18 Sep 2025 01:11:57
Hi Ed001
What’s your thoughts on why we are conceding so many goals early in the season?
I have several theories really starting with our full backs. Kerkez has been extremely poor, to the point where Robbo is back in the team, both have been targeted by teams as they see it as our weak point.
Similar on the righside, Frimpong has plenty of pace but has not been good defensively and Bradley is still erratic and again teams have targeted both.
The CB including VVD have been slow to get started, VVD looks to have struggled so far, though his late header last night was special.
Then finally the midfield with the major change of Wirtz being added and Szobo dropped to RB has struggled at times to cover the defenders adequately.
It’s not lost on me that we conceded no goals against Arsenal and Burnley when Szobo was exceptional at RB in both games.
{Ed001's Note - we have conceded 6 goals in 5 games, it is hardly panic stations mate. Early season teams tend to concede more as they get match sharp and used to the system they are using. Added to bedding in new players, it was never going to be a case of steamrolling teams for the first couple of months.}
18 Sep 2025 09:39:51
From the games I have watched we are not conceding many chances despite shipping goals so I am not concerned. During Klopp years Ali seemed to have to be relied upon to make a 1-1 save almost on a weekly basis, I don’t see this so much under slot and think we are overall tighter at the back.
18 Sep 2025 10:11:02
Atleti scored 2 from 0.58 xG last night and their second was an anomaly, a freak deflection from a long range volley. The chances of that happening regularly, us conceding despite not giving up good chances is pretty much nil.
18 Sep 2025 10:33:07
There’s a lot of negative noise from apposing fans regarding Wirtz ed001, it’s quite embarrassing. You can clearly see how good he is.
{Ed001's Note - let them delude themselves, he will make them eat their words.}
18 Sep 2025 10:36:19
Have to disagree about VVD n his struggles. I think he's played great, against Newcastle esp it was one of his best performances for us. a true leader n captain. he's had a off Konate n 2 new full backs to deal with aswel.
18 Sep 2025 11:00:40
Man. of. todd, that's it. Even last night, we didn't give up that many chances either but you concede off a goal that should not have stood with Greizmann blocking Ali's view of the tame shot from Llorente and the deflection from Macca on the second goal.
Also, wht I found impressive was even tho we played an open game, defensively overall, we were solid. Conceding 6 goals in 5 games is not poor the stat people think it is. It could mean that oppos. are very efficient with the few chances they do get at the moment.
And VVD struggling? Seriously, where where is that happening?
18 Sep 2025 11:41:09
I think it’s going 2-0 up and then being pegged back that’s more the issue. Should we become more defensive, when ahead I’m not sure. At least we aren’t getting hit on the break as much after being ahead which needed addressing.
18 Sep 2025 12:42:42
WarMachine73, I get you on that BUT that goal that pegged us back should not have stood. Those things can happen.
18 Sep 2025 12:54:16
Last night, before they scored they was getting a lot of joy down the right, handled well by konate and vvd. 1st goal they got awarded was clearly interfering with play and should not of stood. However we always seem to put ourselves under pressure and always felt inevitable that they’d equalise…. simple reason We are ruthless enough in games. We had enough opportunities to bag 5 minimum….6 or 7 wouldn’t have flattered us. Superb winner by vvd, then we almost gave it away again when they should have bagged 1 from that header. Isak looked impressive, wirtz was better but needs to bulk up a bit. Gravenberch was sublime.
18 Sep 2025 13:46:49
True OliRed but it happened to us against Bournemouth and Newcastle. All good teams that can score goals but to happen 3 times in 5 games could mean something needs to be addressed.
18 Sep 2025 15:14:04
Post match interview (on pitch) with VVD
Are you concerned about the Defence is playing and conceding goals.
VVD: 'No'!
There is no problem, enjoy the drama as Keith Allen once sang 'We're going to score one more than you'
18 Sep 2025 18:54:41
I am becoming increasingly uneasy about Bradly’s defending and more so about passing errors when he goes forward. Pattern developing, he looses the ball, scrambles back pulling opposition player to the ground resulting in yellow card.