Well here's my constructive criticism Col...take it or leave it.
This isn't going to go down well. But I think last night showed the team is certainly not ready to go up. If we scrape into the playoffs it will be painful and we will be dumped out horribly (always pleased to be wrong mind you).
Warburton and his team have a lot more idea of the strengths and injuries the team are carrying than you or I. We have to trust that part
You don't know what would have happened if Amos and Dozzell stayed on, nor do I admit. But the two of them hadn't played 90 minutes for a long time ...and having 2 players who weren't match hardened in the centre last night might have been a recipe for distaster.
We also don't know if all the plans went out of the window with the late withdrawal of McCallum..do we
We don't know what the substitution plans were before Willock was pulled early.
We certainly do know Warburton had no idea about Marshall injury until 2 minutes after he did the double substitution
No I am not a performing seal, I am not a happy clapper but I am a realist.
He has got this team to about the right place Col.
Actually I would say at moment we are probably 2 places higher than our ability.
We have done very well.
We have had loads of injuries. 4 wing backs out in autumn. 4 goalies now. Dykes mysterious injury. A couple of " illnesses"..that might be translated as Covid
I hope he can build on this team..and go again next year
Why the 'take it or leave it' statement Beth?
Yes, Warburton has done really well. Yes, we're not privvy to all the sports science and training etc.
However, it was plain daft to replace both Dozzell and Amos, leaving us with no substitute options.
It also left the midfield desperately short of legs.
Dozzell looked a likely red card, so I'd have replaced him with Johansen and left Amos on. Amos did nothing on the ball and missed the easiest chance of the season, but at least he can run.
When Johansen was on the pitch, we immediately kept the ball better for a while. Eventually we were over run.
Playing Wallace against Spence was plain wrong. Moses is quick and could have played on the left with Albert on the right. This would have been better imo.
Playing Sanderson on the left of the three was a good idea imo because of his pace.
It's clear to me that Warburton has really struggled under the pressure of the final run in, with us well placed in the play offs.
Of course we're not equipped for the Premier League. No one is imo.
However, we may not get another shot at it and the extra money for a long time, particularly if we lose our best players in the summer.