It's true we are short of depths, at least now with Ajayi, Famewo, Hughes, Coyle, Crooks out. Our **** luck continues unabaited. And Belloumi, Millar and Matazo still out (yes, I know re Belloumi!!). Have even half of those back available and it looks a lot different.
But there were still options.
I wouldn't have started with McCarthy at CB. Too much too soon. Then, it was crystal clear it wasn't working yet he didn't make needed changes at HT.
He has Williams sat on the bench. He could could have gone RB, with Drameh CB. Or to a back 3. McCarthy either off or to DCM where he looks a bit more comfortable and where we were getting bumfucked. Or put Williams in there. Akintola on earlier with Gelhardt central. Palmer to drop back deeper. There's all sorts of combination changes he could have made, important point ... when it was so obvious it wasn't working at CB, in midfield, in service to attack, bit instead he did nothing and bang, 3-0 down. Even then we huffed and puffed but didn't get a grip on the game, with eventual changes coming far too late.
I guess it's a learning process for him (and his assistants) too, but I was expecting better from him.
All that said, hopefully we get this DM in quick, and maybe 1 or 2 more if we can move Furlong and 1 or 2 other fringe players out on loan or whatever.