I fear that Hull’s Grosiki, Eaves and particularly Jared Bowen are poised to tear our ragged defence a new arsehole tomorrow night. Apart from their last game, they have just about the most potent and sought after strike force in the Championship. It’s very hard to see us keeping a clean sheet with our current personnel. Pearce is floundering like a hippopotamus stuck in mud, and Sarr is a liability. The full backs have been crap. I agree with @Sat In Greenwich that Lee Bowyer should abandon the 5 at the back formation as neither Solly/ Matthews or Purrington are adept wing backs. There are no easy answers v Hull...maybe Lyle Taylor can start the match, and talisman Jonny Williams will be on the bench ?
Totally agree about abandoning the back 5. At least have a go, which means matching up the numbers in midfield. Phillips Matthews, Lockyer Pearce, Purrington; Oshilaja, Gallagher, Morgan, Doughty Taylor, Bonne. Pratley looked too knackered for another game so soon.
Really don't know where we go at the moment. Virtually everything I have read suggests our midfield has been weakened to the point it invites opponents onto us, and we are missing so much quality there (Cullen, Williams), while the defence battles hard but makes horrible mistakes at times which get punished. I don't know if Taylor is ready to start FHB, and the last thing we need is for him to get injured again by demanding too much, but we badly need to give our opponents something to worry about.
Bowyer said about Cullen "You don't appreciate what he does until he's not there". I think he's wrong, a lot of fans do appreciate him, and what a loss he is. Until he's back any points we get are invaluable, even a draw. I suppose Ledley will make another appearance, but I'm not expecting too much, going by reports from those who saw him at Boro.
Sad to say it, but I think we're going to get slaughtered tomorrow evening. And I don't mean have a few sherbets too many It could get embarrassing. Worse than 0-4 might be on the cards. This lot caned us 6-0 just after Fraeye was tragically moved on.
The run we are in I am not confident with any game. Unfortunately we have been losing to teams around us, so where does that leave us now when playing teams challenging the top 6.
I expect a tight game. Even in our poor run no-one has hammered us, but because we're toothless up front any defensive slips mean we lose. 1-1 or 0-1.
I agree although we are losing games we've only lost by 2 goals twice. It's individual errors costing us and a lack of attacking threat
A managerial masterclass from LB is required tonight. No square pegs in round holes, like Solly and Purrington as wing-backs. We may lack quality but we do have the players to at least have a go, which we didn't do until late on Tuesday. I don't think Pratley can play 2 games a week, and Oshilaja looks solid enough to me. 3 at the back with Matthews and Doughty as w/b's might work, and it remains to be seen if Ledley can play a part.
Pathetic line up Sarr playing in a 5 at the back again. Amazed Pratley starts. Taylor being wrapped in cotton wool on the bench.
Bowyer says he's following the advice of the medical department on Taylor. I don't know what he's got against Oshilaja, it's asking too much of Pratley. And Purrington ain't a wing back. We'll be on the back foot
Sarr is a liability. Disappointed to see he is starting. 0-4 I'm afraid tonight. Hope I am wrong, but I think anything less than a severe drubbing will surprise me.
