Whilst we didn't get bullied by teams last year, we were always willing to give up territory and position on the pitch. If teams like Leyton Orient decided to come and pressure us, we invariably gave up the initiative. Sure during the last days of summer our fancy midfielders looked like tier 3 world beaters, but they rarely did the rest of the season.
As someone else said for three seasons we've not had hardly any competitive outfield players. It was most evident in the Pardew champ era. So bloody evident it was almost shocking to see how Dailly and Burton keeping it stoic and simple, transformed the team. On a rubbish february mid-week match the likes of Doherty, Dailly and hopefully McMormack are a hella of a lot more important than Sam, Racon or Shelvey...... still wish we had the other two though!
who said anything about dirty football? Dirty football to me means deliberately trying to injure players, get players sent off and generally cheating. I'm talking about winning tackles, being fitter than the other team and physically stronger. Of course you have to be able to play as well but i think we have been neither one thing or the other the last few years and we've certainly lost the ability to out work other teams which Curbishley's sides normally could.
Last season, Parky had a group of quite talented players, several a bit on the small side, mostly left over from the Championship - on Championship contracts. So he used them as best he could, but that left the side a bit unbalanced at times.
Now some of those players have moved on........ and it strikes me that Parky's first priority is to rebuild the spine of the side with physically bigger, more competitive and determined players. Even as it stands, he's brought in a 6'2" dominant 1st ball CB, a very competitive box to box midfielder although only 5'8", the cultured 6' 1" Jackson, with 6'2" Akpo up front.
Now our need is for wide players/strikers with quick acceleration and composure in front of goal.
No doubt players in these positions will be signed in the next few weeks.
Comments
As someone else said for three seasons we've not had hardly any competitive outfield players. It was most evident in the Pardew champ era. So bloody evident it was almost shocking to see how Dailly and Burton keeping it stoic and simple, transformed the team. On a rubbish february mid-week match the likes of Doherty, Dailly and hopefully McMormack are a hella of a lot more important than Sam, Racon or Shelvey...... still wish we had the other two though!
Curbs teams never played dirty football and we did alright then.
If we keep searching for excuses we will perform as badly (or worse) this year.[/quote]
Curbs teams were never in League 1
Now some of those players have moved on........ and it strikes me that Parky's first priority is to rebuild the spine of the side with physically bigger, more competitive and determined players. Even as it stands, he's brought in a 6'2" dominant 1st ball CB, a very competitive box to box midfielder although only 5'8", the cultured 6' 1" Jackson, with 6'2" Akpo up front.
Now our need is for wide players/strikers with quick acceleration and composure in front of goal.
No doubt players in these positions will be signed in the next few weeks.