If Macheda hadn't pulled up pre game, and Revell got injured, then Doyle (who as it turned out won the game) wouldn't probably have even got on. He was 4th choice striker. if Gunnarsson hadn't got injured and replaced at halftime, Ralls wouldn't have had the chance to show he has a future in central midfield and Kennedy wouldn't have replaced Ralls who was bizarrely initially put out on the wing . 2 things to note (there are more but these 2 will do for a start): 1. Whittingham was the fall guy for the woeful central midfield showings this season (me included). It seems that in fact it is Gunnarsson who is the weak link. This is his usual contribution - collects the ball on half way, passes it sideways or backwards, and then lolls forward waiting for his next touch. Ralls showed energy and tenacity when he took over his role. Hopefully Slade and/or Trollop can see what we simple fans can see. 2. Slade picked the wrong team. He said after the game that he did not know why things improved 2nd half. Is he for real; it was obvious. The team had more pace and balance when the ponderous Gunnarsson departed and Kennedy gave width. Why was Ralls picked out wide instead of a natural winger in Kennedy? Why was Revell or Jones picked ahead of Doyle?
Good points Ninian. Another example of the bewildered little world in which Slade appears to inhabit. It would be much more meaningful if Trollope was giving the post match talks. Talking of chiefs and indians, I was sat behind the players' seats on Saturday (great hospitality in the Captains' Lounge if you ever get the chance). I forget the incident but at one point we had Slade, Young, Trollope and 4 others stood in the technical area. The 4th official had to get out a calculator to count them before deciding they shouldn't all be there. Overkill or what?
Anyone who watched that terrible first half performance from both sides on Saturday could see it. Once again fate changed it not Slade. I make no apologies for saying the same thing time after time on here - our current manager does not know how to construct a team to control a game of football. He is locked into principles that defy modern football logic. His selections are as bad (or even worse) than Ole playing ALF as a defensive left wing at Blackburn. Solskjaer was rightly ridiculed for his erratic selections but this guy is just as bad. To start with Revell and Jones who clearly can't play together was ludicrous but if fitted Slade's "two up top" mantra. Ralls out of position was another bizarre selection. The fact is second half performance came about as result of circumstances mainly beyond Slade's control and was not a result of good management. Lucky is definitely the word. There's no point in giving credit when none is deserved. When he gets results through deploying the correct tactics and team selections, he should rightly get it - Saturday wasn't it.
In fairness I think the idea of having Ralls at left midfield was for him to play narrower, thus supporting our middle 2, and for Malone to bomb on down the left. However, that idea didn't come off as they played 2 wingers in Cotterill and Gray which meant our full backs had more defined marking duties. I'm just glad they didn't switch wings. Fabio had Gray in his pocket for most of the game but I dread to think what he could have done to Malone.
I saw that too Nin. I can't understand how that guy's mind works and he changes his mind far too much for my liking as well. I can remeber him being initially mystified at the appointment of Slade and saying so. Then just a few press conferences later saying how much the guy had impressed him with his style - he even did a selfie video of it and spliced it into one of his articles on WOL. I thought that was far too early to form an accurate opinion and was based upon those first half dozen games when we got those home wins. Now he seems to have switched back toward the feeling that most of have about Slade, but that doesn't excuse the crap scoring ratings he gave Fabio and Malone for the Brum game. What was he watching? I actually thought Malone had a good go at it back from injury, but those two ratings should have been swapped.
Fabio marked one of the most highly rated wingers in the division out of the game! As most of you will know I don't rate him as a defender but he played well Saturday. 5 out of 10 is ridiculous. We might as well just **** KWJ off now. He's not lazy, that doesn't even come close to describing how little of a **** he gives for the team and support paying his wages. Whoever found Kennedy has unearthed a diamond, the lad can be a real weapon at this level next year. Ralls should be left in the team until the end of the season and allowed to develop. Same for Kennedy. I'd pick Macheda (Revel if he's injured) with Doyle and let them try and build a partnership. As for the thread I agree, except for the part about it being lucky Macheda got injured
Tucker the ugly f%cker is an absolute knob. He wouldn't know a good player if he bit him on his Arsenal.
