I only see the televised games and highlights mostly, but I don't remember us being as bad as we look now under Holloway, when under JFH, Ramsey, Redknapp or in fact for the last 10 years or so.
Anyone who thinks the football and general spectator experience isn't better now than it was under JFH and Ramsey (and arguably Redknapp) needs to go back and watch some of the matches under those managers. We literally had no plan, no desire and just looked like scared children. We looked totally unprofessional and incapable of competing with peer teams.
Well we see things differently then but I accept for example that we weren't on TV when we won a few before the international break. However our League position these months under Holloway also suggests this is the worse we have been at least back to before Colin took over when we were in a similar position as now.
Since that run, Ollie has consistently changed almost half the team for every game. I hope and prey that he is just experimenting (which I disagree with, as it takes the piss out of the fans) and that he at least picks a settled side next season.
Was he also experimenting during our good run of form? I can't remember. It would be very odd to have had a settled team that gets you to the top of the form table and then to start experimenting like mad, especially given we still aren't quite safe yet. My assumption is he also tinkered during this run.
I think he is tinkering with a view to next season col. As a fan I am OK with that to be honest. At least it's a long term view.
So does it mean that he hasn't found out what is our best formation and/or our best team. Because constant tinkering of 5 players each game does not create a cohesive understanding between players. I'm all for giving players the opportunity to shine, but give them the opportunity to excel too; too many times I have heard commentary that says we don't have understanding between our players. On Strollers note... if we keep playing as we have lately our midfield will suffer regular neck injuries as they watch the ball fly over their heads to the forwards!
I think he should have secured our place in next season''s Championship first. Criminal in my view to have started that 4 games ago. SLF has said as well that it was worthwhile to use the remaining games to look at different options - so he will be as responsible as Holloway if the results of the experimenting will be seen in League 1, if any of the currant players go with us there.
To be fair we are fighting for our lives down there so we were always going to be tough opponents. Also, someone mentioned we got hammered 5-0 by Preston the other week, but nobody mentioned the 4-0 hammering we gave Huddersfield a week or so earlier when we were on sky. I've given up predicting my own teams results now!
Exactly BC, you are fighting for your lives.....and Ollie and Sir Les anounced 4 matches ago that he was experimenting with next years team (see Ravel Morrisons cameo etc) I sincerely hope Ollie puts out what he considers to be his best team tomorrow to secure the points that will make us safe....and to test his own mind as to who he should be making sure we keep