God we miss Stephen Ward

[Wilf Mbanga]

This is not slagging off Taylor who is a good young prospect.

Ward though offers so much more in all areas of the field. Yes we miss Brady but I think Ward is a huge miss.

[Vino blanco]

I think we are missing Lowtons link up play with Iceland as well.

[RingoMcCartney]

Before we got Brady we lacked pace up front. Now he's injured, we lack pace up front.....

[MrVmax]

Sorry got to disagree. Ward is an excellent player however as soon as Brady got injured at Leicester I felt it really showed how reliant he is on Brady for the out ball. I think given he has just come in to a disrupted back 4 Taylor has been superb. His cross today for our equaliser . Again not knocking wardie but I think Taylor has been a more than capable replacement

[KefkaClaret]

Arfield just isn't good enough to be a starter, at least he works hard. We need to sign a winger with genuine quality in January like Brady or JBG.

[Vino blanco]

Agree about Arfield. People always say he works hard and runs a lot: so would a clockwork mouse if you put it on the pitch. A decent Championship player, just about good enough for the bench, some games.

[SalisburyClaret]

Taylor has done well in an unsettled back 4 and is an excellent crosser but we miss Ward- he bombs forward more, is a better and stronger defender and understands our system so well

The choice between the two is a nice problem to have though

[ClaretTony]

We really miss the Ward/Brady partnership down the left hand side

[CFS]

Said it the other day but dyche isn't giving Taylor the freedom he's playing like more of a 3rd CB than a LB.

[Iloveyoubrady]

We need ward and lowton back in as soon as possible. The original back 4 is best. Brady is missed and a replacement in January is required.

[Papabendi]

Been a little surprised how one footed Taylor is

[Marney&Mee]

Been a little surprised how one footed Taylor is

One of the only times Taylor tried to go down the line and cross it, we scored...

[Wilf Mbanga]

One of the only times Taylor tried to go down the line and cross it, we scored...

I suppose that is the problem. Taylor doesn’t seem to have the confidence/permission to attack. When he does, that side of his game is decent - as good as Ward’s. Ward though is a level above at the back. Particularly from set plays.

[Claretmatt4]

Agree about Arfield. People always say he works hard and runs a lot: so would a clockwork mouse if you put it on the pitch. A decent Championship player, just about good enough for the bench, some games.

His career suggests he is far better than that, but you are entitled to your opinion.

[Blackrod]

We do miss Ward although Taylor I think will get better. We need Lowton in too IMO as he is better going forward as good as a defender that Bardsley is.

[FactualFrank]

Taylor was always at his best for Leeds when he got forward. And a lot of games he was pretty much a left winger.

[andyh]

Ward seemed to have now licence to get forward. Ward and Brady are a cut above Arfield and Taylor. But all teams get telling injuries. Let’s get ward back soon and a replacement for Brady now the window is open

[Andreshotboots]

Put over another brilliant ball in the first half right across the 6 yard box that nobody gambled on

[boiledclaret]

Said it the other day but dyche isn't giving Taylor the freedom he's playing like more of a 3rd CB than a LB.

I think that as well. He does tend to hold rather than bomb, but there's not always options in front of him anyway.

He has a wicked cross on him. I think some of the comments are a bit unfair. He's relatively new to the Prem, and to a Dyche side. He'll improve, and we've hardly sank like a stone since he came in.

[Sidney1st]

Brady and Ward on that flank today would've been great.

[KRBFC]

I disagree, I think we miss Lowton badly, Bardsley is just rank.

[Belgianclaret]

Don't want to be too critical of the great servant, but I think Mee was meant to be tracking Lovren and was caught out of position.

Frustrating yet again, but the margins are small and we are bound for some good fortune soon - UTC

[Blackrod]

I disagree, I think we miss Lowton badly, Bardsley is just rank.

Whilst I think Lowton is the better of the two Bardsley is still a very good defender. These comments are just nonsense.

[dougcollins]

Ward/Brady 'partnership' theory is interesting, considering Brady spends so much time out on the right.

