It certainly wasn't Greaves. All Bernard had to do was to take a few steps left and that goal would've been avoided but Smallwood should've covered too. I think Harry was better when he came to us, he'd played over 100 games I think in L1 and had plenty of experience. We should've gone for Curtis Davies though
It was same old. Played ok football upto thirty yards out, never looked like scoring (until they wobbled towards the end), gave away an avoidable goal. Just prior to the goal, WBA had the momentum and were winning every second ball, it felt a goal was inevitable. Times like that, you batten down the hatches and ride the storm, not try to pass your way through the press. Thought it was niaive, but we're making similar simple mistakes every week.
just sounding like a stuck record here, but we really need that bump you get from a fresh face in charge now! if the takeover doesnt happen for another month ,there could be another 4 or 5 games too play. we could easily be 10 points adrift and then it doesnt matter what manager comes in or who we sign, that is not easy too overturn in half a season. if it wasnt for Derbys reduction then we would be sat 6 points adrift already, it cant be allowed to just continue for another month like this
In terms of experience, possibly. I was talking more about his forays forward which fans appreciated that side, so were forgiving (and sometimes blinded). It's why Harry became a cult hero before we actually realised he was actually good. The season before he went, Boro were after him for allegedly £3m. A family member who supports Boro was asking about him. I replied something like a crowd pleaser cause of his forays, but often leaves us exposed and needs to learn when to go. But yes, take him for that. I guess another difference between the two is that Harry was learning from Dawson and Curtis. It does makes Man Utd's decision to loan him to us to play alongside other kids, quite odd.
By the time January comes and we can make changes, the gap between us and safety could be a bridge too far.
Yep, we're in danger of a Phelan - Silva **** up here, getting the right person in when it's too late
There's nine games between now and the transfer window opening on January 1st that's an awful lot of points 27 in all , and in the next few weeks we have two six pointers both away at Barnsley on saturday, and away at Cardiff on the 24th. personally i think come new year as GPL stated we could have a mountain to climb and not engough time to repair the damage.
Apologies if it's already been posted, but was Bernard dropped from the squad or was he ill / injured?
According to McCann, dropped because Jones was fit to return and had trained for 10 days with no problems. He implied they now think something is up with his hamstring that needs further investigation because of how he keeps injuring it. McLoughlin was on the bench over Bernard because of his recent performances from the bench.
...I agree, but would recognise also a big risk of getting the wrong person in too! McCann & Byrne (add Darnborough too) have to go, and a takeover has to happen, otherwise we are down irrespective, but it sounds like the new owners could be taking a massive gamble with who they bring in?
Thanks. So it sounds like it never crossed his mind to play 3 at the back. Or to return Jones to holding CM. Just same old set up. At least defensively it was better, but same result (nil) going forward.
I just don't get the focus on our occasional defensive mistakes. If the table was based on goals against we would be 16th! Ahead of QPR who are in a play off position. And we've played all of the top 6, including Fulham, Stoke and WBA away. We've just lost 5 in a row and conceded only 7 goals in those games. Of course there is the odd mistake - these are young Championship CBS by and large doing a good job, To drop Bernard from the squad entirely while some of our so called forwards are so ineffective (2 of whom were just shocking last night) says a lot about this manager's delusional approach to solving the problems we have.
I think some of the focus on here on our defending comes also from the keystone cops wrestling episodes, that thankfully now seem to have been eliminated. As you say, the conceded stats aren't now the problem. It's our attacking play. 7 away games without even 1 goal is appalling. On top of that, so few shots on target. The forwards are failing when they do get in good positions, but the service to them is also so poor. Last night was a great example. And the set up really isn't helping, but McCann continues with it week after week, month after month.
I never thought we looked like scoring last night, until Eaves came on and caused them a few panic attacks at the end. I gather GM said KLP is improving every week. He really really isn't.. He is being asked to hug the touch line and deliver crosses (normally not very accurately) to one slow CF surrounded by defenders. As for Malik, I was always doubtful whether he had the game to step up but even I am surprised at just how ineffective he is. Looks like his confidence has gone. Trying 3-5-2 with KLP alongside another striker is SO OBVIOUS and has been to many of us for months, but our stubborn manager seems prepared to sink defending his 'philosophy.'
Barnsley closed the schoop and won last night. They'll probably win again on Satdee. Whom are they playing?
Have a theory developing that having Smallwood and Docherty on the pitch together just doesn't work like it should do on paper (a bit like Lampard/Gerrard for England). I didn't watch the match last night, but was it any better from that perspective?
3 in midfield does work, if you pick/have the correct 3. Slater, Doc and honeyman would have been fine, however a midfield 3 with Smallwood isn't going to work, and it didn't last season.
Ok guys now we’ve dissected it all and it’s our forward line that’s the main problem what’s the solution with what we’ve got? I’d put KLP central with one other I would ask us to pass down the middle more and look for angles that means KLP has to move off the ball and make some wasted runs like all forwrds do. KLP has an ability to collect and shoot from the box edge very quickly - he is a finisher but needs quick ball to feet, not ponderous passes when he’s well marked. What about a daft one Bernard up front winning headers and keeping the ball - or a. n other- we need to do something , lastly if we attack the whole team has to move up and support the forwards - not be afraid
I didn't realise Slater was an option, just a minutes he's not. With the midfield options we have, it's not working, the midfield is suppose to be support for the front 3, but stupidly, we play the same system week in week out, and what do teams do overload the midfield and outnumber us. So any support for the forward is more or less non-existent.
