Can someone please explain to me why: (1) at least every other shot on target from the opposition is a goal. People will defend Ruddy to the hilt, I know, but I really feel he has been poor this season and yet it still isn't all down to him (2) Martin has been playing so badly. Whittaker needs to step up because Martin has cost us virtually a goal a match for the last few games (3) our players can't pass for toffee and spend far too long on the ball, inviting pressure on whomever they do pass it to Those are our main problems. None of them would be solved by a new manager, unfortunately, but I think it's probably getting close to that.
Correct, Newcastle are not that much better, but there is a subtle difference here.............their striker creates problems for our defence. Our striker doesn't even get a mention for the best part of 45 minutes.
We are awful. Truly awful. At the back we are a joke. Up front we had a couple of chances but they were hardly the result of any kind of thought or controlled play. We have a much better squad this season and a much worse team. After this latest shambles, will the happy clappies finally admit that CH has failed? Do we have to lose against Palace before they realise that?
Martin can't organise a piss up in a brewery have you seen him trying to sort the defence, they're barely listening to you man! Sort it out!. It's like when you all work at the same firm with a group of mates one of them is promoted to the manager and attempts to tell you all what to do.
Hooper could do with getting a bit more stuck in - causing them no problems at all. I'm hoping CH gets the leaf blower out for the half time teamtalk as we've looked like effing trees.
It has everything to do with the manager, particularly No 3. The players lack of movement in the set up means the options are not immediate or abundant enough when with the ball.
As I said a fortnight ago, I was not expecting anything from this game, nor the Liverpool away (obviously) and our home games are becoming increasingly important, but, even home wins against the likes of West Ham and hopefully Palace, do seem to be little more than the cracks being papered over to some degree.
One of our biggest problems this season is that so many players that did so well for us last year - Martin, Bassong, Ruddy, Snodgrass, Johnson - have been so poor this year. If those players were performing like the manager knows they can, we'd be fine.
There is lack of movement at all times, which leaves the gaping holes in defence and means there is no support for a lone striker, one up front can work as long as the players provide options and link up.
