Having just got back from the game (Yorkshire not London!) and online finally, difficult for me to disagree with the analysis and player ratings so far. I do disagree though with some of the more crtical comments about Clint Hill and Danny Gabbidon. I thought they both played as well as could be expected. However, what I would say is that though we were much more solid at the back, the absence of any creative players for reasons beyond our control cost us in this game. The one player I would single out for his stunning lack of contribution but who seems to have got off lightly in the debate so far imo is SWP. The guy has so little confidence at the moment that he fails time and again to try anything at all. He had a number of opportunites today when he was in a very good position, should have surged past players and shot. Instead he always chooses the safe(ish) pass sideways, back or very slightly forward. He does not then make himself available again by running into space. You can almost sense the sight of relief when he gets rid of the ball. I believe that the mark of our new manager is how quickly he grasps the nettle that SWP has to be dropped. Whether that is so that he can sort his head out or because he is being shipped out permanently I wouldn't care to say. The difference between him and say Jamie Mackie is that while he may have greater ball control and therefore more skill, Mackie's willingness not to be dispossessed and to get himself into a decent position where he can pose a threat, makes him twice the player at the moment. Can anyone suggest a decent sports psychologist? I fear that until that has been done, SWP will continue to fail and disappoint. I have to say also that the better defending apart, I could not really see any difference between that performance and those produced for Neil Warnock. I am not having a go. It is far too early to make any sort of judgment. Our luck has not changed yet. We may well go down in history at the end of the season as yet another side who played some good, pretty football but in the end flattered to deceive. However as an optimist at heart I prefer to think of it that we were short of our three most influential creative players. Roll on the next game.
Some good points, especially SWP. For me I don't think he is 100% committed to us and that for some reason he isn't making the most of his chance at QPR. Judging by his twitter he is still in love with man city.
My word, what another good post from rangercol. I must say Rob, he's also a wonderful human being and in my opinion is an exceptional poster, who always writes with a smile on his face. A good all-round assesment of team, tactics and overall endeavour. But... there's a lot of **** being posted by people with whom I thought would be better. A lot of regular posters on here are starting to get very negative and seem to have given up. ''We won't attract the right signings.'' .... ''We will do a Portsmouth..'' blah blah blah. I can't and will not abide by that. What's the point? 100% 0f people who worry will die! 100% of people who don't worry will die! Why worry? We were the better team today. We created more scoring oppotunities. They were scared and were rocking on the back foot. They got lucky with their goal. Great bit of skill by Best, but the ball to him was very fortunate as matey ( Guthrie? ) stumbled and the ball still arrived at Best's feet to score with their only shot on goal. We were on them, winning every second ball, had great shape. We always had the threat of scoring at anytime and limited them to one shot on target all game. We kept the Ashley Arena pretty quiet for most of the game. They got away with three points. They were ****. They were there for the taking. Have a look at their board, they know it. Today was all about a team performance, and it was just that. A good team performance. I think it's unfair that we pick out individuals. Because on the whole we played well. There was an error here or an error there, but generally we played with a degree of more consistency. We played with more urgency, and the 1980's kick-off was gone. It was also good to see us play the ball out from the back more, rather than Kenny hoofing it up to HH. If Newc are one of the better teams in the league, I don't see a lot to worry about. With the exception of ManU ManC & Spurs, everyone is beatable. It's just the pre-conceived mind-set that prevents or leaves you in awe of this. MH will eliminate that. As for new signings, they're exciting etc...but sometimes your fields of diamonds are already in place. But that will take up a whole another thread. All I will say is... watch todays game again without predjudice. Which team would you think was 7th, which team would you have thought was 18th? So why did we not win? Cutting edge! That's the answer, where that comes from.. i'm sure we can all guess. But circumstances dictate. I haven't really mentioned MH role in all of this. He can only work with what he has been left. He had us well organised and and playing with more urgency. MH was very unlucky to have not at least got a draw today. Two quick questions.... 1. Who was the worst player on the pitch today? Us or them? 2. If you could pick one of our players to play in every position today, who would it be? Loopy R -Spot on with your comments mate. Ranger 74, I couldn't agree more. As was Yorkshire hoopster. and... Cheers Mr Bump, a pretty fair assesment from the oppo.
But that is why I didn't understand the subs today. Derry should've come off around the 60 minute mark.
For me, as I mentioned in another post, I would've gone with 4 strikers by the 75 minute mark. Losing 1-0 or 2-0 wouldn't have mattered, a loss is a loss, but NOT to take a chance and go for it at the end with a Sub to spare is poor management, in my eyes. I would've kept HH, and Bothroyd, taken off Buz and Derry for Macheda and DJ. I know DJ's not 100%, at least he's still better than Derry seemed, especially after seeing Derry totally disappear after his yellow. As for the last sub, I would've also taken off Hill for Smith. Formation-wise, I would've told HH and DJ to stay up and just hassle the Newkie defenders and keep up the hassle, hold the line up front, with Bothroyd right behind them being provider, with SWP and Smith on either side roaming all over wherever they could find space to cross high balls. But instead of just lobbing hopeful crosses, they have to make sure the spilled ball in the middle is quickly pounced on by Bothroyd in the middle. We also have Mackie doing the same. We have to take a chance, and we have to use all the subs, especially if we need to get back in the game.
Steve McLaren tactics aka Middlesboro, it worked for him 3/4. I would of done that too. No difference losing 1-0 as to 2-0 on the counter. Might as well go for the point. The trouble was, there was no-one to put a ball in. I agree though.
Cant disagree with that...been an absolute legend so far, just hope he can carry it through to the end...
