We are falling apart now. Knocked out of Europe in the final 10 seconds, no passion left in the squad, the manager is upsetting our main players, we've won 3 league games, we can't play away, we're now looking shakey at home everyone who said give the team time has to conceed now that we are getting worse. Absolutely gutted. Played the second half like we were 5-0 up. Bobby was being a twat. Jol has seriously ****ed up the club. And sack Orlando Sa.
One way or another, I think we'll look back on this game as a turning point for the team. On one hand, the players might start pointing fingers at each other, or at the manager, and begin pulling apart from each other. Or perhaps they'll pull together as a unit and decide they like winning more than losing. We deserved to get knocked out of Europe. We played well enough in spurts, but there was a distinct lack of effort out there, not just on Bobby's part, but also on the part of Dempsey and Dembele. I can't imagine playing football at less than 100 percent. When I was 48 years old (a year ago) and still playing local league football, I ran my a** off every game and practice until I could taste blood in my mouth. I don't get these guys. Dempsey's the worst if you ask me. I don't think this is Jol's fault. There's an attitude problem on the team. Mark Hughes couldn't put his stamp on the team, so he let them play their own way and at the end of the season threw up his hands and said, in effect, "let someone else managed these people ..." It's not Jol. It's the team. If Jol and Chairman Mo are smart, they'll clean house starting in January. There's a cancer growing in this team and it needs to be cut out, starting with Zamora and anyone else who won't toe the line.
Madness ... the way the team reacts against Bolton will tell us much about character of the team. If they jog through the game like they did tonight, they we'll know that Jol's lost the dressing room and the team's in disarray. But if the team comes out and gives Bolton a proper thrashing, we'll know there's some hope left. But I wouldn't expect Bobby to be amongst the players. Watching the game tonight, about 30 minutes in, he motioned to the bench like he wanted to be subbed. Not a good sign. Just as interesting might be the reaction of fans on Saturday when the players prance out onto the pitch for the Bolton game. I expect they'll get an earful, and rightly so. I feel badly for Ethridge.
DR, I agree with your analysis of the attitudes lingering under the surface of some players, but I disagree about giving them an earful on Saturday. This is when the fans have to get behind the team and urge them on. If it is a turning point, we have our part to play in making sure the change is a positive one.
Captain, I'm not advocating giving them an earful, but I suspect it will happen.The players earned it and the fans are frustrated. But I don't think booing players is ever a good idea; it doesn't make things better. I think this loss could ultimately be a good thing for the team long-term. The players need to get behind Jol and his system in the same way they got behind Hodgson and his system four years ago. I remember my son complaining about the American football coach who was managing his school team. "This guy doesn't know anything. He's not as good as my German team coach ... blah blah blah." I said, "Son, it doesn't matter. If you want to play on the American school team, you'll have to suck it up and play the coach's way. He's the coach; he's always right." Point is, the players with the attitude problems need to simply decide that they're going to go Jol's way or face getting benched (like Kasami) or getting sold off to some relegation-bound team come January.
I think you're right, DR. With Hodgson, I remember reading that the players were so disenchanted with Sanchez that they were willing to give Roy's approach a go, if only on the basis that it was different to what they were unhappy with. Jol didn't come into a club in disarray, so perhaps the players felt better able to resist his changes. What we seem to need is a centre forward who stretches defences (as AJ does, but a better finisher than AJ please!) rather than an old fashioned number 9 (like Zamora - and yes, I know he's number 25) who does much of his best work with his back to the goal. Darren Bent who you mentioned the other day wouldn't be available, but he's precisely the type of centre forward who would fit the way Jol wants us playing. All we have to do is find the next Darren Bent, sign him for a pittance and watch the goals fly in from him plus any three from Ruiz, Dembele, Dempsey, Frei, Duff, Davies, Kasami. For what it's worth, I think at least one of the first three named will have to move on in the next year to 18 months if Frei is going to blossom into a fully-fledged regular. I think you could be right about Dempsey heading for the exit door before too long. I hope it's not January though, particularly if Bobby and AJ are likely to leave then.
