PWR and after trying to calm down for the past 3 hours....
I did stay on stream until Bow's post match interview was concluded and thought he gave a fair assessment of the match with no excuses...
But he admitted AGAIN that we were too soft so I have to ask, why, after he'd already given that assessment recently, had the issue not been successfully addressed ! Surely it's a manager's or coach's job to identify any problems and sort them out. It's not as if he only has 11 fit players - he has more options now than he's probably had since he took over the reins. Maybe that's part of his problem....
He also referred to the fact that Pompey " do what they do" and "do it well ". Fair point. We may not like the numerous times their players "fall over" but it appears to win them free kicks all over the pitch ( I think the ref must be an ex sailor though tonight) and they looked to attack at every opportunity, seeming to know where their team mates would be before they completed a pass. Maybe our lads should be provided with sat navs to help them find one another ....
If this is Pompey's successful modus operandi, what is ours ? Do WE have a Charlton way of playing ? How closely does Bow, JJ, SG watch the opposition before we play them ? Do we work on getting the basics right in training day after day ? Would it help Bow to watch a game or two from higher in the West Stand where he'd be able to see more clearly what we and Terry & Greg see ?
SO many questions and, well, you know the rest...
I honestly believe that tonight heralded the crossroads for the gaffer and it pains me to admit it.
We all love the guy who we first saw racing around the pitch on his spindly legs as a 17 year old. And love the way in which this ex player returned "home" to lead our team onwards & upwards under the most difficult circumstances and against all odds.
But I am beginning to question whether his lack of managerial experience, and possibly a degree of naivety, is becoming all too apparent. Perhaps opposition managers note such frailties, if indeed they are, and use this to their advantage when preparing their teams to face the Addicks ( IYKWIM )
The question may soon be posed as to whether a more experienced "old" head might get more from a squad of players that many surely envy. I guess there's only one way we'll find out the answer. Many of us here have felt that a mentor, or indeed someone who's been there & worn the T shirt, would be beneficial to our Lee - perhaps the time is right for Thomas to mull this over.
Every match, I want this one to be the start of that fabled "good run".
But it just isn't happening. And, sadly, the signs are not there of significant improvement on anything like a regular basis.
And I fear that the return of Innis and Famewo when fit will not solve our current problems, even if they are able to hit the ground running, as opposed to limping.
Those of you that have played the beautiful game will have your own ideas of where the solution to our problems lie and I look forward to reading those views on this thread tomorrow.
But I believe that you will all be posing the question of where do we go from here ....
If we beat Rochdale it will be tight and defensive. It isn't the blueprint for going on a run. That is creating quite a few more chances than you concede, however you achieve that.
One thing you can say about games involving Rochdale are that they are not "tight & defensive"...😄.
FWIW, I reckon Bowyer will see the light on Saturday, will start with Millar & DJ and we win 4-2.
Matthews massive drop in form since resigning for us is a complete mystery.
Does not look anywhere near the same player we had in the championship. Bizarre
I wonder if it's anything to do with with one week your in the team and the next week you're out?
Possibly. 20 games left to pick best 11 and stick with it where we can.
I just want to see 442 with best players on the pitch in right positions for consecutive matches. Surely got to yield better than the constant switching and square pegs.
If we beat Rochdale it will be tight and defensive. It isn't the blueprint for going on a run. That is creating quite a few more chances than you concede, however you achieve that.
One thing you can say about games involving Rochdale are that they are not "tight & defensive"...😄.
FWIW, I reckon Bowyer will see the light on Saturday, will start with Millar & DJ and we win 4-2.
One thing that you can say about games involving Charlton, most of the time, is that they are not "tight and defensive", mainly because our defence is non-existent.
How is Bowyer supposed to legislate for this? Gunter has nearly 100 caps at international level but can’t be trusted with a 10 yard pass under absolutely no pressure. Bowyer not beyond criticism at all, but what is a manager supposed to do about this?
How about playing a Centre half there for a start. Sure, Barker or Mingi might have made the same mistake, but we'll never know will we. One thing is for sure though, keep playing square pegs in rounds holes you'll keep getting the odd mistake. The last 17 games haven't been wrong.
Matthews massive drop in form since resigning for us is a complete mystery.
Does not look anywhere near the same player we had in the championship. Bizarre
I wonder if it's anything to do with with one week your in the team and the next week you're out?
