Michael Poke and the defence

[bc-gull]

I've noticed that brian saahs own goal, rotherhams goal and many mistakes are from Poke and the defence not knowing what to do.. it seems Poke is not talking enough and we really need someone to take charge at the back. Maybe the odd mistake might happen but its becoming very often now! Is there a reason behind this? Does Poke not have the confidence? Or are the defenders not listening? Whatever it is, it really needs sorting out!

[Southampton Gull]

Billy, you know as well as I do that keepers thrive when confident. There's a bit of pressure on Michael Poke as well as a fitness worry so I think as long as the fans stay onside and don't get on his back we'll see the best of him real soon. He has all the attributes to be a top class keeper, one of his weak points is maybe a slight lack of self-confidence which allows the doubt to creep in if he makes a small mistake.

It's been a while since he started a season as a Number 1 and the added pressure he will be feeling won't be helped by those nagging injury concerns. He's not as loud as Bobby was BUT he is vocal enough as I've seen it plenty enough times. Still early days yet so plenty of time for him to show his best form.

[Lloyder5]

Well said.

[AustrianAndyGull]

I think the way we play games under the cosh for large periods, defensive errors are going to be made. I haven't got too much of a problem with that. What i have got a problem with is our refusal to rectify mistakes by never bothering to attack!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dave]

Not sure there is a lack of communication Billy, Lingy himself came out after the Vale match and said Pokey called for the ball, Brian Saah heard the call but chose to deal with the cross, the question for me is, if Pokey is calling why arn't the defense responding, if a defender is facing the play and get a call from behind by the keeper the defender should respond to that call 10 times out of 10 no argument, unless the defender doesn't trust the keeper of course, i would find a tad worrying.

As Dave S/G rightly points out Billy you of all people should know how confidence or the lack of it can effect a goalkeeper, and again as Dave points out fans have to stay on side, I don't think Pokey has a personal lack of confidence, his shot stopping against vale and Plymouth was up there with any keeper in League 1 and League 2, but he is a very, very different keeper to Bobby.0.

Pokey as far as I am aware has only played with in the same team as Nicho, and Downes is also new to the back line, which us fans must remember has only played together for about 4-5 games now, it will take a few games for the defensive unit to fully settle down.

I am not to worried about the defense as Andy rightly points out they are coming under more pressure than they should be, it is the midfield tha has me concerned right now.

[AustrianAndyGull]

For what it's worth, what i've seen of Pokey generally this season i'm more than happy to have him between the sticks.

[royalgull]

Our defensive record generally this season is good. The problem is if you aren't scoring goals or creating chances it builds more pressure on the defense and that's where errors come in. If one part of the team doesn't function it quickly spreads throughout the rest of it. By all accounts we were under the kosh at Vale and Rotherham for pretty much the entire game, if thats the case then 9/10 eventually something will give.

We had many a game like that last year especially away from home where we performed poorly - average scrambled a goal and somehow held on for 1-0's. Ends justifies the means but there is only so long you can keep doing that. We have got to find a way of playing that makes us a) better with the ball/more effective with it b) find more cutting edge c) get more support to Howe who for me is the best at what he does in the league. if we can do that we'll relieve some of the pressure on the back 5 and these errors will become rarer.

[AustrianAndyGull]

[brooker]

Bobby and the defence were pretty similar early on last season, i seem to remember Saah getting some flak early on as well. At least the mistakes centre around miscommunication, which is hopefully a pretty simple issue that should be ironed out pretty soon. We know all the pieces of our defence can perform, and just need to see some solidarity creep in, and that can only come with time (and the time is now!).

I was looking forward to Burton at Plainmoor, but ive just seen their highlights from the weekend. Their forward line currently looks unstoppable!

[Gullscorer]

Great turn-around by Burton since they changed managers. Could they be the surprise package this season? Certainly can't see them struggling to avoid relegation..

[ROADRUNNER]

look come on girls and boys, one mistake by our back line and we are dicussing weather or not they are up to it, pokey had a nervous start against a top class leicester side but apart from that has been outstanding from what ive seen, some good saves against plymouth and rochdale and kept us in the game at vale, think your selves lucky we havent got the clumsy pole fr4om up the road in goal, time to move on from this subject i thinks.

[Dave]

When results or team performances are not were fans feel they should be these questions will be asked, I thought it a worthy thread which asked good questions.

I do happen to dissagree with the threads sentiment, and yes it was written by my lad.

[ROADRUNNER]

tottally agree with that forever but my point is pokey made a mistake on saturday although the defence was also at fault too, but some people seem to question as to weather pokey has been up to it, and i think he has been more that adequate this season, i think people have made there points and now we should move on.

[ferrarilover]

Having seen it again, it's Brian bloody Saah's fault for the goal against Rotherham. Nico heads it back and Pokey is there to pick it up, when suddenly Saah decides to leap towards the ball and put off Pokey completely. That's 4 points in 2 games that useless **** has cost us, where's the transfer list when you need it?

Matt.

[Chris B]

Having seen it again, it's Brian bloody Saah's fault for the goal against Rotherham.

Really? Having watched it a few times, I'd say Nicho's horribly tame, loopy header made Saah feel he needed to come across. Thereafter, it was a case of indecision and lack of communication between Poke and Saah.