Is there a remedy for our woeful seco d half displays this season? What does FM have to do to get them to cut the mistakes out for the full 90? I think fitness does have a part to play. A number of players, Parker being one, in the 'engine room', and other were visibly tiring on 70 minutes. FM will have to be creative for the next few weeks I think with subs and using the squad.
Just don't think we're good enough defensively to defend a 1 goal lead. Not sure what to say. Having Riether running around in MF is not the answer.
Like many others have been saying we have needed a quility attacking full back. bit late now ,so its get what we have fitter.
Every FB we have at the club is a disaster defensively. Hodgson would be having fits. Rene should have fixed this not getting a CB in.
Amorebieta is not a FB either. His distribution is awful. Parker, as I've said many times this year cannot play 90 mins and it showed again. Spurs knew this. My worry is Magath was harbouring on the fact we need a settled team, surely he can't go with that team again but he could.
If Magath was so concerned about a settled team, it's curious that he made so many changes, particularly when Kvist had done well in Parker's place against Man United and Liverpool. Clearly, I've not been to a lot of games this season, but whenever I've seen Reither I've never had any concerns about his defensive abilities, I certainly wouldn't describe him as a disaster in that regard. Has something changed?
Don't think it's just a matter of fitness (or lack of it). A major problem also is that we spend so much time in games chasing the ball. Everybody knows that's more tiring and hence the old maxim "make the ball do the work". A significant issue for Felix in his re-structuring is to get us better organised and a proper balance to the team.
One thing that has puzzled me is all the managers not seeing which players need replacing after 70 minutes. For me Parker can't last a full 90 anymore, and I don't understand why the likes of Karagounis, Boateng, Kvist or Kasami aren't brought on as replacements, as they all can bring energy and commitment for at least 20 minutes. Unless there was an injury I didn't see why take Richardson off, making the left hand side of the defense weaker. I've spoken a few times how I like to see partnerships develop between players in key positions. Riether and Dejagah seem to have had a good understanding, Riise and Richardson are a better fit than any others on the left ie Kacaniklic, Amorebieta, Dempsey, Duff. The CBs need a partnership whether it is Hangeland, Heitinga or Burn, as do the forwards but we seem to be stuck with 1 up front, if we are going to continue with clearing the defense with high balls we need two up front and less in midfield can Rodallega partner with Mitroglou ?
