Hopefully people can be a bit more rational the day after, but I think that most shocked and surprised everyone was although defeats are nothing new and will always get certain people flapping their arms, that was a real limp, powder puff performance that hasn't been seen for such a long time.
It had clear similar aspects to one of those half-hearted efforts seen frequently during Pardew and Parkinson's spells. Too many players looked to be going through the motions yesterday, which is really concerning.
The is no doubt the injuries we have had this season have been the over-riding factor in why we have struggled to get out a settled, consistent team. Unfortunately it has led us to the point where i really don't think it is clear to anyone what actually is our best side to put out. Players returning from injuries need game time to get back to match fitness, but when it has occurred they seem to have disrupted things and taken us backwards (Kermogant, Primpong) and those on the periphery of the team / not guaranteed a place (such as Green, Stephens, Kerkar etc).
Only really Hamer, Solly, Morrison, Cort, Pritchard, Haynes and Hulse have bar the odd game, been putting in consistent performances.
This league is so unpredictable and narrow in terms of ability, the majority will win and lose games in equal measure. But results aside, yesterday's 'performance' was well below the mark of what players should be putting in once the ref has blown that whistle. Compare the tempo of say the Leicester home game to that yesterday, it was played at a completely different pace.
It's always easy to blame the manager, or say the players lack passion / desire when things aren't going well. But the attitude just did not seem right yesterday, and the key thing is to make sure that that was a one off.
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The chopping and changing may well in the main been enforced by injuries and suspensions, but the best managers find the tinkering that works. What has been happening in the last couple of games hasn't. If players are not taking opportunities when granted to them, then learn from that.
I'm not claiming that he's Messi but he has a superb engine and you get an honest 90 minutes out of him. I really don't think he can be any worse than some of what we have seen.
Has there been some sort of "fall out" behind the scenes? Waggy seems as popular as Jimmy Savile at a girl guide camp at the moment.
go and do ten lines ;-)
This season I would say that only Wilson and maybe Hulse have come in with that mentality. Kerkar, whilst having a fair amount of ability, is not one to have in the trenches alongside you. Fuller has the ability but is carried due to his age and questionable fitness and Frimpong has the air of arrogance without the real class to back it up.
Spirit and desire gets you an awful long way as let's be honest we were not the best footballing side in League One last year but ground out results when needed. If there are players within this squad who do not have that commitment, urgency and drive then they should not play ahead of the likes of Pritchard who epitomises what our club is all about.
Tue subs made a difference and thwarting team looked committed to a man. Fuller and Hulse were good all afternoon the back four were ok minus seabourne. the midfeild were good 2nd half thanks to pritchards drive and energy. For me id start that team with evina or Wilson in for seabourne. I would also like to see hariott get a run out
When we went 8 unbeaten we worked very hard. He's tried to push on from that by adding a bit of 'football quality' in Stephens and Green but its not worked.
Back to basics and back to battling performances.
An ugly win is still a win.
One thing you'll always get with Pritchard is the right attitude.