You have also got to hope Bolton , Derby and Barnsley all tank as well because they are all looking good.
Hopefully! But at least we don’t have to win three more matches than their form. Matching their form would do. If Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday keep it up, we ain’t catching them unless we pretty much win every game.
Another lousy defensive performance in the first half and failing to convert a penalty, but just when it looks as though we will get battered up steps Broadhead to get us back in the match. The second half began with us in absolute control and it was no surprise when we equalised, but just when we were dominating the match and playing them off the park McK changes the team and we lose impetus with Sheff Wed having a good 10 minute spell near the end, although we needed 3 points yet again we had to settle for 1 point. Overall it was a great match to watch in front of a huge crowd and we proved we are a match for anyone in this division but we are not winning these matches, we missed a penalty, and 2 other sitters, and ive no idea why the defence wasnt in place for their first goal, i can only assume they were too busy arguing about the free kick as the reason some of them were facing the wrong way when it was quickly taken, and i dont think wholesale changes when we are controlling the game helps in any way. Lets field a settled side for Christs sake and make changes when we are almost home and dry instead of when we are chasing, McK must know his best side by now.
Only seen highlights and on a positive note if this was at the beginning of the season we'd be very optimistic about our chances coming away from an entertaining game against probably the strongest team in the division. To go 2-0 down against them and come back is no mean feat. A few points from the little I saw, from a Sheff Weds point they're 2 really well worked goals from our perspective we need to switch on more. But their 2 goals are goals we would never score, quick to get it forwards and get early crosses in. How we play sometimes for this division is ridiculous but we're always looking for a perfect piece of play or a pin point pass, we rarely put balls in areas in the off chance someone might get on the end of it, the type of balls which stretch a defence, get them out of position and pick up second balls. We'd have passed the ball about 10 times before we get the ball in the box meaning the opposition defence has has the chance to set. Another thing I notice is when we play long balls the striker 9 times out of 10 has to head the ball back towards their own goal rather than flicking the ball on because we've got no one going beyond the striker, again that gives the chance for the defence to sit and keep their shape. I think there's a glimmer of hope for the autos but we've got a mountain to climb and need to get out of bad habits quickly. I've not got too much concern about individuals in defence but I do think as many have said the team is unbalanced. Too many changes and I think since McKenna has been in its highlighted how good Donacien has been, to get forward and make a contribution and defend so well so consistently takes alot of doing. I think we need to go 4231, play 1 no.10 and have some width either side of the striker. We concede too many goals from crosses and I think due to the unbalanced down both sides there's often way too much space down either side.
Repeat, a settled defense, bonkers playing a new pairing against strongest team, stop the obligatory changes at 60 mins, and imo, give Donacien and Aluko a proper run. Every game in Feb & March is a must win, how often do we say that?! Ever hopeful gaffer.
2 best points ptc, their pace, direction & energy at getting the ball forwards and scoring from dangerous loose balls. We just dont do that. And as we all agree, too many changes. From one oldgaffer to a young brighter gaffer, you must know yr best team now!
Is it because we get the forward positions to press so much that they all need to be changed? Is the amount of possession our CBs have in a game weighing heavy on them, meaning they lapse or are mentally tired themselves? I don't get the subs thing, it was one of the things after Cook left that McKenna seemed to get right, subs which positively impact on a game. It's been a while since I've seen McKenna do that for us, infact most of the time his subs seem to disrupt the flow of the game in a negative sense.
As ptc says, the tactical subs havent worked well of late. Aluko comes on and has 8 mins ffs! I agree too that there is a mental fragility with some players. Down to any number of reasons like not picked or played regularly, jaded 2 games a week plus cup run, new pairing, stress of knowing they are not getting results expected etc. Hopefully we can put things right starting Tues evening.
