Whilst I'd be the last of us to bemoan the fans' right to react negatively to another defeat, it might be worth considering a fresh perspective coming into the final half of this damned season of ours. So with the advent of 'Arry's regime we went on a bit of a run and immediately bettered in 4 outings, Hughes miserable return of just 4 points from 13 games. Nice one: just what the doctor ordered. Then we go and **** it up by losing at Newcastle, ffs?! But are we sure that was such a bad thing? What did we expect, at least a point from every game from here to eternity? Truth is the only thing that was bad about losing up there by the odd goal was the fact we had nothing to offer by way of attack for much of the game. Pretty dire display in which the valiant efforts of our much maligned defenders personified the persistent rain storm going on throughout. That we weathered attack after attack from Toon's capable strike force, is testament to something coming good in an area of greatest concern. Thank God for small mercies eh? No, I'm not one of those who'd take the grains of a promising performance as compensation for a point or three lost, but if that defensive effort wasn't a sure sign of 'Green' shoots, I don't know what is. So why else do I suggest the defeat wasn't such a bad thing then? Well, first of all, it had to come sooner or later didn't it, and despite the conspicuous absence of cohesive forward action on our part, it wasn't exactly a morale destroying embarrassment was it? But for some of us, the inevitable defeat gave rise to the necessary catalyst that 'Arry wasted no time in exploiting. For anyone who missed it, I'll explain. First thing a new manager has to do is assess what they've got and set about making the best of it in the first instance; the 'soft entree' as it's known. This Arry did with those man management skills of his. Bigging individuals up in an attempt to boost self-belief and team morale. Note the initial talk about quality in the squad and either minor tweaks or even no planned activity in the January sales... Then the Bosingwa revelation occurs. Again, note the fact that he said comparatively little in the week that followed that first win. It all came gushing out following the Toon defeat - and with it, total overkill in condemning what in the first instance sounded like virtually everyone else in the squad. Didn't name names though did he? And this wouldn't have been to save accusations of slander either. For me this was all about a necessary management gear change, shifting down into a mode which puts 'Arry in full control over dressing room grumbles and the potential for the tail wagging the dog scenario via player power. Just what we need tbh. Puts paid to all the speculation and effect of the worrying disturbances behind the scenes which have been there unabated since the latter days of the Warnock era. What it's done is to create a blank canvass for 'Arry going forward. Now he can really do what he wants, without the need to placate owners or prima-donna playing staff with soft-touch diplomacy. For 'Arry it's a case of you're either with us or agin us - and whoever he manages to bring in in the new year, the chances of gelling-up early with a reinvigorated outlook towards an uncompromising campaign ahead, is that much more likely to succeed. Arise Sir 'Arold, way to go, good darts mate. And as for his dour message yesterday leaving us in no doubt of the steepness of the mountain to climb, words to the effect of 'if we're gonna make the 40 points needed, we need to average 1.5 points a game from now on'. Wow, have we really? Not too much different then to the 1.05 points per game that all teams had to achieve before the season started! As I said 'Arry, triumph out of adversity. Truly great darts. URRRsss!!
Pleased the way we are defending corners now. That was PATHETIC under Hughes and really pissing me off ! Happy Xmas Brix
Good effort Brix old son. I can see where you're coming from RE it being a kind of blank canvas for Harry. No doubt at this stage he's quarantined the slackers and hopefully frightened the waverers into action with the threat of replacements arriving in January. After the first 4 games under Redknapp we had 6 points. Effectively winning our two home games and losing the two away. Sooper pointed out that if we kept up that average we would finish bang smack on 40 points and safety. Well we've lost the next away game and a win against West Brom puts us back on track. Of course that means we must also win our next home game against Liverpool too. 6 points from the next two games? Its possible but unfortunately I can't see it. However, if we do somehow manage to beat the Baggies, you would think we'd go into the Liverpool game with a certain amount of confidence. Liverpool are a farce of a Club and there's no reason why we don't beat them. Tomorrow's game is the real toughie and as far as I'm concerned, is a season definer. If we don't win tomorrow I honestly think that there'll be no way back from there. Lets hope we can do it.
West brom ain't no mugs either so let's not count our chickens just yet, both games will be difficult indeed but our home form holds the key
I think we all know who he think are slacking (do all footballers with the initials JB cause trouble) but I wonder if the threat of being dropped totally is sufficent as it looks like Bosignwa is quite happy to sit on his arse at home and take the money. Maybe we can fine him two weeks wages every fortnight. Footballers should have the clause as everyone else in a job, if performance is not acceptable, you're fired!
Good post with some fair points made. At the risk of sounding treasonous, and although the manager has done well in his first few matches, we cannot afford for him to make any selection/tactical errors that were made against Newcastle. True, HR is still getting to know his squad, but the Granero substitution and the subsequent positioning of certain players after that substitution meant that the team were hamstrung going forward. Playing SWP in the middle, as we've seen under previous managers, simply does not work; ineffectual as he can be going forward when played out wide, he is even less effective in the middle of the park. Watching the game in 'the Gods' at Newcastle (and not doubt to those viewing elsewhere), it was clear that Adel had to be moved behind the striker to get us going in an attacking sense. The further introduction of Hoilett compounded this error, with a player who regularly played off the left for BBR now operating from the right, our normal right-winger in the middle with our most dangerous attacking threat isolated on the leftt. That HR recognised his error his clear from the switch made after the opposition goal, where he immediately moved Adel into the centre. Of course we were now seeking a goal rather than looking to contain the home side, but it is quite clear that the introduction of SWP had not regained control from a dominant Newcastle team. That said, I'm fully supportive of HR and believe we're quite fortunate to have a manager of recognised ability; though of course this doesn't mean we can't find perceived faults in his approach, tactics etc.
'Arry's reputed as being not into tactics. 'Course he's got to pick a side, sort an appropriate formation, 'ave a word from the touch line from time to time, 'ave a more detailed word at half time, call the subs and so on and all that seems a bit tactical to me... You're right, not great at that side of things is he? Doesn't matter though does it when the whole mind set's right. That's what his teams are known for, pleasing 'Arry. Get's 'em working for him, doesn't he? All that heavy 'overpaid bunch of ****s' stuff is one way to skin a doughnut. Vital part of good foundations imo.
