I'm very confused, and wondering just what exactly the training consists of: a) We don't seem to know where the goal is because we never shoot at it, and when we do it generally sails over the bar. b) Crosses, every one in the Stoke game went straight to their keeper? c) Passing, the pass completion per game is awful, we wear YELLOW shirts ffs, you can't mistake them! d) Free kicks, we are supposedly know as a team that specialises in dead ball situations. Really???? I could go on but I'm still fuming after the weekend and will probably say something that might upset some of you, but I just can't see where we practise any of the above!
The Keeper has a large supply of balls, he then is instructed to whack them upfield. The 10 defenders then practice standing in perfect lines across the pitch, if a player takes a step backwards Calderwood slaps the back of their legs with a cane. If they step forwards, well..................I believe this is what Beccio had the temerity to do and I think he has been sat on the naughty step ever since! All while CH shouts mild mannered nice things completely unrelated to how to win football matches. It doesn't matter though as he is nice! Bah!
ILD, to be brutally honest, I don't want to think about it or I might get a little more than angry! Saturdays display, not unlike the one at Wigan, suggests that there is no actual structure to the training. More of a lets get out there and hope for the best kind of policy. What we are witnessing is not unlike what I used to be involved in when I was in the RAF. Once a year we would have an Inter- department league and this would be the only time in the year that the 16 people involved would actually get together on an area covered in grass and no one would know who was playing where, who would make a run, create space, head a ball well etc and the standard of course was pretty abysmal with perhaps the odd moment of inspiration thrown in for good measure.
I always imagined that they would just spend the entire training session practising defending corner kicks, but I kinda prefer GM's explanation!
Oh they do all of the above, just really badly. I tend to think that as a squad we over performed massively last season, and but due to good fortune got some results that could have easily gone against us, thereby dropping us in the drop zone. I think we have performed more to the level of the team this year and some of last year;s star performers have done less this year. I was in the jesus what the feck is he doing club, but I think he's done ok, give CH some real quality in midfield and up front and then we will know, at the moment there is no creative quality in the centre midfield and pretty lacklustre forwards. I think if CH believes in the players he has then he may well play a different game, he just seems to have very little belief in the players ability to play attacking football.
It always amazes me what short memories some of you have on here! All of you shouting for Hughton's head would have got rid of SAF long before he turned Man Ure into what they are today! When we improve in the Summer you are going to look very silly!
Hypothetical question... If the Vile hadn't turned Lambert's head, and he had stayed with you this season, do you think that that you would be in a better or worse place now?
For the record Dave, I want to give Hughton a chance in the summer to re-build with his own players so I am not in the Hughton out brigade. However his lack of nous when it comes to substitutions is a worry for me and also he seems to have no plan B. With his own players this may change though I am willing to find out.
There are many comment from ex pros that teams really don't have a plan B; they change players who are perfoming badly, go for a slightly more attacking or defensive option - these are hardly plan Bs If they come off they are hailed as wonderful tactics, it's more just luck that anything else. I think it is more about having the bollocks to change something, when you know you'll get slagged if it backfires.
Maybe in an even worse position, but only because Lambert was restless and needed to move on, not because he lacks ability. One thing's for sure - it would all have been much more entertaining.
I'd give him something when he was with you...he certainly knew when to make a game-changing substitution!
He may have signed Benteke for you guys instead of for Villa and you may be looking back on fond memories of some thrilling 3-3 draws this season.... Instead of depressed by memories of those 0-0 showers
