Thought to go there and out play and close them down like we did was excellent in that first half, the difference was giving a penalty away changing the game and not taking our chances when we were on top. But like we all know we got nothing out of it again which is what counts
Did you really post that and then, later in the day, start the MOTM thread and are unable to post one? Comedy gold .
For 60 minutes we looked like we could get something out of this game against a lacklustre Saints team who had lost their scoring touch in recent games, but the penalty was a game changer and apart from Chesters header cleared off the line we never looked dangerous after that. Bruce's awful substitutions of Sagbo, Hernandez, and a still unfit Diame basically conceded the game and the final score could have been worse. We need to radically rethink our CMF if we are going to stay up. Huddlestone although technically good is far too slow and seldom makes runs forward. I'd like to see players who can make penetrating runs at pace and open things up for N"Doye who was much more active today, such as Brady, with Robertson back in on the LW to balance Elmo on the RW. Arsenal showed against Burnley how quick passing movements and pace can open things up. Why not try Robertson - Brady - Livermore - Elmo, backed by Macca - Bruce - Dawson - Rosenior in a 4-4-2. Harper was an improvement on McGregor and should keep his place against Liverpool. Up front I'd stick with N'Doye and Aluko who had a good first half. Liverpool and Spurs look beatable along with Burnley. Arsenal, Man U, and CP are probable defeats. We can still stay up but Bruce really needs to rethink his line up and strategy over the next six games.
What's the betting though that if we go down he will suddenly be our best player again! Although I will say I wouldn't be opposed to seeing him start on the wing, likes to attack the full back and get a cross in which is something we lack at times. Just my opinion
It's certainly an opinion, but based on him playing in a league lower - we need a player who can perform at the level we are currently playing at.
Couldn't agree more! Just so frustrating because there is no doubt he's talented but sometimes feel that Either he doesn't show it or Bruce doesn't utilise him correctly. A big shame
Anyway, we've got two weeks to make sure we have most of our players fit and raring to go. Thankfully Burnley lost and hopefully Chelsea will keep QPR down the bottom three tomorrow. The target should be two wins and a draw and despite the gloom pervading on this thread, It is still in our hands to get that.
Quinn needs to play in midfield. He rarely gives the ball away, I'm sure he could play the Huddlestone role and offer more energy.
all season I have been crying out for Robbo/ Brady on the left and Rosie/ Elmo on the right, it brings balance and a threat, I know this has been hampered with injuries during the course of it but to my mind they haven`t been given a go when fit (although I`ll stand corrected if wrong).. Harper showed yesterday he actually saves shots so for me he would get the nod, Dawson and Chester in the middle of the back four. with Diame working his way back to fitness I`d have him in their probably with Quinn who has the energy. Up front with what is available N`Doye running the middle with Hernandez alongside feeding off him (Aluko promises much but delivers nothing, and while Hernandez is hit and miss, at least he showed against Chelsea he makes a goodish partnership with N`Doye, and has found the net).
I like a front two, but only if you have two decent strikers. Since we don't, we should be playing N'doye on his own and getting as many bodies from midfield up to support him as possible. Aluko does have a performance in him, but it's doing him no good sticking him up front. Get him in the right wing and give him a chance to run at people. Let Ramirez play in the hole next game and have Brady on the left. Elmo and Robertson can overlap from full back and suddenly we might have a few men actually getting forward. It's ridiculous playing with just one or two players who join attacks. We played the kind of system I've just suggested against Tottenham at home and we were brilliant, until Ramirez got sent off that is.
I couldn't think of a worse player to bring back in right now than Davies. Bruce needs to be playing a 4-4-2 and forget the three at the back system, it's not working. Put Chezzie and Dawson in at CH in a four, both players prefer to play in a back four, after that it's not rocket science, fill in the missing pieces as a 4-4-2, round pegs in round holes and all that, you never know we might actually start to win som games. I rate both Macca and Bruce as solid defenders but they're not the best we have at the club, and that's what's needed now, we need to be playing our best players in the formation that suits them. Bruce's tunnel vision of laying 3-5-2 will see us relegated for sure, it's so easy for other teams to stop us playing.
Aluko was our main threat yesterday, albeit he can frustrate at times. I'd give him the remaining games up front, in behind N'Doye.
I know the match is over and it's the day after but only just seen it back on tv. WTF was Alex Bruce doing!!!!!!! Long made his typical run with his typical kick the ball too far in front for him to catch it and then Bruce decides to challenge. Could have easily laid off as the ball was obviously going in to Harpers hands. Another individual error costs us a point and that is the story of the season.
