Thought that was just me, doesn't seem so bad during the game but by the time I get home I'm on the anadin and out of action the next day.
It's the next day for me. I think it's also because it's not directly central. Just off to the left so I must twist a bit.
Bored of Mowbray’s predictable subs already. It was clear as day who would be introduced yesterday, regardless of the game situation.
We need 6 points at least out of the next 4 games to go into the World Cup break with a comfortable points tally. We should be much stronger for December and I would expect us to hit the ground running against Millwall. 3 wins on the bounce and we would be right back in the thick of the play offs is what I keep telling myself but our form is just too unstable. Once the injured players return I expect our form to settle down. We have to start winning at home regularly if we are to have a good season.
Out last night, so I never bothered looking on here. Expected people to be put out, fair enough. I though we'd struggle to maintain our first half intensity, but was hoping we'd get 15 minutes in at 2-0, as you rarely lose from there. We are currently playing the best teams with a lot of sure starters injured. It's telling, and yesterday, I thought we had too many of a similar type on the pitch and the bench. Very poor first goal for them, that's the oldest one in the book. I think we need another physical presence in midfield, or the option of it. That bit of the pitch opened up like the red sea at times yesterday, and a defensive midfield sub would have helped. As for two strikers, it's just how it is. We have to get on with it, gamble taken and failed, that's all. Recruitment has been very good since the new lot took over but that's a clear mistake, as you very rarely see a team start a season with two and I'd be expecting that to be put right in January. It's not just about injuries either. Form, tactics and opponent make up all come into it. Still should be okay. I was hoping for middle eight somewhere.
Good on you Prehab, you are a good poster. We all want the same outcome for our team but it would be boring if we all shared the same opinions
Superb intelligent footballer and playing for who he did has obviously learned a lot and took it into management.
Oh yeah. I can get invested into a viewpoint and I know I am strong in my opinion. All comes from the passion for our club though.
Looking back I think Mowbray was out thought yesterday by Kompany tactics wise. Introducing that number 17 at the start of the second half and keeping both him and the other wide forward really out wide and having runners from midfield to support their front man did for us and I don't think Mowbray changed anything to combat it. I think that second half has been the only time we've been outplayed this season. If we can keep picking up points till the international break and get some injured players back - especially Stewart, we'll be ok for the season.
There’s a shock. Bloke just stands with his hands on his hips and head for most of the game, he’s probably still in shock that he was lucky enough to get the job.
glad to see everything is sorted now on here, i value all input whether i agree or not as it gives me an alternative view i would not otherwise see. we also have to remember that kompany has (near enough) a premier league team to manage, although as we found out, that is no guarantee. i think we should have kept at them and gone for a third in the first half, at first i thought it might be a shrewd move to back off and save energy but i now feel it came back to bite us in the @rse. i think most will question the manager, kompany managed to turn his team around and TM could not keep our momentum going, but i also think most realise that TM has had zero luck since he took over considering the injuries and is trying to work around a lack of not only strikers but height as well...some may well argue that a 'good manager' would find a way that works. unfortunately, a defeat is hard to take and the manner of the defeat to burnley was harder than usual to accept and that will always bring out a heated discussion...i think the very fact that you did not get the (quite regular) reply along the lines of 'give your head a shake' should tell you all you need to know but we really need to judge TM once we have a few back from injury and hopefully, january will see some new faces to address our problems.
We were as good first half as they were bad. We pressed, we forced errors and looked a threat. Two very well taken goals and the standing ovation they got walking off at HT was fully deserved. Kompany was wise though, pulled Barnes and changed the shape - what a difference it made for them. They started pressing us much in the same way we did them and became almost relentless pressure. I'd said to my Dad we need to get to an hour still at 2-0 as obviously they were going to come out all guns blazing, really frustrating to give them one back within 5 mins but no surprises it was Tella, who was the pick for them in what was otherwise a really poor first half. That goal rattled us and buoyed them, narurally us not having an out ball or a focal point to hold it and let us get up the pitch contributed to the pressure building as we just kept giving them it back. The equaliser was so fortunate, its a bloody cross thats missed everyone and just happened to go in. So much for getting to the hour still being 2 up eh? The third is a moment of absolute quality, albeit after a really fortunate ricochet to set them away after Trai Hume had tackled one of their players. The fourth is a silly error but lets be honest it felt like the game was gone even at that point. Burnley have real quality and that showed second half as well as a manager who had the nous to make positive changes to affect the game. I'd say thats the best spell I've seen from a team this season and I'd be amazed if they don't go up. For us? Well its always frustrating to lose 4-2 after being two goals up but lets not be too hard on them. We were much the better side first half and then they were able to bring on some quality and take the game away from us. Again, the lack of a striker made it hard especially second half. Our good start has faded a bit but having no striker its hardly a surprise. Stewart, Simms, Gooch, Roberts, Ballard and Alese all to come back into the side yet, we'll be just fine.
Agree about the tactics, though I couldn't see us keeping up that effort from the first half for the full 90. No one really does it now, almost as if its beyond the pale, but there is nowt wrong with a proper 4-5-1 when you need to keep it tight, though in fairness, you really need a centre forward for it.
Pleased to hear it. Onward and upward hopefully, second half yesterday was dreadful from the players and manager.
Yesterday we had 10 of 11 starters were in last season squad. Against a newly relegated premier league squad that was likely a big ask. Ballard cant get back soon enough for me - a proven championship player. We all know Stewart is more than good enough too. I like the look of Ba, Michut and Bennette but I do wonder how many games they can play this season. I think we may need a bit of shot in the arm in January with some more championship ready players. Yesterday I thought shone a light on what we dont have, for the first time more so than what we do have. One or two experienced heads in the second half of the season could prove vital. Not 30 plus journeymen. Solid championship players around 26 or 27. Might cost a bit, but also might make a real difference. Alan Browne at Preston and Lewis Baker at Stoke are examples of what I talking about. Lots of others.
Yeah I agree with you. The blend needs to be adjusted and that will help to calm the storm in second halfs like yday.
