Remember in our first season back, and Jos Hooiveld looked so out of his depth at this level? He was much better than Hoedt.
If Hughes goes, can Hoedt go with him? Good defenders, which he isn’t, know when to put the ball into row Z. Bad defenders, which he is, try to hit an impossible ball up the touchline,straight to an opponent, leaving us stretched at the back, instead of organised, which we might have been from a throw in. Austin can go as well. He offers nothing. Obafemi has had two cameo appearances and looked more like an experienced player than Austin has. Surely he will start at Leicester?
It does not matter who is on the list, none of the aforementioned are right for this club, especially as there is no vacancy at present. Looking at the stats, it’s difficult to understand how we lost this match. So wrong result but improvements in areas where we have been weak ie scoring goals. Yet our defence again found to be porous. I’m not convinced that a change now will do any good, I might take a different view after the next two games, neither of which look promising I agree, but until there is a clear alternative, let’s cool down and wait for a bit longer. Another Saturday another gloomy evening and weekend I agree but looking around us, West Ham included with a highly experienced manager, lose 0-4, it’s not obvious as to who would be in the sights of the Board. Revolving door managers don’t in the long run work.
I thought Austin was pretty decent today. He was working off the ball, creating space. Didn't score but kept defenders occupied. Unsurprisingky, hs plays much better when we can actually hold the ball in the final third. That said, Gabbiadini also looked better today, for much the same reasons Austin did. Obefemi was actually kind of bad. Should have scored. But then, he's young so not unexpected. Probably worth getting him some more playing time. So while I think Austin is being scapegoated a bit, I don't see a compelling reason for him to start, either. Ings has to play when healthy. If we play one, that's who we play. Austin can really only play if we use two strikers, and it's debatable whether he is better than Gabbiadini.
There is a strong link between our current manager and our porousness, however, and it's the bit where we consistently deploy Wesley Hoedt and Cedric. Let's review the three goals: - Chipped cross to Mitrovic. Hoedt is marking no one and nothing. He doesn't even turn around until after Mitrovic heads the ball. - Absolutely wonderful cross while under pressure from two defenders. Could make the argument that Targett should do more, but that's just a fabulous ball. - Flicked header. Cedric is standing about and doesn't react quickly enough to challenge Mitrovic. Now, ideally you don't have Cedric by his lonesome with Mitrovic anyway, but he has to recognize that Hoedt has been pulled out of position and Yoshida challenged for the first header...there is no one but him to prevent Mitrovic from getting a free crack from eight yards. This has been a consistent theme; Hoedt and Cedric are lackadaisical, with Hoedt being consistently awful. While Cedric is effectively the only senior RB (though I'd like a look at Valery) we aren't in a crisis for CBs; Vestergaard has been consigned to the bench for reasons that escape me, and Bednarek relegated to the U23s despite some promising performances at the tail end of last year. There is no reason why Hoedt should be a mainstay.
I’m looking forward the the Derby next year though, as Pompey look like they’re gona steam roll league 1.
With an analysis as detailed as that there is much to agree on and thanks for the input. I’m still of the opinion that unless the board have a clear and quality improvement in mind, just sacking Sparky will not improve things. I realise I’m in a shrinking minority though!!
