A case for the defence me lud

[deebee]

I think we must now have the best defense in this division. The goalkeeper and back four these past few games have been immense. With the rest of the team getting back behind the ball when needed and then breaking out at speed is first class. I hope we can keep them all together and with Wrighty now fit again it's onwards and upwards.

[Chris Black come back]

And a clean sheet last night! Represents 25pc of all clean sheets we have kept in the league this season.

[KeithMyath]

Apart from Baah fleecing Halliday on more than one occasion. He couldnt live with Baah's strength and pace, and had to foul him to stop him. Glad Antonio plays down the left for West Ham.

[idler]

We now seem to be getting bodies in the way in the penalty area on a regular basis now. We always seemed to suffer from other teams doing it to us whereas our blocking now seems first class. We seem a lot better now and also playing more as a unit.

[RugbyRover]

Our defence is immense and that includes Cameron John. He got a lot of stick on here when he first started playing left back, and that was probably justified. But its a credit to the lad and DM's coaching that he looks a natural down that left hand side now. The way he overlaps and put some great crosses is first rate. 

[Rovers91]

I wouldn't swap the goalkeeper or defence for any other in this league but I think Portsmouth would probably say the same with how they have kept 6 clean sheets in a row in league.

[idler]

It must be great for the players that not only get coached into playing in various positions but the manager gets them performing well when they play there.
This not only increases their potential game time but makes them better all round players and more valuable in the transfer market.

[NickDRFC]

We look a lot more solid since Butler has come in alongside Anderson and it's been borne out in our stats.

With Butler - 7 league games, 6 wins (2.57 PPG), 5 goals conceded (0.71 PG). Also a clean sheet at Blackburn in the mix
Before Butler's run (mostly Wright/Anderson) - 13 league games, 5 wins (1.38 PPG), 16 goals conceded (1.23 PG)

That said, those 7 league games have all been part of a favourable run and the real test will come over the next couple of months. The signs are promising, though.

I'm also a fan of Balcombe - he looks very confident both coming for crosses and claiming them. Almost Dieng-esque. Feels like we've got a good one there.

Also echo the praise of RugbyRover for Cameron John. He was awful at left back initially but looks a lot more comfortable there now - credit to both the player and the coach for persevering. I'd still like to see a little more going forward given his pace but I don't think his ability on the ball is quite there right now, but that may improve in time as well.