Glenn Roeder says that the team must improve their aerial
strengths.
As his search for a centre half continues, he will be working with the existing defenders at Chadwell Heath to ensure that his side deals better with balls coming in from the flanks.
The goal conceded against Rushden and Diamonds came from a header and Glenn says:
"We gave away a rotten goal in the first few minutes because of poor marking on the back post, though I thought the first half was very lively.
"That is a bit of a hangover from the goals we conceded last year and we have got to do better in those situations.
"When crosses come into the box we have got to be marking players and not standing in space.
"The lad gave David James no chance with the header but the goal was disappointing."
On the plus side, Glenn reports no further injuries from Monday night's game.
Paolo Di Canio, despite going off for treatment at one stage during the match after overstretching, has suffered no overnight effects.
Indeed, as Glenn says:
"The worst we had was a blister and if all we ever get from a game is a blister, I will settle for that!
"We had a few minor injuries ruling people out on Monday and hopefully they will clear up for the weekend game.
"That is an important one for us as it is our last one before Liverpool, apart from a game next week behind closed doors."
Nonetheless, the news that Hayden Foxe will now be out longer than the time span first anticipated is another problem for Glenn, and he admits:
"Hayden's loss is a huge blow as he had been doing well in the games and working hard in training.
"But he has fractured his finger so badly that he has had to be wired and pinned, which will keep him out for four or five weeks.
"If he falls down and puts his hand on the ground the damaged finger will fracture again and he will be in a worse state so there is no way he can play."
As for the game overall, he says:
"We fought back very well, played some good football, and created many chances.
"It was 2-1 at half time but it could easily have been four or five.
"A win is a win and that is a good habit to have though the game lost a little bit of tempo in the second half.
"Players are still trying to get fit, though, and when you make changes it is often disruptive as well.
"But I tried to get everyone some part of the game and from that point of view it was a good exercise."
And, talking of Richard Garcia, who started the game and, like Leon Britton, got his first taste of first team action, he says:
"He did well, especially in the first half and, although he tired a little in the second, that is only to be expected given the length of time he has been out."
Ian Pearce is still some way from fitness, and Glenn says:
"Fingers crossed he will be back in three or four weeks and won't need an operation that will rule him out for three or four months."
You could select a pretty good team from the players that have tasted first team action that were on the injured list on Monday.
Pick 11 from Hislop, Foxe, Dailly, Carrick, Pearce, Sinclair, Lomas, Moncur,McCann, Kanoute, Camara, and Byrne...
As his search for a centre half continues, he will be working with the existing defenders at Chadwell Heath to ensure that his side deals better with balls coming in from the flanks.
The goal conceded against Rushden and Diamonds came from a header and Glenn says:
"We gave away a rotten goal in the first few minutes because of poor marking on the back post, though I thought the first half was very lively.
"That is a bit of a hangover from the goals we conceded last year and we have got to do better in those situations.
"When crosses come into the box we have got to be marking players and not standing in space.
"The lad gave David James no chance with the header but the goal was disappointing."
On the plus side, Glenn reports no further injuries from Monday night's game.
Paolo Di Canio, despite going off for treatment at one stage during the match after overstretching, has suffered no overnight effects.
Indeed, as Glenn says:
"The worst we had was a blister and if all we ever get from a game is a blister, I will settle for that!
"We had a few minor injuries ruling people out on Monday and hopefully they will clear up for the weekend game.
"That is an important one for us as it is our last one before Liverpool, apart from a game next week behind closed doors."
Nonetheless, the news that Hayden Foxe will now be out longer than the time span first anticipated is another problem for Glenn, and he admits:
"Hayden's loss is a huge blow as he had been doing well in the games and working hard in training.
"But he has fractured his finger so badly that he has had to be wired and pinned, which will keep him out for four or five weeks.
"If he falls down and puts his hand on the ground the damaged finger will fracture again and he will be in a worse state so there is no way he can play."
As for the game overall, he says:
"We fought back very well, played some good football, and created many chances.
"It was 2-1 at half time but it could easily have been four or five.
"A win is a win and that is a good habit to have though the game lost a little bit of tempo in the second half.
"Players are still trying to get fit, though, and when you make changes it is often disruptive as well.
"But I tried to get everyone some part of the game and from that point of view it was a good exercise."
And, talking of Richard Garcia, who started the game and, like Leon Britton, got his first taste of first team action, he says:
"He did well, especially in the first half and, although he tired a little in the second, that is only to be expected given the length of time he has been out."
Ian Pearce is still some way from fitness, and Glenn says:
"Fingers crossed he will be back in three or four weeks and won't need an operation that will rule him out for three or four months."
You could select a pretty good team from the players that have tasted first team action that were on the injured list on Monday.
Pick 11 from Hislop, Foxe, Dailly, Carrick, Pearce, Sinclair, Lomas, Moncur,McCann, Kanoute, Camara, and Byrne...