[El Car]

The problem with McCulloch is a tactical one as much as anything. We concede territory and possession so much and allow the opposition to put balls into our box primarily because we play an incredibly deep back line. I think it's fair to assume that's been to suit McCulloch whose lack of any pace means we can't afford to have him push out far. We got deeper and deeper when Weir was in the side as he slowed to a crawl, but he had the experience of playing in the position for about 60 years before we signed him so he could compensate. McCulloch has only played the position a couple of years and in my opinion doesn't bring enough to justify being there. He's not strong or dominant in the air in our box, he doesn't time his tackles well and he doesn't cover other defenders out of position. The latter is quite a serious issue because of how far up Wallace often is. Doesn't matter how far he has to run back, it's usually the case that an opposition player in behind Wallace goes completely unchallenged when approaching and entering our box until Wallace makes it back himself. And although not a problem confined solely to him, he is never first to the ball when it comes back out from our goal line. I don't know how many of the goals we've lost this season have been because the opposition got to the second ball after it's come off the woodwork or our keeper has saved, but it feels like our players are never first to it.