The next in the mid term report cards, are the defenders. It may not feel like it, but we have conceded the same amount of goals as the same point last season. We are a few places higher, and have lost fewer games, however the mistakes in the team have gifted a fair few goals this season. With that in mind, here are the report cards for our defence.
Cameron Norman
It is rare for a right-back to be talked about by fans for player of the season, especially this early on, but Norman has grown into a consistent performer, and a player that has cemented himself in the side. He hadn’t hit the heights expected of him in his first year with the club, but last January, he started pulling out some better performances. This season he has been a rock, and also helped our attack. He puts his body on the line in defence, and has improved his positioning massively. He wins headers, and wins the ball back more consistently.
I think the biggest thing with Norman is that he looks fitter and stronger this season. He gets up and down the line well, and all game too. He also is using his physicality better, and is strong in tackles, and when battling with other players. In games where we have looked poor going forward, he has been there to help the attack, putting in crosses, and linking up well. It is also worth noting that he has not had a consistent RM in front of him, and we know that DC likes his team to build up their partnerships.
Vital Verdict – Norman has worn the shirt with pride, and we all are calling for the club to extend his deal after the consistent performances he has been putting in – 8.5/10
Zak Jules
Jules started the season very brightly, playing at LB and CB in his first few games, where he was praised for his good performances. He was benched for a couple of games, then went on to play 11 games in a row, his best spell in the side before getting injured. He is a player who is versatile, however there is a trend in the positions he plays. In the league, we have not lost when Jules is at LB. We are much stronger, and solid with him on the left. Before getting injured, he had a run of 5 games at LB. That started at Newport, and saw us go on a 5 game unbeaten run.
Personally, I feel the defence as a whole, is more balanced and tight with Jules on the left. He is strong, and quick, but for me, not the most solid at centre-back. That may be a controversial point, but I think he is a better left-back. I feel that he uses his strength and speed to stop the wingers getting as much time and opportunity on the ball. Like Norman, Jules has really improved his game this season, and he looks much better after being given a run of games in the side. I think he deserves the praise for this, especially after his stuttering season last year.
Vital Verdict – A solid player, and a consistent performer this season. Strong, and growing into the team more as he plays – 7.5/10
Dan Scarr
Scarr has been ever present in defence this season. He has improved, and looks better than we have seen from him previously. I think he is a very good defender at this level, and probably our best, and most consistent CB. He is strong, physical, and no nonsense. Scarr has improved our fortunes from set-pieces too. He has always looked a presence in the air, but he is now starting to chip in with the odd goal, which we desperately need.
His game isn’t without fault. Scarr can be guilty of hitting too many wayward long ball’s, and reverting to that as a default during games. He also has made the odd mistake, leading to goals, which is painful for fans to see. However, Scarr has been fairly consistent this season, and at 26, will continue to be a big player for us, if we can tie him down. The big thing for the whole defence, is a lack of clean sheets, and Scarr needs to keep giving his all to turn that stat around.
Vital Verdict – Does the basics well, and shows exactly why he deserves to be starting each game – 7/10
James Clarke
Clarke will always continue to divide opinion. Some fans think he is a fine defender, and a leader, others think he should be on the bench. Clarke can be error prone, and at times, gets caught out in defence. However, there are games where he shines, and adds some calmness, experience, and know how to the side. Clarke is also a leader. He is a committed player who gives his all for the shirt.
I think the big thing with Clarke, is we notice when he isn’t in the side. He adds a lot to the side, and when he is on his game, he is a very, very good defender. My concern is that there are times when he is costly for us. He can give his man a bit of space, and positionally, can be slightly off, as we saw with moments like Port Vale’s first goal, where he failed to cut-out the ball forward.
I personally like Clarke, and feel he adds to the side, but I also know he is not the complete player. I would like him to extend his stay, as I feel he makes up our best defensive line, which is something I will get on to later.
Vital Verdict – Mixed performances all season. Some great displays, and some costly errors too. Shows leadership, and League two knowhow – 6/10
Callum Cockerill-Mollett
A young player who we all want to do well, however fitness and injuries continue to be an issue for him. Callum turns 22 this month, and with only 14 league appearances in his Walsall career, time feels like it is running out for him to stamp his authority on the team. In his 4 starts this season, he did OK. Callum didn’t excel, but he didn’t play badly either. He played well in the game against Grimsby on the opening day, but then was kept out of the team by the form of Nurse and Jules.
Callum needs a run in the side, to develop, and improve. However, he will struggle for that run, with his fitness and the fact we need players to hit the ground running, in a position that we have been plagued by injury in. It is tough to write a report given how little football he has played. But the fact that he seems to be 3rd choice is not a good sign for his future, which I don’t like to say. CCM is following Kory Roberts, in regards to game time. A lot of promise, but injuries have halted the progress. I can see CCM leaving at the end of the season, as the squad is on a tighter budget, DC will need players capable of game time, like Roberts was victim too, and the same with Shay Facey.
Vital Verdict – Hasn’t done enough in the games he has played to be considered any more than a backup – 5/10
Mat Sadler
We all expected Sadler to feature less, given his news role as player/coach, but he has featured a few times in recent weeks, providing some cover at LB. He has come on when chasing the game recently, and at 35, you don’t expect him to be running up and down. He brought calmness and experience to the side in his appearances, and scored a big goal against Crawley, seeing us end a 5 game run without a win.
He hasn’t really done anything wrong, in his two starts and few substitute appearances. He is a professional, and when he has played, he has shown that. He still wins a fair share of headers, and when he needs to, he can turn the pace on. I also like that he will always put his body on the line when needed. I can’t see him starting more, unless injuries require it.
Vital Verdict – Experienced pro who has done what we expect of him. Scored a big goal at Crawley – 6/10
Nurse has been a fantastic replacement for Cam Pring. He is the attacking full-back that we needed, to offer a different option on the left. He has had some really good games, and come up with the goods at key times for us. Offensively, his assists in the FGR game and Mansfield games, and his rocket against Bradford contributed well to keeping us avoiding defeats, and securing draws.
He suffered a long term injury, which was a shame, because he was a part of the side that weren’t losing games, and he was a good creative outlet in it. Defensively, he has been sound, with no real errors, and nothing that springs to mind that has been concerning in his defending. He did look less like his usual self in his start after injury, but that is understandable.
Vital Verdict – A good young player, who has brought energy to our defence. He also can help with our creativity too, and has done at key times – 7.5/10
Hayden White
I was really excited by the arrival of White. A proven player in this league, looking to get back to his best after an injury. However, he has been a bit of a disappointment since signing. He has only played a few games for us, and with Norman being in fine form, White needed to take his chances when played. He hasn’t. Defensively, he looks weak, and gets caught in possession, or loses the ball far too often. Going forward he is better, but first a foremost, a defender needs to defend.
White doesn’t look confident either. There have been glimpses of what he can do, and he has had spells where he has looked good, both offensively, and defensively, but it isn’t enough. He will get more chances, and he needs to prove himself, otherwise he risks following Shay Facey as a one season Right back.
Vital Verdict – On paper a good signing, experienced, and with a good reputation. However his good moments are outweighed be ineffectiveness – 4/10
My preferred defence
We looked our best with Norman and Jules out wide, and Clarke and Scarr in the middle. This has looked our most settled back-line, and the one that overall, has performed our best. This is harsh on Nurse, who has played very well, but as we are struggling to keep clean sheets, and we have shipped a lot of goals, I think this is the best.
