Harrison has scored some vital goals though. I see your point regarding a three pronged attack, but aren't they essentially wingers, not strikers.
Not exactly sure which one you mean... There was a pull back from Klich and he missed it with his right, he was probably 8 yards out and the ball was fairly fizzed at him but yes he could definitely have done better. Anyway as you're one of the few that rarely, if ever, crtiticises any of our players I'm happy to accept your opinion as well judged.
No idea mate, Morrison and Paynter definitely would have still been worse. Selling Roofe was a huge mistake, I think we all thought Nketiah would set the division alight but now that one (Roofe) sale might have cost us promotion. This isn’t a “told anyone so” post but I had huge reservations about Augustin being selected, Nketiah struggled for game time and Augustin is just another version of him. I think we all know Augustin was at best second choice out of the three presented by Orta, personally I’m glad we never blew it on Che or Gray. If the fans are pissed imagine how Radz must feel, £5m on Nketiah who played what, 3 games and 2.5m on Augustin who sits in the stands watching, I’d be spitting nails asking Orta why I was spending money on players Bielsa sees as a worse fit than Bamford. I trust Bielsa and his call on who makes the team but if they were the best three strikers presented to Bielsa out of all the strikers in the world available for under £20m then Orta needs speaking too. Augustin is a character, you can tell that by twitter, he sounds a handful, I’m not paid Ortas huge wage and I can see he is going to clash with Bielsa if he isn’t picked soon and I knew Bielsa wouldn’t pick him, he never picked Nketiah same as Izzy Brown, if Bielsa feels they’re not ready he won’t pick them.
But I don’t see this as Bielsas fault, if they are ready and better than what we have throw them in I agree, but Bielsa obviously doesn’t feel that they are better. Orta presented three strikers to Bielsa, realistically were you excited by any of the three or just relieved we were getting a striker anyone would do?
We are 22nd in the league of shots to goals, 17.5 %, does Bamford score with that average, better or worse, can't find any breakdown for individual players, but even with that poor conversation rate would be surprised if he is above average for our players.
To be honest, the two outfield players are better on paper than I expected, we've scored in 1 out of the last 5 games I think, nothing to lose trying them.
Stick all ye stats where the sun don't shine, Were 2nd in the league, it was never going to be a walk in the park. Man up, the rollercoaster is just getting tasty, MOT.
I share your frustration but we’re playing great football and creating chances that EVERYONE is missing. If Bielsa had thrown Augustin on today before he is deemed ready and he had that same impact that Kebe had he’d be destroyed. Blame Orta for not finding us a better ready to go striker by all means but surely we have to trust Bielsas judgement? I’m not a fan of Bamford, I recognise his misses but he isn’t alone. When we started with Nketiah for two games we were a worse team, he never got into positions to miss, he never held the ball up, he never pressed from the front, I honestly see why he was behind Bamford. On a personal level I’d start with Roberts up front and drop Bamford, last Tuesday I’d have took Bamford off at half time and probably cost us the game in doing so
Bielsa was concerned about missed chances today, he also said we had the ball 10 times in the 6 yard box and we did nothing, we didn’t create a chance or get a shot away, we also had 15 chances to score and never. Maybe we’ll see a change next game...
Biesa has taken an average bunch of players to a higher level, We play some amazing football, all fans I know of other clubs are amazed, the only ones slashing their wrists are ours. WBA are also dire at the moment, this league is not easy, If Bamford had netted even half his chances this season he would have poached by a cash rich club in january. We can and will do this keep the faith, we are joy to watch.
What makes you think Augustins not ready to go, don't think Bielsa would play Messi or Ronaldo as ready to go.If you had been at the games against Sheff Wed and today you wouldn't say we are playing great. And the defending is awful, schoolboy goals, no one on the back post ?.
Interesting you should mention shooting practice. I was up watching the u16 & u18 teams today. An agency scout introduced me to our Head of Recruitment for 12-16 year olds. Only caught the name Phil, & he's only been there for a few months, hence what he told me might be unreliable (and would most certainly be rubbished by the club). The scout & I had been discussing football of old compared to present day football - apprenticeship, cleaning boots etc. (He'd played for Ipswich, so spoke from personal experience). I took the opportunity to ask Phil about our latest discussion point, where I asked him if players these days still stay on after training to develop specialist skills (bag of balls for free kicks etc.), as many of the greats did in the old days. He laughed & replied that the youngest lads don't, but many of the u18 & u23s do. Interestingly, he could not recollect any of the first team doing it. He said they were already doing double or treble sessions, when in the old days, of course, it was a quick session in the morning. Now to be fair, it could well be that specialist skills are regularly practised during these 2/3 sessions a day, & he might not see this, since he's dealing with the kids. But what if he's right? What if our drive for fitness trumps the practise of specialist skills? I hope not & tbh, think not, but next player or official I meet, I'll be asking the question. If anyone else has a contact they know & trust, I'd love to know (by PM if unpublishable). Do I remember you saying that you knew a player @milkyboy ?
What makes you think he is ready to go? Are you saying he is as good as Messi and Ronaldo? I don’t think he is because one of the most respected football coaches in the world has said he isn’t.
