I think your right that the coward narrative is wrong but I don't agree that they are not good enough, I honestly believe that they are psychologicaly shot. They can do it against big teams which I think shows that they can find a bit of desire to succeed and have the badge of putting it up to some of the best in the game but when it comes to the basics they can't find the spark. I don't think this is on purpose but more to do with how the club has drained any spark out of the game for them with the farcical management appointments and dismissals. I really believe that this is caused by those at the very top and unless they make major changes ( which is very unlikely) or sell up this is what we should expect with the odd flash of success, I expect us to get pummelled today but should we somehow put it up to them and win it will just camouflage the problems and we will have to suffer it all over again, but at some stage it has to change
Here we are though likely to have another one after today . Any new manager now could be sacked by May unless we win games which seems rather unlikely. There is no way for now the Pozzos are thinking about next season so they won’t appoint someone for future planning long term if Hodgson goes. Dean Smith at Norwich was probably brought in for that but anyone we have is short term .
One of the worst things about today is we actually have a chance of getting something out of this if we turn up and play well. An even bigger problem then arises if we do win today, who are we playing next? Liverpool away - who are on a winning streak, scoring loads of goals and battering everyone they play more or less. Any confidence that could be gained from today will be destroyed after we (in all likely hood) get demolished in two weeks time. But, in saying that those are games we expect to lose. Amazingly our survival is still in our own hands mathematically speaking. Yes, it's extremely unlikely we will go on a Newcastle-esque run till the end of the season, but all we can ask for is a bit of fight. If we play these final nine games like the "Tigers" Xisco so often said we can be - then I do not think any fan would be too upset seeing we actually tried to give it one more push. Whether that actually comes to pass though is another story.
Yes but would it be better t be hammered/shown up so there is no debate about relegation and the debate about what is wrong can perhaps be expressed publicly/at games while the season is still in progress, or to struggle to an end of season fight and those in charge and the team dissappear from the scene and can ignore the problems or fans concerns
Except that the coward tag has been explained and justified. It’s not just mindless name calling. Being afraid of the ball or not putting your body on the line in games where you need to do it and especially when in our position is exactly that. Cowardly. I guess that when the long held primary position of backing the owners under any circumstances falls like a house of cards, people need another holier than thou position to deviate to.
I had tickets for the game when it was on Saturday, I got a refund as the trains were crap on Sunday. Now I can't even be bothered to watch it on a river. I'm going to have a nice walk in the countryside instead, then find a nice country pub. I'll check the final score, see that we won, smile, all is well.
Okay - let's call it weak minded/lack of application. Much as I detest our owner, I still think there is a limited amount he can do about a group of professionals collapsing like a house of cards within 8 minutes. The players need to have their own professional pride. Regarding social media, I'm talking about Ben Foster's nonsense which in my view seems to be a distraction for him, and even results in the idiot putting Liverpool fans in the home end. With regards to the injuries, Hodgson's quote was Kiko Femenia and Josh King "took themselves off" with injury complaints. Maybe they were genuine. But given we were 3-0 down and two players did it at the same time combined with Kiko's previous on this, I personally don't give this group of players any benefit of the doubt whatsoever.
Can be no surprise since we have started having 3 managers a season we don’t seem able to string a set of results or performances together? The players probably just turn it on (agree it seems we play better against top sides )when they fancy knowing that they will get away with it either due to bad recruiting to replace them or the manager going. When we first came up at least there was some consistency in the a manager lasted a season . Apart from Silva and that was because he wanted out.
Meh, no difference between Kabasele and Cathcart or Cleverley and Kucka. Maybe even less mobility in midfield now which is impressive.
Utter garbage. Sierralta once again removed from the squad entirely. Etebo not involved at all after coming back finally. Kucka for Cleverley. Just a joke.
Found this corker on twitter: Swapping cleverly for kucka is like eating raw chicken instead of cyanide
Well, at least no Cleverley, Sema or Cathcart,and Joao being there is positive as well. Still think we won't win this.
Yes amazing that he couldn't even make it to half time on Thursday and limped off looking distressed. Now he's back out there ready to go, what a hero. Unless we're getting battered again in which case that nasty limp will come back.
Intruiging line up, where will we be at 4pm? Renewed faith and hope or deepest depthsnof hopelessness. Can't see any middle ground.
I just hope the players and fans enjoy the day. It’s best to enjoy the Premiership League while we’re in it.
Yes - Cathcart, Cleverley and King all finally dropped!! Boo - Etebo is missing again so it's Kucka in for Cleverley.
Basically yes so much of the same ? Kabasele might be faster and younger but error prone . Hope to proved wrong .
I’m surprised though some people think Kucka is better, he’s been a liability on more occasions this season and has (even) less stamina than Cleverley.
Nice to see Gosling is part of our full squad again but is still yet to make an appearance on the bench. His fitness must be well below the standard. It's day's like today I would of preferred a player who can run for more than 30mins (Kucka) before he gets knackered. When he does go off in the game - it's going to be Cleverly or King Ken. Cleverly is the obvious one there.
In fairness to Kabs I don't recall him making any major individual howlers this season, unlike all our other CBs. He's not played as many minutes though so there's still time, and he's also still featured in some bad defeats. He's seemed sharper at least than Cathcart when they've both been on the pitch together lately.
Femenia has made an incredible recovery though. Isn't that amazing? Definitely didn't just throw in the towel yet again on Thursday.