[boatshed bill]

I'm seeing this rather poor period results-wise as strangely positive in terms of our development.
Our stand-ins haven't done at all badly, and it's good that they have got some game time. Taylor and Long in particular needed the experience if they are going to be any use to us.
It also shows the importance of us getting better strength in depth, hopefully the board will give SD a decent amount of extra money in January so that he can add what he needs.
Despite a run of games without a win you have to remain optimistic.

[Bin Ont Turf]

Ward/Brady 'partnership' theory is interesting, considering Brady spends so much time out on the right.

Brady and Lowton then?

[nil_desperandum]

I'm seeing this rather poor period results-wise as strangely positive in terms of our development.

Which results have been poor?
0 - 0 at Huddersfield - disappointing, but the sort of game that we have often lost in seasons past. Instead we bossed it.
0 - 0 at Brighton. Most would have taken the point ahead of the game.Difficult fixture.
2 - 2 at Old Trafford. Good result.
1 - 2 v Liverpool. Slightly disappointing but Liverpool have been in form and are on a long unbeaten run.Many expected a worse result.
0 - 3 v Tottenham. Yes - poor result but we were due one
It's nearly all been positive (IMO) and had we not been careless in minute 94 today then it would have been a v good Christmas.

[boatshed bill]

Which results have been poor?
0 - 0 at Huddersfield - disappointing, but the sort of game that we have often lost in seasons past. Instead we bossed it.
0 - 0 at Brighton. Most would have taken the point ahead of the game.Difficult fixture.
2 - 2 at Old Trafford. Good result.
1 - 2 v Liverpool. Slightly disappointing but Liverpool have been in form and are on a long unbeaten run.Many expected a worse result.
0 - 3 v Tottenham. Yes - poor result but we were due one
It's nearly all been positive (IMO) and had we not been careless in minute 94 today then it would have been a v good Christmas.

3 points from 15 is a bit poor, but I am definitely seeing a positive from them.
And we've been a tad unlucky, but that is the EPL (or whatever they want to call it this year)

[starting_11]

Which results have been poor?
0 - 0 at Huddersfield - disappointing, but the sort of game that we have often lost in seasons past. Instead we bossed it.
0 - 0 at Brighton. Most would have taken the point ahead of the game.Difficult fixture.
2 - 2 at Old Trafford. Good result.
1 - 2 v Liverpool. Slightly disappointing but Liverpool have been in form and are on a long unbeaten run.Many expected a worse result.
0 - 3 v Tottenham. Yes - poor result but we were due one
It's nearly all been positive (IMO) and had we not been careless in minute 94 today then it would have been a v good Christmas.

Err... Ok.

So who are we supposed to beat if the heady heights of Huddersfield and Brighton are only worth a point in theory?

And what next? We should lay down to Utd, City, Liverpool etc?

"take a free hit" or whatever that idiot from Vegas says?

What else?

[evensteadiereddie]

We really miss the Ward/Brady partnership down the left hand side

Indeed. The absence of those two makes it particularly difficult to apply pressure to other sides for any decent length of time and so we're made to resort to the longer ball, a rushed pass or using Pope to belt the ball aimlessly upfield.
All three usually result in us giving it straight back to the opposition.
Our wins are becoming draws and our draws are becoming defeats.
Injuries and suspensions were always going to hit us hard. All is not lost, howver, we've plenty of points on the board and, paradoxically, do knock the ball about quite well at times.

[Stayingup]

We miss Ward for sure.

But we need another winger as good as JBG. Notice how he was double marked at least in the second half. They knew we had no other serious creativity.

[ClaretTony]

Indeed. The absence of those two makes it particularly difficult to apply pressure to other sides for any decent length of time and so we're made to resort to the longer ball, a rushed pass or using Pope to belt the ball aimlessly upfield.
All three usually result in us giving it straight back to the opposition.
Our wins are becoming draws and our draws are becoming defeats.
Injuries and suspensions were always going to hit us hard. All is not lost, howver, we've plenty of points on the board and, paradoxically, do knock the ball about quite well at times.

I saw a post earlier regarding Hendrick not being as good without Ward. I think those two and Brady know each others games so well that they've linked up superbly at times. Brady was really looking good when he got the injury and then to lose Ward less than two weeks later has been a big blow. That's not a criticism of the players who have come in, just that their absence has lost us so much down that side of the pitch.

[Wile E Coyote]

ward is THE vital cog, he was key player, incisive and always attack minded, sublime defensively. huge loss.

