I suppose it's really all about management. The setup clearly isn't working as it is, and needs to be sorted. Picking up on a very good point that Hilts made yesterday - something I hadn't noticed and a very telling indictment on our situation. Sat on the bench were 4 players on whom we spent the best part of £30M in the summer - none of them got on the pitch. The starting lineup included two eleventh hour loanees in Arter and Camarasa - the rest were all Championship players who came up last season and who are collectively not good enough at this level. Afraid to say "team spirit" will only get you so far. Both Camarasa and Paterson were carrying knocks but they were preferred to the summer signings. Healey, back from a loan spell was sent on in preference to his costly team mates and Paterson was also kept on despite looking knackered after being played at Gillingham. Both Reid and Murphy costing over £20M between them in the summer are sitting it out and have become bit part players on the pitch. This surely must invoke doubts in Tan's mind as to whether he'll trust a similar or greater amount of outlay in the next couple of weeks to the club given the apparent summer failures in judgement - and I wouldn't blame him either. Hilts seemed to make the point (which I missed when I first read it) that given the squad decisions yesterday, we'd be better off not blowing any more money. I accept it would seem like throwing good money after bad, but I want the club to stay up and to achieve that we need to do something - or should we just give up?
The fans haven't given up and neither should the club. We had a discussion on here a few days ago about paying Moses wages and I recall the consensus was we should as the funds are available and he can make a difference. Yes, we also need at least 2 others of the right quality as well. Surely it is preferable to make a fight of it and go down trying rather than not trying at all? If we don't do something then on yesterday's performance we will join Huddersfield and one other back in the Championship.
I totally agree we should buy/loan to bring in quality. For me it's a no brainer to do everything possible to stay in the Prem. My other point was could we have done a better job with what we've already got and would Tan throw another dollop of cash at it given the summer debacle. There again, was it a signing debacle or just not enough specualtion? Maybe the lineups/tactics employed since has had a lot to do with it? Reid has been shut out of the frame because he doesn't fit into Warnocks style - why the hell buy him then? The persistance with a front runner (Paterson) with a wide man either side of him is just dinosaur tactics. Look at other sides who interchange players across the park both in depth as well as width. We need some new ideas as well as players.
All good points Sparks. Agreed on Reid. He is totally out of his depth in our style of play. Do we have style? Murphy could have been a game changer yesterday especially with NML going off. He has the ability to beat his man and score goals but just can't bloody defend and with the way Udders were steamrolling us that was almost as important as scoring. Hoilett didn't create much and seems unable to beat his full back but, in fairness, he covered back and defended well. I think Pato has been found out. He has done well and put in a good shift again, even if carrying an injury, but defenders know they can stand off and pick up his flick ons, mainly as we have no one running on, and on the ground he just lumbers and doesn't have the level of control needed. Healey did okay but that is all. He is just not quick and strong enough at this level. Quality right back, defensive midfield and striker needed urgently please, VT.
The world and his wife knows that every long throw or corner will be sent to Morro everyone now puts 2 or 3 players on him and they come to nothing, why not change things ? Plan 1 every time.
I still back our manager. BUT him clearly instructing Healy our striker to take on long throw duties really tests my patience. Id start Healy v Newcastle
You still back our manager to do what? We're running on empty on ideas and him telling Healey to take the long throws is the least of our problems. Starting Healey against Newcastle would be more evidence of out incompetence in the summer and since - what about the £20m front men sitting on the bench?
I back him because he took a relegation threatened side to the PL in 18 months and we are outside the relegation zone.
I'm with Hilts on this, there is very little Warnock can do if players don't want to sign, from what I've read about the players he tried to sign there would have been a improvement of the class of our team. I'm still have the opinion that 17th would be a brilliant outcome.
Dai - we have to back him right now - that's who we've got. Not calling for his head by any means, just a variation to the dogmatic gameplan which always seems the same. Contain the opposition and we'll get a chance to win it. Wonderful if it works every time like at Leicester, but we're stuck in rut at the moment for every game. From memory, the only time we've thought outside the box was Wolves at home. He stuck the 3 CBs in the middle, played Cunningham and Hoilett as wingbacks and Wolves were totally surprised by the formation - he needs to do that more often. On your other point about not blaming Warnock if players don't want to come here, I agree wholeheartedly.
Interesting comments. What’s gone has gone and that was pre season. That was the time to create a squad of new players to supplement the best of the promoted squad. Not to add more championship standard players and try to adapt at the higher level. Warnock has to reap what HE sowed. He decided his squad. He wasted too much time on Grujic. He did marvels last season BUT should not be above criticism for his shortcomings. Shortcomings I should add not only in squad personal but also tactics. Yesterday was a total failure both on team selection and tactics. Huddersfield are bottom for a reason. That being their defence. So why didn’t he put out an attacking team to exploit their weak spot instead of lumping it aimlessly to a makeshift forward with no support? Yesterday was a game for Murphy and Reid as well as NML not sluggish Hoilett and Paterson. City will not get a better chance to win than yesterday. A wasted opportunity and more clear evidence this squad is going down. There’s just nowhere near enough quality to garner another 17-18 points. Either Tan coughs up cash to inject new players or we feebly capitulate like last time. I understand he’s probably wary about spending more money ( and I wouldn’t blame him given our managers lamentable transfer business historically when he’s got cash) but frankly he’s got no choice if he wants to go back to Anfield and Old Trafford next season.
We have to back him Hilts as I've said above, but any more performances like yesterday and we wont be outside the relegation zone for long.
Just call me Fraser, without 3 quality signings in the positions we all know, we're doomed I tell you. Doomed!!!
Dai - had a re-think on that point about not blaming Warnock if players don't want to sign. I did agree with you above but in fact there could be reason to say that you can. Forget the money on offer for a moment, all things being equal there are other things for players to consider. Said on another thread that I watched the Everton/Bournemouth game on the box yesterday and it was a super game of football. Bournemouth were every bit as good as Everton and it was a pleasure to watch them knock the ball around. Good football from defence, through midfield to upfront with some sharp passing between them. Who was playing at full back for them and having a great game? Nathaniel Clyne, the guy that's gone on record saying he chose them over Cardiff because of their manager and the way they play. There could be as many players who don't want to play for Neil as those that do for reasons other than money - if they've been watching us this season, I can understand why.
I like Eddie Howe but is the great young manager tag deserved ? Not for me he's done brilliant at Bournemouth but that seems to be his best. Failed at Burnley they were only going one way. Not one of the big 6 or 7 have knocked at his door. If Clyne is happy to play in front of 11,000 fans shows his lack of drive. On to Warnock, we knew what we were getting before he came and I don't think we can complain, when you think where we were when me came in. I've always thought he would be with us for 3 seasons to steady the ship and prepare for Bellars, with that English youngster crying over "GSTQ" that now might not happen. I still think that Warnock deserves his time in the prem. We all have our thoughts and it's good that we can debate them.
Great to talk Dai. Not really intetrested in Howe's pedigree, just the style of football he plays. On the subject of Clyne, he's there on loan for 4 months not permanently. He's still a Liverpool player and maybe thinks he can showcase his talents playing regularly at Bournemouth to regain his club spot, or even attract another suitor better than he could at Cardiff - that's his choice. Playing in front of 11,000 is only at home every other week - he'll be playing in front of 40/50K/60K alternative weeks so he wont worry about that.
Anyone see this; bit nerdy but interesting neverthe less https://statsbomb.com/2019/01/cardiffs-modest-success-story/
