The first half today was especially agonising to watch. Like so many games we started so slowly and carefully and completely failed to impose ourselves (at home) against a supposedly ‘lesser’ opponent. We seem to have spells of about four minutes of highly deliberate possession in our own half then, once we finally cross the half-way line, about four seconds of chaotic 50/50 football. Occasionally this ends with a chance at goal, but usually with losing possession. The team selection was bizarre, with a striker who we already know can’t play as a lone centre forward (and proved it once again) and a centre-back playing at right-back, while our Spanish international right-back was sitting on the bench. At half-time the unsuitable centre forward was replaced with our out of form centre forward instead of trying them both together, which just might have helped each of them - particularly as we desperately needed a goal. Ironically the most threatening chance of the game came from the boot of Sarr - the most ineffective of them all - who came dangerously close to getting involved in the game. Pathetic.
He is far from ready to be first choice playing every game, he was showing signs of frailty so leaving him out for a bit was the right choice. I have no doubt he will come good eventually but we have to nurture him.
You make good points there. I've always felt louza sits too deep (on the odd occasion he plays). Choudhary also sits in the hole, and in my eyes that just won't work. Yes maybe we need louza deeper to pick up the ball but then we also need him in the centre of midfield to ping the ball around with our attacking players, he can't do both. We basically still don't have a "proper" driving force centre - mid. (doucoure type) I think this is our downfall, no real link up between midfield and forwards, then there's what position is JP supposed to be playing, and what gaps appear when he or Ken push up.... Our players do have more ability than this but the jigsaw really isn't working....
Oh yeah, what the **** was the deal with the goal kicks today? I swear last week at Sheff Utd Hoedt largely found a decent out ball and kicked some long for good measure too. Today every single one seemed to involve a sideways pass across the 6yd box to Porteous and then from there either back where it came, to Bachmann or straight to Preston. Not sure anything good came from any of them. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a team set up like that from goalkicks before. And probably with good reason.
Why when we win a free kick do we have to pass the ball backwards or at best sidewards, G.T. will be turning in his grave, no wonder we don’t score we don’t get the ball in their box and we don’t shoot!
I saw him last year vs Chelsea reserves and you could see he had excellent technical quality, but felt a bit slow for the very top level. They were the perfect metaphor for our team. Incapable, blundering and embarrassing.
This is a good point. There’s no way that at any professional level a goalie shouldn’t be trusted to take GOAL KICKS. Bachmann just isn’t good enough. There was also a moment today where their defender (Diaby?) found some space in the box and put a decent ball across and Bachmann was statuesque as usual on his line - we got away with it but quicker reactions from their attackers and we go one behind.
Best part of today’s match was half time penalty shootout. The rest of it can be put straight into the forgotten ***** jar. Staunch Bilic out now. The fella’s clueless.
I'd like to see Kone and Louza given a go together in a home game and not worry about Choudhury, let Louza run the game and Kone get up and down the pitch
Respectfully disagree but won't deride your post as nonsense. In the past we had players who could score from nothing with far worse players than Pedro, Louza and Sarr supporting them. Those players turn games like today into 1-0 wins.
He was poor for a few games before he was dropped, and maybe he needed a rest. Probably should have been brought back earlier, though, as he was superb. While Araujo was bullied out by the Pteston players, the equally slight Asprilla was never outmuscled.
Here, hear! It’s the same with throw-ins. Any around 10 yards either side of the half way line are always thrown back to the defenders inside our half as though it’s some kind of rule that all moves have to start from the centre of defence. Make it an attacking throw-in down the line to a forward and press the defence! Hopeless.
Beryl who was, assistant cook at the club between 1978-79 , sadly passed away so expect a full minute for her at the next game.
Didn’t watch the game, couldn’t be bothered. But reading the comments on here sounds like we’re playing like Boro under Southgate. No doubt Edwards and the scum up the road are laughing their heads off.
First game I’ve got to for a while, unfortunately same old recurrences. Slow, boring backwards football bar a few times we were progressive with our passing, or quick with our pressing which culminated in something decent, why can’t we do it all game apart from once every 10 minutes? First half one of the worst halves of football I’ve ever seen, second half better but only when Asprilla got on the ball. No chance of play offs now I feel, even if we somehow fluke our way into them it’ll just be an embarrassment. Bilic continues to be questionable regarding his subs, unless he was injured why take Morris off? Will have done wonders for Araujos confidence; granted he got bullied by their 23 (who I thought played incredibly well) but had nothing to go for, considering how many ‘creative’ players we have we create absolutely nothing. Bachmann, standard. Nothing to do, rooted to his line as per. Cathcart at right back had the worst first half performance I’ve seen since Bakayoko for Chelsea in Gracia’s first home game, shocking passing and constantly doubled up on, more to do with Sarr but surprised they didn’t attack that more. First time seeing Porteous and Hoedt, latter won everything in the air in fairness to him and Porteous won highlight of the first half with his trip on their bloke right by the dugout having already won a free kick. Morris I thought was solid, as already mentioned unless he was injured don’t understand why he was subbed. Choudhury, good at breaking up play but his forward passing is abysmal. Louza had a few good set pieces but other than that poor. Pedro good first half, trying things not quite coming off, terrible second half though. Sarr I actually thought looked better than previous times but still too much of a pansy, Ken did nothing first half, was even worse second half pushed to left back. Araujo as alluded to got ruined by their centre halves but should have come out second half. Davis did ok at times but ultimately quiet. Asprilla was probably our man of the match, not exactly something for him to put on his CV given the abjectness of the others but still, promising (ish). Gaspar (going by other comments from posters) continued his recent good form, why he was dropped I have no idea. Assombalonga sub, utterly pointless. Boring football, cold, useless officials, nigh on 7 quid for a pint out a plastic cup, scum won, safe to say Saturday afternoons have been more enjoyable.
