Lack of quality is costing us

Last updated : 10 March 2005 By Simon Head

We're far too easy to score against right now - and until we tighten up defensively, we'll struggle to pick up points anywhere. We've conceded twice as many goals as we've scored, which sums up our major problem in a nutshell.

On top of our defensive problems, it seems we're now starting to suffer from injuries again. In the space of a week and a half, Smith, Pouton, Robinson, Agyemang and Byfield have all picked up injuries, which is far from helpful in our current situation.

Now, more than ever, we need to somehow bring in some better quality personnel, particularly at the back. With Hills out injured, I'd suggest we needed at least three defensive signings (loan or permanent), two centre halves and a left back. We've looked weak defensively all season and it seems we have nobody capable of leading and organising our defence. We don't seem to have a consistent Championship-quality centre half in the squad any more. Our defensive lynchpin, Chris Hope, was once a model of consistency, but has seen his form drop to below Championship standard for the last two seasons, but he is certainly not an isolated case.

We've got 31 games to pick up another 40+ points to survive - and with our next two matches at home, we desperately need to start picking up some results if Hessenthaler's promise of survival is to become a reality. It's looking like a very tough ask.