - 4
Ipswich - 4
Brentford - 4
Leeds - 4
Blackburn - 3
Charlton - 3
Huddersfield - 3
Rotherham - 3
Fulham - 3
Brighton - 3
Blackpool - 3
Birmingham - 2
Bolton - 2
Cardiff - 1

[HoneyRoastHoax]

If you're captain don't lead your team out with your head held low. The team sees it, the crowd sees it and the so do the opposition

[Eaststandman]

Parky stylee is the only way to lead out your team!

[Martin41]

If you're captain don't lead your team out with your head held low. The team sees it, the crowd sees it and the so do the opposition

I really don't think it matters...

[HoneyRoastHoax]

[SCIAG]

I don't think it is as important as HRH says but surely it reflects that something isn't quite right with Gunter?

It's a shame after he found such good form last season.

[Ian Royal]

I don't think it is as important as HRH says but surely it reflects that something isn't quite right with Gunter?

It's a shame after he found such good form last season.

In defence of Gunter (something you won't see me say often), that's a single still image it doesn't mean he walked the full way somberely head bowed. He does run over to the corner flag afterwards head held high.

And you can't lead a team out like Parky any more because you have to go to line up and shake hands straight away.