Possibly. 20 games left to pick best 11 and stick with it where we can.
I just want to see 442 with best players on the pitch in right positions for consecutive matches. Surely got to yield better than the constant switching and square pegs.
Most definitely. The constant changes have become ridiculous.
I think we’ve kind of all assumed JFC is a decent footballer because he’s been our best midfielder.
I think it says a lot more about our squad than it does his performances. I find him very uninspiring for the most part.
Yep. JFC mid to lower level league 1 player. If he plays with his hair one more time FFS. Cut it or wear a hair band
I was gonna read the whole thread before commenting on anything but you’ve mentioned one of my biggest gripes of this evenings shit show , fucking put something on it a hair band an Alice band a Cnut band a fucking pair of cnuting scissors through the lot you fucking twat , shave it bald for a Brazilian you Cnut fucking stop playing with it you big girls blouse . Seriously it got to me tonight every fricking time .rant over , pass the Cadbury’s nurse and relax one two three no I don’t want to sleep cos i’’l see that twat slicking back his cnuting Barnet again fcuk off please sedate me nurse
How is Bowyer supposed to legislate for this? Gunter has nearly 100 caps at international level but can’t be trusted with a 10 yard pass under absolutely no pressure. Bowyer not beyond criticism at all, but what is a manager supposed to do about this?
How about playing a Centre half there for a start. Sure, Barker or Mingi might have made the same mistake, but we'll never know will we. One thing is for sure though, keep playing square pegs in rounds holes you'll keep getting the odd mistake. The last 17 games haven't been wrong.
Agreed, though I at first read that as Sue Barker which I was less sure about.
PWR and after trying to calm down for the past 3 hours....
I did stay on stream until Bow's post match interview was concluded and thought he gave a fair assessment of the match with no excuses...
But he admitted AGAIN that we were too soft so I have to ask, why, after he'd already given that assessment recently, had the issue not been successfully addressed ! Surely it's a manager's or coach's job to identify any problems and sort them out. It's not as if he only has 11 fit players - he has more options now than he's probably had since he took over the reins. Maybe that's part of his problem....
He also referred to the fact that Pompey " do what they do" and "do it well ". Fair point. We may not like the numerous times their players "fall over" but it appears to win them free kicks all over the pitch ( I think the ref must be an ex sailor though tonight) and they looked to attack at every opportunity, seeming to know where their team mates would be before they completed a pass. Maybe our lads should be provided with sat navs to help them find one another ....
If this is Pompey's successful modus operandi, what is ours ? Do WE have a Charlton way of playing ? How closely does Bow, JJ, SG watch the opposition before we play them ? Do we work on getting the basics right in training day after day ? Would it help Bow to watch a game or two from higher in the West Stand where he'd be able to see more clearly what we and Terry & Greg see ?
SO many questions and, well, you know the rest...
I honestly believe that tonight heralded the crossroads for the gaffer and it pains me to admit it.
We all love the guy who we first saw racing around the pitch on his spindly legs as a 17 year old. And love the way in which this ex player returned "home" to lead our team onwards & upwards under the most difficult circumstances and against all odds.
But I am beginning to question whether his lack of managerial experience, and possibly a degree of naivety, is becoming all too apparent. Perhaps opposition managers note such frailties, if indeed they are, and use this to their advantage when preparing their teams to face the Addicks ( IYKWIM )
The question may soon be posed as to whether a more experienced "old" head might get more from a squad of players that many surely envy. I guess there's only one way we'll find out the answer. Many of us here have felt that a mentor, or indeed someone who's been there & worn the T shirt, would be beneficial to our Lee - perhaps the time is right for Thomas to mull this over.
Every match, I want this one to be the start of that fabled "good run".
But it just isn't happening. And, sadly, the signs are not there of significant improvement on anything like a regular basis.
And I fear that the return of Innis and Famewo when fit will not solve our current problems, even if they are able to hit the ground running, as opposed to limping.
Those of you that have played the beautiful game will have your own ideas of where the solution to our problems lie and I look forward to reading those views on this thread tomorrow.
But I believe that you will all be posing the question of where do we go from here ....
Worried of Wadhurst.
If Fanny has lost faith with one of our own then I think that that speaks volumes.
