Harry Leek quite literally defends the defence
s it just me, or does a win really make your weekend considerably sweeter?
I couldn`t fault any of the players, bar Madine, who I really think just needs a goal and he`ll be fine. (where that goal comes from I don`t know) Everyone put a shift in, Mark Davies was fantastic, and he has been since the season started, and since he`s been made captain he`s really stepped up to the plate, (of course though, knowing our luck, he`ll blow his knee again anytime soon) Feeney who had a difficult time last season, scored a nice goal, Silva was excellent, an absolute menace for defenders, also, good on Clough for having the balls to pick the ball up and slot it in the back of the net which can`t have been easy for the lad, who`s found it frustrating so far this season and with so much expected of our little gem from day one. Plenty of positives and hopefully we can really push on now.
But I want to take a moment to talk about our defensive coach, Johan Mjällby, who we all now know is sadly going to be leaving us.
Now I don`t know how it all works behind the scenes but if Johan has put that defence together, before leaving us then good on the bloke. For me our defence is best its been in a while, certainly since we got relegated. We have solid cover in every position at the back. We`ve got, I believe one of the best keepers in the league in Amos, cool, calm and composed, with a decent kick and he`s a good shot stopper. What more do you need? Now I don`t know a lot about our journeyman number 2 – Paul Rachubka, but he seems experienced. However, providing Amos keeps fit (fingers and toes crossed) for the season he shouldn`t be called on too often.
I think we have a solid right back in Lawrie Wilson, not got a lot of pace but he knows this league, and seems to have settled in well, he`s got Francesco Pisano breathing down his neck too which is great competition.
Left back Dean Moxey, who I think has blossomed since the departure of Tim Ream, thought he was ace at the weekend and barring positional errors against Middleborough, I can`t think of a lot he’s done wrong so far this season. Like LawrieWilson he`s got another player chomping at the bit behind him in Juan Casado.
Now onto the centre backs, the sending off of Dervite during the Blackburn game has given us more of a chance to see what Derik Osede is capable of, it was still a blow, since Dervite had been performing excellently until then. Now Derik`s not your typical centre back, smaller than you might think, but don`t let that fool you, he looks completely capable of competing in this league, his positioning is excellent and he wins everything in the air, not to mention his hair do, which is glorious.
You`ve obviously got the Prince who we all know is a beautiful specimen of a man, he`s totally mental but wonderful at the same time. David Wheater is close to coming back too, which will also be a massive boost.
The bottom line is we finally have a decent defence who are playing brilliantly and working together as a unit, and surely a lot of the plaudits go to Johan Mjällby for this.
So Johan, whatever your reasons are for having to leave us, we thank you for putting together such a solid defence and one that will hopefully see us through the season. We wish you all the best for the future but you`ll be sorely missed.