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SWINDON TOWN: Boss hails defence after second successive clean sheet

7:00am Monday 6th September 2010 in


DANNY Wilson hailed the “immense” performance of his defenders as Town recorded their second clean sheet in five days away at Carlisle.

A goalless draw against the unbeaten Cumbrians was no mean feat given that Swindon came under heavy pressure throughout.

But, after poor defending had blighted their early season showings, Wilson’s side held firm to give hope that they are heading back towards their meanest.

“My concern recently has been the clean sheets,” said the manager.

“Now we’ve two on the bounce against two very strong attacking teams. Over the last two games the back four can take a lot out of that.”

“You’ve got to start from somewhere and have got to have a solid foundation. That’s what we have done.

“The defence were very good and we set our foundations in the early part of the game.

“We were difficult to break down, which is what we need, and if you want to progress then clean sheets are what is going to make you successful.

“I thought the back four, and in particular the centre-backs, were immense today.

“They headed everything, blocked everything and covered the ground very well.”

While plenty of effort has been going into getting things right from Monday to Friday, Wilson believes it is only come three o’clock on a Saturday in which he can tell if the current centre-half duo of Sean Morrison and Scott Cuthbert are forging a partnership.

“Of course we’ve done work on the training ground, but at the same time it’s pitch-time and togetherness,” said Wilson.

“The more Sean and Scott play together, the more understanding they are having so long may that continue.

“They are setting up a very good partnership there, and it’s nice for them that the standard is getting better and better.

“You can only get that by pitch-time. You can replicate certain things in training, but not decision-making in an atmosphere like this.”

  • PAUL Caddis skippered the Scotland Under 21 side to a 1-1 draw in Belarus on Saturday to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Under 21 Championships.

Billy Bodin was an unused sub in Wales Under 21s’ 1-0 win in Hungary - former Town loanee Hal Robson-Kanu scored the only goal.

Comments(28)

the wizard says...
7:11am Mon 6 Sep 10

Good to see that we are over the crisis of shipping soft goals, and please correct me here if I'm wrong, but doesn't Sean have a very handy throw , which can be used to our advantage, in the opponents half of the pitch. Either way good to see the relationship growing with Cuthbert.

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umpcah says...
7:30am Mon 6 Sep 10

WIZ : Sean could prove to be a rock this season and he certainly can deliver long throws. Town are in a terrible league position this morning but I`m confident that steady progress will be made during the next few weeks. As Danny tells us all it`s all a marathon and not a sprint. COME ON YOU REDS !

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mallorca says...
8:05am Mon 6 Sep 10

Yes 2 clean sheets is what was needed, although bottom of table we are 7 points behind the leaders.I still feel DW should have replaced GG and BP, I know it's old news but lets hope loanees come in and quick.
Charlie Austin does need help, thought after VP did well last week at soton and playing aginst his old club yet listening on inyernet he did not appear to do much.
I gues for me to critisize from out here is kinda second hand as you guys are the ones who go week in week out and lay out mega money, I did from 61 until 96 so appreciate frustrations and this is why we all tend to winge on a bit.
It aint to late for DW to sort this out but can he actually change his recruiting procedures as at times they seem to die a death we went from 4 to 1 before deadline????? so DW sort it out as individually we have a semi deccent squad just get them together and get a striker asap as Charlie needs support and Ball dont seem right, as to the other one why has he not been given a fair chance????

Good luck for sat and sorry to appear so negative but like us fans we are also frustrated

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the wizard says...
8:24am Mon 6 Sep 10

mallorca,

I think you are right about the frustration bit. I don't think you are being negative, its just that the writen word doesn't put your words across as a conversation would. It WILL come right, and Vinnie was a good target man again on Saturday, and took a load of flack, but did very well in nodding down and passing balls through for others to shot from. Sadly we didn't capitalise on his efforts.

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the washbag says...
9:18am Mon 6 Sep 10

At last the defence appears organised! The season starts here. No need for panic just yet...

Carlisle Review at The Washbag Blog - http://thewashbag.co
m/2010/09/06/bottom-
of-the-league-the-on
ly-way-is-up/

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old town robin says...
9:20am Mon 6 Sep 10

don't see the need for another centre half, change of captain yes, JD needs to hand over the responsibility to Lucas, then conentrate on his own game. IMO the problem with the defence were the the full backs, Danny has brough Sheehan back and Kennedy improves with every game he plays, still not sore about the right side, not impressed with the defensive qualities of Caddis so far and we all know Kevin's strengthd and weaknesses, but in the centre with big Sean controlling the high balls and Cuthbert finding his form, for now anyways I think we have enough cover with Lesc. More concerned that Danny has used 21 different players in 5 games, (including subs) and we have only scored 4 goals in 450 minutes of play. One every 112 mins is just not good enough, and as bootlegger quoted Luggy yesterday, too many draws will get you relegated, it sure cost us promotion last year with more than 1/3 resulting in stalemate because of our inability to finish teams off or giving last minute goals away. Danny does need to get a proven goal scorer, but there are not that many around that would be available, Saturday will be a massive game against the SCT, will he stick with the same starting 11, or bring Caddis back in. Same as most other post I would really like to see Dossevi given more game time, he looked impressive in the first game until taken out by the Brighton thugs and we know he can score goals.

