I asked this question when everyone wondered how we'd line up. There's no way we can fit Eaves, Forss, Allahyar and KLP on the same pitch without KLP at wing back. From what I saw today though Forss should probably be on the bench with KLP and Eaves up top and Allahyar out wide. Or swap Allahyar and KLP. But means more of a 4-4-2.
I agree about Longman, I wouldn't have dropped him either but having an actual RB available was obviously too good to pass up. He still doesn't look fit for me.
It's also concerning how easily Derby were able to overload their right. Shota did **** all about it even at HT and 90 seconds into the second half it was game over. I just don't understand anything about tonight, the team, the subs or how we tried to play. We might not have a big budget but tonight we've looked abysmal against a team that is half filled with kids. We actually managed to make the Derby home performance look good
Oh well, not very good that. But we're still 12 points clear of bottom 3, and mustn't forget Derby are really a mid-table side so we can't be expecting too much. It was disappointing though to see so many players having a poor game, one or 2 can be carried but not half a side. Arveladze needs time to understand what he's got and to make a fist of it but he'll need to be quick because Feb could be very damaging for us. For what it's worth I thought Forss looked like he had something first half but he lost his way a bit after that and he wasn't getting much decent service. Walsh looked no better than what we had before but him And Doc together was like 1+1= 1½. I thought the back 3 looked a bit rudderless, missing Smallwood maybe? And Honeyman shouldn't have been captain, he wasn't playing in a position to provide a bit of leadership in the middle. I also thought a lot of better left defenders than ours would have struggled against Abosele, he was outstanding, no shame in being skinned by him tonight. I'd like to know why Slater wasn't available though. Over to you Arveladze, Fulham next up and best of luck with that!
please log in to view this image FFS - give the new regime a chance - McCann was far from perfect - some of the ****test results and performances I've ever seen - Allams gone, tick, new owner who engages with the fans, tick, team is work in progress, tick - new era, exciting times ahead
He is always rock solid. I reckon he's a big part of the structure, organisation and confidence of the Derby team. He comes over as a proper professional.
I would, I thought Smallwood was awful against Preston. I would, however, have played Slater instead.
Sorry but we look worse. If the performances were there but we were making daft mistakes and it was costing us, there's something to build on. There wasn't, it was ****. The biggest worry was that he did absolutely nothing to plug the gap on our left. I'm no tactician but it was obvious and kept happening. We're very close to being out the woods but if we keep playing like this and one of the bottom 3 go back on a run, we're in the **** again.
Dawson said earlier that last season Rooney had to grind out results to keep them up. This season he has told the players the way he wants them to play and told them if they lose playing his way he will take full responsibility. Seems to be working. A lot of people sneer about him and are condescending but irrespective of anybody's views of him as a person he is showing signs of potentially being a good manager.
Yes, my Mrs and lad bumped into him when he was moving to Derby. Chatted to him and said he was lovely.
I think shota needs to sit down and work out a few things. Stop us conceding Sunday league goals Come up with a formation that helps us compete in midfield and get forward to give the forwards a chance. Realise klp isn’t a wing back so play him uptop with a n other. Hard to do when most of the squad isn’t upto the standard required. Also we’ve debated and I’ve fought thudds corner but for those that don’t think he’s mobile enough. Would you rather have a mobile doc or Walsh who can get about but give the ball away or a not so mobile Thudd who doesn’t give it away and can pass a ball?
An unfit, not up to this level RB is never a better option than someone who is playing well at RWB for us.
That Lawrence goal was a shocker to concede. Surrounded by 4 defenders and he somehow still manages to scuff a shot in.
