We may as well just throw our throw ins straight to the opposition to save time. You really couldn't make it up.
I mentioned during the Norwich game that, although Hodge looks like a very decent player, we weren't getting him in the game enough. He was totally anonymous again last night and I really can't work out what role he's being asked to fill. Can anyone enlighten me?
When we signed him I was under the impression he was a sort of Harry Winks type, sitting reasonably deep and dictating play but the kids would probably say he’s a “pressing ten” or something. He can’t be a mug if he was at City and rated by Wolves enough to get some games there but he wouldn’t be the first good player to struggle at first in this turgid league. Lack of other options means we should probably keep him in and hope. Bristol City’s style of play is probably better for him.
Something that bugs me is players who not that good but are liked by fans (Armstrong) where’s others that are ok are not slagged off. The latest is Anderson, one poor cross that should have been dealt with by the Norwich defence, having a QPR moment, gets adored saying at last we “ have someone who can cross a ball”.
In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. Let us enjoy our crumbs when we get a break from starving.
He started well yesterday and broke beyond the forward(s) on occasion but seemed to sink back with the rest of the team once the malaise crept in. Still think he offers more than Dozzell did.
Can’t get over that result & performance last night against a average to poor Stoke side, looking at the table it could’ve looked so much better, instead we are on the back foot again & bloody annoying
Same. Went into last night with a lot of optimism and confidence. All of that has evaporated now. Can't see much of a way out now except Anderson and a match fit Frey suddenly starting to win us games. I noticed that Anderson wasn't taking corners once he came on, which I was surprised by - thought he might be part of the answer to fixing how crap we are at them. I still like the manager a lot - but not quite sure why we started with Armstrong upfront last night. He just isn't capable of leading the line on his own yet.
Agree, Armstrong needs someone up with him else we're relying on him running in on goal on his own - and we all know how that usually works out. Amazed that Marti just replaced him with Frey and he was the one then isolated. If we're not going to start with two upfront - we surely have to have people like Hodge, Chair and Smyth in support. Also disappointed in Marti's comments that the second half was better and we created chances. He must have been watching a different game as we created nowt and never looked like scoring
I think (in fairness to Armstrong) nobody can lead the line up front on their own. They would have to be a back to goal striker and good enough to hold it up for an eternity before any support arrives. Even the majority of forward passes were played behind the recipient last night. When 1-0 down, I didn't see the need for both Hayden and Colback. One should have made way for Dykes or Frey a bit earlier giving that much needed support to Armstrong.
What surprised me was that according to the Stoke commentators, Dykes when he came on was playing centre half alongside Cook.... shirley some mistake..... Also Field was apparently on the pitch, but don't recall him touching the ball.... Oh and they said we only had 300 supporters at the game..... They weren’t great on facts....
On a more general note, could this set of midweek results turned out any worse for us? We lose to relegation rivals Stoke. Our other rivals Huddersfield get a victory in the one game we wanted snake Beale to win. Our next opponents, Bristol City, get a massive confidence boost in ending high-flying Southampton's run. And bloody Dozzell scores the winner for Birmingham. Lob in Chelsea scoring two injury time winners and the fact I burnt my pancakes and I'm just about done this week.
We'll beat Bristol City this weekend now just to prolong our torment before we inevitably lose to Rotherham.
Highlights from last night’s match https://x.com/dirtyfootbaiier/status/1757794326174994730?s=46&t=IY6M0zI1h1T3HNaXabWIhQ
The answer lies in the team I selected days before the game ! Chair needs to play as a 10 close up to the striker. Smyth or Willock on 1 wing and Andersen on the other. Hodge needs to be deployed as an 8 with only 1 holding midfielder. If we get torn to shreds so be it, but this team doesn't have enough goals in it, and our striker is constantly isolated. We never have enough bodies in the box, until the last 10 mins when we're desperately trying to salvage a result. Marti is too conservative in my view, and our back line is atrocious at passing forward. A more attacking style is the only hope we have of getting out the mire. I don't expect a change of system, and I don't expect us to survive. Fortune favours the brave !
