Well were do I start on that absolute shower? Today we had a chance to make up some ground on the top 6 with so many of them having lost of the weekend but we well and truly bottled it. This wasn't an unlucky defeat but neither were Brentford anything special. We were simply so bad that they couldn't not win. This is a humiliating defeat and I feel sorry for anybody who paid £30+ to watch that embarrassment. Right from the start it was clear something was wrong. Brentford played high pressure and our players couldn't cope one bit. They dominated the game early on because we kept gifting them chances and that was very much what happened for their first goal. Somehow we scraped an equalizer against the run of the play when the ball fell very kindly for Redmond but that didn't wake up at all. In the end we gave away ANOTHER penalty and predictably lost the game. Grabban had a golden chance to smash and grab a point late on (but it's Grabban and he's a donkey) but other than that we didn't even create any chances. Honestly, I would say that was the worst performance of the season (yes, even worse than Wolves, Boro and Preston!). What on Earth was the manager thinking with the line-up today? Too many players out of position! Lafferty is a striker not a winger and Hooper playing as an attacking midfielder? So essentially we were playing 3 forwards, Redmond and then 2 rather uncreative midfielders. Shock horror, we created absolutely ****ing nothing! But the thing that stank most about the game for me was Whittaker? What on Earth is he doing in a midfield role? Yes it is unlucky that a combination of injury and the FA's utter ineptitude mean we have FOUR of our central mid fielders out (assuming that's why there was no O'Neil) but even so Whittaker should be nowhere near being picked there. I've always maintained he is a liability but just look at it logically; his weaknesses are his sloppy passing and lack of composure on the ball whilst he also has a tendency to get caught out of position, give away fouls and make defensive errors. In other worse he is completely unsuited to this role! So of course, he gets mugged off in midfield and Brentford can break and score. You don't need to be a UEFA qualified coach to realise today was never going to work! I fear with that result we can say goodbye to automatic promotion. You cannot lose to a team like Brentford at home if you are serious about going up.
Can't argue with any of that DM. I just hope we get some midfielders back fast. We're far from out of it, but that is a big chance thrown.
Other than me saying that was our worst performance of the season and that I think that rules out of automatic promotion, what exactly in that could be considered an overreaction? I think the part of us being **** is indisputable beyond even unreasonable doubt!
Ok...nothing is won or lost in January, your loss today doesn't define your season anymore than our loss at Brighton last Wednesday defines ours, still plenty of point for us both to play for, the season's far from over.
Grabban scored 22 goals for Bournemouth last season in the Championship. Now he can't buy a goal. We win away with 10 men at Bournemouth and then struggle to beat Cardiff who missed a penalty. This team seems disjointed and lacking the consistency which we expect. Clearly the defence is a shambles with Cuellar a liability and Turner has seemingly lost the plot. Whittaker is not reliable enough. If AN is going to make changes he needs to act quickly as we are not going to make the top 6 at any time with some of the existing players. Lafferty has scored one goal in, what, 20 starts? Something is wrong in the state of Carrow Road and the problems, what ever they are, are evident on the field. So many disappointing seasons recently that I am surprised that 26/27000 fans regularly turn up. Are we going to see the Board/Manager make significant changes before the transfer window closes?
Beaten by a team that wanted it more, and who were better on the day - awful result in the larger scheme of things, especially if Derby win on Tuesday.
Yes, it's absolutely insane! Regardless of injuries why would you play a player like Whittaker in a position that requires good distribution (even more so if you playing him alongside another uncreative player and 3 strikers/a greedy winger to feed), composure on the ball, the ability to read the game, not being easily beaten and discipline in positioning?
Anyone else notice the "binners" who have been hibernating since getting trounced by "Whotun's" Brighton have suddenly all come out of the woodwork because we lost to a top 6 side? You couldn't make it up!
To be honest, even after Brighton they were still out in force. As long as they are above us in the table they will be here.
How could you argue Brentford weren't 'anything special'? They were absolutely outstanding and well done to them (although we were definitely ****, I can't argue with that). Secondly, yes Whittaker is not a central midfielder, but who else would you play there? Neil had no other options. Those who cheered Whittaker's substitution should be ashamed of themselves.
Firstly, yes cheering the sub is absolutely ****ing pathetic. Of course they paid through their noses to watch one of the worst performances in a yellow shirt in recent memory but it is just one of my pet hates. But there were other options. Garrido, McGrandles, Hoolahan or even Elliott Bennett would have been better picks. Or if you are going to play Whittaker, don't play 3 strikers and a winger like Redmond. Drop one of the strikers and put on a CAM and that way we have someone to make chances. The team selection today was hopelessly unbalanced. That's why we couldn't play against Brentford and it made them look good.