I think we’ve kind of all assumed JFC is a decent footballer because he’s been our best midfielder.
I think it says a lot more about our squad than it does his performances. I find him very uninspiring for the most part.
Yep. JFC mid to lower level league 1 player. If he plays with his hair one more time FFS. Cut it or wear a hair band
I was gonna read the whole thread before commenting on anything but you’ve mentioned one of my biggest gripes of this evenings shit show , fucking put something on it a hair band an Alice band a Cnut band a fucking pair of cnuting scissors through the lot you fucking twat , shave it bald for a Brazilian you Cnut fucking stop playing with it you big girls blouse . Seriously it got to me tonight every fricking time .rant over , pass the Cadbury’s nurse and relax one two three no I don’t want to sleep cos i’’l see that twat slicking back his cnuting Barnet again fcuk off please sedate me nurse
I think we’ve kind of all assumed JFC is a decent footballer because he’s been our best midfielder.
I think it says a lot more about our squad than it does his performances. I find him very uninspiring for the most part.
Yep. JFC mid to lower level league 1 player. If he plays with his hair one more time FFS. Cut it or wear a hair band
I was gonna read the whole thread before commenting on anything but you’ve mentioned one of my biggest gripes of this evenings shit show , fucking put something on it a hair band an Alice band a Cnut band a fucking pair of cnuting scissors through the lot you fucking twat , shave it bald for a Brazilian you Cnut fucking stop playing with it you big girls blouse . Seriously it got to me tonight every fricking time .rant over , pass the Cadbury’s nurse and relax one two three no I don’t want to sleep cos i’’l see that twat slicking back his cnuting Barnet again fcuk off please sedate me nurse
This, this is what I come to the internet for
You love discussions about Alice bands. Fair enough.
For several weeks we've had a glaring defensive weakness through the middle. It's not just a CB problem, it's the lack of shield in front of the defence which is highlighted by the number of goals we concede to quick counter attacks. Attacks where we lose the ball and the opposition break at will through our midfield to get a shot away. Pompey had several breakaways (including the "comedy" one in the Tweet above) which they could/should have scored from
And we've done nothing about it. No new centre back, no new defensive shield in midfield, no change of tactics to prevent this happening. And until we stop this, we'll continue to drop lots of points.
For several weeks we've had a glaring defensive weakness through the middle. It's not just a CB problem, it's the lack of shield in front of the defence which is highlighted by the number of goals we concede to quick counter attacks. Attacks where we lose the ball and the opposition break at will through our midfield to get a shot away. Pompey had several breakaways (including the "comedy" one in the Tweet above) which they could/should have scored from
And we've done nothing about it. No new centre back, no new defensive shield in midfield, no change of tactics to prevent this happening. And until we stop this, we'll continue to drop lots of points.
Pratley could be that shield or Watson, but if you don't have a back four that are competent then it's irrelevant.
I think Matthews has been our best defender of late. He’s a proper professional footballer and should be one of the first names on the team sheet for me. But our defence this season has been such a car wreck. I think injuries are to blame but Bowyer also needs to take some of the flak.
Would a dedicated defensive coach be worth bringing in? Bowyer talks about how JJ takes the defence coaching....but he was an attaching midfielder.
I wonder if someone like Steve Brown coming in to work on shape and higher line would help?
When is enough enough ? We have now won 4 games in our last 17.
Is it when we win 5 in 20....?
Or when we win 6 in 23 ?
Week in & week out I read that its a blip, we won 6 on the trot, wait for the "big 2" to come back.....blah blah blah.
Will you now accept that he has taken us as far as he can.
I asked the question on the Bowyer Out thread but unfortunately no one has provided an answer
Should Curbs and Gritt have been sacked in 92/93 when we went on a similar run where we got 14-points from 17-games whereas we've gone 18-points from 17-games at the present...? - There is absolutely zero patience amongst Football fans anymore
For me its not a case he cant be at fault for anything, even I've been critical in recent weeks
But for me he gets a period into next season depending on results, gets a proper summer to work in pre-season @ Sparrows Lane and on a Training Camp to actually build a squad that is built on unity. This team has been rushed, its been put together in a panicked mess, its like sticking up a wall without any foundations and hoping it can do the job its there for.
