Defence

We have the best set of defenders we have had for some time IMO.

In the wide areas Brad Halliday has become the best right back since Darby, and Lewis Richards has really progressed since earlier in the season - let’s hope he carries on where he left off when he comes back fit.

In the middle, I have to say I thought Shepherd had his best game for us yesterday. To say he was playing for Pontefract Collieries not all that long ago he really does look a great player. Perhaps if we get promoted he would be worth a bid!

Before he was injured, Kelly was playing very well and again he’s another who has significantly improved since he first joined. I can see Kelly being here for the long term.

Baldwin has been excellent and dare I say better suited to our game than Platt. Fair play to Platt for doing well at Notts but looking at it now it looks like it’s worked out well for both players and clubs.

Huntington - a good signing to support us through injuries and the sort of experience worth its weight in gold, both on and off the pitch.

Byrne started OK but has been overtaken by others - but I wouldn’t be overly worried if he came back in for a spell.

Finally Crichlow - I thought he had a great game at Rotherham, and whilst he looked a bit rusty yesterday, he will soon get back into his groove. An astute signing for the run in, and let’s hope he earns himself a new deal in the summer.

Lots to be positive about in the defensive quarters.

 

The only negative for me is the out and out inconsistency of Brad . One minute he’s the best wing back in the division , the next is he’s running in treacle and couldn’t pass wind . It’s strange why he has this trait ? Perhaps we are spoilt with last seasons performances ?

 

The main target for criticism was the signing of Baldwin and he has definitely shown his worth so far

 

I would say GA deserves most of the praise. We’ve had to chop and change our defensive lineup a lot this season due to injuries. The fact we’ve got such a good defensive record over the season is a sign that he has us set up in a good structure and different players can slot in without major disruption to that structure.

Agree that having decent players helps but tactically we seem very well drilled throughout the pitch.

 

All season I'd say we've been very solid defensively for the majority and always been around the top 4 or 5 for defences but we rarely got a clean sheet as we always made a silly mistake which gave the opposition a big chance which they took. In the Carlisle, Morecambe and Harrogate games we only really gave up 1 or 2 half chances in each.

As others have mentioned Smallwood has been a big part of the success defensively and the stats back that up with him being top for possession won and 3rd highest for tackles of the whole league.

 

I know there won’t be many agree but I think Smallwood is our player of the season so far

 

Will you just give it a rest.

 

Why? I'm replying to a thread with an on topic reply.

 

Yes up there for sure .

 

Defence is and always has a collective thing and sometimes trial and error by the manager getting his combinations right. You made some comments at the start of the season about our defensive recruitment, comments that to be honest I wasn't in total disagreement with but sometimes you are like a dog with a bone.
Some fans have quite rightly pointed out that defensively our stats are very good which is backed up by the fact that we have started winning "ugly". You don't just reply to a comment though, you carry on negative comments on a player you don't rate. It's almost like you want us to fail so you can say "I told you so".
Given Notts County's poor defensive record last season I like your goodself was dubious about the Baldwin signing but I can also see why GA wanted him. If you don't take risks you don't make mistakes.

 

For me Shepherd has been the signing of the season, the odd lapse of concentration but he's still gaining experience. And, as a unit we look balanced now something that hasn't always been the case this season. No surprise Wright had his best game with Crichlow behind him giving him an option and a welcome return to form for Halliday the last few weeks, at one time Benn had the position sewn up. Baldwin has improved somewhat, cutting down the errors and impressed with him pushing up into midfield to give Halliday an outball which means the ball isn't going back to the keeper.
But then team shape defines a good defence more than anything, Sarcevic and Pattisons workrate takes pressure off Smallwood, allowing him to sit in front of the back three.
Haven't been this impressed for quite a while now.

 

Good balanced observations there Roger. It's very much a team thing, both defending and attacking. The result is winning games that are tight, games that in the past we would have conceded late and dropped 2 or even 3 points. Promising for the remainder of the season.

 

Last 30 minutes yesterday we lost our shape which led to us being pushed back, it was how we dug in and got the job done that impressed me. As you allude to, the sort of game we'd have dropped points in last season.

 

He is up there but I can think of another 2 or 3 that are pushing for POTS. Cast our minds back over recent seasons-we haven't been able to say that. Our best starting 11 is definitely good enough to get out of this league.

 

Dropping points, normally three, against real bogey teams we have beaten in the last few weeks. Morecambe, Harrogate, Carlisle, Grimsby to name but four. Added to that beating our main competitors up at the top….Port Vale, Chesterfield and Walsall……Makes for a rapid climb up the table . Long may it continue.