Gobsmacked

I guess most on here saw the game either at the ground or on tv, and im sure either way it didnt make pretty viewing.

THE GAME

Well as soon as I heard the team I was furious. Park yet again playing LW against a 'weaker' PL side and SWP on the other wing. A recipe for disaster i thought and I let my feelings be known constantly to my family at the game with me. Unfortunatley my frustrations came true.

We began very slowly, a trait frequently happening at the moment. We got completely overrun in the first half and couldnt handle them. To concede an opening goal so early is criminal, and in those circumstances. The cross wasnt closed down, and where was Onuoha at rb? Cesar should have done better with it as well. The first half continued in this sloppy fashion with passes being misplaced and we generally had little threat to their goal. The second goal was even worse and tbh cesar again should have done better.

I think everyone in the ground expected us to make changes at half time, but no. We continued just where we left off and eventually Hughes did what he should have done at the start of the game - play attacking players like Taarabt. And lo and behold - instantly he scored. Game on. We made a much better effort of it in the second half but still lacked that killer ball - although taarabt was getting involved alot and had made a huge impact. Then diakite gets himself sent off barely 20mins after coming on and that all but sealed our fate.

THE RATINGS

CESAR - 6 - should have done better with both goals imo as both were from an acute angle. although did make a great save in the second half.

HILL - 5 - didnt cope well tbh. but more often than not was left on his own with two players so was not helped by his teammates at all.

NELSEN - 6 - poor by recent standards. no control of the defence and made a hash of several clearances.

MBIA - 6 - not overly convinced. he kept on chipping balls to swp who had no chance due to his lack of height. he kept on doing this throughout.

ONUOHA - 5 - went missing for both goals when it looked as though it should have been his man who scored. doesnt look comfortable at right back imo.

GRANERO - - poor by recent standards but was always there to receive the ball, just no one else made space when he was quickly closed down.

FAURLIN - 6 - same as granero really, both were pushed off the ball too easily.

PARK - 5 - cant believe he is still playing lw. he hinders us so badly it is glaringly obvious.

SWP - 5 - again works hard but no end product and did barely anything of any note.

CISSE - 6 - lots of running but little end product.

ZAMORA - 6 - worked hard with little support so didnt have much hope tbh.

SUBS:

TAARABT - 7 - MOM - says it all that he was on for half an hour but was mom. he completely changed the game for us and scored a stunning goal.

DIAKITE - 4 - another naive performance. he started brightly when he made a good run through midfield but quickly got booked and then sent off.

HOLIETT - N/A - cant judge really as he came on far too late.

FINAL WORD

I am thankful i am writing this now as my report would have been alot worse if I wrote it last night. I am still livid at our woeful performance so judgement a little clouded i guess. But we have made good progress in the league since swansea, but we looked back to that standard last night.

Hughes got it badly wrong again imo. He cannot continue to play Park and SWP against the so called weaker sides when we need to attack. Especially at home!!! Park is a good player, but he isnt offering much right now.

Whilst Hughes was at fault once more last night I dont want him sacked at all. That simply wont help matters. Another half a season written off is not the answer to our problems. Lets give him time, but looking at future games we could end up on 2 points after 9 games. Pressure is on no doubt.

Sorry for the quality of this write up but I am still fuming!!!

 

I'd agree with most of that apart fom the ratings for Onuoha and Diakite.
For Onuoha I wouldnt give him more than a 3, and one of the 3 is for getting his shirt on the right way round. Rarely have I seen such a bad display by a full back in the top flight.
For Diakite I'd actually give him a 6 or 7. The first yellow was not a booking, and he lost his head for the second, but when he came on he made a big difference to the dross we had served up before.

 

Thanks Judo! I'd have given lower rankings to Onouha, Park and Zamora, and like Sussex really liked Diakite's performance apart from him getting the 2nd Yellow. Really hope Hughes or someone can get him to shepherd players rather than taking them out, especially on yellow.

 

Trouble is we seem to have so many problems to sort out, its difficult to know where to start.
I think it has to be by appointing the right captain, followed by picking a team for each game on merit, having got the tactics right on a game by game basis.
But I'm not sure Hughes has it in him. I dont think sacking him is the answer though, not in the short term anyway.

 

Didn't think Diakite deserved the first booking or the second ... Greasy pitch
I am appalled by the comments on here

 

Lot of our players were slipping.can't we afford the right studs!

 

Ever considered that YOU may be wrong Dave?

 

Outrageous to score Clint Hill at the same level of Onouha. The latter was his usual paceless, guileless self whereas Clint worked his socks off as he always does. He can't be expected to single-handedly make up for the shortcomings of those around him and the lack of defensive midfield cover.

 

as I said in my rating for Hill he was left alone and didnt have much help. But how can we score a player higher for that reason alone? Thats like saying (for example) Park had a poor game but as he is out of position we will score him highly. Makes no sense.

However, i will agree that he was better than Onuoha who was like a sieve all evening. As I said, I was (and still am) fuming at the result which doesnt help clear judgement. Thats why i left it so long before posting the report.

 

I would give a bit more for Hill, who I felt was isolated by his team mates
Less for Onuoha, really went missing, and turned his back on one of the goals
More for M'bia...who had a solid game and more for Diakite (he as much as Taarbs was beginning to change the game)...I felt the first was not entirely warranting a yellow
I would give Hioillet some marking too...on for about 6-10 minutes and one really penetrating run that could have given us the equaliser

If only he had been on for longer

If only

Hey Sparky....please play Taarbs for 45 min vs WBA and Hoillet for the second 45min (still allows you to pack the midfield with defensive players)

 

Am I wrong Col?

Well it's 50/50 or on here 43/57*


* adjusted indexed linked

I thought at first look first card looked a poor decision however West Ham were putting it about and started a card avalanche so Ref made a rod for his own back .

I thought Diakite was outstanding and not keen on the comments about his recklessness .

 

Same here DT, especially as he really seems to be taking on board what our expert coaches are telling him! Outstanding, certainly didn't kill any chance of points we had..............

 

I like your thinking, Beth

 

Hang onto Hughes until after SAT 9 FEB!....................

 

I'm gonna go to that game, hoping for a welcome in those valleys, then doing the mumbles, win or loose