The teams around us, how many of them have had to build virtually from scratch AGAIN this season... Instead I imagine they've put together a team of players that has been improved over the seasons to the point its strong enough to mount a serious promotion challenge
Regardless of who the Manager is next season, this summer HAS to be the last time that happens
We talk about recovering from Roland's era, we talk about the damage ESI have done, its going to take time to recover as a Football club.
But we wont get anywhere as a team without a stable team that is constantly being replaced and changed every season
Some great points there, but at the moment we have a team and formation that is being changed every 45 minutes! No player wants to be played out of position. No player wants to be hooked at half time. No player wants to be singled out as the scapegoat for a loss At the moment, all of the above are happening way too regularly for us to play with any cohesion or confidence.
Again, I only saw the last 30 minutes or so, from the time of Oshilaja's injury when we were 3-1 down. I wish I didn't have a habit of waking up at this time!
Quite simply, we never looked like scoring, though nor did Portsmouth, though being 3-1 up they didn't need to. They showed how to defend. No nonsense, blocking, pressing and no fannying around with the ball.
I really don't get Bowyer's constant tinkering with the team and formation. I think he tries to be too clever, basing his team on expected conditions and the way the opposition set up. It ain't working. How many times have we had to change personnel and formation at half-time? Have we played consistently well for 90 minutes all season? Most games we seem to play crap in one half and on the occasions when we do play well in the first half, we can't maintain it.
We need a defensive coach. A real defender, not an attacking midfielder-cum-occasional full back. Maybe we need a complete new management team. First time I've said this.
Bowyer said post match that Morgans effort on goal was a poor decision when he could of played in Shinnie. It was a shite effort but still the right call by Morgan. Joke is knowing how Shinnie has been playing he would of passed it back, but never mind that. Why bring that up.? Millar, Kaskey, Waterson and others all had chances and which went miles wide? Waterson gave a goal away yet nothing from Bows.
Gunter could repeatedly put the ball in his own net but Bowyer wont say a word.
Bowyer said post match that Morgans effort on goal was a poor decision when he could of played in Shinnie. It was a shite effort but still the right call by Morgan. Joke is knowing how Shinnie has been playing he would of passed it back, but never mind that. Why bring that up.? Millar, Kaskey, Waterson and others all had chances and which went miles wide? Waterson gave a goal away yet nothing from Bows.
Gunter could repeatedly put the ball in his own net but Bowyer wont say a word.
I’d like to see you blame Waterson to her face! Getting on a bit but she’d still kick your arse
Observations not just on last night but in general:
Genuinely never seen a manager who makes so many changes to a starting lineup. Always a minimum of 3 per game.
His obsession with rotation and keeping players fresh is doing us no good. Players need to play together consistently to build up an understanding of each other, play your best fucking team wherever possible. But at least we'll have fresh legs for the last month of the season for our push to finish 8th or 9th.
We've just come off a win, they've had a bit of a rest, there's really no need to change the team and leave out Millar and Aneke. Baffling.
Defence is appalling. They've all been bad but Maatsen i think has been off his game for a few weeks. Can't really blame him as he's just a kid but does he have a clause where he has to play if he's fit or something? Why not give him a rest for a couple of weeks and give Purrington a run, he can't do any worse.
Why do attacking players play well and get dropped next game, Williams, Maddison, Millar, Aneke yet Gunter is the second name on the team sheet after Amos despite probably being able to count his good games this season on one hand.
We're into February and i don't think Bowyer has any idea of his best XI.
Seemingly our entire season rests on the return of Famewo. No pressure Akin! But for me if a sides season rests on the return of a centre back, then ultimately that side isn't very good.
- no athletic CB in the window, obvious mistake. - constant ‘one in a season’ blunders, why is this happening so regularly?! - it’s not just the obvious blunders either. Our build up play is so slow and predictable, as it grinds it’s way through it’s routine additional players commit forward then comes the misplaced pass leaving acres of space for the opposition. I’m convinced now that other League 1 coaches know we’ll give at least 5 situations like this in a match and they play to it. Easy goals. We are not Barcelona or Man City. - wank team selection in leaving Millar out. - Schwartz is not the answer. He may be the greatest ‘fox in the box’ since Gerd Muller, who knows, but that’s not what we need right now. Washington’s energy would contribute to the team much more, don’t see a Stockley/Aneke front two as working (unless the match situation demands it).
