Because we then might have left ourselves open for a third with the changed formation for much longer. I think the point is that it doesn't really add a stick, because it's just speculative - it's pretty meaningless whether or when he changed Murphy because that decision had no impact on the game. If anything, I just like seeing some of our youth players on the pitch. Their are very solid sticks, which can't be picked apart, that should be used. I've been leaning towards the "outers" for nearly two months now, but the thing that frustrates me is that so many of them just seize every opportunity to criticise even though often there is cause for complimenting Hughton, rather than just being content they are right because of the big reasons. I just don't see why it is so hard to say "Hughton got [x] right" even if you think the board should have fired him. I'm just trying to be objective about each decision or error in isolation, which I know is just a matter of opinion, but there are plenty of cut and dry problems that are best used. Otherwise, I believe we are on a similar page
3 points from bottom place is a real worry. We have got 2 home games to make it count, but I have some reservations, even about the Hull game.
I can only assume he tried 4-4-2 in a game we'd probably lose anyway, to see how it might work out against the teams around us. Otherwise, he's an idiot. Everton were a lesson in fluidity. I just hope Hughton watched and learnt.
We are within three points of all the five bottom teams beneath us.We are within three points of the five above us.It's really any three from eleven.
Yep, only two little things I disagree with here: - Snodders was very good against Man U, but I accept that is pointless because we lost that and he was rubbish today. His delivery is still the best in the team though, but we now lack any height so we aren't a threat! - I would say the principle priority is actually a £10m upgrade on Turner, a big, tall, CB who puts his body on the line and shuts down Barry or cuts out the ball before Baines gets a chance to be fouled, but is also capable of passing considerately rather than our default hospital pass, otherwise known as "go on then Fer, get yourself out of that one"
Yeah, I think he actually might have thought let's just hope this will surprise them, because surprising is our best hope of getting something. Unfortunately, they had far too much composure and confidence
It's completely true if CH had made the change with 15 mins left that they may have got a third. But it's equally possible that we could have got back into the game? Why bother to make the change with 3 mins left & 2-0 down? We need to sign David Blane & Dynamo if we are going to stay up.
I agree that it was very strange to play 4-4-2 at Everton, but with Howson and Tettey out there isn't much choice in mid-field. Personally, I didn't expect any points from this game as Everton are a team full of confidence and playing well. They're not in 4th place for nothing. Players like Tettey and Howson could have made a difference today, especially in terms of possession. It's essential that we bring in a goalscoring ACM during this window.
Yes, it's equally possible. But that's my point - it's not a stick because it's very difficult to know whether it was a good or a bad decision. In the end, it was a nothing decision. Whereas there are several key things, namely formation and instructions, which were undeniably mistakes. That's what I mean - the best example I can think of off the top of my head is that when a prosecutor is arguing, for example, that a defendant intentionally assaulted another man, he doesn't waste time arguing whether the victim had money in his wallet, which may well have been a motive, but equally might have made no difference, if there is some reasonably good CCTV footage. As with all metaphors, it's not perfect
What I cannot get my head around is a player in the premiership without the basic skill to make successful passes with ny sort of regularity. Just what does happen at Colney? Does any natural ability get trained out of the players?
Maybe it's the couple of beers I've had while listening to the match, but I'm getting a really strong gut feeling that he's going to get the chop ! Please don't let it be the beer !
There isn't much choice? Well, not if you buy into the crap that because Fox and Hoolahan aren't six foot four tall, they should take up tiddlywinks. I'm not putting either of these players forward as saviours, but the way people like you have been willing to dump creative players who helped us to a midtable position in our first premier season is frankly shameful. Especially since you accuse us Hughton-outers of disloyalty. I'm not even saying these players would have been the right options today. I am saying they are still at the club and I am sick of happy clappers dissing them just because they can't see any alternative to Hughton.
I wouldn't be surprised, to be honest. It must be trying the patience of the powers that be now. 3 points from 18 isn't really good enough considering we have come up against the likes of Fulham, Palace and Sunderland.
4-4-2 was so obviously the wrong choice for this game that it's managed to make me go from being completely anti sacking to very close to the fence. It seems to me that Hughton's dislike of Fox and Wes is causing a detriment to the team because he'd rather play a formation that takes away any control in the midfield instead of one of those 2 players in with Johnson and Fer. Having Garrido and Olsson on the left would have been fine but it boggles my mind as to why Garrido was the midfielder!? RvW and Hooper had a pretty hard job to do with no support from midfield because they couldn't get out of their half! Our defence seems to be getting more and more scared of actually tackling. We sit deeper and deeper as a game goes on even if there isn't pressure. It's like we tried to get a more attacking approach, failed, and then forgot how to defend aswell and no we just sort of go through a game hoping the opposition don't work together a goal scoring chance and hope if we hoof the ball forward or get it to the wings we'll manage to create something! AHHH!! I hate the whole mid season sacking and the pressure on them to perform at all times but the lack of any improvement is really starting to cause me concerns. I guess our injuries have taken their toll but Hughton hasn't even been utilising all our midfielders like Wes and Fox. I'm not saying they are the instant answer but give them a go, especially when you'd be far better served with 5 in midfield against an Everton team that apply lots of pressure in the final third.
I think Hughton should have been fired in early December, but let's think this one through. How many 6'4" players has Hughton signed? None. Turner's quite tall, but then that's expected. Players of "height" that we have brought in are really only Fer and Kamara. Fer brings much more than his height and is generally acknowledged as a good signing, whereas Kamara was released fairly rapidly. Which creative players has he dumped? Fox? Fox is more of a consistent passer than an out-and-out creative force, who admittedly has been sidelined, but equally we don't know the full story of his illness. Hoolahan has been marginalised, but equally has been used and often not performed. Surman, too, was injured and never found form. Yet, Hughton brought in Snodders (the second most creative player in the league behind Baines last season, though admittedly half the player this), we've got Fer who has shown he can be a spark. Both Whittaker and Olsson can create. I'm not saying his signings couldn't have been substantially better, more focused on passing and retaining possession than pace (though many fans were screaming for some pace last year and Redmond's pace helped us look competitive today, so you need both). I agree, they could. And you're spot on that Fox at least could have had more of a chance as he brings something different, and there are times this season when I've wondered why Hughton hasn't brought on Hoolahan much earlier or started him. All I'm saying is be reasonable - there's some decent CCTV footage so let's not argue about the money in the wallet!
Unfortunately, I think it will take a home defeat to Hull to finally get him sacked, and I think by then it will be too late. And he might have got rid of Hoolahan and Fox by then, too.
I thought this initially, but then actually felt that both Garrido and Olsson had their best games for a while. Not outstanding, but they dealt with Coleman/Mirallas better than I'd hoped, though didn't really offer much going forward. Olsson was one of the few defenders who looked decisive and threw himself around. Defensively our problem was we let them walk through the middle
The only good thing about that is we know it will mean we have replacements. Risky, of course, so we will have to hope the replacements are better versions with similar styles.
I'm sorry, but Snodgrass is not a creative player. He has many virtues but vision and creativity are not among them.
