I don't think it's helping Davies having an attack minded left back next to him. Figueroa sat by his side last season, this season, Robertson will be flying down the left wing leaving him exposed.
It's his fault in the sense he has put the squad together. On the pitch there appears no plan, little cohesion, no leadership, no energy and it has been that way for a while. Bruce needs to take some responsibility for that. Recruitment in the summer had a haphazard, put together at the last minute kind of feel to it, with no clear idea whether we were building a squad to play 352 or 442 and the shocking thing is that we over half-way through the season and I defy anyone to tell me what our best formation/team is supposed to be.
He managed it last season when we played three at the back for almost the full season, going to two CH's today was another mistake for me, with either Bruce or Macca in there as well I doubt that we'd have conceded three goals.
I expected us to go 3-5-2 after the first goal went in, our formation was clearly not working, I can't believe we just stuck with it and gifted them a couple more goals.
Time to get the singer and songwriter, Bryan Ferry on board. He will ensure plain sailing until the end of the season.
Totally agree. I wonder if SB stuck around to watch the under 21's tear Mansfield a new one from back to front winning 8-0 in the process. There where at least 4 players down the spine of their team that should be given a,serious look at with a view to training if not playing with the first team regulars. The difference in effort, endeavor, application and to some extent ability, was there for all to see for those who stayed behind.
Got to say with Robertson and Elmo playing has full backs we have to go with three centre backs to allow them the freedom of the wings, they are not good enough defensively in a 4 4 2 system, Regarding Huddlestone and Livermore what's changed from last season, are they happy now they have signed big contracts, are they not putting the effort in, does the system not suite because I have got to say bringing Ramaris in hasn't helped. Huddlestone is still one of the most gifted footballers in the premier league and was been talked about playing for England only a few months ago, everybody on here loved him so what is the reason.
This I'd love to see some of our young 'uns coming through, surely none of them can be as poor as Huddlestone, and to lose his place to a young lad may just be the kick up the arse that he needs!
Dunno but, as someone else pointed out, the last really effective game that he had was against Fulham at the KC in 2013 (6-0), so if he's having a crisis of confidence it's lasted a while.
Personally, I think Livermore has been consistently fine. Occasionally having a good game, occasionally a bad one, but generally being average and doing decent off-the-ball work whilst doing pretty much nothing with the ball. I don't think too much has changed since when he started. I think many questioned the amount we spent on him after the loan period, but it was hard to have strong feelings either way, because he is just steady. Huddlestone has genuinely not had a good game for 14 months. I can't even keep on pretending that he is good player with bad form/management. I probably should talk about his "obvious ability" but i've just had enough now. He's keeping Meyler vastly out of position, and Quinn on the bench - and maybe those two aren't quite as big of a name as Huddlestone - but in their limited playing time this season I have seen them make runs forward, passes forward, making tackles and generally looking like they give a ****.
Absolutely ridiculous playing Meyler at right midfield - he was never in position and wandered all over the place leaving gaps where he should have been - he cant run along the flank and cross the ball as Elmo can - Brucie should have put Macca at right back and pushed Elmo into right midfield - Livermore was awful today constantly giving the ball away and getting caught into possession - there's absolutely no creativity in midfield - nothing from Huddlestone and only glimpses from Ramirez who is too lightweight - in essence our midfield is garbage - under Brownie we had Ash Boetang Marney and Barmby/Garcia - maybe not the most gifted but they all got stuck in, wanted the shirt and earned the shirt and they cost nothing - our present lot quite frankly are an utter waste of money
Even simply swapping Meyler (who has played right back for Ireland) for Elmo (who is an attacking force) would have made sense after about 3 minutes. Bruce's selections are a constant puzzle.
Totally agree that Bruce has no strength of conviction in his best formation. He seems to have lost belief in 352 and now favours 442. Our current available personnel are best suited to 352 but signing Lennon suggests he wants to go 442 or possibly 433. Lennon would not fit into a 352. That means, when fit we have at least 6 centre half's (Dawson, Davies, Chester, Bruce, McShane, McGuire) for 2 spots. Perversely, we only have 5 centre midfielders (Huddlestone, Livermore, Quinn, Meyler and Diame) for 2 spots. I believe a commanding centre midfielder who will take some responsibility is what we need. Without it, based on what we currently have I cannot see us staying up sadly.
Hi, totally off topic but if you're related to Jodie could you let her know that if she's looking for a bit of extra now she's back in the game that she's in my league & I have something I'd love to chuck up her. I'd even let her buy me a pint & I hardly ever drink nowadays. Thank you SCB.