Bowyer has to change things (definition of insanity and all that). We’re way to easy to read at the moment and I think we can afford to be more direct.
I'm in the minority here in not really caring about this season I think. We're coming off the back of a relegation season in the midst of a pandemic, as well as the club having to be saved in the last minute meaning we couldn't play around the salary cap. Bowyer has made some strange decisions and the football we have been playing at times is boring, but unless we get relegated, Bowyer has to be given the summer and following January window.
I'd give him 15 games of next season before reviewing. My early prediction for a new manager. Sandgaard will bring in either an unknown Dane or an American, then watch the fireworks!
If you do that you do know that you have blown that season too.
I wouldn't even give Bowyer the last 15 games of THIS season.
I'm old school and like to see stability, sorry my dear chum @blackpool72, and believe that is best in the long term. However, I do concede that 2020 as a whole has not been great for Bowyer. I would still stick with Bowyer but @golfaddick does make a fair point.
We are going to be down here for years boys... at least we now have an owner who can afford to keep the club solvent until circumstances turn in our favour - which I think, with the salary cap may be several years...
(heads to the car, puts the hose in through the window)
Another very poor display. We are vulnerable at the back and predictable going forward, so will not win many games. Our experienced players let us down again in Watson and Gunter, but we deserved nothing. Portsmouth the better team and better manager, they analysed us well and knew how to break us down on the counter attack. There is not much time left for Bowyer to get it right or our season is over.
Would like to see Stockley and Washington up front, that might work since Washington will provide another outlet in the channels.
It has all been said on here. Why would Bowyer not start Millar? It's incomprehensible. Why does he make these decisions? I would think 90%+ of people on here could see what a baffling decision that was. Mind-blowing actually. So, why can't Bowyer see it? Why would he choose to leave out our motm from the previous game, one that he had heralded himself in his post game press interview? Why would he do that? An absolute baffling decision. Bowyer is the expert but 90%+ of the non experts on here could see what a bad decision that was. Many called it out on the match day thread before a ball had been kicked. And, this isn't the first time he has done this kind of thing. In fact two of the players who he did it to have just recently left the club.
I think if you get into the answers to those questions you can see the personality that Bowyer has. The same personality that has made so many changes week by week to the starting lineups. The same personality that continues to not start with his best team. The same personality that has continually had to make wholesale changes at the half because we are chasing a lead and the balance is all wrong. The same personality that blames everyone or everything else but never himself. My personal opinion is that this is an arrogance that comes from Bowyer, probably because he has a too high opinion of himself from when he was a player. To the point that he will make decisions just to break the 'norm' because it's edgy or different or intelligent or whatever other adjective fits the bill in his head. No Bowyer, it's stupid. And it's stupid because it's just not working.
Strange game. Felt quite buoyed up after the window as we got rid of some deadwood and brought in some players who should be an improvement.
Millar and Aneke on the bench was no real surprise. This is partly rotation (rightly or wrongly, lots of teams do this) and partly because Chuks can’t play 90 minutes (and has scored nearly all his goals off the bench).
Bowyer didn’t play Watson and Pratley at the same time, which was a positive. But I did feel that when Watson came on that would turn out to be a mistake. He managed to get booked, give away the third goal, and then hit a shot so wide it went out for a throw in.
Morgan played well first half, and a screamer off the bar which had it gone in could have been goal of the season. The second shot he had, if only he’d kept it down, it would have then tested the keeper at least. He had energy and is a natural passer. He can also swing in a decent corner. Not really sure why he was hooked.
Shinnie seemed a shadow of his recent self - subdued and maybe out of position. But once Morgan and Shinnie were withdrawn, we looked bereft of ideas.
No one really played that badly. As Bows said, it was individual errors which let us down. Amos made two great saves but I think was to blame for the second goal - he really should be coming for that free kick that was dropped into our 6 yard box. As I said above, Watson was to blame for the the third.
Couple of other points. Every game when Chuks loses the ball, he then commits a foul when trying to win it back, and we lose momentum. Stop fouling Chuks! Why do we keep taking quick free kicks? I don’t recall a single time this season where the quick freekick has been advantageous. Let’s just slow it down, take our time, and if advanced enough down the field, drop the freekick into their box.
JFC - very one footed and last night was poor compared to his recent performances. There was one point where he ran into a position wide on the right which was completely pointless as he would never try to cross it with his right foot.
