I have faith in Sir Chis but i cannot get my head around what he is doing at the moment with regards to substitutions. Against Orient it was left far too late before changes were made, and i cant figure out why we did not make one single sub against Hull today. If this pattern continues i can see several key players being injured within the next few weeks. Utterly puzzled to say the least
I don't understand CP's behaviour at times. He really should have changed things during the second-half today. I don't agree that the conditions would have nullified any impact: Jay Simpson came on and had a couple of great opportunities to win the match for Hull. I really think Cook and Green could have added impetus and energy to the side, and that JJ and Pritchard should have made way for them. In fact, I think the weather and the heavy pitch demanded fresh legs for the final 20 minutes.
To be honest playing Pritchard as RM for the past three games is an extremely negative tactic to use. He's a decent energetic player at CM, can defend well and really puts his body on the line, and this seems to be what CP likes in him. Yet he hasn't the positional sense, crossing ability or pace to be effective at RM. With Johnnie Jackson on the other side we probably have the slowest midfield in the division, aside from Stephens (who's playing too deep), there is no creativity, cue endless hoofing towards Kermorgant and BWP. We have two pacey wingers in Cook and Wagstaff (plus Haynes can cover there in emergency), and an extremely creative winger in Green, yet we're persisting with essentially two (slow) centre-mids playing on the wings. I'll be honest, whilst Jackson did lead us into this division as captain (and chipped in with some vital goals last season), I really feel that if he continues to be as anonymous, ineffective and error-prone as he has been in the past 3 games, we'll need to look at other options on the left. Pritchard in my opinion (not through any fault of his own) should be dropped to the bench for the next game. Give Green a start, and if we need to keep hold of a win/draw, then bring Pritchard on for the last 15 minutes (NOT bringing on Taylor for a striker and sitting back whilst the opposition attack and attack).
Before the start of the season I got some stick for suggesting that CP would not be relying on Jackson for his first choice XI, though a useful guy to have in the squad for cover, use as a sub, and for motivation. Seems that, regrettably, I was wrong, but only because we have failed to sign a replacement. (I was hoping for, and half-expecting, Wordsworth). We have signed a couple of useful players on frees, Cook and Kerkar, who can play LM, and let's hope that at least one of them makes the grade, but neither can do what Jackson does (or did?) at his best, so neither really replaces him. If we signed a couple of "working" wide players (like a fitter Jackson and a Pritchard with more experience or tackle-power) we could play BWP, Kermit and Fuller together up front and use Stephens from the bench. That would frighten many defences.
one thing i've noticed at games is that when we have a throw in we cannot keep it for more than 3 passes. me and the guy i sit there going "1, 2, 3... gone". no one opens for the ball or the pass there after. last year was the same but i thought as it was a whole new team it'd be something we'd practice in time. nope, still happening.
Think of a Wagstaff (including the goals) who never gives up for 90 minutes (whatever the score) and who can get past players and cross the ball
We brought him in to replace Rob Lee when he went on to Newcastle and what surprised most people was ........... he did
Thanks, a more appropriate example and one that avoids taking the discussion into other areas. I suppose a rough test of a good "working winger" is, can they also do a good job at full-back? Jackson can (or could?), and Robinson did for club and country.
In general, I think Powell is slow with subs, and I can only think of one or two substitutions he has made in his time that had a big impact on the game (Yann at Bramall Lane is the one sticking in my mind). But then the first team is pretty good in general. Simpson did make a good impact for Hull. Took McShane the whole match to get used to the conditions. Replacing a defensive player would have been a risk. I think Powell wanted to hold on to the point.
The bottom line is that we could have had nine points now, instead of five. The reason for this, in my opinion, is that CP has cost us those additional points with his rubbish/lack of subtitutions. Against Brum, we were more than comfortable, but Taylor is introduced and we invite pressure - leading to Zigic's goal. Against Hull, we could have upped the tempo and gone for the throat - but instead we hang on for a point. No doubt most of us would have taken a five point haul before the start of the season. We have competed well and not looked out of place in this league. But it really could have been better with a little more tactical nous. But in CP I still trust.
Re Birmingham - would most people here not have bought on a defensive body at that time? It's not just CP who does this and there is logic there. It's still a brilliant start IMO and better than I expected.
CP explains his lack of substitutions here: http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20120828-powell-on-consistency-338363.aspx