Took the Mrs to Bath for the weekend instead of going yesterday, couldn't give my ticket away for love not money. Wise decision. See you at QPR next weekend.
I assumed Bachmann has some sort of injury that has meant recently he is avoiding taking kicks. He seemed to only want to throw the ball out when he had the option, as opposed to pass backs when he had to kick it. at least the children’s penalty shoot out got the crowd going. Although to be fair it was really just the Preston fans that got involved. What is the point of the family stand behind a goal? Not sure Kone offers less than Louza or why we didn’t play Pedro and Araujo upfront in the second half once we put the extra person in midfield. You could then have thrown Davies on with five to go to lump it up to him if you needed a Bayo cameo. Have the family coming to the Wigan game for my 60th. Looks like I will have to make it up to them somehow.
I couldn't understand why anyone was trying to throw the ball back. Dreadful game of football. Why would you want to let them carry on?
It’s possible I suppose, but wouldn’t be surprised if Bilic took note of the absolute horror show that was DB’s ‘distribution’ at Burnley a couple of weeks back and took goal kicks off of him. We have a goalkeeper who can’t even do the basics right. Keep an eye on our defence when we next play as well, his indecision and lackadaisical nature scare the daylights out of them. New goalie needed 100% in the summer. Along with 7-8 other positions.
Junior County Cup is on at the tennis centre. Guarantee you'll see more endeavour there than from our boys.
We doctors know this disease as " Can'tcomeoffthelineενκαφαλιτις". A neuromuscular complaint that affects the brain so that the goalie is **** scared to leave the confines of his goal line. This then spreads to his colleagues who start clucking and stick pencils up their noses, shouting "wibble". You don't get that knowledge at A&E!
Perhaps we owe another instalment on the transfer fee if we play him and don't have the funds to cover it ?
After our difficult run of fixtures I noticed a few things about the team. - Investing in defence had absolutely trashed the players we were utilising before. Porteous and Hoedt are a colossal upgrade and at a fee of around £2.5 million for both. Defence is not the issue with this team now, but will be if you Bilic continues with square pegs/round holes with Cathcart at RB. - The midfield is playing more progressive football with Louza retuning to the starting 11. Choudhury can focus on his DM role and his performances lately have shown he is a top player. Pedro is also playing some nice link up football, but is miles too deep, he needs to be a second striker, he is out most creative player. - The front line as zero team chemistry and by investing so much in Bayo and keeping faith in Sarr, this area is the problem with our team. We won’t win games if we don’t score goals and more often then not, we just can’t put it in the net. Sarr will take a bashing every game as he doesn’t give us £30 million performances and never will. Zero chemistry between the players is like playing strangers together and it shows. Crosses are directed at no-one, runs into the box are missed, passes that should be to feet are over top and vice versa, it’s painful to watch. - Speed of play is pedestrian at best. I was shocked when we played Burnley as they were so fast and committed. There was an urgency in the play and they had a plan. Our buildup is so slow and certainly looks aimless most of the time. More in the sense that players are expected to just show up and produce great individual performances to win the game. The team is not playing as a team, especially a winning one and our position in the table reflects this.
Sure his distribution is average/poor and with no target man like Davis to aim for and Araujo not up to challenging in this league what would be the point in launching it forwards. I think I read that Bilic said the players are sticking to the plan - really - come on don’t take us for fools. In a must win game why not go 2 up front with Davis and Araujo after the “ plan” in the first half didn’t work - or change it in the 1st half. Looks to me like he is going through the motions waiting for either a pay off or end of season as he can’t get a tune out of the squad
I was saying that needed to be top priority even before the January window opened - it's not just "now".
What extra person in midfield? We played the exact same formation at the start of the second half, but just with Asprilla on the wing instead of Sema, and Sema at LB instead of Morris.
I don’t disagree that we have needed one this season. I disagree that it’s the ‘only’ thing we are missing, which seems to be the new excuse for a few people. (Not suggesting you’re one of them)
The atmosphere was as bad as it's ever been yesterday. Almost no singing whatsoever. The output of the club's management has slowly but surely squeezed every last drop of enjoyment and passion from the fans.
Wouldn't hurt though. We have 10 goals all season between Bayo, Davis, Araujo, Adeyemo and Manaj. It's pitiful.