Deji played a blinder again. Very solid, fearless, and didn’t do anything wrong.
Ronnie is like the invisible man. I’m sure this is because he is a proper goal poacher who will pop up to score with one touch if only the ball was given to him in the box. But at one point I heard Greg saying that Ronnie had moved to wide on the right. Not sure why our goal poacher would play out there and looks much less likely than Washington to be productive from a wide position.
All in all very deflated after that. When Innis and Famewo were playing back in the halcyon days of October I thought we had a steeliness in the team that I hadn’t seen before. Without them, we are very flakey. And the errors we make when trying to play out of defence have cost us a number of goals recently.
Let’s see what happens on Saturday as we hopefully see the return of Famewo and the debut of DJ. But we should be beating the likes of Rochdale if we are serious about promotion.
Comments
I did stay on stream until Bow's post match interview was concluded and thought he gave a fair assessment of the match with no excuses...
But he admitted AGAIN that we were too soft so I have to ask, why, after he'd already given that assessment recently, had the issue not been successfully addressed ! Surely it's a manager's or coach's job to identify any problems and sort them out. It's not as if he only has 11 fit players - he has more options now than he's probably had since he took over the reins. Maybe that's part of his problem....
He also referred to the fact that Pompey " do what they do" and "do it well ". Fair point. We may not like the numerous times their players "fall over" but it appears to win them free kicks all over the pitch ( I think the ref must be an ex sailor though tonight) and they looked to attack at every opportunity, seeming to know where their team mates would be before they completed a pass. Maybe our lads should be provided with sat navs to help them find one another ....
If this is Pompey's successful modus operandi, what is ours ? Do WE have a Charlton way of playing ? How closely does Bow, JJ, SG watch the opposition before we play them ? Do we work on getting the basics right in training day after day ? Would it help Bow to watch a game or two from higher in the West Stand where he'd be able to see more clearly what we and Terry & Greg see ?
SO many questions and, well, you know the rest...
I honestly believe that tonight heralded the crossroads for the gaffer and it pains me to admit it.
We all love the guy who we first saw racing around the pitch on his spindly legs as a 17 year old. And love the way in which this ex player returned "home" to lead our team onwards & upwards under the most difficult circumstances and against all odds.
But I am beginning to question whether his lack of managerial experience, and possibly a degree of naivety, is becoming all too apparent. Perhaps opposition managers note such frailties, if indeed they are, and use this to their advantage when preparing their teams to face the Addicks ( IYKWIM )
The question may soon be posed as to whether a more experienced "old" head might get more from a squad of players that many surely envy. I guess there's only one way we'll find out the answer. Many of us here have felt that a mentor, or indeed someone who's been there & worn the T shirt, would be beneficial to our Lee - perhaps the time is right for Thomas to mull this over.
Every match, I want this one to be the start of that fabled "good run".
But it just isn't happening. And, sadly, the signs are not there of significant improvement on anything like a regular basis.
And I fear that the return of Innis and Famewo when fit will not solve our current problems, even if they are able to hit the ground running, as opposed to limping.
Those of you that have played the beautiful game will have your own ideas of where the solution to our problems lie and I look forward to reading those views on this thread tomorrow.
But I believe that you will all be posing the question of where do we go from here ....
Worried of Wadhurst.
FWIW, I reckon Bowyer will see the light on Saturday, will start with Millar & DJ and we win 4-2.
I just want to see 442 with best players on the pitch in right positions for consecutive matches. Surely got to yield better than the constant switching and square pegs.
Seriously it got to me tonight every fricking time .rant over , pass the Cadbury’s nurse and relax one two three
no I don’t want to sleep cos i’’l see that twat slicking back his cnuting Barnet again fcuk off
please sedate me nurse
And we've done nothing about it. No new centre back, no new defensive shield in midfield, no change of tactics to prevent this happening. And until we stop this, we'll continue to drop lots of points.
No player wants to be played out of position.
No player wants to be hooked at half time.
No player wants to be singled out as the scapegoat for a loss
At the moment, all of the above are happening way too regularly for us to play with any cohesion or confidence.
Gunter could repeatedly put the ball in his own net but Bowyer wont say a word.
in fact i would love to see her try
Genuinely never seen a manager who makes so many changes to a starting lineup. Always a minimum of 3 per game.