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The ModFather says...
10:45am Mon 6 Sep 10

Wilson has got to go now. Bottom of the league without a win and without a clue.
The last time we won a league match was 1st May.
Come on Fitton sort this mess out.

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umpcah says...
11:16am Mon 6 Sep 10

The ModFather wrote:
Wilson has got to go now. Bottom of the league without a win and without a clue. The last time we won a league match was 1st May. Come on Fitton sort this mess out.
Without a win ? YES ! It`s you that`s without a clue i.m.o.

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EastleazeRed says...
11:21am Mon 6 Sep 10

And who we gonna replace him with Modfather ? So what if were bottom of the table, we are only 6 points off a play off place.Still very early days yet and a good win Saturday will kick start the season. Anyway IMO i still think we have the best manager in this league.Keep the faith !

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Oi Den! says...
11:41am Mon 6 Sep 10

The ModFather wrote:
Wilson has got to go now. Bottom of the league without a win and without a clue. The last time we won a league match was 1st May. Come on Fitton sort this mess out.
The league position is an embarrassment but I think it's too early to be considered disastrous. Let's give Wilson the chance to sort it out. After last season's timid finish and losing so many influential players, I don't think we should be too surprised that we are struggling. I certainly didn't expect much better than a mid-table finish.

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the wizard says...
11:53am Mon 6 Sep 10

Old Town Robin,

I don't know who exactly they were, memory not so good sometimes, but, when Dougie was declared Captain I said it was a mistake and it should have gone to Lucas, just like you have said above.

Blimey, the WHOLE world ended that day. I had that many on my back it was unreal. A few, not many, supported my theory, which is like yours. He is so wrapped up in doing what he does best he aint got time to look at the bigger picture.
Don't anybody get me wrong, I think he is a great player, really decent bloke, but captain he aint. Lucas spends a lot of time on the verbals and is an ideal choice.
As goes the end of season we will be there abouts, as long as both Wilson and Fitton keep their nerve. The only thing is, will we be saying "Oh gawd didn't those first few games cost us, we could have had an automatic", hindsight ? he is a wealthy beast!, know all s"d as well.

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amadeus says...
12:05pm Mon 6 Sep 10

wizard, like ur post and i must agree with you on it, i for one believe dougie was a better player last year than this season, i believe the captancy role for him is to much to take in, wether he shouts commands at the other players i dont know, but the idea of lucas taking it on seems a good one, as ho does shout and bawls, wether this will affect his game as well,who knows

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avo says...
12:35pm Mon 6 Sep 10

The captaincy debate is a good one and I was in favour of it being given to Lucas as well. Someone argued last week that a goalkeeper is not best choice as he cannot see everything that is happening further up the pitch, a point which is fair enough in it's own right, but I challenge any captain, in any position on the field, to always be able to see what is going on in the farther reaches of play?
At least with Lucas he is verbal anyway as already mentioned and for that point alone he would make a better leader in my eyes?
Having said all that, I think it is way too early to lay the blame for dougie's performances solely on the fact that he has been made captain? It could just be that he has had a dip in form that coincides, and I think people are watching him and also judging him on his captaincy, myself included, as to me it seems that dougie is far too quiet to lead?

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SAPFanSTFC says...
2:22pm Mon 6 Sep 10

I know I've said it before but in our record breaking season in 1985/6 we only had 5pts in the first 8 games despite similarly optimistic pre-season activities......I feel exactly the same now and yesterdays win for Brentford v Sheff Wed just demonstrates how tight things will be....and we're just starting to find our feet....1st place has already dropped 5 out 15 pts - not a normal situaiton.
As the odds are now probably the best they're going to be, I'm going to slap a bet on us to get promoted - my whole allowance for September betting is going to go on Town now...I can't stop singing - The only way is up,
....baby.....for you and me now!!! - Good job it is singing mentally as opposed to out loud! :-)
Come On Town - I STILL Believe!!! :-)

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the wizard says...
2:22pm Mon 6 Sep 10

I do think we need to clarify something here as these threads can rapidly get twisted around a bit and out of hand.
I think that,

We all love Dougie to bits,

We totally, without any reservation whatever, appriecate everything he has done for this club

Would probably prefer to see him as Club Captain as we cannot think of anybody who could be a better ambassador for STFC.

