On a day when Leeds lost that was a shocking result. We had a chance to go level on points with Leeds, instead the gap is still 2 points and probably bigger after next week's trip to QPR. We really blew it yesterday. We started on the front foot, but the thing I was looking for was the body language. If you ask me, we looked short on confidence. I thought with the kind of personnel Sven has brought in, we might be rocked after our first defeat of the year. We had a lot of the ball but looked too scared to shoot, take someone on, or make a killer pass. It was also noticeable that te majority of players looked scared to use their weaker foot. But now down to slating indivuals: We left our 2 centre backs on their own at the back. Naughton (as well as he played) and Van Aanholt (as **** as he played) left us with a 2 on 2 situation many times throughout the match. I thought Bruma and Bamba didn't get nearly tight enough to King, and he constantly caused us problems whenever he picked it up. Other than that though I thought Bruma played well, Bamba not so well. Yakubu was very poor, not only with his poor finishing but his lack of effort. He missed 2 glorious chances in the first half, and in the second half didn't try. Sven needs to give him a kick up the backside. He should tell him that if he's not trying, a player who does try, like Waghorn, will be in instead. He should say this even if he doesn't mean it, just as a wake up call. Abe and King were terrible, they were both very off the pace, both missed good chances and their first touch was shocking. Gallagher looked frightened to do anything, especially tackling and using his left foot. Waggy and Dyer were poor when they came on, Waggy with 3 terrible corners, Dyer missing a sitter. But 2 players who should be immediately dropped are Ricardo and Van Aanholt. Ricardo actually caught a couple of crosses, but let King's goal squirm through. He then let one hit the post which he should have just caught. The guy is the new Kalac. I have given him enough chances now, he is a liability and should never have replaced Weale. Drop him now Sven. Van Aanholt was said to be the new Ashley Cole. Well I'd say Naughton is a lot closer to that (except he can pass and use 2 feet, unlike Cole). Yes he's quick. And in the first 20 minutes, he posed a threat to Coventry. But his defending is not unlike Joe Mattock's. The goal we conceded yesterday reminded me of the penalty we conceded at Hereford in League 1. Now I know coventry are not Hereford, but they are Coventry, not QPR or Norwich either. Van Aanholt got absolutely raped for that goal. He also left a man behind him unmarked who headed just over. Like Cunningham, he might alright going forward but can't defend. But Cunningham is miles better at both. Berner might be getting older, less fit and therefore at a stage where he cannot complete more than 2 games in a row. So with that in mind Van Aanholt should be cover for Berner. I don't care if PVA is from Chelsea, Sven should be choosing who plays based on who is the best player. We do not do what ****ing Chelsea want us to do. Berner is better than Van Aanholt, no doubt. If we can see it, why can't Sven? Drop him. Yes we are all pleased to be in a chance of the play-offs but if we finish 7th we've still achieved nothing. Yes Sven has done a good job so far but some of his team selections recently have been indefensible. If we don't get in the play-offs now it will be because the team we have wasn't good enough. Now we are in this position, we can't afford to not have a best starting 11, and we can't afford to have liabilities playing whilst better players sit on the bench. Coventry's support is utterly patrhetic. Their Cup final and they bring how many? THAT people, is why it's hard to take this 'derby' seriously. At least Forest and Derby bring some fans, even if they are a bunch of twats (except yak, if/when he's reading this ) Sorry for the rant, but it needed to be said.
I have defended PVA because I thought he linked well playing with Gallagher. But yesterday he was ****ing ****e. He really can't defend to save his life and he is basically a weaker but faster Gallagher. Ricardo is one of those Goalies who you just can't see keeping a clean sheet. Apart from that I think we played decent but lacked a real cutting edge. I would like to see Waghorn and Yakubu up front with Vassell playing just behind. A bit like Chelsea do now with Anelka. Waghorn deserves his chance and I can't see many of our players being up for the game at Lofus Road, unlike the team last season which won 2-1 and competed for everything. Basically, Ricardo and PVA out and get Waghorn in.
Completely agree with that summary And sorry I left out the positives. Naughton and Wellens were terrific. Wellens never gave it away. Naughton scored a great goal and always looked a threat. Vassell was better, though he dribbled it too much. And even though I thought we were below par, we still created plenty of chances.
Gotta say I agree with all ya main points Emilio, but I do think that 4-3-3 doesn't suit the players we have - bare with me, I'll explain why I think this. The way Sven's got us playing is effectively 2-5-3 going forward (or 2-1-4-3 with the DM), with the FBs effectively wing backs. Now it doesn't take a genius to see that this formation is highly susceptible to counter attacks down the flanks, unless you have highly intelligent and fast FBs who know when it's safe to get forward and how far to go, or a good DM or 2 to back off to CB, leaving the CBs to cover for the errant FB. Unfortunately (Naughton aside) our FBs aint good enough at the job of WB, plus there's no-one acting as effective cover in case of counter attack without leaving a gaping hole somewhere else on the back line. So, we either change the formation to suit the team we have (sorry but 4-4-2 looks the most obvious), or we play 4-3-3 with FBs who act as FBs and not WBs. Just mho, but I reckon if Sven doesn't see this and fix this soon we aint even gonna make the playoffs, cus the better (tactically) teams can just wait 'til our FBs are commited forward and then hit us on the counter.
agree with most of your points answers id like are: 1.why? dont we shoot when we have a sight of goal (on edge of Box) 2. Why keep yak on when vasell was clearly playing better (although no end product) play him down the middle!! 3. Why drop weale when he had played ok in his previous 2 games ( im no big fan of weale but think he has been hard done to) 4. why is the delivery always poor from corners (always over hit!)
Wilp Bruno get his chance to prove to Sven AGAIN that he is more then good enough. Or will Ben Mee play left back
