I agree Sbulby, I had a look at the odds about an hour ago, cannot believe given our situation we played the way we did, with regard to Leon, I think he was left out because of the risk of injury, being such a physical game, but not recalling Ki is now looking a very bad decision we could live to regret, I'm going to keep my powder dry until after the Cardiff game, but if we lose that, then Laudrup has had it as far as I'm concerned, there are serious questions on his tactical ability!....................
I agree about possible Laudrup tactical deficiencies, I've had reservations with some of the fans' I know since last season. We were pretty awful after the league cup final & for the most part, pretty much the same this season. We've had many reasons that have been used for the inconsistency, but I'm never been totally convinced with any. Apart from that, the level of performance, has been a bug-bear for me. We've rarely had a full 90 minutes of commitment under Laudrup's tenure, never mind a run of games!! I can take a bad performance, if things just don't come off, but people are trying. But the lack-lustre ones we just can't, as fans. I feel it's been the case, since the early part of last season, when regularly the Swans, would not show up for a 1st half of a game, go behind by one or two, then come flying out of the blocks 2nd half & maybe salvage a draw!! Why is this?? Why the awful showings & the lack of consistent fight. I certainly didn't feel these were the issues under Martinez, Sousa & Rodgers. I still believe we don't have that leader & 'midfield general' too!! Wish if nothing else, that could be put right....
What i saw for half a season last year convinced me that he was not the manager for us and i was even more convinced by talking to the lads who are at the liberty most days. If we lose or draw against cardiff the feeling is that ML will leave the club that day. He needs to get his act together and change a few things to stop us from being so predictable.....leaving Leon on the bench who is a leader and a cracking midfielder was a big mistake but we had enough out there to win the game....tactics are all wrong or should i say what tactics as there is no game plan other than keep the ball for as long as we can. It never changes and teams can work out how to beat us well in advance, that is bad management however much some fans disagree...
Shelvey can be that general with time .Laudrup nibbled and tinkered the outside of midfield , it's what he likes. But since with the team , he understands that in the middle of the the pitch we have a way of playing , players that know how and a respect to leave it be . Suddenly he wants to tinker with it in a more slash and try way , tinker elsewhere and leave our way intact .
A hugely disappointing performance today. We got suckered into playing Amat in midfield to try to counteract West Hams physical presence - and it didn't work. We are well and truly in a relegation dogfight now with the problem being our players will get stuffed in any physical confrontation. One of the pleasing things about the Fulham game was that even though it got tense and for a while it got scrappy, we stuck to what we do best - play passing football. That's what we have got to get back to. Leon HAS to start. He has been the pulse of the team for the last 10 years and he should start every remaining PL game. Get Amat back into central defence and I'm afraid Ash has to drop to the bench. He is getting away with screaming and berating our back 5 (including Tremmel) and their confidence is shot to pieces, with Tremmel like a frightened rabbit. That's not the way to captain a team or manage players. Sorry Ash, but you need a break. We fought off a Fulham bid for Neil Taylor - then don't even include him in our squad, playing an unfancied Tiendalli instead. Taylor has to figure. Sir Mike has tough choices to make, but they have to be made. Forget about containing teams and waiting till we are 1-0 down before we start playing, we have to take more risks and attack from the start in order to get the initiative. Although people slate West ham, they took 4 points off us this season - because they played to their strengths. We have to do the same. Even when the Hammers were down to 10 men I didn't think we would score - Chelsea battered them on Wednesday and couldn't manage it. But we just seemed to attack without any direction with Britton, our directional talisman for the last decade, sitting on the bench. A bad day at the office for everyone. Let's not make the same mistakes next week
If when we have a fully fit team on at last they dont improve sharpish then god help us ! as the games left are ticking down quickly from now on, so not panicking just yet but getting twitchy. It was a **** display back in the last cdiff game and still happening more on than off up to today. If the team doesnt play a blood n guts effort next week against the diff then theres something very wrong at our club and may set things in motion to change things be it for the good or bad only time will tell. The players have what it takes to do most teams in the prem when thier on thier game but somethings not right be it with management or individuals / cliques in the squad who knows but what ever it is seems to be carried onto the pitch ? Or is it the curse of the cup win last season too ?
It's very concerning to find us in such a precarious position, now heavily involved in a relegation dog fight. My major worry is will our style of football be a hindrance in such a situation. My advice would be to abandon playing our better players in both cup competitions and concentrate wholly on avoiding relegation which is more than a possibility. With Shelvey picking up another injury today worrying times ahead I believe.
