I don't get to many games but cycled to the game today full of hope. I Felt quite crushed when I heard Remy was out as I collected my ticket and pondered how bad the first half would be with Mackie on his own up front. To be fair to him he isn't good enough to fulfil that role. That is not his fault. He offers passion, desire and a massive heart but lacks the ability to hold it up and bring others into the game. Like I say not his fault he was played out of position. Also a central midfield pairing of Derry and Mbia doesn't offer enough support when you need to win games. In the first half they never once broke into the box with or without the ball so however good your delivery is into the box and it was at times we just don't have the bodies to convert. Norwich offered little but I thought Snodgrass looked a quality player and the young looking black guy in centre midfield played well. Simply we were set up wrong first half but what is the alternative if Zamora cannot play all game? When he came on he transformed the game. Won nearly every header held the ball up and brought others into the game. I thought we would nick it but sadly not to be. Player wise I'm not sure you could fault many. Actually I thought Mbia was poor by his standards. Samba looked rusty but immense and Hill was good but he should never I repeat ever try to cut inside a player it's just not his game. Fabio and traore were excellent both defensively and offensively. Derry did what Derry does. The perennial hate figure SWP wasn't too bad without end product. Adel was better first half when he realised he was the only goal threat we had but faded second half not great at set pieces throughout the game. I didn't see the penalty as couldn't watch. Townsend was superb. I thought he looked like he was puffing first half but he kept going. Decisive and incisive an excellent loan signing. All in all I feel a bit sad as we are not far way from being a very good team but I now believe we will lose much of our quality when we get relegated. I like you all will still support as its who we are. Lastly I forgot to mention Cesar probably because we are beginning to take his brilliance for granted. Another who will be missed next year. Someone please cheer me up.
Good post that mate. I would only add that if we played 3 behind the loan striker and got them to attack more, we wouldn't need Derry or Mbia to break forward...............like this: ---------------------Cesar------------------ Fabio-----------Samba----Hill---------Traore ----------------Derry-----Mbia---------------- SWP---------------Taarabt----------Townsend ------------------Mackie--------------------- Starting with 4-4-1-1 was a mistake imo.
I am not being smart but you are going to have to explain that one to me. Is that not the way we lined out today?
We lined up 4-4-1-1 today. Similar I know, but with 4-2-3-1 the 3 behind the striker can really attack, whilst the 2 holding midfielders sit and give protection. Taarabt was just behind Mackie and did cause problems first half, but, as was highlighted by Sky, we simply didn't get numbers forward into and around the box. The wide players, especially SWP were far too deep. TBH mate, I'm just bitterly disappointed and this result feels like one of the nails being hammered down on our coffin lid!
But the 3 behind wouldn't really attack as they'd also be concerned with covering the full backs when the opposition breaks. We just don't have the personnel/quality to be free flowing and attacking at the moment. Whenever we've played slightly attacking this season, we've lost. Then again we've lost alot when we don't. I don't know.
Pretty much spot on. I think our back four/five is sorted and has been for some time, with Derry screening them. It's just what is in front of them that's a concern. Adel and Townsend have to start, as does a 'striker'. Which leaves two spots. For me it is now imperative that we get another midfielder in the box so it has to be jenas or maybe Diakite when he comes back.
personally that penalty miss was the final nail in the coffin. if that had gone in it could have sparked a run like last season but we're now 6pts adrift. no-one is sure how long remy is out for but without him against Swansea next sat I fear another defeat is on the cards. on that cheery note I'm off to bed..
We have scored 3 goals in our last 8 PL games Remy could be out for 6 weeks Clean sheets are great but surely we need them at our end only.
Sorry mate we clearly can't agree on this one. One of the 2 holding midfielders has to help the attack and the other acts like an anchor man. Jenas/Granero/Diakite with a proper anchor man if we want to win some games
Evening Corker. On a lamppost outside Ellerslie entrance. Unfortunately on the way to the pub after the game I tried to nick my mates programme from his back pocket when cycling and we both crashed to the ground. Plenty of rangers fans in Boscombe rd came to our rescue. I have cuts and bruises while he has a suspected cracked rib. Nice way to round of the afternoon!
Must say, credit to you lad. I haven't seen many bikes parked outside Ellerslie!! Have come off the bike myself, so I do feel you pain.......but not after a frustrating result like today. Doubly painful. Chin up lad, and keep your hands on the handlebars and off yer mate's arse!
In a 4-4-2.....yes. I'd play Jenas alongside Derry in that formation. Derry is the only player we have who can play the holding role and you need at least one to do that in a 4-4-2. I disagree with you about the 2 holding players though. Watch teams who play 4-2-3-1. They have TWO holding players. When we won the Championship we had Derry and Faurlin doing it. Where you're right is that at least Faurlin can pass it, where as Mbia can't. We need wins now so we should be set up more attacking anyway imo. I'd play a decent passer like Jenas in there with Derry. Sorry, I just don't rate Granero for us this season.
I'm not usually one for formations Col, but I'm beginning to think we should do a Wigan and go 3-5-2. Onuoha, Samba and Hill at the back with a choice of pacy wing backs, bit more emphasis on attack maybe....at least in those alleged 'must win' games.....
Cromer's ok for cycling TC it's just that big hill coming out of town part the morrisons that's the killer Anyway today's papers advising Remy def out for 'weeks' - what a waste of time & money Should have taken Rhodes for the same money, scored another 2 yesterday and wouldn't be bloody crocked !
