The standard of play organised by our management team is not acceptable. There was not one iota of proof in that match that we were organised and trained enough to be a competitor in the championship. And I am not, usually a serious critic. Why was basically a novice player, Fisher, taking the corners and occasionally free kicks?
The disappointing thing is I actually felt the players looked demotivated rather than disorganised - like they’d been told to take it easy. It’s not as if it was a completely second string team so you could chalk it down to not playing together competitively. Yet we were lacking in dynamism throughout the match.
Yeah, too many player changes to play any consistent football. We sorely missed Sara, McLean and Núñez in midfield. Gibbs did ok but Forshaw contributed little. Sargent and Barnes looked sharp up front in the first half, but Barnes and Idah don't click in the same way. Idah was defeated by the bounce on the cross for his first miss but he should have done better with the second chance. Not at all sure what Fisher was intending when he passed the ball to Ward who then scored. He has a big future, but he also has a lot to learn. The game obviously meant a lot more to them than us and that showed as well. Long trip to Bristol for the replay in an extra game we could well do without.
For me, today was like being transported back to the Brian Hamilton days, only a little worse. Taking nothing away from the Gas, that was a shambolic performance today
If I was manager and I wasn't going to play my first choice midfield in a game that was coming up a month away. About 2 weeks beforehand I would make sure that those players were playing together in training specifically to build up their teamwork. The problem for me is that they didn't really look like they had met each other before in their life
No. They train every day with each other; they are all coached together; they practice the same routines together; they play practice five-a-sides with each other. There's really no excuse for playing as if you've just got together for a charity match.
That possibility didn't come up until after I set o up the poll. Won't happen next time as it will be extra time and/or penalties.
As soon as I brought it up I knew we would draw . Bit of a frustrating game but at least we are still in the hat
Again, no. In putting out that team, with that central midfield, Wagner attached too little importance to it. He justified his negative tactics against Southampton in terms of halting the growing tide of fan unrest. What was the sense, then, in not grasping the opportunity to put on a dominant, attacking display, at home, against League One opposition, and convincingly claim a deserved place in the next round?
The answer to your question, Robbie, is quite simple - because he hasn't got a bloody clue!! I get fed up with saying it but the bloke is technically and tactically inept and should never have been given the job in the first place.His apologists must be running out of excuses especially as he now has a full squad to chose from. Everybody rests players at times but usually has them on the bench just in case. The only excuse for him not doing that is if he was told from above not to get the likes of Sara Cup-tied. Things are going from bad to worse - how much longer before the Board face facts?
