7 goals conceeded in 3 games = 107 in 46 Ok so it won't be that many but despite bolstering the defence with a LB, playing 2 defensive midfielders and narrowing the pitch we are still conceeding. SD signaled before the season started that he wasn't going to play pretty football this year so it is his tactics that have to be questioned by playing an unfit (by SD's own admission) Big Chris and trying to play mostly long and keeping their shape at the back. Well it's not working. The best method of defence is attack and last year we were a surprise package because of that and the pressure was off us all of the season. At present there is not enough creativity - despite chances being created - we need to try a different combination in midfield, maybe Walker. it's obvious also we need a striker but that will come but the midfield tactics and defensive tactics particularly concerning the full backs need to change. 30% possession at home says it all. I believe we have a squad that can survive but the tactics have to change.
I agree Chris 13, and take Fiorentina's points on board. Three games in is of course far too early to be lambasting a manager and it's also premature to start planning for League One. But it's not too early to spot patterns emerging and general problems with our game. Neither is it ever too early to ask the odd question. Some things we can't address through no fault of our own: it'd be nice to have a 20 goal a season striker and a playmaker a la David Silva, but we just don't have the money. However, it is in our power to decide how to play. The pitch is in great shape (for now) and we have players who are capable of passing it around. Fair play, we're unlikely to beat West Ham in such a way but, as others have said, it's not the likes of them we need to be beating. It's not merely about entertainment for me. Yes, I prefer watching an enterprising passing game (although not that boring tap-tap around the back, simply for the sake of crowing about possession statistics after the game...) but I genuinely believe this team would be better served keeping it on the deck than lumping it forward.
I would also add that the direct ball is a dying tactic basically because most teams are able to deal with it these days. I too would put up with a bit of ugly if it meant results and survival but the key thing is it is pretty much the only reason you do put up with the ugly. It is certainly too early to draw conclusions and many teams have got off to far worse starts and then come good.
Lumping it forward only works if there's someone up front who can do something with it...at the moment, nobody has proved to be that person. Meanwhile, i agree..Walker should get a go. I don't understand why he played such a big part in the pre-season if we weren't going to use him once the season started!
I would put up with most things this season - I did not expect that with all those losses we would have an easy ride - however I would totally oppose a return to hoofball - I would rather be relegated and rebuild as a football team than return to the last year or two under Boothroyd. Please SD - it does not have to be pretty but it also does not have to be hoofball - the loyal fans will stay with you as you try to build a football team
H It wouldnt be a bad idea to give walker a go , at least have him on the bench!! Seems that JE and RJ dont gel well for whatever reason ! I think we should be looking at our alternatives!,defo dont want to back to hoofball , SD even with all his experience of the game is still a rookie manager! Give him time to find his feet! BR didnt start well either!
It gives me no pleasure in saying this but.................... A few weeks ago I suggested that WFC were likely to have a much harder season having lost Malky & Danny Graham. I accept it is early season and there are still 43 games remaining but 'from the outside looking in' it appears to be even worse a start than even I thought! While I have no particular liking for Watford, I do not dislike them either. So to that end I will WFC no ill but sorry guys, I think my prediction was incorrect, you might be fighting for your Championship lives this season. Please prove me wrong
i have to admit Thai, i've revised my original estimate of finishing 12th to finishing 18th...either way...i'll be happy ..and yes, we'll prove you wrong... Thanks for that , nice to have your encouragement on the boards
I thought different on the opening day when you took a 2-0 lead at Burnley, although a little shocked! Will be keeping a close eye on the Championship again this season because no matter how pleased I am we got promoted I sometimes wish we were still there where anything is possible in any game
anything is possible in the Prem too, but less likely ... Still, given the choice..for us i'd take Championship... (except for the parachute payments lol)
A lot of valid commkents on this thread and this post in particular. I would not say that Iwelumo is dictating our style of play as Burnley last year played some very good stuff with him in the side, but and here is the big but, he had players like Eagles who drifted around him in advanced positions. There is clearly a big gap between him and our midfield which is exposing his lack of movement and encouraging our players to launch it. With two essentially defensive central midfielders there is no support through middle of the pitch and no runners going to join the attack (a la Alan Nielsen). Unlike other sides with two defensive midfielders we cary little or no threat from overlapping full backs as out two are not that comfortable running with the ball. I imagine that SDs game plan is based around six solid defence minded players with the attacking threat coming from our wingers supplying quality balls from wide areas into Iwelumo who is very good (at his best) at getting on the end of crosses. For me this style of play is a bit too predictable these days, we need a less rigid formation to cause good teams problems. If RJ and CI were omitted in favour of two attacking and creative midfield players (Murray and Wichelow perhaps) in a 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 I believe we would cause more problems, get our goalscoring wingers further forward and start playing 'between the lines' Just an opinion, let's see what the weekend brings.
Hi TC long way to go yet , just not getting the rub of the green ,Last night well we played what still is a prem side !!! Ally that to a lot of ins and outs (prob more to come) will prob be end of October before we get a realistic view of whats going to happen!
I think the results so far don't tell the whole story by a long way. Our defence seems much more balanced; we absolutely dominated Derby and for large parts of the first half were the better side against W Ham. We need a goalscorer to work alongsside Marv; do that and we look good. If we fail to get a goalscorer in, I admit it will be a long season, but not suicidal yet!
Would like to Murray and whichelow more involved as well , we have the quality in the personnel we have ,just not using it yet!! Murray probably having a little break now as he hasnt really had a pre season because of the internationals he has been involved with! SD keeping him under wraps until the window closes perhaps
Obviously I can only comment from what little I read or see from such distant shores, where if you are not PL you are nothing harrowhorn - I cannot dispute what you say in terms of overall play but would comment as follows - Derby Co could do the same this season as they did last. Get off to a flyer then slump towards the end of the year. Perhaps you played them at the wrong time. NorwayHornet - I would perhaps disagree where West Ham are concerned. Yes they are one of the favorites to go back up but they came down for a reason, they were not good enough to stay in the PL and are currently without a decent striker but you conceded 4 goals? Last night's result, more than anything else (for me) highlights what I stated earlier. Had you lost 1-0 or 2-0 I would not be saying all this, but 4-0 at home? Never happened last season, even against the top 3. As I said previously it is early days, and we will start to have a better understanding of what is happening (or will we - this is the maddest league in the world after all)
i figured Murray was being rested since his international duty too..and Whichelow was ill near the end of pre-season, so perhaps he's not match fit anymore..?
TC reading reports from both sides , it seems 0-2 or 1-3 would have been fair , but as we know nothing fair in footy!!
Thai - you could well be right - the loss of our manager, backroom staff and two or three key players was always going to give us problems. However Dyche is a totally inexperienced manager and you have to give him time to get used to the role so he can learn to react positively. MM averaged a point a game when he has his first caretaker spell here and Rodgers did not impress too quickly. Give it to Christmas before you can really see what SD can do - so long as he stays with belief in himself I think he will come good
Fully accept what you are saying Leo and believe me, I do not want to write Watford off in anyway shape or form. I know SD is new to the role he has and with all the playing & backroom staff losses of course it's going to take time. Just an initial gut feeling without malice or prejudice
