Vive_La_Villa

Is he also a busy player? Gets around the pitch?

We’re crying out for an agile defensive midfielder. A championship equivalent of Kante, Gueye, Fernandinho etc. Someone to do all the dirty work between our back 2 and the rest!

First 3 goals were all very similar in that the midfield didn’t track runners from midfield. An energetic defensively minded midfielder would have probably helped prevent the 2nd and 3rd. I thought their first was offside but replays don’t seem to show another angle so hard to tell.

Great all round post but this part really hit the nail on the head. We can’t play with those 3 in the middle against a fast counter attacking team. We saw what happens. To be fair to smith because of injuries I didn’t have much choice. Whelan doesn’t have the legs anymore. I think Thor would have started had he been fit. Maybe an area that needs addressing after goal keeper and defensive cover. edit: I just realised I quoted a quote : response was meant for @OutByEaster?

Tro I’m glad you feel the same way. As entertaining as it was I don’t wish to see that again. A few solid comfortable wins will be better for the heart.

We do need better in that position but I think he gets a lot of unfair stick. He was ok last night.

@Stevo985 can’t seem to find your last post to me so but got an email notification. To he clear I single out your criticism of Taylor because I’ve always found you to be quite fair to players when judging them. Many others who are criticising him I think are prone to scapegoated players but you don’t normally do that. So I’m surprised by that. But it seems like you have taken exception to it so I apologise and I’ll stop. As for those that think he is such a bad player then surely this has to be classed as poor management by Smit? He has an option to play Hutton there and Elmo on the right like the last bloke used to. So either Smith doesn’t know what he is doing ormaybe Taylor is not as bad as people make out. Which one is it?

Much better today and a cracking finish. Most importantly he worked hard for the team. Something it’s clear every player has to do under Smith if they want to get on the pitch.

Agree. I said from the start I didn’t want to judge him until he had 2 transfer windows. One of the reasons I felt that way is I thought we’d struggle to play his style with the players we had. Turns out we’ve been a lot better than expected from the off so given us a little bit of hope for what we can achieve this season.

Is he similar to Dunne/Collins when Houllier took over. Superb defender until told to play it out from the back and then really struggled. I’m starting to think he is a lot more suited to a more defensive setup.

I wonder if we had more defensive options if Smith would consider 3 at the back. Would leave us less exposed when full backs are so far up the field. Wolves played with 3 at the back all of last season.

I think even if you were criticising it’s fair comment. I remember Brentford being a soft touch at the back. But they didn’t have anywhere near the resources we have so always had to sign potential.

Interesting comment. When you’re such an attacking team you will always leave space for the opposition to exploit. I’m sure the team will continue to work on a better balance. I think a really energetic defensive midfielder that can track back with pace would help in this area. Was Ryan Woods that kind of player? Maybe Smith is also looking at that position in Jan.

Could have been 6 if moved forward literally a millisecond later when Elmo shot. He seems to be really loving playing for the club and is getting some great service. Love a hard working player that gets what he deserves.Fair play to the kid. Wonder if we have an option to buy.

I posted early I wasn’t sure if he was the 20 goal striker you need to get promotion. I will continue to post this before every game.

I think today showed we need a defensive midfield with legs when playing against a counter attacking team. Thor probably would have started this game if he was fit.

I think just a keeper would be a substantial improvement.

How do I see this? Sky sports cameras have it at an angle that it’s hard to tell how close it was too him. Edit: just seen it. It’s as bad as I thought.

I don’t think he has any faith in himself either. Keeping is all about confidence. Your leeper loses that and you may as well grab someone from the crowd to play in goal. I think he needs to be dropped.

I think our biggest weakness of the back has been Chester. Don’t know whether it’s a fitness thing as he was decent against Bolton and Derby and one of our best players last season but the last two games has massively struggled. He could be fighting for his place come January.

Well he kind of is for picking him. Be interesting to see if he starts verses Boro.

I think in this instances they need to just go back to keeper. There won’t always be a pass on.

Indeed. Lots to learn for the team too. We’ll be better for this game.

Guys he f**ked up and has been pretty s**t for us all season. I want him gone as much as the next fan. But what’s with the personal insults? He is not picking himself to play.

I’ve been praising him pretty much non stop since he joined us. Surely we’re allowed constructive criticism? It’s not like im giving him abuse. I’m all for playing attacking football but you’ve gotta set up to be more compact then that against a counter attacking team. Maybe poor is harsh and average would be better. I just feel so gutted we didn’t win that game.