Rumours are that Laird, Willock and Johanssen have fallen out with Ainsworth. But we have had rumours that the players ousted Warburton...that they refused to put an effort in for Critchley. I expect the rumours are rubbish, but if true, we must have the most bolshy set of players ever
Under normal circumstances we'd probably be consoling ourselves with thoughts of Dykes' most accomplished performance of the season, a good all-round effort by Jimmy Dunne (who looked much more relaxed while he didn't have to worry what Mr Dickie was going to fall over next), and another very encouraging performance by Drewe. But alongside that we have to consider Chris Martin who yet again played most of the game without touching the ball, yet another injury to a journeyman player just back from the treatment table, the usual goal conceded from a simple ball in behind, and some of the most inept tactics and substitutions I have ever seen. (All mixed nicely by the usual scandalously poor standard of Championship refereeing of course.) I genuinely don't see how Les Ferdinand survives this, let alone Ainsworth. But then I suspect the entire future of our club is on the line now.
Was out tonight and recorded the game on the red button. Observations: We showed a lot of fight and pressed really well. We really unsettled them. Dykes played well and actually managed to score. Stroud is a ****! Terrible challenge on Drew, which was a red and the twat didn't even give a foul. Clear penalty on Lowe that every other ****ing ref would have given, but not this ****. We probably deserved to win, but Dieng now just can't help himself, pushing shots out for simple tap ins. Clarke-Salter is made of ****ing glass and Amos managed to nearly clear the stand from a really good chance. He's ****. Adomah is worse than ****. Ainsworth is a terrible coach. Yes, he got us scrapping, but **** me, I'm not sure I've ever seen us play such terrible kick and hope football. Why pick Martin? He did nothing. A pissed off, completely out of form Willock would have given us more and he didn't even bring him on! We're almost certainly doomed. Oh, did I mention that Stroud is a ****?
Trouble is , in our current circumstances we needed 3 points ! I honestly believe after tonight's results we need a minimum of 4 points from our last 3 games. Might still not be enough but we somehow have to win at least 1 game. Burnley away looks nigh on impossible even if they have drawn their last 3l2 games. That leaves Stoke away and Bristol at home, and this team has forgotten how to win and has its confidence shot to bits !
Besides the football which rangercol succinctly describes above, I met with Stroller and SB_73 before the game and had a lovely chat and a few beers in the famous Churchill Arms. It might of been the perfect evening if we didn't concede so early in the second half. Good first half, second half was ****! No ambition whatsoever. Ainsworth is out of his depth. No tactics and no game plan. It's prehistoric football Not many fans are going to turn up and watch that next season, whatever league we're in. Nice to catch up with Beth and a few ex posters at the back of the Uper Loft despite the wintery conditions.
Yes,1953 was a great year for babies!!!!! Obviously not going to get anything out of Burnley, but a faint hope against Stoke and Bristol City! Now in 1967 when we were already crowned Third Division Champions, in the final game of the season at Oxford United that Dad brought me to, to what should have been our Coronation, I seem to remember that we somehow managed to lose 3-0 to them, so no Rodney Marsh wonderboy display!
A word for the much-maligned Lyndon Dykes, who took his goal beautifully last night and gave an excellent all-round performance. He's become a very decent CF at this level, in stark contrast to the useless lump he was lumbered with alongside him.
The first half was full of energy, lacking in quality but the press was coordinated. Unfortunately, it's like having 10 men when Martin is involved. He offers absolutely nothing apart from being able to push a player and win the odd header. The ironic thing about his selection and set up was the changes Ainsworth made to try grab a winner. Moving Lowe from the wing to run up top off dykes, obviously looking for more movement in that final third. Why not start that way, especially if you feel it's the way you may snatch a goal or a chance. Now Lowe hasn't exactly impressed but he ran more in 5 minutes then Martin did in the 80 minutes he was on. Leaving Willock on the bench was absolutely bizarre and is evident that he doesn't fit in to the hit and hope style of football that Ainsworth works on. Granted, Willock hasn't been on form but he can turn a game on its head in an instant, whereas Martin can head but turns like a bus! Desperate for a goal, you have options of OAP Adomah, yet to actually do anything in a QPR shirt or Willock who has single handedly won games this season. My honest opinion, Ainsworth put Albert on because he's a QPR fan and believes Uncle will give more effort for the cause. Forget ability, creativity, goal scoring record etc. Leaving Willock on the bench was absolutely criminal. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the players were falling out with Ainsworth. He's neanderthal in his approach and tactics, totally out of touch with the modern game.
You know something strolls, Dykes has been impressive considering our form. The one player we might get over a million for when we have to sell everyone
Wouldn't surprise me if these rumours are true. I can't think of any other reason to not play Willock or bring him on. Well, apart from Ainsworth being inept obviously. As Bob said, we should have started with Lowe off Dykes and Willock on the right, although I obviously wouldn't have played 4-4-2. Laird and Johansen probably can't quite believe the coaching they're getting and Willock probably talks to his brother at Toon and hears about Eddie Howe's coaching.
Ainsworths post match interview, apart from the usual ****, talks about how they are coaching to get in behind defences as it's something we have struggled to do this season. I could reluctantly accept this approach if it was actually working. For starters, your full backs have to be extremely good passers of a direct ball, maybe even one of your centre backs too. Secondly, your midfielders have to be workhorses and not really think about creativity, win the ball back, knock it sideways or backwards and let them drill it up field. Thirdly and just as important as the first, you have to have speed and movement up front. Playing to a stationary player is the easiest thing to defend, even affording to give a yard or two. We have 2 players in the squad capable of doing that. Armstrong and Lowe. One doesn't play and the other is played out of position. It's not even back to the old days of Quinn and Phillips up front for Sunderland, this is even further back than those days. Ainsworth has obviously sacrificed the passing ability of Johanson or Willock as he fully expects the ball to bypass them back to front. We don't have the direct ball ability from the back, nor do we have the pace or movement up top so this is never, ever going to work. It's hard on the eye and frustrating on the brain. It's something I stay well away from on the coaching pitch, infact it's the exact opposite of what I try to encourage in youngsters.
The ‘WE DIDN’T LOSE!!!’ yell when returning home at about midnight last night was far less satisfying than the one after the game at the Hawthorns. Made the dog jump though, and the evening as a whole was good fun with good company.
I remarked, that with one exception, Chairs corners were high and lofted to the far post...always lofted. He is obviously worried about his inability to clear the first man. Also by the time it gets to Dykes at far post their is no energy in the cross. Dykes has to put all the energy into the **** with his head I asked repeatedly if we had a clever set piece corner to use...like every other ***** team e.g short cross to an on running midfielder., or tank of players on the penalty spot. I have come to the conclusion we do not. It was interesting to see Paal take a few from the left, his were better than Chairs, a little more speed, a little more troublesome
