I'm finding it very difficult not to shout on Houston to go now. It wasn't the greatest game in the world today and we were probably unlucky to a degree, but for me the reason why we didn't win AGAIN today at home, a run that has seen no home wins since AUGUST, is because of his decisions during the game.
We had three players who looked like doing something today. All three got subbed off. I appreciate Gary Mackay-Steven is not 100% fit, but he didn't look like he was knackered and he was doing two important jobs - he was a threat as shown by his excellent finish, and secondly and more importantly he was giving them something to think about. Brittain did very little going forward today because he was back helping Kova deal with GMS. With him going off he was free to go forward and that's why he was there to score today. With GMS still on the park he wouldn't have been there.
Armstrong and Russell were probably not at their best but they looked the most likely to do something. To take them off with a couple of minutes to go was ridiculous. There were others on the park, notably Daly and Rankin, who contributed little.
I don't like booing but I can't blame anyone for booing him today. Those decisions were outrageous.
Disappointed (but not surprised) with the result overall. Some reasonable performances. Some not great. But we really should have had enough to see them off but the decision to be more negative played into their hands. When you can't defend for toffee then you really shouldn't be trying to see out games in a defensive style when there was so long still to play.
Houston out. Now.
Ridiculous
posted on 26/1/13
So GMS isn't 100% fit and Armstrong, Russell, Daly and Rankin were not at their best...But it was Houstons fault?
Just saying....
posted on 26/1/13
Hector, GMS came back from two months out last weekend and has made three 60 minute appearances in the last week.
However, he certainly didn't look like he was struggling when he came off. Armstrong and Russell both played reasonably well I felt - both looked threats. Daly wasn't as involved as I'd like. Rankin has been out of form for a while yet but always plays, despite us having both Ryan and Millar in reserve (Houston signings).
The reason it's his fault is that he sets out the tactics and changed from a moderately attacking set up (not cavalier) to a thoroughly defensive one, despite the fact that our defence is clearly our weakest area of our team. You have players who want to go forward playing unnaturally and the shape of the team goes to pieces.
I'll give you an example of what I mean. In the game today Ivan Sproule was their only real threat, particularly second half. He played right midfield against Barry Douglas. Douglas was struggling with him and when GMS went off I thought it was designed to help Rankin get back in to help Douglas and double up on their dangerman. That didn't happen at any stage. He was still left 1 v 1. Now I'm not a managerial expert, but if they have one real threat you shut it down, especially if you're moving to a defensive set up. As it was their goal came from a ball releasing Sproule and he rolled it back for it to be touched to Brittain to score with a fine finish. The defence was entirely lop sided with Gunning and Dillon pushing forward and Douglas dropping deep to cover the runs of Sproule. This was never rectified by the manager. And as I said in the main article the effects of having GMS on the park on their team had positive tactical ramifications for us.
So yes, it was the managers fault.
posted on 26/1/13
I only sort of half listened on the radio today, I couldn't believe it after we went 1-0 up (GMS) he was then subbed. My first thought was 'he's our best player, he's just scored, this is just going to give County a lift. . I have long defended Houston on here and now he's making me look like a fool.
But I am not encouraged by the thought of S Pressley taking over much
Still we never got beat, and Rangers struggled against the mighty Montrose so we might make the quarters of the cup yet.
Still looking forward next week though, what a game for our first home win since august COYT
posted on 26/1/13
Ivan,
You're now joining the Houston must go club.
Manyof us have been saying that for a while now.
His last minute subs today were for me an 'up you' to the the supporters and Thompson.
Daly and Flood, his mates' kept on but take off players who might have won the game.
The man is now being found big style as the useless individual that he is.
If utd cant afford to punt him now then tell the supporters that but remove him from picking the team.
posted on 27/1/13
Right now I don't know if I'd trust him to be in charge for the Rangers game, let me manage the rangers game, just hoping the large home support does its job.
shed boy, I do believe I owe you a pint
posted on 27/1/13
Couldnt agree more Ivan! totally diabolical substitutions, we havent won a home game since august and yet he makes timewasting substitutions in the last minute ffs!
posted on 27/1/13
Westcoastarab,
We'll go double or quits on the next manager.
If the papers are right then it looks like Pressley is the man.
Nothing obvious sugests him as being the best man for the job but we have to believe Thompson will have done his homework.
Irrespective Houston must go now.
posted on 27/1/13
I just wonder why houston is "bemused" by our home form? can he really not see what the rest of us can? Rankin has been awful all season and yet hasn't missed a game, flood is a trier but just isnt skilled enough in my opinion and cant hang onto the ball for more than a few seconds. we still cant defend corners and our defence also gives the ball away far too easily. Houston has poved useless in the transfer market as we are all aware, we have a very poorly balanced squad, four goalkeepers yet only five recognised defenders! an over abundance of midfielders and yet he still wont shake things up in that part of the team.He is also, as yesterday conclusively proved, inept in making tactical changes. please Peter go now whilst we can still remember the good times!
posted on 27/1/13
To be fair to Willo, he's been excellent for us the last couple of months. Improved massively. He's won the ArabTrust player of the month the last two months.
posted on 27/1/13
What makes him worse is that not only is he clueless with team selection, subs, tactics and what appears to be motivation he is too arrogant to see it.
He says the team were lacking in belief.
Is that not part of the manager's role to instill belief in his players.
He was happy to take the credit when we won at Dens.
Lose or draw its the players. Win it was him.