It only became 10 men behind the ball because the midfield were rattled the minute they were pressed and lost the ball at near enough every opportunity. The game was made for Huddlestone last night. Kalman and I both said it, they completely bottled it last night and they're getting away with it because we played 4-3-3 and they "don't suit it". They need to grow the **** up and take charge of their own performance because I haven't seen a performance so spineless since we were last relegated. Edit - This isn't me saying I don't think we should revert back to 3-5-2 but we beat them last time playing 4-3-3 with Magennis and Wilks playing FFS.
Yep, and still do. So, you put 10 behind the ball (I'd play with 11 personally) and whether they are playing for the manager or not they still get results ... and even against top end teams. Right, got it. NT - oh to even have the option of playing Magennis!!
I wasn’t a fan of Grant as a manager. But I get the feeling this group of players liked and respected him a lot. Maybe some heads have dropped and morale has sunk a bit after what they considered a harsh and unfair sacking of their former gaffer. I don’t know, that’s all conjecture, but last night the players just looked a bit despondent in addition to playing ****e. We’ve seen them play bad before but I don’t think we’ve seen them look so miserable and unenthusiastic as last night. They still ran about a lot but they didn’t look like they were running with purpose, more like they wanted to look busy.
Maybe we were and they didn’t fancy the move. The protracted delays to the takeover didn’t help with the time that was left in the window. I’ll be totally honest and say I don’t actually think any of the signings we’ve made have actually improved us. It’s just more padding out of the squad. Longman I do like. But Forss hasn’t really done anything of note. Eaves is miles more effective in that role based on recent games. I’d be telling Eaves he’s our first choice between now and the end of the season, play someone alongside him in a 2, the ball is more likely to stay in the final third with Eaves on the pitch than with him sat on the bench. You can build an attack with the ball in the final third. You can’t build an attack when you’re hoofing aimless punts up the field to an isolated striker that hasn’t competed for anything (Forss) in the time I have seen him on the pitch.
It has been 10 men behind the ball from the Fulham game onwards I would say that is the way forward because we will add to our points tally.
Always wondered why he got all the stick he did when for the large part he was playing in the exact same system we played last night, chasing nothing long balls. People seriously not seeing the similarities of this performance and McCann's until we played Barnsley for the first time this season??? Baffling.
Regard to GM i wanted him out but it’s clear now he had a very good relationship with the players. Shota I had never heard of him we had no chance but Wilder would have been an excellent appointment. You don’t appoint a manager who has never managed in England to team who is in a relegation battle Madness.
Wilder would’ve been a great appointment but by the time the takeover happened, he was at Boro. I’m not calling for Shota’s head just yet, but the safest option to survive relegation this season for Acun would’ve been to appoint someone like Warnock if he was dead-set on giving McCann the boot.
That's the issue really. He would've steered us clear of relegation but he'd have wanted most of them still here beyond this season. Shota almost been brought in to be the bad guy suss out those who aren't up to this level which is a shame because they started to show glimpses towards the end of McCann's time. Those who became so dependable under McCann are now letting us down regularly. Honeyman has been awful since McCann left, Smallwood hit and miss. Both out of contract at the end of the season, think a few are playing like they already know they won't be here beyond this season.
If we end up getting thumped on Sat because the formation is wrong again then I have no sympathy for Shota & Acun has to get rid & bring Warnock in till the end of the season to ensure we stay up.
Honestly, I know hindsight is 20/20 but if the option in late January was between Shota, who has never managed in England before, and Warnock, I’d have preferred the latter any day of the week. That’s no disrespect to Shota. I don’t know him from Adam and I still think it’s too early to judge his coaching style but Warnock is famous for dragging clubs out of the smelly stuff and would’ve been the safest and more practical appointment. Warnock might not have played beautiful football, but I’d bet my house he’d have scraped enough points to ensure our safety by March or early April. When Acun took over, some got a bit ahead of themselves talking about top half finishes and even the play-offs. We’re in a relegation battle; have been all season. We needed a man like Warnock to keep us up this season and steady the ship. Only then could we even contemplate anything higher in the summer. I hope Shota’s appointment doesn’t bite us and Acun on the arse but I am concerned.
same here, going on Sat but not looking forward to it. Just hope I can keep calm & not get ejected from the ground!!!