His obsession with rotation and keeping players fresh is doing us no good. Players need to play together consistently to build up an understanding of each other, play your best fucking team wherever possible. But at least we'll have fresh legs for the last month of the season for our push to finish 8th or 9th.
We've just come off a win, they've had a bit of a rest, there's really no need to change the team and leave out Millar and Aneke. Baffling.
Defence is appalling. They've all been bad but Maatsen i think has been off his game for a few weeks. Can't really blame him as he's just a kid but does he have a clause where he has to play if he's fit or something? Why not give him a rest for a couple of weeks and give Purrington a run, he can't do any worse.
Why do attacking players play well and get dropped next game, Williams, Maddison, Millar, Aneke yet Gunter is the second name on the team sheet after Amos despite probably being able to count his good games this season on one hand.
We're into February and i don't think Bowyer has any idea of his best XI.
Seemingly our entire season rests on the return of Famewo. No pressure Akin! But for me if a sides season rests on the return of a centre back, then ultimately that side isn't very good.
- no athletic CB in the window, obvious mistake.
- constant ‘one in a season’ blunders, why is this happening so regularly?!
- it’s not just the obvious blunders either. Our build up play is so slow and predictable, as it grinds it’s way through it’s routine additional players commit forward then comes the misplaced pass leaving acres of space for the opposition. I’m convinced now that other League 1 coaches know we’ll give at least 5 situations like this in a match and they play to it. Easy goals. We are not Barcelona or Man City.
- wank team selection in leaving Millar out.
- Schwartz is not the answer. He may be the greatest ‘fox in the box’ since Gerd Muller, who knows, but that’s not what we need right now. Washington’s energy would contribute to the team much more, don’t see a Stockley/Aneke front two as working (unless the match situation demands it).
Bowyer has to change things (definition of insanity and all that). We’re way to easy to read at the moment and I think we can afford to be more direct.
However, I do concede that 2020 as a whole has not been great for Bowyer.
I would still stick with Bowyer but @golfaddick does make a fair point.
(heads to the car, puts the hose in through the window)
Would like to see Stockley and Washington up front, that might work since Washington will provide another outlet in the channels.
Bowyer didn’t play Watson and Pratley at the same time, which was a positive. But I did feel that when Watson came on that would turn out to be a mistake. He managed to get booked, give away the third goal, and then hit a shot so wide it went out for a throw in.
Morgan played well first half, and a screamer off the bar which had it gone in could have been goal of the season. The second shot he had, if only he’d kept it down, it would have then tested the keeper at least. He had energy and is a natural passer. He can also swing in a decent corner. Not really sure why he was hooked.
Shinnie seemed a shadow of his recent self - subdued and maybe out of position. But once Morgan and Shinnie were withdrawn, we looked bereft of ideas.
No one really played that badly. As Bows said, it was individual errors which let us down. Amos made two great saves but I think was to blame for the second goal - he really should be coming for that free kick that was dropped into our 6 yard box. As I said above, Watson was to blame for the the third.
Couple of other points. Every game when Chuks loses the ball, he then commits a foul when trying to win it back, and we lose momentum. Stop fouling Chuks! Why do we keep taking quick free kicks? I don’t recall a single time this season where the quick freekick has been advantageous. Let’s just slow it down, take our time, and if advanced enough down the field, drop the freekick into their box.
JFC - very one footed and last night was poor compared to his recent performances. There was one point where he ran into a position wide on the right which was completely pointless as he would never try to cross it with his right foot.
Deji played a blinder again. Very solid, fearless, and didn’t do anything wrong.
Ronnie is like the invisible man. I’m sure this is because he is a proper goal poacher who will pop up to score with one touch if only the ball was given to him in the box. But at one point I heard Greg saying that Ronnie had moved to wide on the right. Not sure why our goal poacher would play out there and looks much less likely than Washington to be productive from a wide position.
All in all very deflated after that. When Innis and Famewo were playing back in the halcyon days of October I thought we had a steeliness in the team that I hadn’t seen before. Without them, we are very flakey. And the errors we make when trying to play out of defence have cost us a number of goals recently.
Let’s see what happens on Saturday as we hopefully see the return of Famewo and the debut of DJ. But we should be beating the likes of Rochdale if we are serious about promotion.