Would love to see him playing his usual totally involved game.

Will welcome him with open arms when he renews his contract, as he is among the best best players to ever grace this club.

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SAPFanSTFC says...
2:30pm Mon 6 Sep 10

the wizard wrote:
Old Town Robin, I don't know who exactly they were, memory not so good sometimes, but, when Dougie was declared Captain I said it was a mistake and it should have gone to Lucas, just like you have said above. Blimey, the WHOLE world ended that day. I had that many on my back it was unreal. A few, not many, supported my theory, which is like yours. He is so wrapped up in doing what he does best he aint got time to look at the bigger picture. Don't anybody get me wrong, I think he is a great player, really decent bloke, but captain he aint. Lucas spends a lot of time on the verbals and is an ideal choice. As goes the end of season we will be there abouts, as long as both Wilson and Fitton keep their nerve. The only thing is, will we be saying "Oh gawd didn't those first few games cost us, we could have had an automatic", hindsight ? he is a wealthy beast!, know all s"d as well.
Wizard and OT Robin - Wizard not many agreed with you because Douggie was our engine last year and no-one, not even you, could have predicted that we would have made such a poor start to the season - there is still no evidence that a change of captain would make a difference and WHO!?.....I'd be happy to change if his form improved and the results improved but!!...
Old Town Robin - Have you ever played competitively in goal? Most who have would have all believed that they would make a good captain but would not want to be captain on the pitch - EVEN LUCAS admits he can't see what's going on at the other end of the field - every goalie should and in most cases IS the Captain in their own 18 yard box....but it stays there.

Patience is a virtue and come the end of October I'll be back to eat humble pie on Douggie but not Lucas...or... if you're both man enough, you can eat your hats figuratively speaking! :-)

Deal!?

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the wizard says...
3:31pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Yeh,
I thought Douggie was subdued at Wembley , but then again were most of the team, so that was that.

I totally agree about the start of this season. NOBODY saw this coming, but,its slowly,steadily but very surely coming right, and in no small way to a hell of a lot of hard work, added probably to some sleepless/restless nights as well. A lot of soul searching has gone on to make the improvements, and we are not finished yet. I'm happy to eat my hat, I've got a few rattin hats around, but I'd need something to go with it, a pint and a curry to drown the tatty taste. On a more serious note though I do think its a subject that in all probability will rattle on for a bit. Time will tell, and either way, I still think JD is top draw man, that has never been an issue with me.

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daddikins says...
4:57pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Here we go again. Same old story. Poor start to the season with no player seeming really interested, apart from their pay checks. Bottom of the table and 7 points adrift of where we want to be to ensure promotion.

As I said this time last year play-offs are useless. Got to them last year and failed. Top 2 is theonly place to be.

Still we need people who can score goals. Wonder boy Austin missed a goal on saturday that even a sunday league player would have scored. Wonder if he is out of his depth in this league. Time for him to earn his reputation and the rest of the team to get off their backsides and earn their money.

Six points in the next four games should be a minimum to aim at. Don't leave it till Christmas again to play well. It's all over bar the fat lady singing by then.

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zznewyork says...
5:01pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Spain won the world cup with there keeper as captain!

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zznewyork says...
5:01pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Spain won the world cup with there keeper as captain!

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the wizard says...
5:07pm Mon 6 Sep 10

We can go better than that, wasn't either Ray Clements or Peter Shilton England captains, for a while.

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billbst says...
6:14pm Mon 6 Sep 10

I think the captaincy is a bit of a red herring when we talk about Douggie. He has just been indecisive about his passing getting him and the team into a few problems. I think this did stem from trying to link with Prutton going forward. He has started to settle again with Ferry in the team. With the manager and coaching staff all over the organisation during the game, the key area for organisational decisions on the pitch is the defensive line. So for me the most logical position for a captain is Centre back, if they have the experience and ability. Cuthbert did not start well but is improving. Next season he could be captain but not now. Dougie or Lucas doesn't make much difference just now, provided they help Cuthbert to set things up right.

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Stratton Red says...
6:40pm Mon 6 Sep 10

I still think we need to sign a commanding CH to bolster the team and squad. A couple of injuries at the back / suspensions and it could be a little precarious...

