Stoke City 2 - 1 Derby County

Well, to add my tuppence worth I thought the game was pretty awful, bereft of any sort of free flowing football. I've got to say I haven't got a clue why.
So many players just looked tired / jaded and lacking in any skill or motivation. Again I'm totally unsure what happened. Maybe they "thought" they'd win. Who knows. But so many players seemed unable to get involved or simply pass to one of our players - rather than the opposition...thus putting even more pressure on our defence.
I'm pleased that on this site we haven't (yet) resorted to throwing bricks at the Manager as has happened on other sites.. because lest we forget, we'd still be in L1 without him.
This season was always going to be one of consolidation - and we shouldn't forget this. It was just somewhat disappointing that we lost to a team who were just not very good.
I "get" that Warney has set out to make us difficult to beat and of course we have to work with the players at our disposal.. it was just disappointing that too many of those players were [for what ever reason] unable to make any positive impact on the game.
Anyway, we go again on Wednesday. Cheers. Terry in Spain 🇪🇸

Yes we lost but the penno was soft (not necessary) and the winner should have been disallowed for a clear foul.

So, practically a classic scrappy 1-0 away win really …

comment by FinlandRam (U3621)
posted 17 minutes ago
Yes we lost but the penno was soft (not necessary) and the winner should have been disallowed for a clear foul.

So, practically a classic scrappy 1-0 away win really …
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That's the type of post I'm on board with. Previous ones were so depressing regarding our hopeless passing and lackluster performance.

Noticing our 12.30 kick offs are not generating a lot of comments, this thread will just about drag itself over 200 comments.

comment by lastapostleofvidal (U1491)
posted 16 hours, 53 minutes ago
The highlight of the day was observing Scouse looking forlornly at the screen at the railway station, baffled by the absence of any of his expected trains home. I politely pointed out he was looking at the arrivals rather than the departures.

As for the match, we had a good first five minutes and that was about it. Adams and Osborn seemed up for the contest but Harness, Yates, Jackson and NML had next to no impact. Insufficient desire to get on the ball and to look after the ball, it seemed to me. So we got no play going.

I’m a big fan of Fozz but blimey he had a shocker. I thought Elder was good as his replacement. I don’t know if subbing Ward was down to injury or not but our shape was weird in the second half, though we played marginally better.

No need to panic but we have gone backwards a bit in the last month. Harness and Kenzo are both luxury players and need others to control the midfield for them to show their skill. Maybe Adams and Ozoh can do that but it seems that otherwise we struggle. Until we get Ozoh’s strength back maybe Tommo’s energy is the best option.
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I agree with all your assessments of the match, some of the players didn't seem to be trying very hard. I had thought PW was doing better this season, but how can he explain that. He seemed very tetchy when interviewed afterwards.

I am not convinced by the keeper, I prefer Wildsmith. Sorry to be grumpy Scouse, but I reckon Yates is the worst centre forward since Hales and Campbell.

If PW doesn't put Brown in the team on Wednesday I shall be very cross!

Yep, needs to give opposition centre-half's something to think about for a change.

Tbh that lone striker role is incredibly difficult and imo Collo is the best we have for that role. I rate Yates but in that role he's just getting frustrated. He'd be much better with Collo or Brown along side him.
I appreciate its the way we set up to make us difficult to play against - but there's a reason we don't score much from open play atm. Granted midfield is part of that but we don't actually put opposition defences under much pressure do we.
Cheers. Terry in Spain 🇪🇸

I very much agree

I think you've nailed it Terry. That is why I think VC's criticism of Yates is unfair although it's all opinion of course. Maybe playing Collo alone up front could work but I'm not convinced he could manage it in this League. Two up front would presumably mean three at the back with WBs which in turn would omit CBT and NML who are potentially our most potent threats going forward.

PW may well go with a back three at Coventry but would such a system find favour with fans for home games? OK it worked towards the end of last season but that was a different ball-game.

Playing Yates on his own has not worked (except against Brizzle) and it seems to be a pointless exercise now (literally.) It's a hell of a problem and I think we could struggle until Ozoh gets back (although I would not want to put loads of pressure on one so young.)

Collins is a willing enough worker but it is surely too much to expect much from him at this level and at his age if operating as a sole striker. Where Yates HAS done well has been when he is close to other players and can link up with them. He looks lost on his own.

Until Brown develops into Didier Drogba #2 any centre forward will be living off scraps. Personally I think a back three best suits the players currently available. When Ozoh returns a 4-2-4 might be viable. Or we effectively abandon wingers and play a narrow midfield 4, say Kenzo, Adams, Osborn and Tommo.

Regardless of formation, individuals need to take better care of the ball. I didn't really like Warne's comments about the main problem being that we were not passing it quickly enough in midfield. If they all do the first-time pass business we will give it away even more. We need better control in my opinion. For me, our strikers are better suited to through balls than crosses. At present we are back to getting it wide and whipping it in. I would prefer holding it better in midfield and try to get the likes of Kenzo to pick out a striker making a run.