Speedo wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 10:40 pm

Two whole days...

Speedo wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 10:40 pm

Two whole days...

Sanchino wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 10:30 pm

Would anyone take Eddie Howe? Not just because the Wilson & Fraser connection.. but he'll get us playing good football & give us some attacking intent & a positive attacking mentality.. we have talented footballers but with this dinosaur of a manager we won't ever achieve nothing. The only reason we'll survive this season is due to other teams being worse than us & once in a while we'll get the odd lucky result out of nowhere, couple draws here n there & couple grinding close wins. We have attackers with guile, pace, flair, skill & finishing why not utilize to the best of our abilities? Our strongest team barring injuries/form should be in the top 10.. not scraping by & doing mid-table/lower half yoyoing'..fighting for survival, etc.

Colly wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 10:22 pm

ALF wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 10:21 pm

Do we think we're the only team that play this badly or do we just notice it more because we care a little bit?

Most shots faced, most lots of other things too. We are garbage.

ALF wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 10:21 pm

Do we think we're the only team that play this badly or do we just notice it more because we care a little bit?

Don Sholeone wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 9:57 pm

The joy of no crowds is the insight into the genius level instructions from Bruce on the side line. The majestic shout of Go on Allan, Go on Allan! Or the Go on Miggy, Go on Miggy! And the sometimes used Go on Joe, Go on Joe! I dont know how he comes up with these next level instructions. Inspirational!

ALF wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 9:54 pm

Colly wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 9:46 pm

An 8 year old knows you clear that rather than try to dribble it out.

Good job he didn't try to dribble it out.

Remember Colo wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 10:00 pm

ALF wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 9:53 pm

There's plenty of midfielders out there that would have hoofed it clear, like you say we've got plenty that treat it as a hot potato. Controlling it and looking to pass it out shows he's confident on the ball, if we can get him on the ball 50 yards higher up the pitch then there's potential.

Ours are too deep from the off because we're playing a deep, flat back 5. There's no space to come and get the ball because the opposition strikers don't need to press our defence. They can just sit on the midfielders and block those passing lanes. It inevitably goes wide and our wing backs pump it down the line as the opposition wingers close them. Or they go back to Darlow who aimlessly hoofs it to just short of the halfway line. We need to start playing on the front foot, we have the players to do it.

Well yes, in that case he should have hoofed it clear, not taken a couple touches until it was taken off him and scored with. Everything else I posted was a broader criticism of our midfielders - not a response to that play/goal. But I'm not going to take that gaff as a reason to credit his confidence on the ball.

But completely agree about the formation and tactics that put extra pressure on everyone from our fullbacks through midfield - and just serves to exacerbate their weaknesses.

Remember Colo wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 9:45 pm

ALF wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 9:40 pm

What do you expect midfielders to do when they have no options?

At least clear it? It's a systematic problem, sure. But so many of our players are so slow and ponderous on the ball. Or they treat it as a hot potato. They don't know where to be to be available to their teammates, they look nervous and aimless once they do stumble upon it. I want a CM that wants the ball at every opportunity, knows when to pass or create space with a dribble, and can move the ball up the field. Ours wait for the ball to come to them then pivot and either play it back to the CBs or just hoof it forward or out wide.

ALF wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 9:53 pm

Remember Colo wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 06, 2020 9:45 pm

At least clear it? It's a systematic problem, sure. But so many of our players are so slow and ponderous on the ball. Or they treat it as a hot potato. They don't know where to be to be available to their teammates, they look nervous and aimless once they do stumble upon it. I want a CM that wants the ball at every opportunity, knows went to pass or create space with a dribble, and can move the ball up the field. Ours wait for the ball to come to them then pivot and either play it back to the CBs or just hoof it forward or out wide.

There's plenty of midfielders out there that would have hoofed it clear, like you say we've got plenty that treat it as a hot potato. Controlling it and looking to pass it out shows he's confident on the ball, if we can get him on the ball 50 yards higher up the pitch then there's potential.

Ours are too deep from the off because we're playing a deep, flat back 5. There's no space to come and get the ball because the opposition strikers don't need to press our defence. They can just sit on the midfielders and block those passing lanes. It inevitably goes wide and our wing backs pump it down the line as the opposition wingers close them. Or they go back to Darlow who aimlessly hoofs it to just short of the halfway line. We need to start playing on the front foot, we have the players to do it.