Our central defence…

[Derek Hardballs]

Is woeful, I don’t give a crap how well Mephan and Phillips played before they joined us, they are nowhere near as good as the players we have had to let go. Consistently they get themselves isolated, step out of position and allow attackers the freedom of the park to get a shot away. Some of that can be put down to the team not defending well as a team but I see nothing in them to give me confidence in the future.

[Lurker#3]

Today was more to do with the lack of aggression in the defending ahead of them.

Their second we had 2 opportunities before they got to our back line.

The 3rd, we didn't screen well enough then we were tok passive both at the back in midfield.

Bielik and Campbell are both more aggressive in the tackle. There is also an argument for Gilchrist who snaps into tackles.

[Peachofacross]

Is woeful, I don’t give a crap how well Mephan and Phillips played before they joined us, they are nowhere near as good as the players we have had to let go. Consistently they get themselves isolated, step out of position and allow attackers the freedom of the park to get a shot away. Some of that can be put down to the team not defending well as a team but I see nothing in them to give me confidence in the future.

100%. I had such high hopes but to say I'm underwhelmed would be a huge understatement.

Problem is it seems like rearranging of the deckchairs back there....

[Birdman1811]

By every metric they seemed like good signings.

Underwhelming doesn't cover it. Missing Bartley ffs

[Derek Hardballs]

Today was more to do with the lack of aggression in the defending ahead of them.

Their second we had 2 opportunities before they got to our back line.

The 3rd, we didn't screen well enough then we were tok passive both at the back in midfield.

Bielik and Campbell are both more aggressive in the tackle. There is also an argument for Gilchrist who snaps into tackles.

They are nowhere near good enough without Pulis level of discipline and shape in front of them. I haven’t been convinced all season, but I’m even less convinced now that I’ve seen them conceding soft goals all season. 

This won’t be a popular opinion but if they were that good last season for their previous clubs they wouldn’t be playing for us this season.

[Peachofacross]

By every metric they seemed like good signings.

Underwhelming doesn't cover it. Missing Bartley ffs

Yep. We need a proper experienced snotter back there....

[Lurker#3]

Today was more to do with the lack of aggression in the defending ahead of them.

Their second we had 2 opportunities before they got to our back line.

The 3rd, we didn't screen well enough then we were tok passive both at the back in midfield.

Bielik and Campbell are both more aggressive in the tackle. There is also an argument for Gilchrist who snaps into tackles.

They are nowhere near good enough without Pulis level of discipline and shape in front of them.

I agree they are not good enough. But it was only the third that was their fault.

[man in the corner shop]

I've posted elsewhere that they are the worst I have seen here for 30 years.
Eric will bring " shape up or ship out" together to that bollocks.
At least if they ship out they won't be here shipping goals

[HugeHons]

Maybe Diakite at the back. Played there before and did ok

[Derek Hardballs]

Today was more to do with the lack of aggression in the defending ahead of them.

Their second we had 2 opportunities before they got to our back line.

The 3rd, we didn't screen well enough then we were tok passive both at the back in midfield.

Bielik and Campbell are both more aggressive in the tackle. There is also an argument for Gilchrist who snaps into tackles.

They are nowhere near good enough without Pulis level of discipline and shape in front of them.

I agree they are not good enough. But it was only the third that was their fault.

It’s not about just tonight though, we’ve conceded soft goals all season and they have been ahem at the centre of most of our weak defensive performances. I try to stay away from criticising players, but I’m finding it impossible to not do so this season.