: Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:07 pm  

Saint_Jen wrote:

I never said he should be.
But he's not a kid, by now he should have gained the experience needed to defend well, even when he doesnt have Gidley there.

So, does he stick on his man and let the centre run past him as Gilmour has gone walkabout, or does he come inside and allow the winger to go past him as happened last night?

Yes he makes mistakes defensively, however he's the easy target for blame as he's the last man. The amount of times he was left 2 or 3 on one was poor last night. Is it his fault that he doesn't pick the right man every time?

: Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:47 pm  

The Chair Maker wrote:

Remember Gilmour played that centre and normally he plays the other centre.
Wing play has always been a partnership with the centre, two backs not used to playing along side each other will miscommunicate with each other.

Gotta say i agree with this.

: Sat Apr 25, 2009 6:59 pm  

This season, Gardner has been a bit of a let down defensively, IMO. He seems to be making an awful lot of incorrect decisions that he wasn't making last season. He comes flying in, leaving his opposite wing man with no-one to beat. Needs sorting as soon as possible.

: Sat Apr 25, 2009 7:21 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

Look first at the fullback.

How many tackles does Wellens miss?

He defines average.

His flying dive nowhere near the Bradford Try was quality!...

: Sat Apr 25, 2009 7:45 pm  

They do have voices though, and if you have an overlap on one side, then you open your mouth and get players to slide across.

It's about reading the game.

: Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:11 pm  

Billinge_Lump wrote:

So, does he stick on his man and let the centre run past him as Gilmour has gone walkabout, or does he come inside and allow the winger to go past him as happened last night?

Yes he makes mistakes defensively, however he's the easy target for blame as he's the last man. The amount of times he was left 2 or 3 on one was poor last night. Is it his fault that he doesn't pick the right man every time?

I think you're missing my point.
I'm in no way blaming Ade soley for our loss last night. The whole team was a shambes, but we did see Ade's weaknesses exposed and that needs addressing, along with the weakenesses of the whole squad.

: Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:14 pm  

A serious question, ( I know they are usually few and far between)

Have other clubs looked at Saints defensive pattern and seen that they defend "narrow"

It would appear that they do leave room on the outside and invite opposition to have a go at them on the outside.

Merely an observation.

: Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:22 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

A serious question, ( I know they are usually few and far between)

Have other clubs looked at Saints defensive pattern and seen that they defend "narrow"

It would appear that they do leave room on the outside and invite opposition to have a go at them on the outside.

Merely an observation.

I think our defence has gone down this year, doesnt seem to have the same cohesion as last year. That said Gidley's defence is underrated and we missed him out wide

: Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:22 pm  

Saint Simon wrote:

I think our defence has gone down this year, doesnt seem to have the same cohesion as last year.

That and our penalty quota rising considerably are the two aspects of Slick Mick's leadership I was seriously worried about, and with good reason it would seem.

: Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:24 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

That and our penalty quota rising considerably are the two aspects of Slick Mick's leadership I was seriously worried about, and with good reason it would seem.

Agreed