Captain, I think you're right about the striker. We need someone who can play with his back to the defenders, but also run into space and open up the middle. Perhaps having real wingers who can and will play out wide would help, too. Last night, for much of the game, you could have covered Dempsey, Dembele, Frei and Zamora with a blanket ... four or five players all within a few feet of each other aren't difficult to defend. Players that are standing and waiting are much easier to defend than players who are spread out and moving. Our two goals came through runs, crosses and players moving into open space ... both goals were gems and seemed so simple at the time. But the rest of the game you had Zamora and Dempsey standing at the top of the box waiting for someone to deliver the ball on a silver platter. I would have no objection to seeing Dempsey shipped out, even in January if the price is right. Yes, he's a good and produced goals, but I also think he's the player with the biggest attitude problem. He doesn't chase or pressure the ball. He pouts if he doesn't get the ball when he wants it and he spends half the game glaring at, or complaining to, the ref about fouls. I'd rather have Frei or Kasami out there, running their legs off and getting on with the game, than having a very talented and expensive spoiled brat out there on the pitch, moping about like someone stole his lunch.
Only 3 teams have ever come up to the Premiership together and stayed up since - Blackburn, Bolton and Fulham. Nah ... I don't believe in coincidences !!!!!!!!!!
Bolton are in deep trouble, and I feel for them and their fans. They're a good team ... basically the same team as last year minus their terrific young midfielder, but now they're facing oblivion. It's a real test of character and a cautionary tale for all established Premiership teams, including us. It doesn't take long for things to go from bad to worse. A lack-luster, lazy game on Saturday would, to me, spell real trouble for our club. That would be an indicator that our club's in chaos and Jol's not in control any longer. In fact, Jol's starting 11 for Saturday will tell you, I suspect, where he lays the blame for Wednesday disaster.
Technically, Norwich, Swansea and QPR came up together and - so far - have stayed up. Sorry to be such a pedant* *Legal disclaimer: Captain Morgan is not at all sorry to be such a pedant. He quite enjoys it.
I think its a bit of an over reaction. We can analyse it all day. With Europe we had a good run but lets not forget we got into the competition by the Fair Play rule. I was just as gutted as the next person on Wednesday night and would have loved to continue in the competition but we got there by default. Really we should just be thinking of the league position and the FA Cup. Let's celebrate a really good achievement in getting this far and look forward to Saturday. I admit the 2nd half was dire but the first half gave me enough to think we'll be alright.
We were good for 45 mins. on Wednesday and for 10 of those, brilliant. This is what puzzles me - why are we so stop start? It's not just from game to game, it's also within games. ???????????? A solid 90 minutes on Saturday will settle everyone and set us up for next Wednesday.
Read these comments in the columns of the !Manchester review ! on Thursday, following our disaster the previous night. It was headed Jols positives: I wondered after reading the report was he at the game,or was it a doppleganger sitting in the dug out. POSATIVES: Quote ~ We did very well for 45mim. Answer ~ Europa like league games are played over 90min. Quote ~ Its a blow, but every disadvantage,has advantages. Answer ~ Not when you keep loosing and ar 4pts from drop zone. Quote ~ We were 2 0 up then 2 1,but were not clever enough to " " stay in their half. Answer ~ The second 45min which you seem to have forgotten the team was playing to your instructions and team changes. Although welcoming his appointment as manager,i am now seriously questioning his ability on team selection,transfer acquisitions, and tactics.
Roscafe, valid points but at no point he asked them to sit back. On the contrary the subs made were like for like aiming to push for a 3rd goal. Think a mixture of inexperience, tiredness and panic resulted to this. Had Sa and Frei kept e ball aiming to get a corner we would not be speaking of any these...
FFC must disagree on the tiredness point,we are a premiership club,playing against a team who if in England would be lower championship at best,and at home. Sorry enthusiasm and tactics all wrong.
