One for all you statto's. IMO the root cause of most of our problems, no continuity. How can a back 4 play with confidence when its lucky dip time every week?? No fluidity, square pegs, round holes. Just look at Clint Hill for example. Starts against Bolton first game, red card. Dropped thereafter. Loaned to Forest. Now back and probably best player on the pitch last Saturday. All this and his contract hasn't been renewed and he openly admits he expects to leave in the Summer. Is this a 'managed' situation or a complete roll of the dice? Mackie. Subject to the 'he's rubbish'/'he's the heart & soul of the club' debate. Habitually played as a winger where he's generally well intentioned but little end product????????? When stuck up front he bangs 2 cracking goals in. Cisse is banned. What do we do? Stick him back out on the wing again. I can't work it out. But then I've only managed a business with 10 staff these past 10 years and through a recession whereas MH is a Prem manager so what do I know about using the right people for the right roles and maintaining a healthy 'team spirit'?? The one thing I do know is that people like to know what their role is, what they are being asked to do and are then supported and rewarded when they achieve their tasks. I don't know, its a constant source of fustration following the rangers isn't it? I've got a Bolton ticket. Feel free to join me for a pie & pint just off the M61, all cheesed off NOT606QPR'ers welcome.
It's a perfectly valid point. I don't think it should affect your matchday not knowing where you stand (on the pitch or off it) but it certainly will ruin your preparation. I think we need to pretty much name the team from the outset (ie Monday) including cover for injuries and concentrate on it as a tactical, physical and mental challenge (keeping all three separate) and work on the team in that formation. Guess it wouldn't help the fringe players focus but one or two changes due to injury would keep everyone on their toes.
Yeh, a very good point! I was hoping MH was going to come back from Portugal with a good eleven and system to stick with as much as possible, but it doesn't look like he can with that performance, doesn't help with all the suspensions of course. I'm going to Bolton too, What's the pint and pie place called?
Good post Wubba....nail & head mate. I found the formation on Saturday totally baffling. As you say, Mackie bangs in two goals and then is played off the striker in a weird 4/5 man, no width midfield. MH needs to find a system and stick to it, although all the suspensions and injuries have obviously not helped.
Selection has been inconsistent, partly because of injuries and suspensions, but equally the players have been inconsistent. With the exception of Faurlin no one has strung quality displays together for a few games in a row. Even Young seemed to have lost it before his injury. Buz is a prime offender great against Wigan, invisible v Blackburn. Adel has been on the up since Swansea, but desperately needs some luck to score and create. It must be horrible for a manager to just not know what they are going to get from individuals from one game to the next.......cue comments on we know what Barton and SWP will do etc etc
No idea where yet Oslo but I'll research quality pie establishments in the greater Bolton area and will post something up on here
Barton has been consistently slightly better than average for me - a 5 or a 6 every game he's played, and I do think MH and NW knew what they were going to get from him. But I agree otherwise SB, other than Ale, many players who have done very well, have also produced some 2,3 or 4 point performances as the ones you name. Buz is a prime example of this.
My last sentence was meant to be a hint not to turn this into another ****ing Barton thread. I won't be so subtle next time.
They came, but gave me up and left again I'm afraid . But if you'd send them for me, you need to send them to NW and MH too, as they appear to share my view by picking him every week!
Good point WBA.. Have been banging on about getting a steady pair of CB's, but we see to be hell bent on changing it around every week (no wonder Paddy looks worried)!! We need to get that continuity and gelling of the team - which will never happen if this continued 'experimenting' goes on!
Personally, I think we should of stuck with Orr, Gorrks, Connolly and Hill. Record clean sheets in the NPC, continuity, very few injuries and would of improved in the Prem IMO. Couldn't do no worse could they? At least Paddy knew what was in front of him.
