They have fallen off!
IMO we were better under the embargo, making do with what we had. I have reservations about Kevin Mc Duff. He hardly put us in the right frame of mind for the Donny game, saying that it would be not a bad one to lose.
Not a home win in 7. Hardly likely to inspire new supporters.
At the last minute bring in 3 youngsters, put them into the side & expect them to do better than guys who have played well in this league all season.
We don't have a decent striker, or a good winger now. Yet, in a panic, we bring in 2 midfielders & a fullback, none of which are experienced at this level. And, put them straight into the side.
Under the embargo, they wouldn't be here. McDuff would have had to use what was available. I think that we would have been better off.
Where have the wheels gone?
posted on 2/4/13
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posted on 2/4/13
Hey Anfield,
What a great post!!
Only thing I disagree with is Byrne. Fullbacks have to defend. Anything else is a bonus. We should not have to rely on them to act as wingers. But, even with a good winger, we are short up front - have been all season.
George, another positive post. But I wouldn't wait until Xmas to decide Mc's future. By that time half the season has gone. He will have made his signings in the summer. If it looks bad, then get rid of him in November, let the new guy prepare for reinforcements in January. Not leaving it until the last minute.
posted on 3/4/13
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posted on 3/4/13
Anfield,
Another good post!
To be fair, I would have settled for a season of rebuilding, but our hopes were raised.
As for team formations, the question is where to put captain Mac. I'd like to see him play in Navarros' spot.
There is no doubt that we have to get the ball wide to create chances, by wingers or fullbacks. But if it is fullbacks, then they have to defend as a priority.
For me, in this league, we can afford to have one wide player who can beat people & cross the ball. Ritchie could do that from either side. Two would be a dangerous luxury. But, those crosses have to go to someone in the middle & that, IMO is where we have been lacking all season.
The platform is there to build on! Give KM the rest of the season & the summer to sort it, whichever league we might be in then evaluate in November.
posted on 3/4/13
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posted on 3/4/13
Good LBs are like rocking horse do-doos. McEv is a good one, we have to fill in until he gets back. One JT played 20 years, no reason to replace him there.
I think that Byrne came in the package.
posted on 3/4/13
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posted on 4/4/13
I've been ill - gastic flu so I've missed this excellent exchange. Great posts all round guys!
I too gave up on automatic some time ago, you sort of get the feeling when you know it's not going to happen. I don't think it's fair to apportion all the blame to KM, he needs a number of games before judgement is made in my opinion. I still think he'll come good. Canioman's start wasn't the best as I recall.
We need players back from injury and McCormack needs to be rested.
We can still make the top 6...what matters is that in doing so we pick up the tempo so that we go into it with confidence.
posted on 4/4/13
Meant to add...'the wheels on the bus go round and round'
posted on 14/4/13
I posted then, but could have done the same now.
The wheels have fallen off, but the pit crew can't put them on again.
Strikers are still the main problem. 1 goal in 5 games just isn't enough. IMO they were pretty inept anyway, but without Ritchie as provider, they are more so.
But now we have problems at the back & in midfield.
Why is Devera not given a game? Byrne looks a gutsy little player, but makes loads of basic mistakes. Macca, playing out of position has collected more cards than I got at Christmas. Ward looked competent when he had good defenders around him, but now he looks vulnerable. Even Wes looks tired. He has no-one to give the ball to except ping it upfield & hope it doesn't come back too soon.
Old MacDonald has made a right pig's ear of it. Signed new youngsters on a "buy 2, get one free" basis. I have done that at Sainsbury, but inevitably the last one got thrown away. So it proved here.