It’s not hard to answer, a year ago we had terry running the show. We have injuries but the squad is better than last year. we have the same issues and play no better
Not all English managers have failed seeing that the majority of them in the PL and those at clubs who have a chance of winning silverware ie; top six in the Prem are all foriegn. Potter at Chelsea may prove to be the exception. Pity we didn't spot him when he was running the Hull University football team. There are plenty of English mangers who know the way around the Championship and it is that know how that we are lacking.
Now that the dust has settled, time for some considered reflection. Alas, we were still terrible. Too many similar larkers in midfield. Creaky defence. Goalkeeper suffering from rushes of blood to the nogging. We're easy to knock off the ball and frustrate. I hope City realise its a 12.30 kick off on satdee.
That defence just doesn't look good enough. I know that wasn't the biggest problem last season but - Figs and Jones have gone to **** - Greaves does some good things but is far from the rock we need. - Coyle and Elder are average at best in this division - they are adding next to no threat at set pieces - all 5 lack pace Seri has obviously been brought in to pick up the ball from the defence and be our 'quarterback'. That will only work if we have a strong, solid defence, particularly CBs, behind him. Otherwise we're left with needing to have a Slater or Jones or ano to add protection. Doing that then leads to imbalance. I was previously thinking Jones would be better as as DCM but a) he's off it at the moment and b) when I see the way our new midfielders could play (Seri, Tufan, Pelkas) and I see slick CM'ers from other teams, I realise that he isn't the answer there at all - and anyway, back to the point about Seri's role and the set up needed around him. I know McLoughlin had the occasional error in him, getting caught in possession trying to be too clever once or twice last season, but I'd bring him straight back in as I don't see him getting bullied, turned, slipping, getting mugged like Figs, Jones and Greaves have been. I'm thinking that when Christie is up to speed, he maybe comes in too, for Coyle or Elder. And we go to 4 at the back. Main point of the post is about the defence and Seri's role, but to add that hopefully Sinik comes in soon as we desperately need a wide outlet with either trickery or pace (ideally both). Or maybe Vale can bring that?
Was Jones injured late on last night? If not I don't really see the point of giving Christie just 5 minutes when we're 3-0 down.
Qatartiger Cambridgetiger said: ↑I don't understand why Coyle didn't make the runs he had in previous game I'm with QCT. Did you see Pelkas pointing to Coyle to show him where he should be overlapping. Think it happened at least 3 times in the time Pelkas was on! To be fair to Coyle, he has overlapped with effect in earlier games, but it just didn't happen last night. Shape & balance is all wrong though anyway.
I’m awaiting the post match post of our lovely Howden Tigress, her thoughts on the game are always well considered and a good read.
Which just about sums up a 'flawed' recruitment process in my opinion.Docherty isn't everyone's cup of tea but he rolled up his sleeves and played for the jersey,ran for the full 90 and generally got in the faces of the opposition.If it was the plan to dispense of his services then it highlights the problems we are currently facing...Namely we're lacking in guts,desire and players willing to put their body on the line for the Club. As for Shota Arveladze,his jacket hangs on a shaky peg due to his questionable tactics and substitutions,only he can fix that.. It's beyond our remit.
I've no idea what the best solutions are, but it's not hard to spot the problems: 1. We (according to Shota) can't play a back 4 beace that needs wingers and we don't have any fit ones. However we also don't have any fit wing backs so a back 3 isn't working properly either. 2. Figuereido is struggling, surely time for McLoughlin to get a chance. 3. Neither Figuereido nor Jones are good enough or confident enough to play out from the back, opponents know this and take advantage of it. 4. Seri and Tufan are our best chance of creating something offensively, but playing them both weakens us too much defensively. 5. Tyler Smith seems like a nice lad but he's a long way off good enough at this level. 6. Pelkas needs to start even if he only lasts 60 mins.
