The performance today is the first of what I would call a clueless one. There didn't seem to be a game plan, it was hit and hope at best and there was no back up plan. The board have to start considering some serious questions now. Do we stick with and possibly go down or roll the dice to stay up? It's early enough to save the season bit should we?
This isn't very clear. Do we stick with what? Do you mean the manager? If so, yes of course we do. We obviously need strengthening in some areas, let's see what transpires in January. I see this guy as a winner, let's give him some time.
If its the first in your opinion, is it not a bit early to push the panic button? I have concerns, our recent points haul has not been good enough, performances have been generally ok, but does he tinker too much? Are we missing a bit of continuity? Probably but that's 5he tricky balance that needs to be found horses for courses or one way as best as possible? Bah!
I think we need some consistency now General - the midfield especially. Always considered to be our most positive area on the pitch and where we had the greatest strength is also the area that has seen most change. I'd like to see a settled midfield pack and see if by playing together regularly we get more fluency and accuracy. It's a difficult call but something needs to happen and needs to happen soon.
When anyone 'tinkers' and it comes off e.g. Grabban against Arsenal it is a masterstroke, when the plan falls flat you look stupid. We definitely stick with AN for at least this and next season barring total capitulation, look to strengthen in January and regain the earlier momentum. We are not far off being a premiership side and look better than Swansea who are above us.
Part of AN problem though is the consistency of those in that midfield. Tettey had been right on top of his game and a mainstay of selection with Howson in the midfield. So bringing him back seemed reasonable even though O'Neil had played well in his absense. And then the first goal happened! Fundimentally I agree we could improve if we were to be fairly consistent in selection to build understanding with maybe an interchange of the more luxury elements like Redmond/hoolihan. But then surely we can't pick the same team and tactics for the big boys or we really will get stuffed. I think we got caught a little betwixed and between on Saturday. Slightly defensive mind set following the previous run of tough games and then with Watford infront of us just weren't sure what to do and didn't do it very well. Bah!
AN has a lot of delicate decisions to balance. In the summer the cry from here was to get players in who would create competition for places and thus raise performance levels. With the exception of a CB, AN did just that. Our midfielders have plenty of experience and should be able to adjust to changes. I'm a huge fan of both Howson and Tettey, who have been virtual ever present players this season (Tettey when fit or not suspended), but do they need to know they are fighting for their places? O'Neil has come in and played well in Tettey's place, which requires specific skills. Howson is a good player who does a lot off the ball, but I can't help feeling that his consistency might be at the expence of raising his game to a higher level which could make all the difference. AN has made the hard choices with Martin and Ruddy, so should Howson step aside for a hungry player like Odjidja-Ofoe? Similarly, I'd be disappointed if Dorrans starts again after that performance when we have the quality of Mulumbu sitting on the bench. The same could be said of Mbokani. We need to know what these players can do, because more of the same isn't going to cut it.
Sadly we still lack a dominant centre half - half of the time Bassong looks as nervous as Hell and sadly he is the best we currently have. I can't criticise the manager for making the tough decisions about Martin and Ruddy. I don't see what Dorrans give the team other than the ability to make simple passes accurately.He seems unable to break forward or cover back and seems unwilling or unable to tackle. fair to say I am not a fan given that we have Mulumbu and O'Neil, both of whom seem to be performing pretty well in recent weeks, sat on the bench. I feel that without Martin, Ruddy and O'Neil we lack a bit of leadership and inspiration on the pitch. This was exacerbated by having a weak character who clearly does not give a toss like Grabham up front on Saturday.
I wasn't criticising AN "for making the tough decisions about Martin and Ruddy", NB - just the opposite. Players should be competing for their place and that was what was missing against Watford. Here's what AN had to say about it: "It's disappointing. We wanted to get something from the game, so I'll have to go and assess my starting line-up - did I pick the right team?," he suggested. "You could argue I didn't, because we didn't win the game, but I think the players have got to have a look at themselves in terms of their performance. We didn't have anywhere near enough pass marks in the group." On the selection of Declan Rudd ahead of John Ruddy in his starting eleven, he added: "I just felt that Declan was due an opportunity. Like anybody in the team, you're in the team on merit. If you play really well and you deserve to be in the team, then you will be. If not, then I need to make decisions. He made a few saves in the games, I think he did ok. Unfortunately for him, we didn't win the match."
For me Dorrans was a good loan last year as it boosted an already solid midfield. However I now see why he was getting so little game time at WBA. Every time I notice Dorrans is on the pitch it's because he has done something wrong. Doesn't provide a goal threat, doesn't cover the defence, doesn't move the ball quickly enough, doesn't provide a simple out let. I said at the start of the season I can;t see what Dorrans is bringing to the team and since then It feels as though he has gotten worse! Not the only player to have regressed some what but for me he has been one of the weakest links all season.
Don't forget he had our sole, solitary effort on target - albeit a fairly tame one straight at the keeper.
Also first time Ruddy was on the bench & Tettey was captain (I think), just coincidence !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
True, CC, but he could have brought Martin back in but didn't. This is a squad responsibility and one thing I admire about AN is that he doesn't play favourites. He wants to use the whole squad and that is as it should be.
..............think it might to be foul KIO. Not looking good at all at the moment, need to go back for the next 45 minutes of punishment.