[cricketfieldclarets]

Very very underrated player in everything he offers.

[Top Claret]

Ward is better at the moment is better in every department than Taylor. Ward is a better defender, he uses the ball better going forward with his intelligent link up play and support of his midfield

[wilks_bfc]

Have we heard what’s wrong with Ward & how long he’s out for?

Or Wood for that matter?

[AlargeClaret]

Ward might not be the most mobile player but he’s a good defender and we miss him bombing down the wing,I’d like to see Lowton back as he’s far more skilful that Bardsley and links up well too

[agreenwood]

We miss Ward, Lowton & Brady. Without them we’ve lost a bit of the progression in our football that we’d stsrted to see this season.

The squad has improved in that we’re able to grind out results with several players missing. However, it’s not yet deep enough in quality to maintain the performance levels we were hitting earlier in the season.

[BleedingClaret]

Before we got Brady we lacked pace up front. Now he's injured, we lack pace up front.....

Wells what are we going to do about it

[Silkyskills1]

Bardsley is just rank.

I can think of a number of full-backs,past and more recent, that might fall into that category but Bardsley? Really?

[Quickenthetempo]

Taylor is just learning his position and how Dyche likes his fullbacks to play. He stopped Trippier bombing forward when he first took over.
Ward is just more confident of getting forward knowing Dyche has trust in him.

[nil_desperandum]

Err... Ok.

So who are we supposed to beat if the heady heights of Huddersfield and Brighton are only worth a point in theory?

And what next? We should lay down to Utd, City, Liverpool etc?

"take a free hit" or whatever that idiot from Vegas says?

What else?

Before a ball was kicked this season most people - I think - would have said: Beat teams like Huddersfield and Brighton at home and get a point away and we'll be ok. (A point at Old Trafford - or at any of the top 6 - is a bonus).
Let's look at it another way.
Let's suppose we had just had those 3 away draws and had Watford and Stoke as the 2 home fixtures? That's 9 points. (9 points that we actually got).
It's just the way that the fixtures have fallen that mean't we had 2 really hard home matches in that decent run of away points.
I'm not disheartened at all.

[CnBtruntru]

I was was watching Taylor and he looked like the shackles were on until the goal was scored for them he seemed to be allowed too push forward more after their goal and I honestly think he looked better when allowed to put in crosses, don't think the lad played to bad either.

[TVC15]

We could very easily have had 7 points from the last 3 games. Absolute stonewall penalty at Huddersfield not given and 2 injury time goals conceded - extremely fine margins.

You can't say that we have performed poorly on the basis of a ludicrous decision and failing to hang on to the results by a couple of minutes - we must have done something decent in the other 270 minutes !

[joey13]

Worrying that Ward is out with wear and tear of the knee that’s what I’ve got and I’m f@@ked

[Ric_C]

It's worth pointing out that both fullbacks were caught ball watching for Liverpool's second goal. Lack of match time maybe? I'm not sure we've have conceded that with Lowton and Ward on the pitch.

Both stand-ins have been ok so far, with Taylor especially gaining match experience at this level, which is a bonus for us in the long run.

[piston broke]

He came in December 2015 and we go 23 undefeated.
He goes out December 2017 and we go 10 winless.
Coincidence? I think not.

Well played Charlie Taylor, improved match on match but the sooner Ward is back the better.

[Leisure]

[quote="piston broke"]He came in December 2015 and we go 23 undefeated.
He goes out December 2017 and we go 10 winless.
Coincidence? I think not. quote)

No disrespect to Ward but do you seriously think that a missing full back is the reason for this?

[TVC15]

10 winless got nothing to do with half the team being out injured or more than half of those games being against some of the biggest and richest clubs in the world.

Taylor has improved week on week and last few games especially he has been one of our best players.

I love Ward but I'd say we have missed Lowton just as much if not more than Ward during this period.

It's hard to think that we would have not picked up at least one win during that period if we would have seen Lowton play the kind of football he did in the second half last Saturday. He completely transformed the game and the way we play. He got forward more and combined better with our winger in 45 minutes than Bardsley did in 2 months.

[quoonbeatz]

missed lowton more.

as great as ward has been its taylor's shirt to lose.