Firstly, let me just say that I didn´t see any of the game as such, last night, I only ´saw´ what I heard from Goreham and Adam Drury (and how we could have done wth him), but the picture did seem to be pretty clear. As much as Adams´s fresh approach and ´play to win´ style has its benefits, sometimes, and this was one of them, parking the bus, frustrating the opposition, then hitting them on the break, is still the best chance of coming away with a win. Going to a team who´re on a 10 match unbeaten run, and expecting to wipe the floor with them, is extremely foolish and naive, and very likely to backfire. A draw there last night would have been an excellent result, as it would be away against any team in the top 10 or so, but this cavalier style of his is just asking for trouble, and I ´m sure it was just what Boro were waiting for. Sure enough, after what was it, 10 mins or so, they were already a goal up, and then you could pretty well see the way things would go, they were more than happy to sit back, let us huff and puff, and hit us on the break, the same tactic that we really should have been using against them. Also, I´m sure like hundreds of others, I´m bemused when we have such a big and comparatively strong squad, why Adams seems reluctant to use them. I don´t disagree that after the Bolton result, he was justified in starting the same eleven again, but even in that game there were clear signs that both Whittaker and Olsson are not functioning on all cylinders, and last night just reconfirmed that. Martin, for all his big-heartedness is playing out of position, whether it´s because Adams really does believe that´s his best place, or because Martin himself is laying down the law, goodness knows, but surely that needs to be rectified sooner rather than later - especially when we have three ( soon to be four) perfectly capable centre-backs sitting around on the sidelines. Boro, despite being the home team, actually played the perfect away performance, I know we played into their hands by thinking we could go there and take the game to them, but they had their tactics spot on, imo. Other teams will by now have sussed out Adams philosophy, and I think we can expect the same approach from plenty of teams, home and away, if we´re not careful. Some sort of plan B does need to be in place, and I don´t necessarily mean going from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2 to 4-2-4, and throwing caution to the wind, but dare one say, a slightly more Hughtonesque approach, ( tight defensively, with cutting counter-attacks) especially away at in form sides, might be preferable. OTBC Take your pick Wrong tactic Or no will to compete, Personally Two of many Things causing our defeat
Hi skald bor, you learn from your mistakes so definitely not a night to forget but otherwise I am in total agreement with you views. The writing has been on the wall for some time now but NA has not heeded the warning whether due to over confidence or his naivety. Several times our right defensive flank has been found wanting due to Whittaker persisting in trying to be a forward. This only works if someone else is covering his absence and we have quick players like Redmond to provide that cover, one occasion Ruddy had to leave his charge to play right back. Another theme has said would we have Chris Martin back. I say yes if only to teach Grabban how to take a penalty. It has been said we have the best squad on paper, unfortunately last night it was not the best squad on the field. NA still has time to rectify our current form otherwise this could become his only chance to prove his managerial capabilities; we can't afford to waste another season and emulate our country cousins and become a fixture in this league. How is Rex MANAGING ? LOL
Good post. I certainly have no problem with adopting a 'Hughton-esque' counter attacking style when it's required. So long as we don't play with inverted wingers and slow the counter attacks down to walking pace allowing defends to get back and get set. Naive was certainly the word of the night yesterday.
Good to hear from you again NORKIE, all´s fine here thanks, apart from the occasional footballing lapse of course, how are things your end?
Hi skald bor, thought I was on the banned list. Replied earlier to your poems but my reply was never accepted. I'm OK thanks, a bit older but no wiser LOL. Season still not a lost cause, but NA is going to have his work cut out if we are to get to the PL; our country cousins are having a wonderful season, all on a shoestring. Good luck to them but I fear they will need to invest if they are to succeed to the PL.
No need for you to worry about us Norkie dear fella, I think you have more than enough to worry about closer to home!
Let him enjoy it 23, it's the first time in 20 years that they have been better than us not just because we have been poor, that's how it was pre 2010, they were above us, but were still a mediocre mid-table team!
Warky bor, how is your lad enjoying the Leicestershire air ? You didn't say at the time if he was attending the University or the college, the University sits a higher standard of entry for engineering. Not in the least worried about either club, have seen it all before many times. MM has definitely done a good job with bare finances but will free signings and loan players be sufficient to carry you to the finishing line in May ? Loss of form comes to most teams, could be said we caught you earlier in the season, but as you are well aware football is not what position you occupy now but where you finish at the end of the season. How do you rate your chances of making the promised land ?
Goals scored by free signings do count the same as those scored by multi million pound signings don't they???
