Will Still OUT

It isn’t similar. Liverpool are 3rd in the Prem. They have beaten the likes of Arsenal, Newcastle, and current leaders Bournemouth (can’t believe I’ve written that). This is undoubtedly a blip for them, while for us, we haven’t got going all season, so a ‘blip’ for us would be suddenly winning a couple of games.

Not one quality performance from our lot, all season.

 

Yeah, I’m not convinced yet, but agree it’s far too early. If SR did a madness and replaced him with Röhl tomorrow, I wouldn’t lose any sleep (though I would think it a madness at this point).

 

Everyone said that he has to find a way to provide service to Archer (who is a very good finisher, the chance today came to him quickly and behind him) and personally that means control of central midfield and through passes. I don't think we got enough good possession in the right areas or enough men running from midfield into the box. playing WBs means that our play tends to come through wide areas which doesn't suit Archer at all.

 

It isn’t a blip though. They haven’t clicked at all this season - watch any of their games or ask any of their fans. The point is, he hasn’t found the right blend despite having a raft of 100m players to choose from. It’s just not that easy, and it takes time.

 

Just got back & yep, definitely regards your 2nd sentence. We lost something 2nd half & asked my son who watched on TV if Swans had done anything differently to stifle us - in his opinion, a resounding no. We just lost it. I fail to see anything from WS that says he’s a good manager at this level. He’s not a tactician & his subs don’t seem to offer much. Our squad is failing to deliver. Jeez another month gone without adding a win to the miserable 2 since April24.

 

Yep. This.

 

SR out.

 

I'm less fussed about who starts the match and who doesn't; my issue is more about how we're not utilising the squad as a whole. Still seems so afraid to make subs.

Go back to what Ipswich were doing two years ago. It felt like every game, regardless of the scoreline, they would make a triple change after an hour, or a double change after an hour and then another double change about 8 mins later. And it worked so, so often.

WTF is Azaz expected to do, coming on after 85 mins? Barely any time on the pitch, against an opposition who are now camped in deep and trying to waste whatever time they can.

 

But, again, they’ve just won the Prem title. And they are playing the best teams in the world. No shame in losing to Chelsea. We can’t even beat Swansea and Pompey at home. Can’t even score against them.

If Still had earned the right to have this bad run of form, then fine. But he hasn’t.

He was lucky to get this job, and he is underperforming drastically. He has no idea what his best eleven is. No idea at all.

 

You’re missing the point. All I’m saying is that it’s evidently not easy to integrate a load of new players, regardless of how good they are.

 

No doubt. But he’s been at the club six months now. Been in charge for 20 games, including pre-season.

Not one performance stands out.

 

Agree. With a decent, hungry striker we win that game today. I would almost venture to use the word ‘easily’ too. That said, a really frustrating afternoon.

 

The counter argument is that we should've played to the strengths of our only fit senior striker (Downs is not ready yet) and we would've won easily.
Archer will score goals at this level with the right service.

 

There is that yes and I don’t disagree. I just felt that the clear-cut chances we did have would (and should) have been put away and that we don’t have a striker that bullies defences and makes his presence really felt in the same way that someone like Che used to. I actually also think Archer would benefit greatly from having someone like that in the team.

 

Id certainly be having a conversation with Rohl right now ow to see where he stands.

And I wouldn’t sack Still today, but he must be under pressure coming up to the Nov internationals.