OK, here we go after some deliberation. Weak game all round but some of the comments on here are way off the mark - in my humble opinion of course. The team setup was indeed a disaster. There was no way Goutas should have been included to create a 3CB format - what on earth was Riza playing at? It was a blessing when he was replaced at half time by Alves. We started the game a completely unbalanced side with only lone ranger Salech and an isolated Ashford out wide - there was no one anywhere near Ashford when he needed support and as a result made some bad decisions. As a result of the 3CB fiasco, Chambers and Mannswerk had to work their socks off in the middle of the park (and they did) whilst Colwill ambled around in front of them. He was a complete passenger in open play and couldn't even deliver dead ball opportunities with any threat - absolutely shocking performance. Somebody said a few games back on here that he should be pencilled in for all the remaining games - what a bloody joke! Rinomohta had a real go and when he went off it was obvious that Chambers didn't relish being told to play RB - he doesn't like that position and it showed. Not been the greatest fan of Robertson this season but he made a difference - Robinson on the other hand was inneffective. Horvath got lucky with a couple of shots hit directly at him. He'd have found more difficult to get out of the way than save them, otherwise he seems so slow to react - certainly for their first goal. Poor over all perfomance which started from the setup and team selection - and that's Riza's fault - the rest was a rescue operation.
I feel a number of players are struggling with Riza's formation changes. There are a few youngsters in there, trying to find their feet. There are also a few old heads, struggling to adjust. We've been saying for some time. Pick a formation, square pegs in square holes. Train in that set up, play in that set up. Oh, and leave Colwill out of the squad. His time may come, but it isn't in the next 5 games.
Colwill wont keep us up - Chambers and Mannsverk just might. Also, what has Turnbull got to do to get on the pitch let alone start? Riza's persistance with the "Colwill project" waiting for that moment of magic is flawed. Graft without the ball at your feet will keep us up, and Colwill doesn't know the meaning of the word. If not Robertson or Turnbull at No.10 who both get stuck in without the ball, Alves would seem to be a bit of a lightweight option, but at least he doesn't amble around waiting for the ball to come to him.
The way we win a couple games to stay up is playing at a high tempo for 90+ minutes. That doesn't happen with 11 players, but a broader squad. We've seen Ashford and Davies put in a shift, and Salech. 60-70 minutes in, Alves, Simic and others come on to keep the foot on the gas. Square pegs in square holes for 90+ minutes. 10 is the position that has seemed problematic. Robinson, Robertson or Turnbull would seem the best options. Two dogs in CM or a dog and a player. I can see arguments for both. Riza's changes off the bench have salvages a point or two. The question is, if he hadn't been tinkering, would the points have needed salvaging? Also, it seems his changes have cost us more points than they've gained. Last night was a classic example. Wrong line up to start. Got back into it with the first change. Then a nonsense change that cost us, then a last gasp recovery. A point gained or two points lost? I fear the worse.
Yeah Chambers was awful in midfield and then even worse at right back. If you keep chopping and changing the side it's bound to have an effect. It's simply abysmal management and he's simply completely out of depth. The players look totally lost. However unable to play simple 4 or 5 yard passes , not competing , easy option back passes isnt on him. The defending and inability to compete and pass the ball is on those players. Most are just not good enough for Championship football. We have a number of players who are simply not good enough and coupled with a useless management team we are going down. We can't even fight and win ugly as there are no hard physical players to do the ugly stuff. We are down.... and deserve to go down.
I've I dont think we are fit enough to play high tempo for 90m mins probably due to a poor preseason. However we should try. Salech obviously starts with Isaak Ashford Tanner Alves competing for the wide spots. Properly coached thats half decent. Then the problems start. Midfield and Defence you won't get anything other than a combination which looks like it will relegate us. We are so bad Ryan Wintle would like Pirlo compared to those last night.
Can’t remember how many times individually possession was just given away so unnecessarily. We keep a rare clean sheet at QPR yet he changes it in the very next game. It’s change for change sake when there’s no need. If we survive (big if) it’ll be despite of this joke of a manager & staff.
I think we are just screwed. We lack quality and there isn't much fight there either. No natural leaders. We are just desperately poor.
Ironically one of our most criticised players has earned us 3 points to keep us where we are. Meite, with the winner at Blackburn and last night's equaliser (although truth be told, anyone who got into that position would have scored). In fact if he had kept his late header under 8 feet he could have won us another 2 points at QPR and put us out of the relegation zone. I didn't imagine .myself making this post 4 weeks ago. Our own super sub?
I love the differences of opinion expressed on here and the way they can change virtually with each game. Opinions on individual players seem to alter almost weekly, but the one consistent gripe is the management of them. In Riza/Purse/Ramasut/ Shaw we have the perfect storm that's going to wash us down a division. It's far too late to change that this season and it's up to the square pegs sent out there on the pitch to stand up and be counted as a team rather than idividuals, otherwise we're as good as down. To that end and obviously with injuries allowing, I'd stick with the same 11 starters in the same setup for every game no matter who we're playing - just rotate the bench. That would sound like a dereliction of duty by Riza and Co. but this squad is over-managed to within an inch of it's life.
We said that 4 or 5 games ago. No reason to believe it's going to happen. More chance of Trump ditching tariffs.
No argument with any of that Sparks. The only consistent feature is the inconsistency in selection and tactics. Do we have any tactics? The really disappointing feature is that in the first half v the Wendies, we pressed well, passed relatively well, got players in forward, goal scoring positions and could and should have been 2 or even 3 up. Then half time unfortunately arrived. They made 3 subs, changed their tactics, we struggled second half and were lucky to take a point. If we needed a template for how to play it was that first half. But then we need a manager who can change our tactics to negate the opposition changes. Regrettably it appears Riza and his team don't have the tactical nous to do that. Instead we juggle the second half to hold on to what we have or get back what we have lost. Just not good enough.