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mikek says...
7:33pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Stratton Red wrote:
I still think we need to sign a commanding CH to bolster the team and squad. A couple of injuries at the back / suspensions and it could be a little precarious...
That is one of my major concerns.I am sure Danny must realise that the one area we are short is centre backs. An injury and suspension at the same time would cause us big problems. I know Evans is a big lad and can play there but we still lack that experienced figurehead. I would say we are at least 3 players short, CB, STRIKER, and WINGER who can play on both wings. I still feel that Rose could make a good left winger as he does possess a decent cross but will struggle to get his defender shirt back. I see Saints are looking at Phil Brown as manager and could make an announcement tomorrow. I do hope not as Saturdays game will be a much different game.

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Oi Den! says...
8:03pm Mon 6 Sep 10

Wizard, I agree that nobody could have foreseen us starting so badly. On the other hand, though, I do think there was far too much optimism pre-season. Many seemed to think we would walk into an automatic promotion spot, even though we ended last season on a downer and then the team was weakened by the departure of some of our best players. Last year I was optimistic enough to have a decent each-way bet. I couldn't feel that confident this time round. Hope my pessimism turns out to be misplaced! I have a feeling that Saturday's game will be a pointer for the rest of the season. Win it and we are well on our way back. Lose it and we could be in for a long struggle.

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stroudred1959 says...
8:10pm Mon 6 Sep 10

the wizard wrote:
We can go better than that, wasn't either Ray Clements or Peter Shilton England captains, for a while.
Shilton, and he captained us all the way to the semi finals Italia 90.Don't think captaincy is the issue at the moment tend to agree with both mikek, and Oi Den in what they posted. I think they have identified the most pressing issues for the moment.

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didntshedoswell says...
8:14pm Mon 6 Sep 10

I don't think we need any more players, it's all going to come very good, very soon. Starting with the weekend. BIG PUNT THIS WEEKEND!

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old town robin says...
9:11pm Mon 6 Sep 10

SAPFanSTFC wrote:
the wizard wrote: Old Town Robin, I don't know who exactly they were, memory not so good sometimes, but, when Dougie was declared Captain I said it was a mistake and it should have gone to Lucas, just like you have said above. Blimey, the WHOLE world ended that day. I had that many on my back it was unreal. A few, not many, supported my theory, which is like yours. He is so wrapped up in doing what he does best he aint got time to look at the bigger picture. Don't anybody get me wrong, I think he is a great player, really decent bloke, but captain he aint. Lucas spends a lot of time on the verbals and is an ideal choice. As goes the end of season we will be there abouts, as long as both Wilson and Fitton keep their nerve. The only thing is, will we be saying "Oh gawd didn't those first few games cost us, we could have had an automatic", hindsight ? he is a wealthy beast!, know all s"d as well.
Wizard and OT Robin - Wizard not many agreed with you because Douggie was our engine last year and no-one, not even you, could have predicted that we would have made such a poor start to the season - there is still no evidence that a change of captain would make a difference and WHO!?.....I'd be happy to change if his form improved and the results improved but!!... Old Town Robin - Have you ever played competitively in goal? Most who have would have all believed that they would make a good captain but would not want to be captain on the pitch - EVEN LUCAS admits he can't see what's going on at the other end of the field - every goalie should and in most cases IS the Captain in their own 18 yard box....but it stays there. Patience is a virtue and come the end of October I'll be back to eat humble pie on Douggie but not Lucas...or... if you're both man enough, you can eat your hats figuratively speaking! :-) Deal!?
Sapp, not sure what your problem is, what difference does it make if I ever played in goal, I assume you have and feel you would never had coped with the responsibility. I appreciate you don't read the whole post, so I'll break it down for you in a simple way,
1. my first point IMO was the form of JD has been effected when he has had the extra responsibility of being captain. As I remember from your previous post you have not yet had the chance to get to SN1 this year, so you are in no position to comment about his form, but even last year (you remember Wembley)I honestly think it effects his natural game.
2. The only reason I would back Luicas is because he is the only person we have with experience and is vocal, has nothing to do with him being a goal keeper.
3. the captain issue was a minor point in my mail, I think we have finally nearly got the best defence we can play with the addition of Sheehan and the improved form of Morrison and Kennedy, for me the jury is still out on Caddis, have seen no defensive qualities at all based on the Brentford game where their winger tore him apart.
4. The main point of my post which yoju completely missed was we have played 450 minutes for 4 goals, that is a dire return where as with last season when we drew more than 15 games is costing us dear. VP had the chance to win us the match in the 90th minute against Brentford and Charlie blew it against Carlise. I'm sure both guys are disappointed and hopefully will show some form and put things right, never the less we have tried 21 players including subs in five games and that has to be some kind of record. I do sympathise with Danny it can't be easy getting the right blend, but some of his tactics (sub changes), and non-selection of Dossevi and Ferry until Saturday are to say the least baffling.
Hopethis makes thins a little easier for you to understand and hope you are able to make the game this Saturday.

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