Let's introduce some young blood from our development squads: plenty of experience in the match-day squad and playing some unknown quantities might give us an edge rather than plodding along with some of our more hardened campaigners.
According to those highlights, Reading had no chances whatsoever in the first half (and knockaert went down like his legs had been swept from under him, after feeling a slight tug on his left shoulder). Then in the 2nd half the best chance fell to dyer, whilst Reading had a few opportunities from Drenthe set pieces. Based on the match commentary Leicester were clearly superior throughout and thoroughly deserved to win, they had over triple the number of shots on target they did Vs QPR. There's no comparison to be made
IMO we've been in the brown stuff for some time and posted as such back in early October. Our performances against the real contenders in the championship have been poor at best. Playoffs are the only hope for us.
Apart from having a disallowed goal and forcing Kasper into one of the best saves he's ever made. I don't think you had a shot on target against us in our game. Like I said, I though we were going to concede more last night than against you. Reading had far better opportunities to take a point than you did (you had all your chances in the first half against us) and I'd have left the ground gutted last night if I was a southerner.
Do you realise every report and highlights from the official sites are incredibly biased to make the team look better than they were?
I agree but he's loaned the likes of Hitchcock out in favour of playing the Fulham OAPs. He may or may not be good but we know 100% that zamora will play ****.
Ok..............just some quick comments............... 1) The thread title was probably a little OTT and would have been better being something like "worrying times" or something similar. 2) The reason certain things were put into bold or capitals was obviously to HIGHLIGHT them as more important etc and NOT an attempt to be a bully. 3) I was acknowledging that those who had always said that we are going about things in the wrong way with our transfer policy etc could well be right and I was wrong to disagree. Time will tell. 4) The aim of the thread was to get a good debate going about our current situation and this was broadly achieved. It was only the usual suspects who just wanted to turn the thread into personal attacks instead of coming back with reasoned arguments. Thanks.
Especially these 2 have been the biggest disappointment recently, BAE is just like you describe, gifted player but lazy, with sloppy passes and I will not forget the Leicester game when he pushed the wrong man... Harry tends to start with the wrong XI and looks very phlegmatic in his coaching zone - I honestly do not think he is the right coach to take us up again. I expect a reaction on Sunday (3 points is a must) and another 3 points on 1st of January to bring us back on track.
Last night I felt in a similar mood to what col posted, and to some extent still do. But after a night sleeping on it, and trying to forget about it today what I will say is that it is alarming the way we are performing at the moment. We barely get any shots on target, and our defence seems to be slipping up more often which is giving us the average set of results in the last 12 games. Tactically we are far too negative and it did look last night like a few couldn't be arsed - BAE and Kranjcar to name a few. I hope Harry puts a rocket up their backsides before Watford as we cannot afford to keep this run of form going.
Trouble is Harry has a pattern of play that doesn't suit the personnel. He wants a big lump up front and Zamora is a shadow of the player that could possibly make that type of system work. We just don't have the central midfield presence to play 4-4-2 effectively. Austin's injury is a real blow at a vital time with the matches coming thick and fast. Harry needs to get at least an attacking midfielder and striker in sooner rather than later in the window or we'll be condemned to the lottery of the play-offs at best. I'd hoped Benayoun would be the answer but he looks very lightweight in this league. I really think we're f*cked at the moment...
And then only changing it at ht when the game is already lost. A good manager won't be afraid to change it after 15 mins when its obvious he got it wrong, before we go 1 or 2 behind. Does redknapp think 1st half sub's are illegal. Ive watched a lot of games with both, the vast majority of times we can call us going behind,there's the odd exception like with leicester but if we can see its not working and its only a matter of time, why can't the manager? Yes, he is just another Hughes except he's more negative and plays worse football,especially taking into account the drop in opposition quality.
Playing the Rs at the moment is easy. When they have the ball they are closed down very quickly and are made to rush their passes. There are few players offering themselves and/or running into space so most passes are negative - either sideways or backwards or to players with their back to the goal and heavily marked. Few want to take on the opposition when going forward. Hoillett does this very well, unfortunately he doesn't know what to do with it when he has gone past three players - probably has Harry's words about wanting more goals from the wingers ringing in his ears, so he shoots from daft places. He also suffers from the fact that other players aren't making themselves available or trying to make space, so there are few passing options. Too many players just want to pass the ball on not willing to take the responsibility for doing anything. Speed and determination.
I hope it doesn't happen on Sunday as we're already in trouble with the league over fireworks in the ground
