[Albion] Simplistically, what do you think is our biggest problem?

[nwgull]

I'm not defending the defence. I'm pointing out that at 0-0 we had a great chance to take a hold of this game and at 1-0, 2-0 up the game is completely different. We have momentum, our defence have a bit more confidence because a goal conceded doesn't put us behind, Leicester start to doubt and second guess and aren't as testing.

Both ends need to improve, but I believe an improvement to the forward line is more likely to have a positive effect on our defence than an improvement to our defensive line is to have a positive effect on our attack.

Could you make that same argument about Leicester’s first goal? If that doesn’t slip through Ryan’s arms, do our confidence levels not drop and vice-versa for Leicester.

 

[Deleted member 2719]

The damage was done in just 4 mins and the game was over against a good side.

We need to hurt Fulham bad.

 

[Stephen Seagull]

Could you make that same argument about Leicester’s first goal? If that doesn’t slip through Ryan’s arms, do our confidence levels not drop and vice-versa for Leicester.

Took enough of a deflection to take it past Ryan, nothing he could’ve done differently.

It seems we have lost a “plan B”

 

[albionalbino]

Sack Hamberg/Reid

 

[portslade seagull]

Took enough of a deflection to take it past Ryan, nothing he could’ve done differently.

It seems we have lost a “plan B”

Any other keeper would have saved that

 

[Acker79]

Could you make that same argument about Leicester’s first goal? If that doesn’t slip through Ryan’s arms, do our confidence levels not drop and vice-versa for Leicester.

You could, but that came after our chances to take the lead. Which is my point. Before our defence crumpled, they could have been boosted by our forward line taking their two very good chances to give us the lead.

 

[Steve in Japan]

Took enough of a deflection to take it past Ryan, nothing he could’ve done differently.

It seems we have lost a “plan B”

I would say it went through Maty's hands. Factually speaking.

 

[Neville's Breakfast]

Where do you begin after that performance

 

[Seasider78]

Another different defensive combination, another different front 3, another unbalanced midfield.

This side needs consistency it’s like watching 11 strangers at the moment

 

[nwgull]

Took enough of a deflection to take it past Ryan, nothing he could’ve done differently.

It seems we have lost a “plan B”

It took a deflection which would’ve made him adjust, but it still went through his hands. A PL keeper should have better reactions and still save that. I’ve seen some outstanding saves made this weekend since the West Ham Leeds game on Friday, and you’ve got to give a lot of credit to Schmeical for that early save against Welbeck tonight. Can you seriously see Ryan making any of those saves in the form he’s been in this season?

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

Scoring 100%.

Not taking our chances then has a negative effect at the other end. As an example last night, we really should have been at least 2 up by half time. If we had been, Southampton might have been more demoralised and not then scored themselves just before half time. We're keeping teams in the game that they shouldn't be by not taking our chances giving them confidence.

Also, if we did take our chances, the opposition would have to take more risks to get back into the game then freeing us up to hit them on the counter.

I think we do need an upgrade in goal but other than that, I'm not overly worried about our defence. It's all about creating and taking more clear cut chances.

Don’t want to quote myself but it seems quite apt, I’d just be repeating myself again.

Welbeck takes that chance, I don’t think we concede that soft first goal a few minutes later, our confidence isn’t then shot to pieces and the pressure is suddenly on Leicester. We have to be more clinical.

 

[Bold Seagull]

Don’t want to quote myself but it seems quite apt, I’d just be repeating myself again.

Welbeck takes that chance, I don’t think we concede that soft first goal a few minutes later, our confidence isn’t then shot to pieces and the pressure is suddenly on Leicester. We have to be more clinical.

Absolutely. Shearer said the same afterwards.

 

[Stephen Seagull]

It took a deflection which would’ve made him adjust, but it still went through his hands. A PL keeper should have better reactions and still save that. I’ve seen some outstanding saves made this weekend since the West Ham Leeds game on Friday, and you’ve got to give a lot of credit to Schmeical for that early save against Welbeck tonight. Can you seriously see Ryan making any of those saves in the form he’s been in this season?

Yes! I think he's a decent keeper. When you look at the goals we concede you'd be hard pushed to find keepers that could've kept them out.

Let's not look at what other keepers would've done, let's put other keepers between the sticks for the goals we've conceded. How many goals less would we have concede with "better keepers" from this season?

 

[Bodian]

In a word, we're SLOW. Little pace in the team, and we never move the ball quickly enough to trouble teams.

That's why Tariq was such a breath of fresh air.

It's pretty frustrating when we turn or pass backwards when we have a quick break and are on the half-way line. Which is why Welbeck's goal against Villa was so welcome - we need more quick balls forward like that.

 

[nwgull]

Yes! I think he's a decent keeper. When you look at the goals we concede you'd be hard pushed to find keepers that could've kept them out.

Let's not look at what other keepers would've done, let's put other keepers between the sticks for the goals we've conceded. How many goals less would we have concede with "better keepers" from this season?

Take a look at the link below. It’s the xG for and against, which is based on probability of a goal being scored accounting for quality and quantity of goal scoring chances created. Our xG against, which is effectively an indicator of the quality and quantity of chances our defence allows, is actually the 5th best in the league. The actual goals scored is almost 7 greater (the number in red brackets), which indicates poor shot stopping. Look at all the other teams for comparison. Most are either conceding fewer goals than their xG or no more than 2 more, Burnley’s is the next worst stat, but still miles better at 2.3 more goals conceded than xG.

https://understat.com/league/EPL/2020