I'll make the point again. Whilst the defence ain't nowhere near the best in the world and definitely needs to be improved, it's the attack (or lack of) that's put us where we are. The Bolton and Fulham games aside, we're not being routinely stuffed by the teams we've played. It's because we cannot score goals that the weaknesses in defence are coming under all this scrutiny. We need to create a threat up front, and we're nowhere near doing this at all. Up front we look mid-table League One at best. We need someone like Krancjar as an attacking and creative midfielder and someone with a bit of pace and guile up front. Unfortunately, nobody springs readily to mind that has proven PL experience and is currently available. Our only hope might be to dispense with Bothroyd and try again will another elevated Championship goalscorer like Sharp, or maybe even chance oour hand with that Huddersfield laddo.
Buzsaky surprised me today. I think his dead ball ability makes him a valuable squad players. Yes he's not going to go past three men but he can turn the play over and stick some good balls into the box as well as having a great long shot on him. I think we need to stop thinking of him as the flair player he used to be and now a simple CM with a good right foot. A lesser Ali Faurlin if you will.
It strange that we are generally saying we need to invest on new players, which, when NW initially took over, he said from the off he needed time to get two teams - one to get out of the championship and one to compete in the premiership. I think that after the buffoons screwed NW over transfers, we are now reaping the seeds that were sown in August. That said, I am an eternal optomist (owner of rose tinted glasses) and believe we wll stay up. Just hoping MH can attract a better type of player and, for those that leave i would like to appreciate what they have contributed to get us in the top league
Unlucky won't keep us up. We have been unlucky in most of our games this season. We need to chase the ball like the first 20 minutes for 90 and break quicker were playing balls sideways and backwards when we should be getting up the pitch in numbers. Route one if necessary and stop giving the bloody ball back to thr opposition every other pass.
Agree, would kill for that efficiency! Can't see that Ferdinand's any better than Gabbidon, feel it is very unfair to target Gabby when he performs just as well as Anton. That said, I would be chuffed if we have any/both of them as backup which would mean we have brought in players of very high standard. Anyway, no point in discussing our defence. With a half decent forward line we would walk games like this.
Ferdinand is far far better than gabbidon, have you noticed the only time gabbidon has a good game is when hes next to Ferdy? Partner him with anyone else and he is shocking.
I thought for a weakened team we did ok. We looked better than in recent games but we still gift possession too easily and have no end product in the box
But you can see with some finishing that we will be a good side, under warnock wed have not had a shot on target all game. We should beat Wigan if we get some players and Bothroyd doesnt play.
Yeh, I think Gabbi is about as good as Anton. But we need at least one very good new CB, because outside of Gabbi and Anton we are very weak there. I also agree with those that say that stenghening the midfield is a priority, and of course a goal scorer or two, wherever you find one that will also score for us!
Weak points Low confidence No tararararabat or traore Macheda looks as bad as bothroyd Passing in midfield is atrocious Defence is v creaky Positives We looked better as an attacking threat 442 suits the squad Buz despits my criticism did ok Mackie was great Summary We need Barton traore and tararabat back We need a clinical goalpoacher We need 2 defenders Hughes then has to earn his pay and tighten up the defence and get some self belief back We need to massively thump mkd to get the positive vibes flowing again It's not all doom and gloom but I do question whether 'Project Hughes' will run out of games before he can turn us around
I think with our stongest team we'd have won that game. I know they had their two best players out too but we were desperately missing a positive midfielder up against their industrious but, frankly, average team and had we taken either of Mackie or Bothroyd's very presentable chances I think we'd have got a point comfortably. Add to that hitting the post/bar twice, yet again, and there are a lot of positives to take out of today. Bothroyd and SWP were very unlucky in the first half and a goal for either would have done them a world of good. I agree that Derry and Hill probably aren't good enough but I thought Gabbidon played well as he has done almost every time he's had Ferdinand with him. I challenge any footballer to look competent while trying to make up for Fitz Hall.
Agree WBA. Thought we did ok against Arsenal, but were much better today (Toon obviously not as good as Gooners). But we fail to put teams under any kind of concerted pressure, because the midfield is continually worried about losing the ball (correctly) and putting the defence under pressure. TBH I expected a thumping, this was no humiliation, morale won't be too badly damaged and Hughes has a chance to start working on them.
For me today was yet again about our lack of creativity and ability when going forward Too often we'd won the ball in midfield yet managed to then either pass backwards, or attempt a lofted ball forwards that was inaccurate / easily cut-out / didn't allow our player sufficient space We MUST get in a striker that can run and shoot - the unwillingness of our forwards to drive forwards with the ball is depressing Best took his goal well and had a lot to do from receiving the ball to scoring. Who in our squad can do this??
Yeah, if Ali could teach Buzz about ball distribution, and Buzz could teach Ali how to strike a ball sweetly, we'd have some of our midfield problems solved
Agree with most of that, except I don't think 4-4-2 will suit Tarrabt, unless he's played as the 2nd striker!
The MK Dons replay has been a bonus because at least we get Barton back for Wigan which is a crucial match to win
Not sure how good a side we can put out in the cup though Goldy. Surely Derry and HH can't play two games in two days? Plus, how many will Hughes risk with Wigan up on Saturday? I could see a very weakened team against MK and a defeat!!
Yeah, good point. It's not going to be a priority for Hughes. He may use it as an opportunity to see more players in action. In all seriousness, on Tuesday we may see Dave and The Incredible Hulse
I think we almost certainly will!! Knowing our luck, Hulse will score a hat-trick and be retained for the rest of the season, scoring not one more!!
