The case for the defence

[Marvo]

[bungle]

 

You might disagree with me on this, but I don't think Dean Beckwith is necessarily a bad centre back at this level. He proved at the end of last season that if he has a bit of experience around him (i.e. Hinton and Gilbert) that he can be part of a solid defence. The problem yesterday was primarily down to organisation and communication. There is no natural 'leader' in the defence, and as Jefferson Lake says, Dunn is too much of an introvert to do it for them.

I think Johnson's first priority is to sign an experienced centre back in the Andy Todd/Sean Dyche mould. I think a player like that would have a settling effect on Beckwith and Dunn and improve our organisation no end. Des that mean I would keep Beckwith? That depends on how he performs with a more experienced partner. It's always risky to start the season with a completely new back four and we really, really can't afford another horrific start.

[BackOfTheNet]

I don't think there's anything wrong with Tozer or Beckwith as individuals.  They just stink as a pairing, they are too similar and both need someone alongside them to do the organising.  Sure, neither of them are quick or particularly mobile but that doesn't have to mean they aren't decent defenders (look at Richard Dunne!), I just means they need someone alongside them who is.

[Marvo]

Tozer isn't "our" player so whether he's free in the summer or we'd have to pay a fee for him, is he really that good that we couldn't find someone better?

As for Beckwith, no, sorry. Can be commanding at times but looks right out of sorts and almost any opponent with pace will do for him.

The last four times we went up?

Chambers & Dyche, Sampson & Howie/Hope, Sampson & Warburton,  Willcox and McPherson.

Beckwith and Tozer? Come on.

[Power Football]

God knows whats happened to Beckwith... I thought he looked the part last season but this one he is just a liability, he seems to be getting slower and slower....

You would have thought that with his contract up in the summer he would at least put some effort in but he just seems content to amble his way through games.

[defender]

God knows whats happened to Beckwith... I thought he looked the part last season but this one he is just a liability, he seems to be getting slower and slower....

You would have thought that with his contract up in the summer he would at least put some effort in but he just seems content to amble his way through games.

            I agree that the defence needs some one to lead them, it was much better with Hinton there, but on top of that fitness could also be a problem, this could explain why Beckwith seems so slow, he isn't the only one with that problem, some do seem to tire easy.

[DL2]

Marvo, just checking all those cases are empty 

[EastNpton]

I dont think Beckwith is ambling...just dont think he has got the legs....remember last season at Bradford when he got turned and hauled their player down. Also you don't know what knocks he is carrying

[brickowski]

i'll tell you what's happened to beckwith. this season he's playing alongside tozer, last season it was hinton. tozer "IMHO" is rubbish

[Mark-JB]

Johnson is the only one of the back 5 that should be starting for us next season.

[Jacobs for england]

What I don't get is the way both centre halves have the annoying habit of letting the ball bounce to try and buy themselves more time, meaning they're inevitably running towards their own goal, then when they inevitably get beaten for pace by most oppositions pacier forwards they appear to be utterly taken by surprise and resort to trying to outmuscle them and only succeed in either stupid fouls (and bookings) or just falling over and being taken out of the game completely.

I think this is a massive factor in Sammo losing his job, at the very least he should have been able to teach obviously slow defenders to just clear their lines when under pressure.

[CobblerForever]

Johnson is the only one of the back 5 that should be starting for us next season.

I'd keep Liam Davis at Left Back if at all possible. He's looked very assured there this season. Loads of pace to get up and support the midfield/forwards as well.

I reckon Johnson will want to keep him.

[Gerard_Lavin]

Chambers & Dyche

Chambers and Doig werent it?

[Marvo]

Chambers and Doig werent it?

I suppose it's how you remember it, Dyche played 34, Doig 36, Chambers 42.

Must have been Dyche and Doig on occasions?

[Gerard_Lavin]

I suppose it's how you remember it, Dyche played 34, Doig 36, Chambers 42.

Must have been Dyche and Doig on occasions?

i think there was a point when calderwood was playing 5-3-2 ala;


Johnson  Doig  Chambers Dyche Crowe


now that was a solid defence. even gavin johnson performed! I personally would keep Beckwith, i think he could have formed a solid partnership with any of the afformentioned centre halfs. Hes having to play most of his games now with a "wonderkid" who never realised his potential in Tozer, a right back who is probably gutted that he hasnt made it a higher level in johnson and either a left back who is counting down the days til he retires in hall or a disinterested Davis who would rather be anywhere but here. but him in a confident solid back four and beckwith will shine. mark my words

[Trotty]

He's a liability. Prone to lots of errors. I don't think he'll be here next season.

[Dr Feelgood]

Maybe we could sign Sammo back..