(Left as a comment)
I was at the game and it was a pitiful sight in the first half, seeing Maynard being left out to dry up front on his own - how can such team selection pass even a simple test of intent? Little Maynard is six inches shorter than the guy towering over him, just waiting for the long ball up to him - no chance and a complete waste of time. The difference when Cole came on was remarkable - he is a master at that part of his game - pity he's lost the touch to score. I have to say also that Nolan is a mystery to me - just doesn't seem to provide us anything in midfield - and yet Noble also seems to be unable to play his more decisive passing when Nolan is in the team. Looking at the games we had when he was suspended - I would have to agree that it might be better to try the team on a 4x4x2 without Nolan.
I am a long serving season ticket holder - I really worry about the tactics that Big Sam has used recently, if he wants automatic promotion he has to set up more positively. What is the point of being told he has the best squad in the division and yet doesn't seem to know his best team and set up yet: with 10 games to go !! Even if we win our game in hand - we stay in the play-off positions and this is not what we were told to expect from Big Sam only a few weeks ago.
The prospect of the play-offs with Cardiff, Birmingham, Middlesborough, Brighton or similar is a frightening prospect when you look at our form over the last three games. I am fed up with being told that the fans should be more supportive or not to voice our concerns; this is a results game and we are not getting them and haven't looked good since Nolan came back.
I just hope that the players get given the chance to play in a way that gives them an opportunity to go out and win the games we have left - not more of that negative rubbish I had to watch at Leeds. It cost about £200 to go and see the Leeds game, and we deserve to see a good performance or at least good application - I saw neither. But there were still 5000 of us moaning supporters there and I can assure Big Sam that I may not be one of those that actually moans or boos at the end of the game - but I DO FEEL let down and unhappy - as most of the fans at that game were!
It is not a minority that are pissed off with the tactics and the lack of positive intent revealed by the team selection - and Big Sam had best understand that. Surely even he could see the 'long ball' crap being sent into little Maynard. He was watching the same game presumably?
Anony-mouse says,
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how people see things differently.
I agree with much of what you said. For example Maynard is not a target man striker- Cole is, but injuries have taken their toll on his body and he cannot play/ complete every game. Don't you think Allardyce sees what you and I see, but has to cosset Cole rather than play him every minute?
The tactics employed yesterday were the same as those that got us great wins at Cardiff and Blackpool as part of our best ever away record. I thought we played OK yesterday without offering the threat we'd have liked.
And I make no apolgies for being one of those who will bang on about negativity amongst our fans. It is one thing to point out valid criticisms, but do it down the pub with your mates/ on forums like this etc.. But to boo the team in the ground is inexcusable in almost any circumstances.
It affects the team negatively. To those who argue that it has/ should have no affect on them I say then why do you bother doing it? Why would you run the risk of an adverse reaction if you think that booing has no affect anyway? Supporters by definition should support- that is they should be supportive. There are those in the ground who boo/ mug off the players and Allardyce more than they cheer the team. In my mind they are not supporters cos they aren't supportive. They can call themselves followers if they want. None of what I've just said is aimed at this piece's eloquent author as you rightly don't boo players wearing pur colours.
Rant (and essay) over. Nght, night.
Again everyone except the manager is mystified by the team selection and tactics. If he played Green, O'Brien, Collins, Faye, McCartney, Vaz Te, Tomkins, Noble, Taylor, then up front Cole and Baldock. Tactics are to hit a long ball sometimes to Cole otherwise play on the floor and use Baldocks speed. If Carew is fit play him instead of Cole, they could always swap and play same tactics. Move with speed and good passing. Also perhaps in training all players should have shooting practice.
ReplyDeleteNotice no Nolan since when he was out due to red card, the team got results.
If no change to current tactics it's the Play Off's with everyone else appearing to come in to form, with us going out of form both home and away.
Very soon it will be "It will all be different next season, and we will get promotion".
Come on you irons.
It is becoming clear that the only way we can have automatic promotion is by winning our home games. And that is exactly my point. I want to ask Big Sam, how he intends to change things when we play at home. Does he really think that giving the space and freedom of movement to Reading at Upton Park will get us a win against them which we so badly need now? Reading seems to be scoring goals for fun!
ReplyDeleteWe need to attack and besiege the teams playing against us at Upton Park and put the game beyond their reach. How does Sam intend to do that? Maintaining the same tactics at home will only ensure that we will miss out in getting ourselves in the automatic promotion places.
We have played well since Nolan came back- Cardiff, where we were excellent in the second half. You are right about Maynard yesterday- there was no way he was going to get any joy with those long balls and we looked better when Cole came on. We are missing Diop and Faubert but the bottom line is that our strikers just aren't that good. Despite the performance though yesterday was great- a proper atmosphere for a change and a brilliant day out.
ReplyDeleteLets have this guys name or is he like you HF an Anony-mouse? Mwwwwaaahhhhaaaahhhhaaaaaaaa!
ReplyDelete