Bollocks! The others above us duly obliged by losing, but once again we fail to take advantage - what a frustrating team to support. Can't understand opinions that we did OK, our movement, decision making, passing and particularly underhit crosses into the box were diabolical. As a team we are not functioning in a system they don't seem to understand, and individually there are some serious underperforming players out there. Without Tomlin we lack any sort of quality or vision to inspire those in front of him and I actully felt sorry for Glatzel again last night. He tried so hard to make the difference but was never played in by Paterson who is a poor substitute in the no.10 spot. The two wide men Murphy and Hoilett were dreadful for different reasons. Murphy is not a trier and Hoilett tries too much. One has pace but falls over, and the other has lost his pace and loses the ball because of it. In the middle of the park we have the static Pack misplacing passes all over the pitch and an "in and out" Vaulks whose major contribution last night was his long throw. He has a decent right foot on him but his efforts on goal were wayward and lacked confidence. The defence got caught a few times back pedalling but that was a lot to do with our lack of control in midfield. Ralls coming on instead of Pack injected some energy that was sorely lacking - if he was able to start that game I reckon we could have won it with him despite our other shortcomings.
Love the fact that we get totally varying views on games on here... its what makes the forum interesting. Sparky, understand your frustrations and some of your comments but also have to keep a more glass half full view I'm afraid. Totally agree the majority of our crosses were dreadful and I've already alluded to the fact that some poor decisions were made in the final third (shots being taken on when a simple slipped pass could be made etc.). What I would say though is our style is definitely changing. More and more often we are now looking to pass the ball out from the back and go through the midfield rather than "over" it. The full backs were getting more involved in an attacking sense and we are clearly trying to work on patterns of play and links ups in various areas of the pitch. I'm in no rush to get back to the plastic Premier League so maybe this is why I'm less annoyed than some at our perceived lack of progress and (supposedly) ambition, but I am encouraged that we are heading in the right direction for becoming a watchable team that will make viewing more enjoyable in the long run.
Brizz - agree we're trying to play more on the floor with Harris but it isn't working because we lack the personnel to match the style. The Warnock approach was cast in stone in the summer window with the acquisition of the likes of Flint and Pack, and it wasn't improved one iota in January despite having a new man at the helm who wanted (allegedly) to play a different style. The lack of investment in the right playing staff has condemned the current management staff to trying to make a silk purse out of a sows ear. If Tomlin hadn't come good since Warnock slung his hook, we'd be fighting a relegation battle trying to play a "different way" with the same players. With Warnock in charge, the only way was his way and the squad reflected that. The huge opportunity to change tack in January with a new approach was ignored. I don't particularly rate Harris, but he's got his hands tied behind his back trying to give the supporters what they've been asking for without the tools to do it. We are Millwall trying to play like West Brom and it isn't working.
I was in seats right behind the dug out rather than my usual Ninian Stand seat and was surprised by the lack of vocal directions from Harris. Livermore did little apart from showing the subs his charts! I noticed more an attempt to pass it on the deck and through midfield but it was all so ponderous and Watson in particular for them read it too easily. So perhaps the methodology is there but not the personnel. That has to be addressed pre season, but most of this squad is under contract for a while so it’s not straightforward getting shot of the chaff if he wants to bring in better quality.
.....and another thing. There is no way were there over 21,000 there last night - more like 15/16K tops. I know the official figure includes ST holders who they assume will be there, but it felt more like the 15/16 season under Slade. Last night there were loads of missing faces around me who are usually there for every game. Maybe it was the tele because the weather doesn't usually put them off, or it maybe it's just the growing frustration with the way the club has been allowed to drift.
