If Johnson wins this game and goes on a good run I’ll be over the moon. Something tells me though the players aren’t happy with him, and I’m also not convinced he is picking a system with what he has sturdy enough for us to win this league and our vulnerability is knocking out confidence. Of course he could have sussed this, we could go out with a better formation and win and get back on track. I’d prefer that of course, none of this ‘hope we lose’ bollocks. But I’ve heard things from a former club (which could feasibly be bollocks) in the last fortnight that indicates he isn’t as well liked and positive with players as he pretends he is. If they don’t like playing for him and his system makes us vulnerable he has to go. Massive game tomorrow.
But, if this us right, do we get the players a manager they will like, or tell them to get on with the job they are paid to do?
Sky sports EFL journo on the Roker Report podcast. A bit of an outsider's view on things. Worth a listen..... https://aca.st/ae5c55
Great point Think that really sums up how we play. We are great going forward (all be it could do with creating a bit more) but when we lose the ball we are a shambles. Playing very open is fine if you but when we lose the ball players either need to drop into a shape or all press the ball. We do neither and leave a huge hole in the middle of the park. Players defense especially are left exposed and it must be knocking their confidence.
It’s easy to say that but a manager has to have the players onside. They have to have authority and credibility
I've posted before, we need a hard man up front, in the middle of midfield and in the center defence (three).
I think a lot of the impatience with LJ is down to how long we’ve been down here and he’s probably not getting a fair chance from a few supporters. I’m usually head in sand biased as **** and red white tinted glasses but even I’m sick as a chip now and my patience is wearing thin. No idea if I’ll bother again if we don’t go up and I’ve been going since 74/75.
Agree with your first part and feeling a bit numb at the moment but I'll be there until my dying breath. Hhhhaaawwwwwaaaaaayyyyyyyy the lads
I probably will mate, I’ve been stood in ****ty weather at Roker Park with **** crowds but it’s hard to stomach at the minute.
After every defeat this season, I've said, that's it, I'm not renewing next year I will watch Jarra instead Knowing fine ****ing well that wont be the case
Agree we need more physicality certainly in midfield (although I think Stewart and Broadhead could do well together up front) But we also tactically need to be a hell of a lot smarter. We are chasing shadows when we lose the ball. I would bring in Steve Bould as a defensive coach
I hope KLD understands the impatience part. Fan's will give him time, but he might not realize exactly how run down we all are and how furious/sad/embarrassed we all are. Especially when we sometimes put out a side that can't or doesn't compete.
I agree with a lot of that, Rowley. There are a lot of valid points made in this thread, from contrasting viewpoints. Zidane talked about if the squad is strong enough for promotion. I'd argue that we are one of the most skillful sides in the league but short overall, due to a lack of steel (mental and physical). Prehab says that the fan's goodwill will be lost if we don't keep the momentum and go up. I agree there as well. The proof will be in the pudding, I reckon. Can LJ galvanise the players? Will we strengthen enough in January?
Agree with all of that. It keeps coming back to tomorrow being crucial. For me its figuring out the defence. And the main thing for me is the Flanagan conundrum. I was worried that LJ didn't know what he was doing last year when he picked him ahead of Sanderson. Then this year he put him on the 'Leadership team', which for me makes him harder to drop. But then he played great for half a dozen games and I'm starting to think that LJ was genius afterall. But now he's reverted to type, and I'm not sure who we've got fit that's better. He's looked better in a three in the past - maybe that's the way? I think our midfield and forward players a good enough, its just being solid at the back that we need.
if hes the right man for the job long term ive no idea, dont thonk we deserved to win the game, if we went behind when hoff made a great double save think we would have lost, other than that dont think we deserved to loose either. still not pressing as high as id like & winning the ball back further up the pitch, poor at times, few flashes of decent play, difficult if we are maybe short of confidence, dont know. All i know is it was a win with a touch of fortune, would we have lost it couple of weeks ago? dont know, lets just hope thats the win we needed & lets get the following 2 won & hopefully were back on track. 3 points off 2nd & if if win games in hand we could be top. All teams will have a blip....fingers crossed thats ours done, but maybe its proved at the right time so we have time & fully aware to plan that we need 2/3 additions in january. KTF
