League game v Sheffield Wed ( is now very important ) on Tuesday then 2 fcuking Cup games when we better play the 'reserves'... We need to toughen up somewhat so we don't get roughed up. Imho, whilst size of the opposition can be intimidating, it is only if you let it... you can be a right little awkward bastard no matter what your size. It is all a matter of attitude! So yes sides that are 'bigger than us are trying bullying us into losing...ffs just grow a pair and give as good as you get. Just give them some i am hard as nails pills
Yes only 4 defeats, but it’s the manner of 2 of those that have to be concerning. We have a weak under belly and if you find it, we don’t just get beat, we actually give up.
Defensively we have been nothing short of abysmal this season. I think we’ve kept 2 or 3 clean sheets? This has been a problem since we were relegated. We will not be top two with a defence this leaky.
I have faith LJ and the team will put this right on Tuesday and thereafter, so I’m not gonna get dragged down by yesterday’s result. the need for reinforcements down the spine of the team is obvious, as is an alternative game plan. The latter can be adopted now, with the help of some players stepping up & manning up. But we’ll have to wait til January for new bodies. We’re far too injury prone (Evans) or impaired (ONien) in centre midfield, and could do with another big forward and bigger centre half to deal with these physical games.
Stiffen up the mid field, maybe by using Alves or Younger along side Evans or O/9 in front of a back four, play a 4/4/2 to start these "problematic gamest" If we can see them coming, why cant the manager? Poor preparation is leading to repeated poor starts, and it needs sorting now.
I agree with clock in that we need some physical presence in midfield. The two he mentioned or go and buy a couple of big hard east european b*stards. We do get bullied.
If the problem is that we're weak in central midfield, changing to 442 is not the answer. That removes one of the three central midfielders that we currently have so we end up with 2 central midfielders. A better option would be to withdraw the 10 and play two defensive midfielders and one playing box-to-box. Alves into midfield might be a good option to give us a bit more physicality there.
Either play wingers who track back or buy a pure athlete for DM. Whenever we lose its because we lose the battle. Flanagan and Doyle needs scrapping now also, or especially when we know the opposition are likely to bombarded the box. Both big jessies
I’d be tempted to go 4-5-1 and tighten up the flanks so they can’t get crossed in the box. Hit them on the counter. LJ did own up he got yesterday all wrong, first whistle and again second half. As much as the players capitulating. Let’s see how he lines up on Tuesday.
I've just watched the highlights....our defending was abysmal..just put it down to another bad day at the office. We win at Wednesday all will be forgotten, we really need to get on another run, I still have faith in this squad and LJ....Rome wasn't built in a day, we will have days like this, just hopefully not bad as the Portsmouth and Rotherham performances.
Hence the noise during the 'silence' People coming in late wouldn't even know there was one especially as Remembrance Sunday isn't for another fortnight. Rotherham also made a balls up of it by a muddled announcement and the addition of a minute's applause for a former director. Two minutes is a long time immediately before a match like this. It's easy to throw the blame onto people arriving after a long journey especially after being stuck in road works. I've seen a few situations like this, over the years, and they've all been down to human error and never deliberate disrespect.
I actually have no problem with the manner if the Portsmouth defeat. There was zero football able to be played. As I’ve says, Hoffman made a very good save which, 999(1000 would’ve rolled out fir a corner. Yet a ball doing well over 30 mph hit the ground a yard pit and stopped dead. yesterday we were beaten by someone better than us. Doyle I personally think needs a bit of time. As good as he’s going to be, he’s still young and naïve a lot of the time and makes too many mistakes. Might be that he needs a different system. Who knows. You have to wonder where that drive and determination from Tuesday cane has gone. Dajaku reminds me of Jones. Hopefull that will change as he’s a young lad. Guessing everyone’s “drop him” boy gooch will be playing after McGeady stupidity.
If Doyle is struggling a bit we could always go with 3 at the back with Alves or Younger on the right. With him being so young it's a bit iffy asking too much of him when it's not going well. Cirkin and Winchester both have a bit about them in attack so it should work for them.
There's no way around it, the defending was lacking yesterday. Bit, imo, our poor defending started in midfield and left the defence outnumbered. I'm all for going at teams when the situation is right but I think Johnson has been swayed into playing Dajaku instead of Gooch or O'Brien. It was the wrong game for him and didn't improve when he switched sides with McGeady. The defending, from everyone on the pitch was poor, and I think a fair amount was down to the manager. But we've seen that these players can defend well so I'm sure this will be addressed. Tuesday just became a real test of our resolve ... ... for the manager, players and the supporters.
Why Johnson plays him ahead of Younger or Almond is absolutely baffling, he’s unbelievably bad at the minute.
Rotherham attack down the flanks. Players like Gooch would have tracked back to cover the full backs.
