Lots of people digging out Dozzell and I don't particularly rate him, but Kakay, Dunne and Dykes are much, much, much worse.
Keep the faith, Marti is still learning about the players and it will take them time to adapt to a passing game from the hoof and hope game. I hope he is given some money to spend in January just to freshen things up a bit, who knows he may be able to use his contacts in Scandinavia to bring in one or two hidden gems.
Quality-wise they might be worse but with all 3 you at least get effort, whereas Dozzell has that languid 'not fussed' style that someone like Berbatov had only he hasn't the talent to be able to get away with it. I think Marti has tinkered too much but we have such limited options and with injuries I can't really blame him. This squad just isn't good enough, we have too many that are mentally fragile, who have no nous and ability to game manage, who make too many stupid mistakes and who are cowardly in possession. Other than that it's rosy
Dykes, really really worries me. He isn't that bad a player....but he is! He can hold up play...but has no poacher ability, no sense of where to be. ( actually nor has Armstrong, or Kelman)
Could be 5 off safety by tonight, no faith in this team whatsoever, at the very least there is a definite style/plan but that's it. Our performances against the teams around us has been the biggest disappointment
Dykes is pretty much our only option as a CF currently. He's a better player than some on here believe, but just isn't a natural finisher. We need a number 9 on loan from somewhere.
He was at his best when he had Charlie Austin alongside. He's frustrating because he does have it in his locker, some of his few goals have been great finishes. He should be our senior striker but constantly plays like he's still learning his trade.
I've been with family all day, and not really followed so just read through this thread. What annoys me most, as a fan but no expert of the game, commented that after watching the game on Saturday we need to get the ball forward quicker and give Dykes some support. From what I've just read, seems that Cifuentes either didn't notice Dykes alone up front is like giving a toddler a turkey on Christmas Day but no oven to cook it in, and sees no need to get the ball forward quicker and stop faffing around in midfield. Whereas I see Millwall used all five of their subs, we were losing for the whole of the second half, and never used Willock, Armstrong or Kelman. I just don't get it.
A very disappointing result which has distinctly soured the Christmas festive season. Perhaps it will be a reality check that despite our pretty passing game that we are in a genuine relegation battle, rather than a stroll up to mid-table with even outside push for the playoffs. Let’s hope that we take Lesson’s Learned and get our act together.
We have a striker who can’t strike. We have an ineffective midfield that can’t join up the game the manager wants to play from the back - hence all the passing around in front of our box, which slows down any movement we need to push forward and the opposition just get themselves back into formation ready for us. I thought Bonner showed he wanted to push the ball forward, Larkeche was keen to move forward. Field wasn’t effective. Dozell was a culprit. Going to be a tough last few games of the year unfortunately.
Larkeche probably the one positive today. We might even get the ball in the box occasionally if he played down the left with Paal and moved Chair into a ‘10’ role. Paal in midfield has looked ok in his cameos. Today he looked so far off the pace.
No matter. We’ll have a rough night on Friday, miss out the weekend and come up smiling on Tuesday. You should never mix your drinks.
What concerns me are the post match comments, if we needed to penetrate the space behind their back four why keep Dykes on and not use I agree, Post match Cif says we needed to play it behind their back four into space, but leaves no pace Dykes on while Armstrong is on the bench. He's taking a long time to learn the inadequacies of each of these players.
Totally this. Dykes is no good as a lone striker. He needs someone quick and strong to play ahead of him (Armstrong or Kelman?). He tries hard, but is totally ineffective in this team. Sacrifice a midfielder to allow two up front. 4-4-1-1 setup. I'm sure most would see Dozell top of the sacrifice list. I've also noticed that Field is less effective in his current position. He is far better when he is playing just in front of our centre backs. I'm not a fan of the play it around the back four, as they panic too easily and don't have great capabilities to handle a fast and high press from the opposition, although I prefer it to hoof ball. Would rather the wing backs drop to receive the ball forward from defence, as having Chair come deep to receive is also ineffective.
Managed to watch some of the 2nd half, until the signal went down.... not surprising when 290 miles east of Madeira..... and 100 miles west of Agadir..... Not sure how cannon missed that chance and it was a decent penalty shout at 1-0.... Other than that had a nice day, 19 degrees and hardly a cloud in the sky.... Friday could be carnage at Ipswich....
